Elitism and Snobbery

[ianrauk]

pffft.. some friends they are.

 

[Elysian_Roads]

Am with @Spiderweb on this one. Hopefully then everyone will just get on with enjoying the riding. Good luck.

 

[vickster]

Train in secret. Keep your shoddy kit and your shoddy bike. Be faster and better than them!

Yep and sit in the middle of the pack conserving energy and destroy them with a last mile or two breakaway

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

All the kit in the world don’t make one fast

But I do like to wear matching outfit!!

 

[Serge]

All the kit in the world don’t make one fast

But I do like to wear matching outfit!!

Me too (as long as it's black).

 

[Accy cyclist]

Me too (as long as it's black).

Black!!!!

 

[Ian H]

Just gently take the mickey out of them. No need to be hostile back. They'll either get it, or not, but either way it should clear the air.
Sample phrases to deliver with a smile and a wink:-
"All the gear, no idea."
"Full-kit self-gratification artist."
I'm sure you can think of others.

 

[Serge]

Black!!!!

I'm afraid so, all this time I've been a closet ninja.

I'm the same on the golf course (yes, I'm a golfer too. All my dirty, little secrets are coming out today!).

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm afraid so, all this time I've been a closet ninja.

I'm the same on the golf course (yes, I'm a golfer too. All my dirty, little secrets are coming out today!).

Black shorts yes,but for me everything else has to be nice and bright...and matching of course!

What about pastel pink,have you considered that?

 

[Vantage]

Another of Eddy Merckx quotes I like is

"Don't buy upgrades, ride up grades."

I like my bike to look good but shoving it in someone's face to belittle them is stupid. There's always gonna be someone faster and tougher

 

[Beebo]

How old are they? Anyone over 18 who judges people or feels judged by possessions needs to grow up.
I take pride in an element of reverse snobbery with things like that.

 

[Lilliburlero]

Ok, so I’m a recreational cyclist like I would imagine close to 100% of us are on here, and for a long time I’ve always ridden solo be it on trails or road. I cycle purely for enjoyment-it’s my escape from life’s ups and downs, if only for a short time.

Some lads at work who follow my strava and mates of theirs added me in to their group chat and invited me on a few weekly socials which I happily accepted (and still do). They’re a fantastic bunch of lads every single one of them. A little cliquey, maybe, but they’ve ridden together for a while so I don’t let that bother me.

But a couple of chaps in the group like to have the best of everything be it clothing or tech or whatever and it’s becoming like a “Keep Up With The Joneses” with all the others following suit and then they scoff and sneer at me because I don’t. They’re quite passive aggressive with it I find at times as well. The latest one is all matching Rapha clobber for next year’s trip to Spain, once I expressed doubt on this (for no other reason than cost as I have other bits to fork out for) it’s like I’ve been an afterthought in the group, feeling a little shut out.

The way I look at it is I enjoy riding my bike-pure and simple. Should it matter that I only wear certain branded attire or don’t have the latest gadget?

I really enjoy riding with these fellas as it’s benefited me no end and we have a good laugh but the elitism and snobbery is driving me crazy!

What experiences (if any) have you had with elitist snobs in cycling and how did you deal with it?

Love to hear the feedback.

Sounds like there`s a couple of alpha males in the group with money to burn, Chris. What they rinse their money on is up to them, but they should not expect others to fork out their hard earned cash on expensive kit just to pander to their whims. I don`t get anything like this with my group buddy. We exchange opinions on kit and tech and that`s it, its up to the individual to decide what they want and need.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

@Chris Doyle does this mean I have to stop wearing my Yorkshire jersey?

 

[Lilliburlero]

@Chris Doyle does this mean I have to stop wearing my Yorkshire jersey?

Nah mate, it keeps the flies away from the rest of us

 

[Crackle]

If you get something out of the group carry on, if you don't, stop. I think the minute you begin to question what they are doing and why it's a slippery slope and you'll just find yourself exposing more cracks in the group façade. It's more awkward as they are colleagues as well so if you wish to disassociate from them you may need to plan it carefully.