"Proper cyclists"; give it a rest!

[Markymark]

More specifically... South East London...

Where's that? My map of London had a wiggly blue line at the bottom and nothing below it.

 

[classic33]

That's cuz you're a Northern hard man like me innit. Is you frum Bratfurd?

Next valley over. "Happy Valley" where they found the body in the flat!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Next valley over. "Happy Valley" where they found the body in the flat!

But that wasn't a proper serial murderer what dunnit.

 

[classic33]

But that wasn't a proper serial murderer what dunnit.

Still proper dead though. What are mates for?

Just 400 yards from me.

 

[DRHysted]

My point is this though; how many of those fatties on the sofa would be more inclined to get themselves onto a bike if they didn't feel under pressure to conform to some sort of image? The image being that of a lycra wearing athlete with all the gear. Don't get me wrong; I am not criticising them for wearing all the proper (?) kit if that is what floats their boat. What I am criticising is those that look down their noses at us mortals, and feel that it is ok for them to criticise US for not conforming to their standards.
If I and others as semi enthusiastic cyclists feel that pressure, then I can sympathise with those who choose the sofa!

If people are going to use peer pressure as an excuse not to do something there is very little to be done.
Do something because you want to.
After all would you jump off a cliff because you were told to?

 

[snorri]

I've got enough pairs of jeans covered in hard-to-remove oil to know to avoid it when possible!

Your lucky it's only your jeans that are affected, no trousers are free of risk, even when wearing my kilt the socks pick up some chain oil occasionally.

 

[classic33]

If people are going to use peer pressure as an excuse not to do something there is very little to be done.
Do something because you want to.
After all would you jump off a cliff because you were told to?

What's at the bottom of them?

 

[ayceejay]

I go out in what I consider appropriate clothing, I assume you do the same brandane if I said that situation suits me would you say the same? You could criticize what I wear but it wouldn't change anything.

 

[Milkfloat]

I judge a proper cyclist by the smile on their face - my son who did his first 100m (meters, unaided) last night, just qualified as a the most proper of cyclists.

 

[Hip Priest]

[QUOTE 4190164, member: 9609"]There is a big hill near where I live and I sometimes wait for some proper cyclists to come along on their fancy bikes wearing their silly clothes - I let them whizz past me on the approach, but as am well rested and know how to pace my self on this hill, I gradually reel them in and pass them on the steep bit. They are invariably too out of breath to speak but I do enjoy the disappointment in their eyes. Bloke twice their age has just past them on an old steel bike wearing no lycra or helmet ... LOL[/QUOTE]

Why don't you just get on with your own ride, and let others get on with theirs?

 

[cyberknight]

The main use for helmets is to shut up the A&E staff asking if you've whacked your head. Lying on the road with a broken back - "how's your head" - "it's not my head it's my back !!! - Look there is my helmet, not a mark on it".

I had the same when i landed on my hip from a pothole "were you wearing a helmet " FFS !, and its keeps mrs ck happy.

 

[cyberknight]

I think velomanti the rules has a lot to answer for.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I prefer 'cloggers'. They rarely try to give it the big I am, and just get on with riding the bike.

 

[Hip Priest]

[QUOTE 4190514, member: 9609"]I'm not on a ride, and in what way am I interfering with theirs ?[/QUOTE]

I didn't say you were. But hanging around a local hill waiting for other cyclists to come along so you can 'beat' them, makes you come across like a nobber.

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

The one thing guaranteed to put me off cycling is the ever increasing number of comments from supposed cycling buddies referring to my refusal to conform to what they see as "proper cyclists".
I don't wear a helmet; I sometimes wear lycra shorts but never without something else over them; I tried clipless pedals but for various reasons didn't like them - so I wear trainers. Forgive me Lord, but sometimes I even wear jeans on my bike if I'm not going far.

I manage to do about 3500 miles per year on 3 different bikes (a Tricross, a Secteur, and a Trek MTB), including some touring at home and abroad. So why do the weekend warriors with all the kit feel that they are being helpful by suggesting that I would benefit from their advice regarding what I wear on a bike?
I confess that they do put me off cycling to a certain extent, but being a stubborn individual I would rather avoid the people involved rather than become one of the uniformed victims of fashion.
I enjoy being a utility cyclist - I am not interested in speed, or how I look. A proper cyclist only needs one thing IMHO, and that is a bike! So give it a rest, ya nobbers .

I just get pissed off at forum dwellers telling me I'm completely wrong not to use certain "innovations" on my bike.
Even though I tell them I have used them and thought they were of no use to me.