Snobishness in Cycling. Does it exist?

[biggs682]

most definately it exsist

 

[jdtate101]

Yep, snobbishness does exist in all forms of life including cycling. I've not come across it much myself and if someone gives me grief when I'm out, I'll let my legs do the talking and drop 'em right smart. Most people I've come across on club rides, sportives and general rides are just really nice and chatty, so I'm not sure where these snobbish people are to be found

 

[yello]

I think it's because I don't hang around with tossers.

I guess I can't be your friend then

 

[Hip Priest]

I don't know about snobbishness, but one of the worst insults i've ever had came from a guy on a cannondale road bike, wearing all the gear,
with massive beer belly and backside.
As i passed him on my girlfriends raleigh shopper he yelled out "bloody poser, you ought to get off those drugs".
(I was only nipping up the corner shop).

I've seen him around a few times since while i've been out on my roady, still hauling his whale blubber at 10.5mph.

Sounds like he was making a joke.

 

[sddg7tfl]

Sounds like he was making a joke.

Quite possibly ... although i can hit 22 mph on the shopper and hold it for a mile.

 

[Hip Priest]

Quite possibly ... although i can hit 22 mph on the shopper and hold it for a mile.

Good stuff.

What I mean is, he was making a joke about his own lack of pace, by suggesting you were on drugs. That's how I read it anyway.

 

[mickle]

I think mickle was joking when he said he looked down on them!

No. And I look sideways at riders of victorian sociables too.

 

[philinmerthyr]

Another forum with Radar in its name game me proof that snobbishness exists in abundance. A guy in there is complaining that he didn't get into the London 100 and feels that people he saw on twitter with places weren't up to it.

What a prat. I've got a place and am using he incentive to lose weight and raise money for beating bowel cancer. I've Sent him a DM asking him to justify his view. Don't think he will reply

 

[lozcs]

Not heard of Rapha before so had a look online - OMG - how much! I'll stick to Aldi cycle specials! ;-)

Had a funny one on a ride recently, guy went past friend and I on a lovely looking Pinarello, friend and I looked at each other with envy just as he changed gear with the most cringe inducing cruch of gears ever.

What was funny was that later on we passed him I changed gear with a lovely sounding CLICK - friend knew exactly what I meant and we both sniggered.

All the gear no idea springs to mind (still jealous of bike though)

 

[GIOS]

For me it's more than just cycling itself. When I'm not riding I'm probably polishing my vintage Campy bits or reading books about the mastermind behind my bike. Does the importance of traditions and heritage make me a snob?

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Hold on... when you ride fixed you usually end up looking up at others do you not?

I don't ride a fixed recumbent. And when found in the gutter I'm simply looking at, or seeing, stars.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Fixie riders are the elite.

Tru' dat*. But he is referring to a little mishap I had


*but the truth is the riders of steel framed hardtails are the elite, or was it carbon road bikes, or lugged tourers or full suspension all mountain designs or... or... or... titanium bromptons...?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

oh and for the record I'm not a cyclist. I'm a person who rides bicycles a lot.

 

[Saluki]

I don't know about snobbishness, but one of the worst insults i've ever had came from a guy on a cannondale road bike, wearing all the gear,
with massive beer belly and backside.
As i passed him on my girlfriends raleigh shopper he yelled out "bloody poser, you ought to get off those drugs".
(I was only nipping up the corner shop).

I've seen him around a few times since while i've been out on my roady, still hauling his whale blubber at 10.5mph.

He might only be doing 10.5mph but at least he is cycling, I suppose. My OH cycles at around that speed, drives me mad - not that I ride much faster myself when my sciatica is giving me grief. Being older and fatter slows me down a lot but I'm working on it. Granted the bloke could have kept his comments to himself but he is out there trying to take some exercise, he deserves at least one brownie point for it.

Are real cyclists snobbish towards us older fatter types who enjoy a nice ride on their bike, do you think?

 

[swansonj]

Evidence of snobbery? Head over to the thread on Andrew Mitchell and read the comments about the wicker basket on his bicycle.

Another sub-genre of snobbery that I don't think has been mentioned yet is Rohloffs. But perhaps that's not snobbery, perhaps it's closer to visceral, tribal hatred....