The character of a cyclist.

[Globalti]

How would you describe your character? Extrovert and gregarious or introvert and solitary? How much of your character do you attribute to cycling or do you think you enjoy cycling because of your character?

It struck me this morning that most of the cyclists I know are "characters" with their own views on life, not bothered about following the herd. I have been a mountaineer since the age of eight and I've always thought that solitary sports like climbing and cycling make one introspective thanks to the long hours of patient plodding up hills and the opportunities for thought, not to mention the insights gained by testing one's self in unpleasant circumstances.

 

[Paulus]

I don't think there is a a certain trait that you could say is a cyclist. Like life cyclists fall into many categories. Outgoing or introverted, deep thinkers or those without any conviction at all. We are a wide and varied bunch, sporty types, commuters, tourers or those who ride just for a bit of fun. We all have a common interest.

 

[dellzeqq]

do you mean one's character, or the character of one's cycling? They might be totally at odds.

 

[Globalti]

do you mean one's character, or the character of one's cycling? They might be totally at odds.

Actually I should have written personality, character being not quite the same thing.

 

[snorri]

Thinking of all the cyclists I know, or have met, I struggle to see a common personality factor, other than being cyclists.

 

[jdrussell]

Thinking of all the cyclists I know, or have met, I struggle to see a common personality factor, other than being cyclists.

Yeah, I agree with this. All the cyclists I know are very different from each other.

 

[numbnuts]

Most people on here seem to be atheists and like climbing hills were as I believe and hate hills, nothing in common except a bike

 

[Glow worm]

You can't generalise as said above, but there could be something in the not wanting to follow the herd mentality among cyclists. I'll do anything to avoid a crowd. I know a lot of cyclists who are similar.

 

[Toshiba Boy]

You can't generalise as said above, but there could be something in the not wanting to follow the herd mentality among cyclists. I'll do anything to avoid a crowd. I know a lot of cyclists who are similar.

Glow worm, I understand what you're saying, and do enjoy my own company a lot of the time when out cycling. However, if I'm on a group ride /sportive, and there's a pig of a headwind, there's nothing I like better then being in the middle of a "herd"

 

[Arch]

You can't generalise as said above, but there could be something in the not wanting to follow the herd mentality among cyclists. I'll do anything to avoid a crowd. I know a lot of cyclists who are similar.

Apart from the roadies in team kit, or the wannabe messenger fixie types, or the BMXers in hoodies.

I think that, yes, many cyclists don't follow the majority crowd in terms of the whole population, but within cycling there are plenty of smaller herds to join....

Personally, I like to hope I'm not a crowd joiner - none of my bikes are off-the-peg for example, and I have little brand loyalty when it comes to components.

But as a recumbentist, I'm a member of my own crowd - the crowd of folks who like to be different...

 

[marinyork]

How would you describe your character? Extrovert and gregarious or introvert and solitary? How much of your character do you attribute to cycling or do you think you enjoy cycling because of your character?

I enjoy cycling because of my character. I can see why I became a cyclist though. If you got rid of the bikes and erased my memory I believe I would become a cyclist again, as is also the case with my non-cycling interests.

I see a lot of non-herd mentality and similarity between cyclists. I think cyclists are less prone to the sort of instant gratification culture we live in and more likely to give things a go. That may be true of other outdoor and extreme solo activities also.

 

[Dayvo]

I used to really enjoy the cameraderie of rugby and, particularly, cricket, but now I love the solitude of cycling alone: whether on my 30 min. commute, or weeks on end on tours.

I do enjoy cycling with company and regret that I can't do a FNRttC due to geographic reasons.

I am a confident, happy-go-lucky type of fella, and a realistic optimist.

 

[TVC]

Cycling is about a personal challenge. The fact that I tend to do it alone (at least the hard rides) means that I don't have to compromise my goals for anyone else.

I'm selfish by nature, but of course having successful relationships and a good career means giving up a lot for the good of others. So cycling is the bit where I get to spend quality time with me.

 

[Dayvo]

Do you not find your life full of disappointment?.

Moi? No, not at all, hence the 'realistic'.

My expectations aren't unreachable and I'm almost never disappointed.

 

[Glow worm]

Apart from the roadies in team kit, or the wannabe messenger fixie types, or the BMXers in hoodies.

Er, yes, apart from that lot!! I'm more of an old pair of jeans, 12 mph, pub to pub type of cyclist. Never has a piece of team kit ever touched my flesh and god help me it hopefully never will. I'm also a miserable solitary bastard!