The Strange World Of Cycling

[Smokin Joe]

What does it matter if there are few non-white cyclists? It's there if they want it, they obviously don't want it that much.

 

[dr snuggles]

Not once have I ever checked out a passing cyclists bike, I see them doing it but I simply don't care what they are riding.

 

[raleighnut]

I was not just refering to areas of the UK. How many do you see in te cycling teams? MTBs? Tour?

View: https://youtu.be/vVoFNlVv4Pg

 

[S-Express]

Incredible as it might seem, there are cyclists on here who aren't young, white, or male . Oh, sorry. I see that when a person says 'cycling' they don't just mean 'riding a bike', they mean competitive cycling. Silly me.

I think what Joe means is that cycling is a sport/pastime/hobby/mode of transport that anyone is legally entitled to get involved in. Free choice and all that.

 

[EnPassant]

Some would view the cycling community as an ethnic group of itself devoid of segregation by genetics or birth-culture.

No indeed, more often than not it's by a bit of glass strewn faded red tarmac and some particularly hazardous strips of raised concrete.

I really cannot seem to be serious today, sorry about that.

 

[gavroche]

The OP's post can only refer to the UK as cycling has always been big and popular on the Continent, possibly because the car is a status symbol over here more than on the Continent and has always been king. I always look at bicycles going past as they are elegant , gracious machines, no matter who rides them.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

.........
5, Is it just me or do you find that when you are out and about without your bike and see other cyclist, You're looking at their bikes and weighing up the specs to see how serious they are about their ride.

Yes to looking at other peoples bikes but what you see isn't always a guide as to how serious they are. For example, this is one of mine:


Which most people probably wouldn't look twice at, but has taken me on the odd slightly serious ride. Link, link

But saying that. I am loving my cycling, and actually loving life a little more. Something I have not felt in a long time.

That's great! Long may the good times continue.

 

[Brandane]

I always look at bicycles going past as they are elegant , gracious machines, no matter who rides them.

Hmmmmmmm......

 

[r04DiE]

Before I got back on the bike every other cyclist I saw were just the same. People who could not aford a car. I know, that attitude stinks. But now I realise how ignorant I was, Which now makes me wonder if the majority of other motorist think the same when they now see me.

I don't know that all motorists think this way, but there certainly are a good few that think along those lines. Last week, I had the old "why aren't you using the cycle path" comment, and I told the driver that I didn't need to use it, that the people in it were too slow, that there were too many interruptions in it and I could use as much of the road as I wanted, thanks. After that, he started on about road tax, so I told him it didn't exist, that it was banned in 1937 and that council tax pays for roads (not VED). I said that since I pay council tax, I pay for the roads and he was amazed that I owned a house, as a cyclist! Go figure, as they say. I explained that I had a house, two cars, a motorcycle, two kids, a wife, and that I was just a normal bloke like him (only not as stupid, obviously).

Am I a burden on the road, am I in the way, these are the thoughts that rush through my head when I hear a car behind me waiting to get past.

You must get out of thinking this way, you have a right to use the road, drivers need to obtain a license to use the road. The roads were built for horses and bikes, they're for everybody to use. And remember it's the motorvehicle that's in the way, parked everywhere, clogging up the roads, polluting the air. When you're on your bike, you are part of the solution, you're the burden when you're in the car. Keep enjoying yourself

 

[Smokin Joe]

I think what Joe means is that cycling is a sport/pastime/hobby/mode of transport that anyone is legally entitled to get involved in. Free choice and all that.

That's exactly what I meant. There's nothing to stop anyone buying and riding a bike and if ethnic minorities are "Under represented" it's because they are not interested.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Do not under any circumstances, go looking at other mens calves. Unless you want to visit a hospital.

I ride 200km most weeks but dont have cyclist calves.

Same here. I think it's my genetic makeup, but I've never had the bulging calves other cyclists have. My thighs, on the other hand...

 

[Bollo]

Last week, I had the old "why aren't you using the cycle path" comment, and I told the driver that I didn't need to use it, that the people in it were too slow, that there were too many interruptions in it and I could use as much of the road as I wanted, thanks. After that, he started on about road tax, so I told him it didn't exist, that it was banned in 1937 and that council tax pays for roads (not VED). I said that since I pay council tax, I pay for the roads and he was amazed that I owned a house, as a cyclist! Go figure, as they say. I explained that I had a house, two cars, a motorcycle, two kids, a wife, and that I was just a normal bloke like him (only not as stupid, obviously).....

I just tell them to go **** themselves. Simpler.

 

[RobWard]

I don't know that all motorists think this way, but there certainly are a good few that think along those lines. Last week, I had the old "why aren't you using the cycle path" comment, and I told the driver that I didn't need to use it, that the people in it were too slow, that there were too many interruptions in it and I could use as much of the road as I wanted, thanks. After that, he started on about road tax, so I told him it didn't exist, that it was banned in 1937 and that council tax pays for roads (not VED). I said that since I pay council tax, I pay for the roads and he was amazed that I owned a house, as a cyclist! Go figure, as they say. I explained that I had a house, two cars, a motorcycle, two kids, a wife, and that I was just a normal bloke like him (only not as stupid, obviously).You must get out of thinking this way, you have a right to use the road, drivers need to obtain a license to use the road. The roads were built for horses and bikes, they're for everybody to use. And remember it's the motorvehicle that's in the way, parked everywhere, clogging up the roads, polluting the air. When you're on your bike, you are part of the solution, you're the burden when you're in the car. Keep enjoying yourself

This is a great reply and also jogged my ignorant attitude before I took to the bike again. I used to think when I saw a cyclist, why are they not using the cycle path when we the car drivers have paid for it from our road tax. I never even thought about the money coming from council tax. But it does go to show how ignorant and blind drivers can be. Until they get on a bike for themselves.
Education is key!

 

[Tim Hall]

Do not under any circumstances, go looking at other mens calves. Unless you want to visit a hospital.

How?

 

[bonsaibilly]

Plenty out there, depending on the ethnic make-up of your area.



I think that's just you. A high spec bike is no indicator of how serious a 'cyclist' is.

Its me as well.