When is a cyclist not a true cyclist?

[gavroche]

On my travels, either by car or cycling, I see many people riding bikes in all sorts of gear. Some ride old decrepit MTBs with jeans and anorak on, others are dressed "properly", by that I mean wearing proper cyling gear, with or without helmet, others get off and walk as soon as they come to some sort of incline, etc... So what is the criteria for being a "proper cyclist"?
I regard the former ( old decrepit MTBs) as only occasional cyclists who use their bikes only as a mean to get from a to b , but have no other real interest in cycling really.
What do you think?

 

[Hacienda71]

A Cyclist, being in possession of a working bicycle. Now being a serious cyclist could be a bit more ambiguous........I beleive there was a forum for Serious Cyclists a while back.

 

[screenman]

A proper cyclist will wear lycra and be clipped in on every ride.

















That will liven things up

 

[tyred]

The huge majority of the population have little interest or knowledge in the "gadgets" they use in their day to day life, whether it is a bike, a car, a fridge, a computer, a calculator, an electric kettle or a Bic Biro.

Is Steven Hendry not a true snooker player if he doesn't know the chemical composition of his balls?

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Why do you feel the need to pigeon hole people?.

I own a bike and ride bikes but I would never class myself as a 'cyclist'..

 

[MattHB]

A Cyclist, being in possession of a working bicycle..

this.. unless you push it more than you ride it

 

[DiddlyDodds]

Anyone who rides a bike is a cyclist, last year on the Isle of Skye sportive i rode round the island chatting with a chap on an old MTB with slick tyres, his butties bungied on to a home made rack, he was wearing a t shirt and baggy shorts and was in his 60's.
It turned out he was a Canadian who had stayed here after visiting his sister, and had been cycling for 40 odd years , visiting almost ever part of the British Isles, and had never worn "Proper" cycling gear and never had a "Proper" road bike.
After 70 miles i told him id see him at the finish as i was knackered and he looked like he had just started.

 

[ufkacbln]

A cyclist's chain is never slack?

 

[derrick]

On my travels, either by car or cycling, I see many people riding bikes in all sorts of gear. Some ride old decrepit MTBs with jeans and anorak on, others are dressed "properly", by that I mean wearing proper cyling gear, with or without helmet, others get off and walk as soon as they come to some sort of incline, etc... So what is the criteria for being a "proper cyclist"?
I regard the former ( old decrepit MTBs) as only occasional cyclists who use their bikes only as a mean to get from a to b , but have no other real interest in cycling really.
What do you think?

I used an old mtb for years for commutting and getting from a to b, track suit bottoms and t shirt but i always had a best bike that gets used every weekend lycra. i think i am a proper cyclist.

 

[ColinJ]

I still think of myself as a (true?) cyclist even though I haven't ridden a bike since July 22nd 2012!

I don't know what I would do if it turned out that I was never going to be well enough to do a decent bike ride again ... Hopefully that won't be the case, so maybe I am just a 'true cyclist' who is taking a long rest!

 

[Sandra6]

My work mate cycles what appears to be (to the untrained eye) a decrepit mtb, and wears jeans and a jacket. I wouldn't dare tell him or his similarly clad mates they weren't "proper" cyclists.
I think anyone with a bike is a cyclist, unless they are a chav and have probably nicked it.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

A true cyclist can appreciate any form of cycling, from the commuter scraping by on an old BSO in all weathers, to the Tour riders on their carbon wonders
There will always be someone who has spent loads but hardly uses their cycle, and then others doing thousands of miles on their faithful old tourer. All doing it because they are cyclists, and lovin' it

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I regard the former ( old decrepit MTBs) as only occasional cyclists who use their bikes only as a mean to get from a to b , but have no other real interest in cycling really.
What do you think?

I am properly improper according to your definition, but to my non cycling friends I am a crazy all weather cyclist. May they never read cycle chat, or I'm rumbled!

 

[PoweredByVeg]

I can't believe this tired old stuff is being trotted out again. A cyclist is someone who rides a bike. Would anyone waste any time debating who is or isn't 'a true driver'? There's only limited space on the internet you know, so let's not be filling it up with this rubbish.

Spoken like a true cyclist

 

[screenman]

Bah humbug.