Cycling UK Forum

Hi all

Here's my contribution to this overworked one, if only to show how naff they are..

1, Thou shalt not have a saddlebag- especially a Carradice saddlebag- unless you don't mind being considered an old fart..
2. Thou shalt not have a large saddlebag- see above
3. Black is the only suitable colour for shorts/longs etc.
4. Thou shalt only shave thy legs if one is either female, racing cyclist, or both. Totally forbidden for MTB types- the more hair the better.
5. Thou shalt not wear pink (aimed at the men) or, thou shalt avoid wearing pink (female, on feminist grounds- controversial but definitely some subscribe to this one)
6. Thou shalt avoid 3/4 length longs (men) as it make you look female ("boys don't wear leggings")
7. Thou shalt not have mudguards
8. Thou shalt only have road type clipless pedals, even if on a commute where SPDs would be much more sensible.
9. Thou shalt avoid the use of a. saddlebags or b. panniers for a commute- backpacks are apparently "cool"
10. And the last- thou shalt wear a helmet.

I have come across all of these from time to time (though not all at once-lol)..makes you almost nostalgic for the era of Greenspot jackets and gaberdine shorts al la Cyclists Special. I think it should immortalised in stone like the infamous Ed Stone- see https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/dec/22/the-ed-stone-ed-milibands-monumental-folly-labour-election-limestone

The first unwritten rule of cycling kit club is that you don't write down the rules of cycling kit club .

gaz wrote:The first unwritten rule of cycling kit club is that you don't write down the rules of cycling kit club .

Couldn't agree more, but you just have to expose the naffness of it all- so the exception proves the rule

Velocio, Paul de Vivie, set the cycling rules

That's the wrong list. Here are the actual rules:

1. Thou shalt not set rules beyond this and the law for any aspect of cycling - unless you don't mind being considered a discouraging old fart deterring people from cycling.
2 to 10. See 1 - some people are a bit slow on the uptake and need it repeated.

Proud to be a BoF

The unwritten rules may not be written down of course, like the UK constitution

I shave, I wear pink and I wear 3/4 leggings Viva La Revolution

Though shalt ignore everything above and wear exactly what makes you comfortable. Rules are made to be smashed to bits

I haven't worn a helmet in 40 years. When people ask me why, I say I have only one rule - don't fall off, stay on the bike no matter what.

I don't wear cycling kit, just Alpkit padded underwear.

I'm probably stuck in the 1950s, the decade of my childhood.

I only have one rule.
Whatever works best is used most,so I work toward that end.

PS,I'm still perfecting it

Rule No4.
I don't shave. I don't have to. No hair ANYWHERE on my body, and it's bliss!
Alopecia Universalis.

We should all have it. The less hair the better.

[code][/code]Admit it… you're a real smoothy

Al

There are ten rules somewhere about setting up your bike. Apparently if your bar tape and saddle are not exactly the same colour (preferably black) it's a faux pas that can't be forgiven!

mjr wrote:That's the wrong list. Here are the actual rules:

1. Thou shalt not set rules beyond this and the law for any aspect of cycling - unless you don't mind being considered a discouraging old fart deterring people from cycling.
2 to 10. See 1 - some people are a bit slow on the uptake and need it repeated.

Exactly- it's a list you don't want.Which is precisely why I posted it. It was a compilation of all the stuff you hear, one way or another. I find it interesting that a lot of this seems to have emerged recently, probably with the rise of the well-heeled sportive cyclist. I did experience the anti-pink thing at the start of an event not so long ago- which is odd considering the amout of pink shirts, T-shirts etc that were displayed in retail stores up to quite recently. As one of my non-cycling female friends pointed out, I was "on trend".

Yet nearly 30 years ago I wore a cerise short sleeved jersey on the bike, and there was no comments at all.

As for the saddlebag thing- probably down to pure ignorance. Same with the mudguards. I mean, do none of these types ride in anything but dry summer weather? Do they ever call in at the shops on the bike when they're out on a run?

When (if?) the weather improves I dare say I'll don my replica maglia rosa given to me nearly 30 years ago.

If pink was good enough for the likes of Fausto Coppi and Eddy Merckx...



Edit: given to me over 30 years ago. I ran out of fingers when counting