How the spirit of cycling has changed

[jezer]

Maybe indoor bowls is the way to go? Gosh, I can't believe I just said that. This morning's puncture has clouded my view, lol.

[nirakaro]

If my memory serves me aright, you have to spend quite a bit of time practising on the double tops before you proceed to the bullseye.

[Geoff.D]

If my memory serves me aright, you have to spend quite a bit of time practising on the double tops before you proceed to the bullseye.

[lingy]

Amongst the humour methinks there was a little bit of intolerance in some of these comments? The guys and gals on sleek carbon road bikes do kind of have a different focus...sport, speed, fitness. But the touring focus of a more moderate speed, travel, more interest in the surroundings and multi-day rides is just a variation on the cycling theme. Like a commuter on a heavy town bike or a student heading off to the hills with his MTB in the back... We are all in the same movement aren't we? I see quite a lot of fellowship and fun amoung the roadies comparing their Strava segments in the cafes... More cyclists of all types on the roads (and trails) is better especially when remembering the bad old days when hardly anyone cycled.


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

[Sweep]

I suppose the problem lingy is when folk start bragging about the material. Echoes of sales reps concerned about their company car having the extra stripe or mysterious suffix. I also well remember, and this was rather a lot of years ago, someone on a ride i was leading (or guiding, shepherding, facilitating, massaging, fondling or whatever term is favoured by someone above) making a point of telling me that their new "drive train" had cost £400. I well remember thinking: why, and why anyway did it all need doing at once. Also, to be honest, why - for goodness sake - was he even telling me this?

[horizon]

The guys and gals on sleek carbon road bikes do kind of have a different focus...sport, speed, fitness. But the touring focus of a more moderate speed, travel, more interest in the surroundings and multi-day rides is just a variation on the cycling theme.

I think the author of the article was suggesting that it isn't just a different focus on cycling - it's a different focus on life.

That's a very personal point of view, not one you could prove or justify. But he's still saying, look there's something missing, something not quite right. In the general scheme of things you are right - it's all cycling. But when you dig deeper, he thinks that they, we and society at large are missing out. It's just a rueful commentary on a social observation and gets nods heading in agreement on here. I think he has a point: where you go with it I haven't a clue. I had a great day out today exploring south Devon, the world around me was my focus not my performance. I'm sure I'm fitter for it (the hills in that area are hardly negligible). And if someone else had a good ride with different goals in mind, that's OK too. As long as they don't wear sunglasses.

[reohn2]

Amongst the humour methinks there was a little bit of intolerance in some of these comments? The guys and gals on sleek carbon road bikes do kind of have a different focus...sport, speed, fitness. But the touring focus of a more moderate speed, travel, more interest in the surroundings and multi-day rides is just a variation on the cycling theme. Like a commuter on a heavy town bike or a student heading off to the hills with his MTB in the back... We are all in the same movement aren't we? I see quite a lot of fellowship and fun amoung the roadies comparing their Strava segments in the cafes... More cyclists of all types on the roads (and trails) is better especially when remembering the bad old days when hardly anyone cycled.


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly bog brush using hovercraft full of eels

+1
TBH there's a snob element,inverted or otherwise,in cycling as there is in society in general IMHO.

[reohn2]

The guys and gals on sleek carbon road bikes do kind of have a different focus...sport, speed, fitness. But the touring focus of a more moderate speed, travel, more interest in the surroundings and multi-day rides is just a variation on the cycling theme.

I think the author of the article was suggesting that it isn't just a different focus on cycling - it's a different focus on life.

That's a very personal point of view, not one you could prove or justify. But he's still saying, look there's something missing, something not quite right. In the general scheme of things you are right - it's all cycling. But when you dig deeper, he thinks that they, we and society at large are missing out. It's just a rueful commentary on a social observation and gets nods heading in agreement on here. I think he has a point: where you go with it I haven't a clue. I had a great day out today exploring south Devon, the world around me was my focus not my performance. I'm sure I'm fitter for it (the hills in that area are hardly negligible). And if someone else had a good ride with different goals in mind, that's OK too. As long as they don't wear sunglasses.

I always wear sunglasses,infact I have a selection to choose from

[horizon]

I always wear sunglasses,infact I have a selection to choose from

Lots of people have sunglasses - it's how you wear them that counts .

[Samuel D]

Chiefly, not on a bike!

[DaveP]

I think the author of the article was suggesting that it isn't just a different focus on cycling - it's a different focus on life.

That's a very personal point of view, not one you could prove or justify. But he's still saying, look there's something missing, something not quite right. In the general scheme of things you are right - it's all cycling. But when you dig deeper, he thinks that they, we and society at large are missing out. It's just a rueful commentary on a social observation

I'm inclined to agree with that. Some non workplace activities are classified as Sport, with clubs, leagues, pressure groups, sometimes grants and last, but far from least, scores. Engaging in these activities is, within limits, seen as an acceptable use of a persons time because it's healthy, important and even perhaps socially useful inasmuch as non participants often seem to be quite happy to spend their leisure time discussing said results.
Less regimented activities, such as jumping on your bike and heading off for a day of exercise, fresh air and spiritually uplifting views just don't get seen in the same way, even though we all understand and are willing to explain their value and even though the the medical professions throw their weight behind it.
The quality of an activity doesn't seem to be as important as it's ability to yield numbers, which can then be tabulated and talked about ad nauseam. Produce some sort of score and you've been doing significant and manly stuff. OTH no score - you've been playing. Frittering your time away. Unreasonable to expect proper adults to take an interest.
Personally I have no objection whatever to cyclists in training taking a detailed interest in their own performance or discussing it with like minded souls. Strava seems to be ideal for the purpose. I just think it's sad that so many seem unable to see any other form of satisfaction to be had from their wheels - "Go for a ride and Not try for a personal best - You kidding me?"

I used the term "manly" on purpose. I suspect that women may well have different views. I would be more than happy to read them...

[reohn2]

I always wear sunglasses,infact I have a selection to choose from

Lots of people have sunglasses - it's how you wear them that counts .

Mostly on my face

[reohn2]

Chiefly, not on a bike!

Why's that then?

[Vantage]

Wot he said^^^

My prescription glasses are those reactolight things and go almost black in bright sunshine. Sunglasses in that respect can't be helped

[horizon]

Wot he said^^^

My prescription glasses are those reactolight things and go almost black in bright sunshine. Sunglasses in that respect can't be helped

Don't worry Vantage, it's not the sunglasses per se, it's what comes with them . . .