Every cyclist needs to watch this.
 

An excellent video from Phil Gaimon and I agree entirely with it.

That was excellent. At one point he says don't tell folks their bikes have to cost $10,000 and they have to shave their bodies and whatnot, but they'll get there like we all did. Yeah, bike cost can be like opening pandora's box, but things like shaving legs and arms and whatnot are still fairly niche as far as I'm concerned. I don't do it, never got any crap from anyone about it, and probably never will. Maybe I'm just not riding with the right people. Not really trying to criticize the video because it was excellent. His message is pretty simple: getting a lot more people involved in cycling is a good thing, and scaring people off by criticizing or making fun that they're not doing something that old schoolers have decided is the "right way" to do cycling is a bad idea.

One great example, actually, is wearing traditional cycling garb. Some folks new to cycling want to wear baggy t-shirts and shorts and whatnot, and may show up to a group ride so attired. Well, they're not wrong, though in time they'll probably figure out, like most of us have, that there are real practical benefits to wearing the kind of cycling attire that we wear. Maybe it's just a mental block in some folks because they've made fun of MAMILs for so long and now they fear they'll become one. If they stick with it they'll probably get over that hang-up. If they're just puttering around at low speeds, though, maybe they'll never wear the tight cycling garb because at low speeds the advantages are far less significant.

If Phil really cared he would slow down to 7 mph and ride with me instead of blasting by me at 20 mph up a mountain.
Come on Phil I'm a noob and need the confidence boost. :thumb:

i'm incredibly hopeful that the increased cycling that is going on will help usher in better bike infrastructure in my neck of the woods, or at least get more people talking about it. great vid!

Until the weather can be fully controlled to accommodate bicycling, it's a quick trend soon to pass here.

That was a really good video. Thanks for posting SurferCyclist.

But I was hoping for future good deals on slightly used bikes

Me too. And a lot of them look good.

I went to the main local bikestore yesterday to pick up a set of new tires. Haven't been there in over a year. They usually have plenty over 50 bikes on display for sale. But, they were practically sold out. Only had about 1/2 a dozen oddball bikes for sale and, about 1/2 a dozen bikes in for repair. Show room was empty. Manager told me nothing is coming in anymore. We're definitely living in interesting times.

Somewhere in his voluminous web presence, Sheldon Brown once wrote about the derogatory term "Fred." He didn't use the term, didn't like it, because all cyclists were his friends.

It's a good attitude.

Thank you for posting, great video. Also if you work in a LBS, don't judge a person by hair color (gray), age (older) or weight (bigger). I was in a nearby LBS, the sales person walked up while I was looking at the road bikes and without asking a single question, wanted to show me the newest eBike they had in the store. Nothing wrong with an eBike, but ask the customer first, a professional should be able to follow the visual cues we give off. So, yes that store lost a good sale and loyal customer. This was four months ago, before every LBS sold out.

Until it becomes like Nerd or Redneck. Now embraced as a cool thing to be.
My name is Hillyman and I"m a Fred. Always have been, always will be. So was Sheldon. Seen pics of him and his bikes?

I can still pass most MAMIL's while wearing regular clothes on my hybrid. Granted, at 39 I'm not yet middle aged by most standards, so there's that advantage.

Great video! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing, it was suitable as I'm a beginner:backpedal:

I've been to a couple of bike shops recently. Both just cleaned out of bikes and lines of people ready to buy them. It's really kinda awesome. His advice, to everyone, is spot on.

Ride on!

"Don't screw this up!"

i about busted out laughing when i heard that. the facial expression, the way he said it, funny stuff. i do agree with it too.

-scott

The part that goes “the female cyclists don’t need a push” might seem like it doesn’t need to be said...

but I saw this happen to a BRAND new female cyclist right before my eyes. I was so shocked, and I had no clue what to do. He sped away before we could say anything.

It should be obvious to everyone that none of these guys actually think these women need a push. We were hustling at like 20mph on a flat. It’s so gross. And sad.

I understand the sentiment. But...he's more negative about "veteran" cyclists than anything I've experienced in my 40 yrs. of cycling. The people I've known have never been "dicks" and the LBSs around here have always been helpful. My experience is just not his. And, I hate to see us cast in a negative light.

I just bought a 2021 Spealized Diverge Comp Carbon and Im rocking jogging shoes with flat pedals lol. Not ready for clipless yet. Only had one person call me a newb.

Wish I had saw this video 5 months ago. But then I'd be like, "who the hell is this guy!?!"

I appreciate what he's trying to do there, but honestly I found it rather sappy. It's such a snowflake era we're living in now.

I liked the video a lot. The only thing I have is that I do like to encourage the use of helmets. I'd either be dead or brain dead without mine.

Does the dude doing the push think he's doing a favor? Like maybe if I help her out she'll go on a date with me? Because it absolutely will have the opposite.

The issue is that for us experienced cyclists, if someone says something like “your fit is totally off” or “wear your helmet right” or “you need to get yourself a real bike”, we’re confident enough in ourselves to brush that person off with a laugh.

For a new cyclist, they may see that person as an authority figure and take it to heart. Even minor things.

The guy was like 50+ and the girl was like 18. So... I sure hope not.

I was lowkey shaking. Wanted to chase him down and report him. But it’s so hard to be confrontational in the moment.