How do you distinguish a cyclist from "someone on a bike"
07-14-09, 08:10 PM
#26
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07-14-09, 08:11 PM
#27
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Coming from me, this isn't snobbery, but more like thinking to myself, "That cyclist knows where he's going," or "What the hell is that guy going to do next?"
It's an intangible thing, though, and has more to do with how they're riding than what they're riding or wearing. It's having the saddle at the right height, pedaling with the balls of the feet, upper body cruising smoothly rather than bobbing side to side, able to hold a line, pedaling a decent cadence, wearing their helmet correctly (if they've got one, that is)... stuff like that.
It's an intangible thing, though, and has more to do with how they're riding than what they're riding or wearing. It's having the saddle at the right height, pedaling with the balls of the feet, upper body cruising smoothly rather than bobbing side to side, able to hold a line, pedaling a decent cadence, wearing their helmet correctly (if they've got one, that is)... stuff like that.
JOKE.
07-14-09, 08:17 PM
#29
Peloton Shelter Dog
07-14-09, 08:17 PM
#30
Economists do it w/models
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I find out if they have a bikeforums account. If yes, they will never be worthy of the title of "cyclist".
07-14-09, 08:24 PM
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07-14-09, 08:34 PM
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I was just thinking about this while I was eating a taco and comparing myself to one in the TDF who doesn't eat anything near a taco before a race.
Personally, I can tell if the person is a cyclist, if they are wearing a helmet. Not always is that an accurate representation but it seems that anyone who knows what they are doing wears a helmet. One exception I see to this is the guy on the full carbon road bike, lycra bib with 11 panel chamois, and his awesome cycling jersey, with no helmet.
Just wondering what makes you distinguish one from the other?
Personally, I can tell if the person is a cyclist, if they are wearing a helmet. Not always is that an accurate representation but it seems that anyone who knows what they are doing wears a helmet. One exception I see to this is the guy on the full carbon road bike, lycra bib with 11 panel chamois, and his awesome cycling jersey, with no helmet.
Just wondering what makes you distinguish one from the other?
07-14-09, 08:45 PM
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If he waves it's just a guy on a bike, if not it's a cyclist.
07-14-09, 08:48 PM
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07-14-09, 10:04 PM
#38
You gonna eat that?
Ya got any plans for Saturday night, sailor? 
I kid... I kid!
I kid... I kid!
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
07-14-09, 10:21 PM
#39
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Taking a page out of "Roadie":
Let's start with some terminology. As an activity, its called bicycling, but as a SPORT, it is called bike racing. We don't call ourselves bikers, so we never go biking. Instead we go riding. It's a subtle distinction that Roadies tend to make. To us, a biker is someone who rides loud motorcycles and wears leather.
There is also a subtle difference between a cyclist and a bike racer. A cyclist is someone who rides seriously but does not necessarily race. Of course, a bike racer definitely races his bike, any chance he(she) gets.
Let's start with some terminology. As an activity, its called bicycling, but as a SPORT, it is called bike racing. We don't call ourselves bikers, so we never go biking. Instead we go riding. It's a subtle distinction that Roadies tend to make. To us, a biker is someone who rides loud motorcycles and wears leather.
There is also a subtle difference between a cyclist and a bike racer. A cyclist is someone who rides seriously but does not necessarily race. Of course, a bike racer definitely races his bike, any chance he(she) gets.
07-14-09, 11:13 PM
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This only makes sense if you compete, your in the running to win something and this benefits you somehow.
Example: A competitive swimmer shaves his body hair to be more hydrodynamic. A recreational swimmer who shaves his body hair is a metro just trying to be a pretty boy.
What if someone looks goofy bobbing side to side, mashing at a low cadence and flies by you going 5-10 mph faster than you?
07-14-09, 11:15 PM
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I, and I alone, am a cyclist.
Everyone else on a bike is either a loser with no license, a hipster "riding" hipster trash, or a total poseur.
I repeat, I am the only cyclist.
Everyone else on a bike is either a loser with no license, a hipster "riding" hipster trash, or a total poseur.
I repeat, I am the only cyclist.
07-14-09, 11:16 PM
#42
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
07-15-09, 12:05 AM
#44
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If I can overtake they are just guys on a bike; If I can't they are cyclists.
07-15-09, 12:09 AM
#45
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When I spend hours on a basketball court spinning and rolling circles on one wheel, or 360 bunnyhop or carve a wall ride on my 20" - I guess I'm not a cyclist.
When I sport the bibs, jersey, Oakleys, gloves and clipless shoes for miles and miles and miles - I guess I AM a cyclist.
The sometimes I roll on my Felt "El Guapo" beach cruiser with ape hangers - WOW... I'm not a cyclist again!
The real confusing part is when I ride my fixed gear in bibs, jersey, Oakleys, gloves and clipless shoes for miles and miles and miles... not quite a hipster and not quite a roadie... damn, I definetely have an identity crisis here.
I thought I I was a cyclist because I ride a road bike 100 miles a week, but my other non-roadie proclivities keep me out of this elite group. And a grown man like me doing tricks on a BMX bike is just outright sad.
When I sport the bibs, jersey, Oakleys, gloves and clipless shoes for miles and miles and miles - I guess I AM a cyclist.
The sometimes I roll on my Felt "El Guapo" beach cruiser with ape hangers - WOW... I'm not a cyclist again!
The real confusing part is when I ride my fixed gear in bibs, jersey, Oakleys, gloves and clipless shoes for miles and miles and miles... not quite a hipster and not quite a roadie... damn, I definetely have an identity crisis here.
I thought I I was a cyclist because I ride a road bike 100 miles a week, but my other non-roadie proclivities keep me out of this elite group. And a grown man like me doing tricks on a BMX bike is just outright sad.
07-15-09, 12:14 AM
#46
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I like Bike Snob's definition:
1) A “cyclist” rides a bike even when he or she does not have to.
Someone who rides out of necessity is not necessarily a cyclist. For example, the drunk driver who must cycle to work because his license has been taken away is not a cyclist. Nor is the delivery person who does not ride, look at, or think about his bicycle after hours or on days off. However, if you opt to ride a bicycle even when it is inconvenient to do so or you could be doing something else, then you’re probably a cyclist.
2) A “cyclist” is someone who owns a floor pump.
Owning things doesn’t make you a cyclist. Having clipless pedals, or training wheels, or a closet full of cycling attire doesn’t do it. Even owning a bike doesn’t necessarily do it. Hey, if you borrow a bike every time you want to ride you may very well still be a cyclist. However, if you don’t have a floor pump you’re not a cyclist. Using a mini pump or even a frame pump for home use shows a disturbing lack of commitment to proper inflationary technique. And relying on a local bike shop (or worse yet a gas station) for your air is like eating out every single day for your entire life—at Denny's.
Bike Snob NYC
1) A “cyclist” rides a bike even when he or she does not have to.
Someone who rides out of necessity is not necessarily a cyclist. For example, the drunk driver who must cycle to work because his license has been taken away is not a cyclist. Nor is the delivery person who does not ride, look at, or think about his bicycle after hours or on days off. However, if you opt to ride a bicycle even when it is inconvenient to do so or you could be doing something else, then you’re probably a cyclist.
2) A “cyclist” is someone who owns a floor pump.
Owning things doesn’t make you a cyclist. Having clipless pedals, or training wheels, or a closet full of cycling attire doesn’t do it. Even owning a bike doesn’t necessarily do it. Hey, if you borrow a bike every time you want to ride you may very well still be a cyclist. However, if you don’t have a floor pump you’re not a cyclist. Using a mini pump or even a frame pump for home use shows a disturbing lack of commitment to proper inflationary technique. And relying on a local bike shop (or worse yet a gas station) for your air is like eating out every single day for your entire life—at Denny's.
Bike Snob NYC
07-15-09, 12:22 AM
#47
Senior Member
Narrow definition: a cyclist is someone who rides as a major part of their recreational/sporting/daily routine, i.e. ANY habitual, as opposed to occasional, bike rider.
Broad definition: anyone who WHO THE F CARES!?? Are we trying to form a club? Enough with the hand-wringing, go ride your friggin bike. Stop trying to figure out how YOUR bicycling makes you more special.
Broad definition: anyone who WHO THE F CARES!?? Are we trying to form a club? Enough with the hand-wringing, go ride your friggin bike. Stop trying to figure out how YOUR bicycling makes you more special.
07-15-09, 12:26 AM
#48
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To be a cyclist you must
-Have a steady income so you can afford a 1000$+ bike
-Wear skintight jerseys and bike shorts with lots of fake sponsors on them
-Wear wraparound shades that hide the eyes
-frown at all times
-have a shaved head
-be of below average weight
Everyone else is just someone on a bike, and thus are deserving of scorn. Avoiding them decreases your aerodynamics slightly and effects speed.
-Have a steady income so you can afford a 1000$+ bike
-Wear skintight jerseys and bike shorts with lots of fake sponsors on them
-Wear wraparound shades that hide the eyes
-frown at all times
-have a shaved head
-be of below average weight
Everyone else is just someone on a bike, and thus are deserving of scorn. Avoiding them decreases your aerodynamics slightly and effects speed.
07-15-09, 12:43 AM
#49
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I am not famous at all so I am just someone on a bike.
07-15-09, 01:04 AM
#50
moving target
i am a poseur who lost their license with no money on a wal-mart bike in it for the women and I have hairy legs, yeah buddy.
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