True Cyclist
03-11-18, 10:29 AM
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True Cyclist
Because of my experiences watching bike commuter's in my city, I now think of you all who use bikes as transportation as the "true cyclists". Cheers to all commuters. 
03-11-18, 11:28 AM
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03-11-18, 11:30 AM
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Never read Catcher, @Darth Lefty, so...
03-11-18, 03:27 PM
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03-11-18, 03:35 PM
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03-11-18, 03:46 PM
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03-11-18, 06:24 PM
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Never read Catcher, @Darth Lefty, so...
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
03-12-18, 03:38 AM
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What I had in mind is not that some are false.
Commuters use the bicycle for transportation, it's true purpose. You can commute on any type of bike available. You can wear anything you have. You don't have to camp or stay in a hotel. You don't have to ride fast or for a personal record. Commuting can be anything you like. This is what I've observed locally.
I am not a commuter, just making observations locally.
03-12-18, 06:40 AM
#12
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I think this is an interesting distinction between the bike as a tool vs the bike as a toy. There's a fine line and many bikes and their riders can do both, perhaps even in the same ride.
When I bike to work, I often allow a few extra minutes to take the scenic route and get some additional miles in (tool and toy). When I bike home, I usually have a list of to-dos waiting so I just get home (tool only). Occasionally I fit in a fun weekend ride (toy only). All this is on the same bike.
When I bike to work, I often allow a few extra minutes to take the scenic route and get some additional miles in (tool and toy). When I bike home, I usually have a list of to-dos waiting so I just get home (tool only). Occasionally I fit in a fun weekend ride (toy only). All this is on the same bike.
03-12-18, 06:56 AM
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03-12-18, 07:12 AM
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What I had in mind is not that some are false.
Commuters use the bicycle for transportation, it's true purpose. You can commute on any type of bike available. You can wear anything you have. You don't have to camp or stay in a hotel. You don't have to ride fast or for a personal record. Commuting can be anything you like. This is what I've observed locally.
.
Commuters use the bicycle for transportation, it's true purpose. You can commute on any type of bike available. You can wear anything you have. You don't have to camp or stay in a hotel. You don't have to ride fast or for a personal record. Commuting can be anything you like. This is what I've observed locally.
.
03-12-18, 10:11 AM
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I'm lucky I get to enjoy my commutes on bike. Delivery bike people have hard lives which I don't envy. We can save the badass labels for them.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
03-12-18, 10:30 AM
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03-12-18, 11:50 AM
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03-12-18, 12:00 PM
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03-12-18, 03:01 PM
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Don't forget those ultra narrow "handlebars" that put their hands withing an inch of the stem on either side. All in an attempt to look cool... and, BTW, it's a stupid look anyway.
03-12-18, 03:06 PM
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I wouldn't worry about little things if a person can learn to ride their bike safely.
03-12-18, 03:18 PM
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03-12-18, 03:34 PM
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03-12-18, 03:44 PM
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True Cyclist
In my reply to a thread on the Living Car Free Forum, “Do you really enjoy riding a bike?,” I posted my Cyclist qualifications
Back in 2015 was this thread on Fifty-Plus,that further subdivided these class distinctions, with my contributions, "Bike Riding vs Cycling."
...but does this mean that there are 'false' cyclists also? And who might they be?
Because of my experiences watching bike commuter's in my city, I now think of you all who use bikes as transportation as the "true cyclists". Cheers to all commuters.
Just about every thread in every bicycling forum eventually ends up being a pissing contest over who is a real bicyclist, what is a real bicycle, etc.
This article from Bicycle Times, while not the final word, does a good job at opening up the conversation as to WHY we need to be so critical of each other...Opinion: Plenty of pie for all
This article from Bicycle Times, while not the final word, does a good job at opening up the conversation as to WHY we need to be so critical of each other...Opinion: Plenty of pie for all
…While moving along I took a break from the sensations to daydream a bit. I was thinking about how the way most folks refer to cycling – riding a bike or biking – are just inadequate words to describe how I think or feel about what I am doing.
Riding a bike seems to be more about getting from here to there, while cycling seems to be about being on the bike. It doesn't really matter where I go, how far I go, or how long it takes me as it does about the experience itself.
Of course, the cliche' comes to mind: it's not about the destination, but he journey, but sometimes cliche's are apt, and I think cycling embodies that in a way few other activities do.
Riding a bike seems to be more about getting from here to there, while cycling seems to be about being on the bike. It doesn't really matter where I go, how far I go, or how long it takes me as it does about the experience itself.
Of course, the cliche' comes to mind: it's not about the destination, but he journey, but sometimes cliche's are apt, and I think cycling embodies that in a way few other activities do.
…So in considering your post, my first thought was I think I see the distinction you are drawing, but then thought it seems to hint a bit of elitism…I am a real cyclist;the others are just riding their bikes, though I presume that was not the intent.
So for example, are the subscribers who post to C&V, or Bicycle Mechanics and rave about parts and models real cyclists? Or are cycle commuters who slog through urban environments constantly on the alert for danger, real cyclists? Or Adovocacy&Safety and Living Car Free subscribers who advocate on behalf of cycling, really cyclists?
Not that this matters of course, as you said, and I’m not being argumentative; just reflecting on your thoughtful post. I would suggest a definition of a cyclist as one who claims to being a cyclist. For me I make that claim by describing that I live a cycling lifestyle. IMO this is distinctive, and a virtually “alternative” lifestyle.
But to get back to the immediate experience you described, as I understand it. I describe to myself as "becoming one with the bike." I'll leave the roadie vs Fred distinction for my previous "Fred Manifesto."
So for example, are the subscribers who post to C&V, or Bicycle Mechanics and rave about parts and models real cyclists? Or are cycle commuters who slog through urban environments constantly on the alert for danger, real cyclists? Or Adovocacy&Safety and Living Car Free subscribers who advocate on behalf of cycling, really cyclists?
Not that this matters of course, as you said, and I’m not being argumentative; just reflecting on your thoughtful post. I would suggest a definition of a cyclist as one who claims to being a cyclist. For me I make that claim by describing that I live a cycling lifestyle. IMO this is distinctive, and a virtually “alternative” lifestyle.
But to get back to the immediate experience you described, as I understand it. I describe to myself as "becoming one with the bike." I'll leave the roadie vs Fred distinction for my previous "Fred Manifesto."
… Sometime after that thread ended, I thought about this seemingly trivial distinction that makes me think a rider is a “real” cyclist. I watch the way they pedal.
Without being judgemental about it, a cyclist has a fluid rotary pedaling motion, whereas I think “bike rider” when I see someone pedaling in a piston-like fashion.
Now since pedaling is the foundation of bike riding, I think that style and form makes the distinction. Of course then, while an E-bike rider is a “bike rider” they are not cyclists. No moral or “snobbish” judgement here, but a more "objective" one, FWIW.
Without being judgemental about it, a cyclist has a fluid rotary pedaling motion, whereas I think “bike rider” when I see someone pedaling in a piston-like fashion.
Now since pedaling is the foundation of bike riding, I think that style and form makes the distinction. Of course then, while an E-bike rider is a “bike rider” they are not cyclists. No moral or “snobbish” judgement here, but a more "objective" one, FWIW.
...but does this mean that there are 'false' cyclists also? And who might they be?What I had in mind is not that some are false.
Commuters use the bicycle for transportation, it's true purpose. You can commute on any type of bike available. You can wear anything you have. You don't have to camp or stay in a hotel. You don't have to ride fast or for a personal record.
Commuting can be anything you like. This is what I've observed locally.
I am not a commuter, just making observations locally..
Commuters use the bicycle for transportation, it's true purpose. You can commute on any type of bike available. You can wear anything you have. You don't have to camp or stay in a hotel. You don't have to ride fast or for a personal record.
Commuting can be anything you like. This is what I've observed locally.
I am not a commuter, just making observations locally..
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 03-12-18 at 05:47 PM.
03-12-18, 04:21 PM
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I think we have to be careful not to label ourselves, least of all with names that seem to elevate us from everyone else who do not do what we do. Bicycles have evolved to be so many other things over the years than just transportation. And I'm not sure that when the bike was first invented it was meant as a transport device anyway. I picture the inventor thinking, whoa, how cool is it that I can balance myself on two wheels! To me I just like seeing bikes and seeing people riding them, whether it's a large group of roadies, the kid down the street riding up and down the sidewalk, the teenagers at the skate park doing tricks on their BMXs, or the older gentleman carrying groceries on plastic bags hanging from the handlebar. It never fails to make me smile.
There are accounts the bicycle was developed as a replacement for horse travel. Human propelled transportation seems to me the most reasonable explanation for why the bicycle developed and exactly what these commuters here are doing.
I was not attempting to label, but I have reads threads where touring must include this or that depending on your preference, and road biking has a definition that includes clothing, speed, and Strava. My point was to praise the original use of human propelled transportation by the commuter.
03-12-18, 04:38 PM
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There are accounts the bicycle was developed as a replacement for horse travel. Human propelled transportation seems to me the most reasonable explanation for why the bicycle developed and exactly what these commuters here are doing.
I was not attempting to label, but I have reads threads where touring must include this or that depending on your preference, and road biking has a definition that includes clothing, speed, and Strava. My point was to praise the original use of human propelled transportation by the commuter.
I was not attempting to label, but I have reads threads where touring must include this or that depending on your preference, and road biking has a definition that includes clothing, speed, and Strava. My point was to praise the original use of human propelled transportation by the commuter.