Folks who say, "You get a better workout on a heavier bike" largely seem to be saying "Those grapes are probably sour, anyway!"
BTW, often the people someone said "just want to be seen" are often members of local clubs, wearing club kit, which the club likes you to do to advertise the club and get more members. And it's often purchased at a discount, so it's cheaper to wear club kit than less gaudy stuff.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles