What defines a 'Cyclist'
01-27-09, 07:07 PM
#1
Peloton Shelter Dog
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What defines a 'Cyclist'
Coyote's post in another thread got me thinking (and that's saying something right there):
Buying a decent bike is not 'jumping in the deep end.' It's just spending money, which anyone can accomplish.
If there's one thing I have learned on BF, it is that there is a difference between owning a nice bike and being a cyclist.
So what does define a 'Cyclist'. Miles ridden? Racing? Touring?
Discuss.
Buying a decent bike is not 'jumping in the deep end.' It's just spending money, which anyone can accomplish.
If there's one thing I have learned on BF, it is that there is a difference between owning a nice bike and being a cyclist.
So what does define a 'Cyclist'. Miles ridden? Racing? Touring?
Discuss.
01-27-09, 07:13 PM
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Enjoying it.
01-27-09, 07:16 PM
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Using it.
01-27-09, 07:19 PM
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01-27-09, 07:21 PM
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not simply being a "weekend warrior," not letting accidents or mishaps discourage you from riding again, pushing yourself when you feel like you just can't anymore.
01-27-09, 07:21 PM
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If one is riding a bike, they are a cyclist, just like if they are walking they are a pedestrian...it ain't rocket science.
To umd's point, if you ain't enjoying it you must be one of them serious cyclists.
To gettingold's point, it seems lots of BF cyclists manage to enjoy it without actually using it.
To umd's point, if you ain't enjoying it you must be one of them serious cyclists.
To gettingold's point, it seems lots of BF cyclists manage to enjoy it without actually using it.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
01-27-09, 07:21 PM
#10
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01-27-09, 07:23 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
01-27-09, 07:25 PM
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01-27-09, 07:25 PM
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
01-27-09, 07:26 PM
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Is someone that rides a few miles a month a cyclist? Or someone that occaionally rides bike?
I am by no means a road nazi or snob. I try to get my 500 miles a month in and I do it because my bike calls me. When I don't ride for a few days i get stressed and cranky. When I am in the 4th hour of a long ride my mind is at ease, I am totally relaxed mentally, while my body is being pushed physically.
Cool question, not as simple as i first thought.
BTW hope your bike comes it really is a great feeling to get a new bike.
I am by no means a road nazi or snob. I try to get my 500 miles a month in and I do it because my bike calls me. When I don't ride for a few days i get stressed and cranky. When I am in the 4th hour of a long ride my mind is at ease, I am totally relaxed mentally, while my body is being pushed physically.
Cool question, not as simple as i first thought.
BTW hope your bike comes it really is a great feeling to get a new bike.
Last edited by jesspal; 01-27-09 at 07:29 PM.
01-27-09, 07:28 PM
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It certainly doesn't come with a season or two of riding a bicycle. I think the appelation "cyclist" is earned by a dedication and real love for the machine ... but not just the machine.
A true cyclist is a kind of "soldier of the road." He or she is not a dilletante who runs indoors at the sight of rainclouds. In fact, weather is part of the experience of travelling through the country under your own power.
One of the most incredible experienced of my cycling life was battling through a violent storm in the Yukon, on an unpaved road. I was covered in mud and miserably cold, with nowhere to escape the elements for many miles. One part of me (the inner wimp) was taunting "You wanted to do this!" but another part of me (the cyclist) was having the greatest time of his life.
I don't believe you get to be a cyclist by buying (any kind of) bike and dressing up in team colours.
To be a cyclist is to be seized by the open road and inducted into the great wheel of veloness.
A true cyclist is a kind of "soldier of the road." He or she is not a dilletante who runs indoors at the sight of rainclouds. In fact, weather is part of the experience of travelling through the country under your own power.
One of the most incredible experienced of my cycling life was battling through a violent storm in the Yukon, on an unpaved road. I was covered in mud and miserably cold, with nowhere to escape the elements for many miles. One part of me (the inner wimp) was taunting "You wanted to do this!" but another part of me (the cyclist) was having the greatest time of his life.
I don't believe you get to be a cyclist by buying (any kind of) bike and dressing up in team colours.
To be a cyclist is to be seized by the open road and inducted into the great wheel of veloness.
Last edited by Randochap; 01-27-09 at 07:31 PM.
01-27-09, 07:30 PM
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01-27-09, 07:35 PM
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cycling is about suffering to earn pleasure on a bike.
01-27-09, 07:37 PM
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when riding becomes such an integral part of your life that you don't even recognize the fact that you're actually riding a bike...
01-27-09, 07:41 PM
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Planning your day, week, life around riding, training and racing.
01-27-09, 07:42 PM
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sure, why not? Cycling isn't some snobbish club with a secret handshake and decoder ring.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
01-27-09, 07:45 PM
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If someone drives a few miles a month, are they a driver? If someone sleeps a few hours a month are they a sleeper?
01-27-09, 07:47 PM
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Sorry, but Merriam-Webster and the vast majority if authoritative sources keep it nice and simple:
Note that there are no mileage, frequency, competency or other extra standards attached.
If ya'll want to make it more than that, requiring some level of competence, dedication, or other barriers to entry or participation, find yourself another word...this one is taken.
Main Entry:
cy·clist
Pronunciation:
\ˈsī-k(ə-)ləst\
Function:
noun
Date:
1882
: one who rides a cycle
cy·clist
Pronunciation:
\ˈsī-k(ə-)ləst\
Function:
noun
Date:
1882
: one who rides a cycle
If ya'll want to make it more than that, requiring some level of competence, dedication, or other barriers to entry or participation, find yourself another word...this one is taken.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 01-27-09 at 07:54 PM.