Black cyclists

[chillyuk]

Out this morning for a ride round I met several black cyclists. One didn't used to see many but they are becoming more and more common around here. I remember in my running days you didn't see many black marathon runners, now look at them! If the cyclists follow the pattern of the runners a lot of white riders had better start looking over their shoulders. It can only be good for the sport.

As an aside, everyone one of them passed with a wave and a greeting. Something else some more of us could learn.

 

[ian789]

You can't say that.

 

[chillyuk]

You can't say that.

What can't I say and why not?

 

[Smokin Joe]

What can't I say and why not?

"A wave and a greeting".

Do you know the can of worms a debate on acknowledging other cyclists can start? Think before you post, for God's sake man.

 

[numbnuts]

 

[Chris S]

Almost 50% of Birmingham is non-white and I rarely see another non-white cylist on my Sunday afternoon rides. Perhaps Harlow (Chilly UK's home town) is leading the way?

NB - There seem to be quite a few black and Asian commuters though.

 

[Zoof]

Out this morning for a ride round I met several black cyclists. One didn't used to see many but they are becoming more and more common around here. I remember in my running days you didn't see many black marathon runners, now look at them! If the cyclists follow the pattern of the runners a lot of white riders had better start looking over their shoulders. It can only be good for the sport.

As an aside, everyone one of them passed with a wave and a greeting. Something else some more of us could learn.

Why don’t you ask them to join CC; then different races will be like me; will be better represented.



Zoof

 

[2Loose]

Why don’t you ask them to join CC; then different races will be like me; will be better represented.

Racing is a different forum

I do see a couple of regular black commuters around these parts and also one in all the gear who always reminds me of Gregory Bauge, but zipping up and down beside the river. Strangely, all of them say 'hello' too.

The tracksuit and BSO brigade are less friendly, but I don't think that depends on race at all.

 

[Banjo]

Its a fair comment to make that black and asian cyclists are not represented proportionately to the size of the black and asian population.

No idea what the reason for this is,I am sure the huge majority of cyclists would be welcoming to new cyclists of any ethnic origin.

We even have a few english members in my club

 

[Garz]

I'm happy that everyone is waving and greeting, asking them to join the forum would be good if you could somehow bring that up without coming across as a wierdo.

I would definitely be worried though if the dude looked like Gregory Bauge and was pissed off at you, there's little chance of getting away from him!

 

[Globalti]

Even in the Cape Argus race in Cape Town with 35,000 riders I only saw a handful of black and Asian riders.

 

[Sleeping Menace]

< begin mini-rant>
< begin offend half the forum>
Ok, usually I won't touch a conversation like this, but what possible difference does it make what colour they were? or which ethnicity? or religion.. or any other damn thing really, they were cycling and hopefully enjoying it. As long as we as a society fixate on everything which makes us different, be it colour, creed, religion, lifestyle preference or anything else, we're never going to evolve beyond the state we're in now.
Really, we need to knock this off. It doesn't matter how cycling has been, or been perceived to be -- what matters is where it's going, and at the end of the day for better or worse, we're all human beings- so can we just start acknowledging cyclists as being cyclists and leave it at that? It's no wonder that cycling gets a reputation for being a white elitist sport when we're so ignorant as to point out various people for their colour or background..etc.. as if they represent some kind of a novelty to gawk at.

</end rant>

........................
http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org

Cycle related blog entries, including a few 5 minute reviews:
http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org/category/cycling/

 

[400bhp]

Whatever next. Women cyclists?

 

[Sambu]

Don't be a damn fool!!!

 

[Fab Foodie]

< begin mini-rant>
< begin offend half the forum>
Ok, usually I won't touch a conversation like this, but what possible difference does it make what colour they were? or which ethnicity? or religion.. or any other damn thing really, they were cycling and hopefully enjoying it. As long as we as a society fixate on everything which makes us different, be it colour, creed, religion, lifestyle preference or anything else, we're never going to evolve beyond the state we're in now.
Really, we need to knock this off. It doesn't matter how cycling has been, or been perceived to be -- what matters is where it's going, and at the end of the day for better or worse, we're all human beings- so can we just start acknowledging cyclists as being cyclists and leave it at that? It's no wonder that cycling gets a reputation for being a white elitist sport when we're so ignorant as to point out various people for their colour or background..etc.. as if they represent some kind of a novelty to gawk at.

</end rant>

........................
http://anotherdoorat...theinternet.org

Cycle related blog entries, including a few 5 minute reviews:
http://anotherdoorat...tegory/cycling/

FFS Keep your hair on ....

Whether you like it or not, cycling as a hobby has been a pretty white affair. If you live in an area with a high percentage of non-whites you'll have seen very few on a road-bike or MTB'ing relative to the poulation. There may or may not be good reason for this, cultural, lack of role models, money, whatever .... it's an interesting fact to ponder. Much like the level of women cycling as a percentage of the overall population being small too.

Chilly UK has noticed a significant change in Black/ethnic cyclists, he found it interesting enough to comment in a positive manner. It's a trend he's spotted. I find it interesting to ponder. There are more regular women cyclists no doubt and the media have certainly started targetting women cyclists. If there is growth in Black/Ethnic cyclists that's interesting and it would be good to know why, is it a local effect (to Chilly) or is int Nationwide? What sparked it? Can we learn from this to encourage others, Is it only one segment of the ethnic population or all? Why Cycling and not another sport yadda yadda yadda

We could of course smash-out some semi-PC ranty-fiddle-twaddle instead of thinking .....