purist cyclists

[Davidc]

A lot of the people you describe are just idiots with money.

Ignore them and enjoy yourself.

I just like being on a bike and cycling. I can't stand lycra (irritates my skin) and wear normal clothes. I don't actually care what the fair weather brigade who can afford to buy what they see as 'the right kit' think. Real cyclists only notice that I'm on a bike and enjoying it, and are good people to mix with. That bunch aren't.

I

 

[Ball]

What kind of lunatic would ever want to ride a fancy, expensive, beautiful road bike?!! Must be mad...

Also, fancy the thought of wearing lycra, designed for cycling, and a helmet, designed for cycling, while on a bike!!!!!!

Enough sarcasm sorry.

I'm actually surprised this post has got so much attention. The poor OP, probably wasn't his intention at all, but he's stoked a bigger bonfire that the one he thought he had

 

[Spokesmann]

I find it absolutely hilarious that we've got people complaining about the painfully stereotyped behaviour of cyclists being labelled as "elitist" and being scornful towards them. Surely that's what you're having a moan about, other cyclists being scornful of you? I expect if one of you saw me on the road you'd think I was one of these snotty racer types, but I wouldn't pooh-pooh you unless you pooh-poohed me.

Seriously. Most people on bikes don't give a flying rat's bottom about what you are riding or what you are wearing. If you're hopping up and down off the pavement and running red lights then you're not going to win many friends, but then frankly you don't deserve any if you're doing that.

Stop getting wound up about what you think other people think about you and just ride your damn bike!

Sam

I cant stand other cyclists when Im on the road.

 

[Spokesmann]

I first put off joining a cycle club because of that perceived elitism. I wish I hadn't, I found the folk in the club great as are the folk in other clubs. I used to cycle a hybrid (a flat bar road bike) and the only comments I got were ones of admiration, I had perceived it would be negative comments; I was so wrong.

Maybe, but most i have met are so full of themselves. TBH I prefer my own company when out riding, always have.

 

[Alembicbassman]

So long as it is pedal powered it's OK.

Riders in team colours are akin to people who wear footie shirts - sorry, but you aint ever gonna be Rooney or Contador

 

[Spokesmann]

So long as it is pedal powered it's OK.

Riders in team colours are akin to people who wear footie shirts - sorry, but you aint ever gonna be Rooney or Contador

+1

 

[Muddyfox]

I have a touring bike and an MTB which both get a similiar amount of use around the lanes and i meet a wide variety of cyclist's from the expensive road bikes with the riders wearing the replica racing kit to familys out for a jolly with the kids and no matter what bike im riding or what clothing i have on i would say that 95% of all cyclist's give some sort of pleasant aknowlegdement

Maybe its an area specific thing ?

Simon

 

[the_mikey]

Most cyclists are just people (hopefully) and they do what they do because they enjoy it, no need to be tyrannical facists about it!

 

[anweledig]

When I got a hybrid a couple of years ago I would be struggling up a local hill and one of the localclubs would hammer past me - almost every one of them giving a friendly comment and encouraging me. Later another local group came alongside while I was on -another bike and slogging into a headwind, slowed down and chatted for a while until they turned off - and invited me to join their rides in the future (which I do now). I often pass other cyclists (going the opposite way -going the same way they pass me )
On the other hand some riders don't acknowledge they've seen me and sometimes if I'm pushing hard or concentrating I don't always acknowledge others - there's no offense intended and hopefully none taken, we're all just out enjoying our rides but it's not snootiness or a feeling of superiority, just timing and position.
Just keep on enjoying yourself by riding

 

[2Loose]

Maybe its an area specific thing ?

Simon

While cycling back to Notts from Cambridge I noticed this kind of behaviour. I passed\saw about 20 other cyclists in the first 10 miles and none returned a 'Morning' or wave.

Once I got towards Huntingdon and Peterborough and the open countryside then every single cycling soul returned my greetings, all the way to Notts. I even had a group on a club ride wait for me to catch up with them to say Hello somewhere near Stamford.

I always thought people were generally friendlier to strangers 'oop north', but never thought that 10 miles north of Cambridge was where the north\south divide started!

 

[raindog]

Riders in team colours are akin to people who wear footie shirts - sorry, but you aint ever gonna be Rooney or Contador

LOL people who wear footy shirts wear them down the pub or in the supermarket. Bikers who wear the proper gear do so when out riding their bikes - big difference there.

 

[lpjr]

When I got a hybrid a couple of years ago I would be struggling up a local hill and one of the localclubs would hammer past me - almost every one of them giving a friendly comment and encouraging me. Later another local group came alongside while I was on -another bike and slogging into a headwind, slowed down and chatted for a while until they turned off - and invited me to join their rides in the future (which I do now). I often pass other cyclists (going the opposite way -going the same way they pass me )
On the other hand some riders don't acknowledge they've seen me and sometimes if I'm pushing hard or concentrating I don't always acknowledge others - there's no offense intended and hopefully none taken, we're all just out enjoying our rides but it's not snootiness or a feeling of superiority, just timing and position.
Just keep on enjoying yourself by riding

I agree with the above. I have an average bike and wear loose clothing. I will say hello to anyone except when I'm on a hill travelling in an upwards direction. Then you will be lucky if you even get a grunt out of me.

 

[pepecat]

I have an entry level road bike which looks a bit flash (i think) partly cos it's white, and partly cos it's clean! I wear lycra padded shorts to protect my bum and cos I like them, and a cycle top cos it's very handy having rear pockets for phone/money/keys etc. Can't be doing with bar bags etc - I like to travel light.
However, I'm not particularly fit, so you'll often see me puffing slowly up hills, even though I guess i 'look' like i should be flying up them. Do I care?
No, not really, I like cycling so don't really give a rats what anyone else thinks of me. I think the thing is to get out on your bike and do your thing and not really care what anyone else thinks.
I always give an interested look over to my fellow cyclists - usually to see what sort of bike/kit they have, and if they want to nod, I'll nod back, otherwise we keep going, and that's fine too.
My thinking is that if you meet another cyclist who's hammering along and you're struggling - how do they know that you're not at the end of a 100 miler and on your way home? They don't know, so it doesn't matter what they think!

 

[Garz]

You get this in a variety of sports not just cycling. When I used to play football to a good standard, you started to get 'predator' boots and new coloured ones, funky shinpads and shaven oily ralgex legs..

it mattered not during the game as all this was out the window, a good player was there on merit not by what they were wearing. Some people turn it into a fashion or do gauge items on expense ranking, as you get a lot of equipment to personalise your experience I just tend to not be as bothered now.

Enjoy your cycling, ignore the bumf!

 

[Ball]

So long as it is pedal powered it's OK.

Riders in team colours are akin to people who wear footie shirts - sorry, but you aint ever gonna be Rooney or Contador

Oh whatever! What a bigoted opinion. What on earth is wrong with wearing the jersey of a team you support or follow, or of a rider you like?

Tell you what, let's all never get on bikes again cos we're never gonna be world champions.