The future?

[Bicycle]

I am warmed to see the way that cycling seems to have blossomed in the UK in the past 10 years.

Fakengers, try-too-hard triathletes, Carbon teamalikes, Brain-out downhillers, gentle shoppers and BMX urban terrorists... I don't care. Bicycles are lovely and it warms my heart to see them being used.

But I wonder....

Will the UK ever be like the France of 25 years ago where I fell in love with road cycling?

Groups of 60-year-old (ish) riders on lovely road machines pulling up outside a pavement cafe after a ride and enjoying a cool drink. Not an ounce of fat between them and odd, fading, team-style tops and worn casquettes.

Similarly, visiting a friend in Corsica some years ago to see her father (retired) ride home from a roadbike jaunt to the top of a simply staggering ascent we'd just made by rental car.... Just something he liked to do - and it was about 35 Celcius....

There is a 'bicycle' culture that spans the generations in France, Belgium and maybe elsewhere (but I haven't been there enough to know).

For all that we swagger around with our latest carbon goodies here in the UK (and notwithstanding the excellent but under-attended clubs that abound) are we ever really going to have that culture in the UK, right into the marrow of our bones like the French do?

I suspect not. It's too wet here, too cold and too many of us are fasddists who see five years of doing something as a lifelong commitment.

I see a huge amount of high-spec late-model carbon, but little of the quality steel that was being ridden 20 years ago and will be fit to ride in 20 years....

I love just about all bicycles, but I really don't see it as a UK thing. It is now, but wasn't 20 years ago. Will it be in 20 years?

Any thoughts?

 

[Brandane]

I can't see it. Cycling in France is a joy compared to the UK. A huge network of minor roads with excellent tarmac surfaces for starters. Car drivers who actually seem to know how to drive. Good weather. And most of all, just a whole nicer culture and feel about the place. Compare that with the selfish "get out of my way, I'm more important than you" culture that has taken over in the UK in recent years; and cycling just doesn't fit in with it.....

 

[Mackerel]

Some great videos about cycling in Europe on this website http://video.amsterdamize.com/?p=238

Spot the difference.

 

[Oldbloke]

I can't see it. Cycling in France is a joy compared to the UK. A huge network of minor roads with excellent tarmac surfaces for starters. Car drivers who actually seem to know how to drive. Good weather. And most of all, just a whole nicer culture and feel about the place. Compare that with the selfish "get out of my way, I'm more important than you" culture that has taken over in the UK in recent years; and cycling just doesn't fit in with it.....

Have to disagree with you there.

Having lived in Western France for 4 years, I can assure you that the weatherhere isn't a lot different to southern England.

Far less traffic I grant you, but the standard of driving is generally poor, most drivers way too fast for the conditions, many are obviously tanked up or just plain stupid, there is still confusion on the "give way to the right" rule and there are countless oldies (& their vehicles!)well beyond the day their licenses should have been withdrawn.

I've had countless close escapes on seemingly safe roads caused by myopic/drunk/ignorant/stupid drivers.

Also the clubs seem to have a disproportionate number of older members, perhaps less interest from youngsters?

And don't get me started on the (generally) atrocious level of service & extortionate prices in the bike shops here

 

[Brandane]

Have to disagree with you there.

Having lived in Western France for 4 years, I can assure you that the weatherhere isn't a lot different to southern England.

Far less traffic I grant you, but the standard of driving is generally poor, most drivers way too fast for the conditions, many are obviously tanked up or just plain stupid, there is still confusion on the "give way to the right" rule and there are countless oldies (& their vehicles!)well beyond the day their licenses should have been withdrawn.

I've had countless close escapes on seemingly safe roads caused by myopic/drunk/ignorant/stupid drivers.

Also the clubs seem to have a disproportionate number of older members, perhaps less interest from youngsters?

And don't get me started on the (generally) atrocious level of service & extortionate prices in the bike shops here

I have only ever cycled in France whilst on holiday; and as we all know, things always look better while you are on holiday!

Granted they do drive faster, but on the whole the drivers seem much more competent than their British equivalents.

My only experience of French bike shops was the occassional visit to Decathlon, which as us in Britain are just beginning to find out, is a much more pleasant experience than Halfords!

 

[Globalti]

Really? Decathlon? I've wandered around that shop agog at the prices but when I've actually examined the goods or tried on some garments I've found the quality poor and the fit atrocious, almost as bad as Aldi clothing. The only thing I've ever bought is a pair of socks.

 

[Friz]

To the OP. It's gotta be a matter of perspective. You look east to France and wonder will the UK ever be as good....


I look east to the UK and wonder, will it ever be as good here?

I'm jealous of the trail centres in Wales. The group spins, The cycle paths. I know it will happen here. But by the time it does I'll be one of those old eccentric guys who rides a 30 year old bike and knocks the snot out of the younger generation...

Can't bloody wait...

 

[Brandane]

Really? Decathlon? I've wandered around that shop agog at the prices but when I've actually examined the goods or tried on some garments I've found the quality poor and the fit atrocious, almost as bad as Aldi clothing. The only thing I've ever bought is a pair of socks.

I only said that Decathlon is a much more pleasant experience than Halfords, so not inferring that it's the Harrods of bike shops!

Their staff do appear to be quite competent though, and their bikes good value.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Cycling in Britain has gone up and down in popularity during my time. I suspect we are just seeing a fashion led boom at the moment, the bulk of riders you see on serious bikes are not far from either side of middle age. It is now quite unusual to see people under 25 on a "proper" bike.