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[Geonz]

I agree with you, life is full of "circles" to exclude and include -- to elevate and devalue ourselves and others. So, who and what is a cyclist? Is ANYone who rides a bike a cyclist? To me, that is like saying ANYone who throws a football in the backyard with their kids on Sunday afternoons is a football player; ANYone who jumps into a pool and doggie paddles across the pool length is a swimmer; ANYone who shoots hoops in their driveway is a basketball player. OK, I may be wrong, but to me, they are people having fun playing a sport, not necessarily defined by that sport. As for riding a bike, there are times when I am riding a bike and I am a bike rider -- I am goofing around with my kids in the neighborhood, riding my bike to the grocery store, or riding a smooth bike trail with my friends. Other times, I am a cyclist -- I am riding for fitness, endurance, and training. I am working hard and pushing my body to its limits (yep, give me a circle to place myself in), and I am presenting myself and my sport in the highest regard because I am maximizing my efforts and displaying respect for myself and my equipment, other people, automobiles, and the laws of my state. I am no longer "just riding my bike" but I am athlete and a professional (if only in my own mind). Yes, I am a bike rider, having fun and following the rules of the road, but I am also a cyclist because I train and work hard at riding my bike. IN MY OPINION, most everyone can ride a bike, but not everyone can be a cyclist. Ok, call me a snob, or any other form of snobbery ... I will be the first to claim it as truth ... but please don't PM me just because my "circle" is different from yours. Life is full of "circles" and that will never change.

So, you have a logical issue with saying ANYBODY who throws a football... I have that problem with your global ANYONE who ever uses a sidewalk not being "an athlete" "maximizing my efforts" etc. etc. The rather obvious implication is that I don't train, don't work hard, and don't follow the rules of the road because I get on a sidewalk when it makes sense - since you say that you are a cyclist because you train and work hard at riding your bike. If I am not a ;cyclist, that woudl imply that I don't.

However, i am simply positive that you work harder and train harder than I ever will. *That's* what makes you 'More" of a cyclist... at least a certain kind... *not* that you never cross off the road to go slower for a little while.

[Looeez]

I just read the sidewalk thread, and I did not see anything wrong with your reply. As a matter of fact, I looked for a second post thinking perhaps that was the offense one.

Personally I didn't find the post offensive. Although perhaps humourous, I felt it could be interpreted as rude. I can't be bothered with elitism and snobbery in sports or anything else and so didn't feel it was worth responding. As a shameless "bike rider" who'd want my opinion on a cyclists board?