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[Pax]

...

My question is, when did the term 'cyclist' become an elitist term used to include some and exclude others?

We live in a world of ever smaller circles of exclusion.

Think about how this works with Marines, they are MARINES/Brothers in arms/Leathernecks...then the question arises about where they went to boot camp (Parris Island for "real" Marines or Sandy Eggo for "Hollywood" Marines), this is further broken down into what their military specialty is/was...if you're not a rifleman then you are a pogue (someone who isn't primarily a rifleman and who is therefore "less").

We use "circles" to exclude and include those we want to either lessen or enhance...my guess is this is usually done as a way to elevate ourselves (and those we include) above others.

It's too bad that people feel the need to do this and create disharmony or ill-will in the process.