from the dictionary:

athˇlete ( P ) Pronunciation Key (thlt)
n.
A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.


oh man, this gets my goat but good! Not only do I consider myself an athlete, I consider myself an ENDURANCE athlete! I am not an "elite" athlete... that is a term I reserve for people who actually compete at their sport... whether it's cycling or triathlon or golfers! but, having ridden 10 centuries in the last 12 months... I absolutely consider myself an endurance athlete. Am I trying to be a braggart? Heck no. Am I very, very proud of what I've accomplished? Heck yeah! For me it's an "acquired trait" and I've had to work hard to get to where I'm at now.

I am really amazed at anyone who does not consider cycling atheltic... or cyclists athletes! And apparently Mr. Webster agrees...

does your "real athlete" friend ride a bike? I wonder if a few rides would drastically change his perspective on this issue...

OK... that's a long way of me saying... yes you ARE an athlete! He's just wrong.

biker <climbing off the soapbox> chick