Towards A Slower, Simpler, More Civilized Bicycle Culture

[nuliajuk]

...
So -- if I want to be a cycling advocate, I have to spend a jillion dollars on one of those heavy Dutch bikes and (this may be the hardest part) look "cute."

Ha ha! Ever notice most of those cycle chic bloggers are under 35? I guess you aren't supposed to ride a bike unless you're young, chic and attractive. That counts me out!

One thing I noticed a long time ago was that the most competitive people of all are those that call themselves non-competitive. These are the people who glare at you and mutter something about "show-offs" if you just happen to pass them while riding/running/skiing/pick your activity. Their egos are so fragile they absolutely can't stand to be shown up, even inadvertently. So they'll either stop doing the activity, or they'll do it in a "non-competitive" way and loudly denounce anyone who "takes it too seriously". Because of course, they've re-invented the activity and theirs is the only proper way to do it. I'm guessing that a lot of the militantly anti-lycra dutch bike crowd fit into this category.

[Eden]

oh yeah.... some of the most "competitive commuters" - you know the ones, if you pass them they've got to suddenly speed way up and do something idiotic to get back in front of you.... I come across are the retro-grouch set.... other racers are generally doing their own thing and don't give a darn about whether or not you pass them or they pass you.

[Owlie]

Ha ha! Ever notice most of those cycle chic bloggers are under 35? I guess you aren't supposed to ride a bike unless you're young, chic and attractive. That counts me out!

One thing I noticed a long time ago was that the most competitive people of all are those that call themselves non-competitive. These are the people who glare at you and mutter something about "show-offs" if you just happen to pass them while riding/running/skiing/pick your activity. Their egos are so fragile they absolutely can't stand to be shown up, even inadvertently. So they'll either stop doing the activity, or they'll do it in a "non-competitive" way and loudly denounce anyone who "takes it too seriously". Because of course, they've re-invented the activity and theirs is the only proper way to do it. I'm guessing that a lot of the militantly anti-lycra dutch bike crowd fit into this category.

I've never fit into the "chic" crowd. And I'm incapable of looking "cute" on a bike. I'm out.

I've got it! Let's have a competition to see how non-competitive we are!

[Eden]

lol.. I won't try to tell you I'm not competitive.... I'm on a racing team.... I just have a proper outlet for it, namely a competition. I'd much run a real race and lose than kick the crap out of some poor unsuspecting commuter or person training who doesn't even know they are racing me... Where's the sport in that?