cyclists - they seem to be breeding

[Pig Skill]

I've noticed a steady increase in the number of cyclists around here.

Living by and commuting on a windy country road, there seems to be more and more of the tight suited road rats cropping up. I wonder why? Is it to do with fuel prices and people looking to reduce travel costs?

As these newbies take to the road they are obviously unaware of cycling etiquette and tend to pedal along the road in their silly suits and futuristic hats like a swarm of gay bees, generally clogging up the road.

So, whats going on? Any recent push iron converts care to state why they have decided to become a cyclist?

[WeirdNeville]

Mostly to get away from bigotry and prejudice.

[poing]

Fuels costs, better weather, other motoring costs, fitness kicks, easier to get from A to B in some cities, no parkings costs and some companies offer financial incentives for people not to drive to work. Take your pick from that list.

[Genelec]

I think the fact that I'm skint is one factor! Mars Bars and Bacon sarnies are cheaper than petrol.

Having said that, some miscreant stole my bike from the back garden so it's back in the car for me!

[daemonoid]

poing said:

Fuels costs, better weather, other motoring costs, fitness kicks, easier to get from A to B in some cities, no parkings costs and some companies offer financial incentives for people not to drive to work. Take your pick from that list.

All of those and it's becoming cool and acceptable. A few years ago only the weird guy at the office would turn up by bike covered in latex. Nowadays even the MD can.

[Pig Skill]

I kinda like the idea of razzing to work on my bike - My business is based less than 5 miles away and I'm tempted to give it a go - sans suit mind

[J4CKO]

I started again about four years ago as a regular cyclist, mainly for the fitness aspect but also as it saves some fuel and it is enjoyable.

I don't know why everyone seems to want to call cyclists Gay, I know car drivers get a bit threatened and possibly the male form in Lycra may tip them over the edge but I have not noticed any change in my sexuality despite wearing Lycra, there seems to be a need to reinforce manly credentials over cyclists, to seek affirmation that drivers in their super manly cars are still higher up the food chain, sorry but cars don't make you any more blokey and hard, slogging, under your own power up a 1 in 5 does that.

I have got some benefits form cycling, am fitter than I would be had I not bothered, my resting pulse is 55 Beats per minute now, it used to be 75, and you get to eat more.

I still love cars, I love the variety cycling brings and however sporty and taut your car feels it will feel like a blancmange after a decent road bike, however open a sports car is, it aint as open as a bike.

[Justayellowbadge]

Kudos on a breathtakingly original thread.

[exgtt]

Mostly agree with the OP despite cycling to work all seasons for the last 3 years. May time is when lot of people decide to cycle in when the weathers milder - nowt wrong with that but ive seen some horror manouvoures in recent months. Probably same with the motorcycling lot and spring. I understand your frustration if commuting by rural roads.

Think i'd take busy inner city cycling to tight rural roads any day of the week.

• edit - also i started cycling to lose weight and save money - nowt better than wizzing past a fatty stuck in a Golf diesel in traffic. Silly answer to a silly question!**

Edited by exgtt on Thursday 14th June 22:21

[anonymous-user]

Pig Skill said:

I kinda like the idea of razzing to work on my bike - My business is based less than 5 miles away and I'm tempted to give it a go - sans suit mind

Do it. I bet you will be surprised at how good it is.

It's an excellent way at the end of the day to unwind and get all the accumulated st of the day out of your head.

Riding in the rain is no fun, but nothing that a waterproof jacket and a radiator can't fix.

[J4CKO]

Pig Skill said:

I kinda like the idea of razzing to work on my bike - My business is based less than 5 miles away and I'm tempted to give it a go - sans suit mind

5 miles, twenty minutes or less and you are there, I do my seven miles in about 25 mins, it can be an amazingly efficient and quick means of transport if you get the right back, don't bother with Mountain bikes unless you go up Mountains as they are by and large horrible and slow on road.

[exgtt]

J4CKO said:

5 miles, twenty minutes or less and you are there, I do my seven miles in about 25 mins, it can be an amazingly efficient and quick means of transport if you get the right back, don't bother with Mountain bikes unless you go up Mountains as they are by and large horrible and slow on road.

Must say i find riding the mountain bike to work much more enjoyable than the road bike despite the roadie being much, much faster.

Better riding position (for me) brakes that work, and no pot hole paranoia. I'm concidering selling the road bike tbh.

[Pig Skill]

J4CKO said:

Pig Skill said:

I kinda like the idea of razzing to work on my bike - My business is based less than 5 miles away and I'm tempted to give it a go - sans suit mind

5 miles, twenty minutes or less and you are there, I do my seven miles in about 25 mins, it can be an amazingly efficient and quick means of transport if you get the right back, don't bother with Mountain bikes unless you go up Mountains as they are by and large horrible and slow on road.

Thing is, It's the only bike I have. A specialized 'hard rock' iirc had it for years.

I'll give it a go and see what the fuss is about - just need to buy a helmet to fit my large head!

[Pig Skill]

Justayellowbadge said:

Kudos on a breathtakingly original thread.

[J4CKO]

exgtt said:

J4CKO said:

5 miles, twenty minutes or less and you are there, I do my seven miles in about 25 mins, it can be an amazingly efficient and quick means of transport if you get the right back, don't bother with Mountain bikes unless you go up Mountains as they are by and large horrible and slow on road.

Must say i find riding the mountain bike to work much more enjoyable than the road bike despite the roadie being much, much faster.

Better riding position (for me) brakes that work, and no pot hole paranoia. I'm concidering selling the road bike tbh.

I don't find my roadie fragile really, had a hybrid before and that was a lot stiffer and harder, the road bike seems to ride better and is faster, my ancient mtb I would never choose to do any distance on, the riding position is better in town but the bottom bracket is too high for a proper pedal stroke.

[Hudson]

When i lived in Stevenage we had dedicated cycle routes so you could cycle all around town with minimal fear of getting crushed under a Honda Jazz, i used to cycle to work all the time, saved stloads on fuel.

Now i only live a mile from the office so i just walk

[Justayellowbadge]

Pig Skill said:

Justayellowbadge said:

Kudos on a breathtakingly original thread.

Really?

I mean, really?

[Stick Legs]

I like bikes and cars, I must admit that as a keen cyclist I am irritated by the current crop of 'new' cyclists.
The same pricks who used to irritate me in cars when I biked now irritate me on bikes when I drive with added self righteousness as an annoying garnish.

Cycling has become rightfully more popular as transport, but the ignorant and selfish have joined the ranks of the mostly well behaved cycling community.

Who'd have thought that Audi Drivers and Cyclists would have common ground, a few idiots in each camp giving them all a bad name! ;-)

[pwrc]

i expected a bit more from a pig skill post apart from "gay bees"

nonetheless, it is worth it if you live in a nice area. wouldn't think about it in urban settings

[New POD]

You should come to Derby. Cycle city.

I'm contracting at Rolls Royce, renting a room about 2 miles away, and get get most of the way on a Cycle path, which used to be an old canal, and then through a housing estate, so it's fairly safe. The bike sheds are full, and there are people who cycle 5 to 10 miles daily come rain or shine. There are all ages and demographics, from lycra clad cycling fascists, with carbon bikes and special shoes, to fat indian chap on second hand mountain bike with no brakes.

Me? I ride a 21 year old steel hawk mountain bike which cost £75 and tuck me work trousers into my socks, and hope the rain holds off.