Road Cycling

[James07]

When I first started riding I were told to ride in what ever makes me feel most comfortable especially on the roads.

I think in the end that's what it should come down to, when on the roads you must feel comfortable as the last thing you want is to feel out of place when really you need to be concentrating on the road conditions and traffic.

 

[hooneeawr]

Well I didn't collapse in a heap at the side of the road so I'm happy with that. Only took an 8 minute break before heading back home. Felt I probably could have stopped on the way back in but soldiered on. The main killer was the wind, head / cross wind on the way out which made it quite tough. Fun on the way back down though

https://www.strava.com/activities/284021670

I've always meant to head out that road to see what's there. Is it fine for a road bike, and can you carry on any further than you went, such as to Loch Lee?

 

[Kimi]

imo people should just wear what they want, ive got all sorts, some dodgy old jerseys, Team GB olympic kit, Argos Shimano, Rapha Sky Pro team top. I like to wear my Team Sky top the most as its just the best bit of kit that ive got. I think cycling is different to a lot of sports in that you can support the sport rather than a single team. I mean there are great riders on each team. Some people support a rider, some the whole team. People should be able to wear what they like

 

[platypus]

Um, WIggle have launched a "no win, no fee" service for cyclists, presumably caught up in accidents.

I'm trying to decide if I'm appalled.

 

[SoliD]

I'm still waiting on someone to give me abuse for wearing my sky kit

Out of interest janp, was that a club you went with, if so which one?

 

[Roady]

I remember that one time we went up to the mast and overtook three mountain bikers who were grinding their way up and we both took a deep breath and hello'd them as we went past

I do similar, half-bury myself to catch someone who's only slightly slower than me... Make the wrong decision (to overtake) and realise I'm gonna have to bury myself completely to gap them (to not be an idiot overtaker). Push it hard for a mile or two and finally give up/turn off... Glance behind and they're nowhere to be seen

The problem is that people don't always judge their own abilities very well.

<snip>

None of which is to say that you shouldn't ride in trainers and a rucksack, or that a group should turn you away... Only that you better be sure you can hack it with the group you're going with.

I found it very hard to judge my own ability as until I tried a group ride I hadn't ridden with anyone else. I had no comparison to judge my abilities against - other than looking at segments on Strava!

I found I was much better than I expected/assumed.

If it's deemed ok for people to wear football shirts and play 'down the park' in them, why is it not ok for cyclists?

Nothing wrong with it at all no matter the ability of the wearer. Heck even a fan of the sport who doesn't even ride could wear their favourite team jersey, what's the problem with it?

I wasn't saying there was a problem, I was just trying to justify the other opinions slightly. I can semi-see where they're coming from. Unless you ride with someone you have no way to judge their ability (as a cyclist) and have to take them at 'face value'. So a guy riding a Bianchi in Sky kit really should be able to ride well. Equally a guy in trackies riding a hybrid you should be able to drop easily... There are exceptions to every rule!

It's only a matter of time until I'm riding club/team colours and it'll probably be Sky (fave team) or Giant-Shimano (as I ride a Giant and it's better styled kit than Giant-Alpecin!). I already have a 'Wales' jersey (produced to celebrate Geraint Thomas) as I'm a proud Welshman! I'll probably wear it if I do a sportive...

Although I'm probably going to be wearing 'shop kit' sooner (my LBS social group rides I go on have their own branded Santini kit )

 

[[Damien]]

If it's deemed ok for people to wear football shirts and play 'down the park' in them, why is it not ok for cyclists?

It's perfectly fine to wear whatever you like. But if you come in full replica kit with socks and all and then can't kick a ball in a straight line you're going to get laughed at. That's all.

I've had family etc offer to get me replica gear for xmas etc but I won't wear it, not even back when I was 'decent' on a bike. Each to their own though. I suppose you could argue it's reverse snobbery.

I dont see any difference in making fun of people for wearing pro kit or making fun of people wearing trainers.

It doesnt bother me at all what other people wear or what bike they are riding.

People wearing trainers and demolishing kit snobs is hilarious. People wearing full Rapha gear pushing their bike up a slight incline is equally hilarious. Mad respect for the old guys riding fixies in trainers and no name gear.

I remember that one time we went up to the mast and overtook three mountain bikers who were grinding their way up and we both took a deep breath and hello'd them as we went past

Haha, yeah. Good times

Deep breath in - calm "Good Morning" - breath through the nose until they're out of earshot - resume panting. Maximum smuggage.

Did something similar on one sportive (might have been the Cat) saying "I tell you what, I'm sick of these surprise hills" while climbing after turning onto an unexpected one. You can almost hear them calling you a ***** under their breath. All in good fun

 

[Shadowness]

Pro kit has never really bothered me. Wear what you want. Your cycling can do the talking......if that means so much to you.

Chain gang tonight, lovely day for it, although the wind is doing its best to ruin things as normal!

 

[daveski]

the irony being that the hardest riders almost never have the shiniest and prettiest of everything, just because it gets used so hard

This.

 

[Asprilla]

the irony being that the hardest riders almost never have the shiniest and prettiest of everything, just because it gets used so hard

That's my excuse for why my bikes always look in a sorry state and I'm sticking to it.

 

[touch]

People wearing trainers and demolishing kit snobs is hilarious. People wearing full Rapha gear pushing their bike up a slight incline is equally hilarious. Mad respect for the old guys riding fixies in trainers and no name gear.

Is everyone who wears team kit a "snob"?

I tend to ignore what other people are doing. I've been passed so many times by random people on mountainbikes with flat pedals whilst out on my race bike that it doesnt bother me anymore. You dont know what other people are doing - they might have just done a 20 min interval at 30mph and are recovering, they might be on a recovery ride or rest day.
Sometimes I ride fast, sometimes I ride slow. I dont really care if somebody passes me when i'm riding slow, whatever they are wearing or riding. If they think it's a race and they have 'beaten' me or are faster than me, that's fine.

 

[Dunks]

I think some people in this thread worry too much about everthing and anything

Just ride!

 

[daveski]

I think some people in this thread worry too much about everthing and anything

Just ride!

This.

 

[[Damien]]

Is everyone who wears team kit a "snob"?

I tend to ignore what other people are doing. I've been passed so many times by random people on mountainbikes with flat pedals whilst out on my race bike that it doesnt bother me anymore. You dont know what other people are doing - they might have just done a 20 min interval at 30mph and are recovering, they might be on a recovery ride or rest day.
Sometimes I ride fast, sometimes I ride slow. I dont really care if somebody passes me when i'm riding slow, whatever they are wearing or riding. If they think it's a race and they have 'beaten' me or are faster than me, that's fine.

Of course not everyone who wears team kit is a snob. The whole thing's more banter than anything else.

I will say that the snobbery from top of the range kit people towards Aldi's own and trainers people is a bit more malicious than the other way round though.

The people that just go out and do it in whatever and let their performance do the talking are the ones I reckon are 'doing it right'. But that's not to say the 'all the gear no idea' crew are inherently wrong.
It's just that being a weight weenie and wearing pro kit while having to get off and push sets you up for having the michael taken out of you. Wearing pro kit and putting on a good show doesn't.

 

[xdcx]

It really all is banter end of that day. I've seen pro kit wearers mock other pro kit wearers as said pro kit is newer and flashier than theirs haha.

What is a weight weenie???

 

[topgun06]

A weight weenie is a cyclist who endeavours to make their bike as light as possible.

So swapping out stainless steel bolts for titanium ones to save 3 grams.

 

[xdcx]

A weight weenie is a cyclist who endeavours to make their bike as light as possible.

So swapping out stainless steel bolts for titanium ones to save 3 grams.

If I had the money, I'd be that guy!

 

[Robzere31]

NM

 

[janp]

Wow, didn't expect such a response. Please excuse me for not quoting everyone in my replies.

Yes, it's a group I've been with before. I met them last year, so have done plenty of riding with them. I certainly don't have a problem keeping up with them, as I said most of time I was leading the climbs. To be fair, although the rest of the group had a bit of banter, it's one particular dude that seems to have taken particular offense. Perhaps he just has it in for me. Perhaps jealous that despite having a backpack and trainers, I'm still faster

I'm glad the majority seem to agree with me. So I'll ignore them in future, and just wear what I feel like. It's quite satisfying overtaking people with a backpack full

SoliD - No it wasn't a club run, just an 'unofficial' group. I did join a club (PNECC) last year, but had some issues with them. I was going ask you what Fareham Wheelers were like?

 

[SoliD]

SoliD - No it wasn't a club run, just an 'unofficial' group. I did join a club (PNECC) last year, but had some issues with them. I was going ask you what Fareham Wheelers were like?

Brilliant, they couldn't cater for any more groups of riders, every Sunday, they have a social, slow, inter and fast ride, 70+ riders each week. but then it's a trek for you to get to the start, but I would say they're the best in the area for overall usage.