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Sitting by the Med having a coffee and quite a few MTBers are going along the cycle path. Not near any off-road that I know of.
They are mostly well turned out with the saddle at the right height and in the UK you would have them down as “proper” countryside bicyclists. Most are tanned, in Lycra and wearing proper cycling shoes. Groups of 6 blokes who look like they are heading out to the hills etc.
However some of them have subtle give ways that they are in fact leisure cyclists.
Main give away is narrow handlebars, followed by tall people on 26ers. One really fit young lady was on a 29 hardtail but had no water bottles. She obviously was really good at another sport to look so fit but I get the feeling that a bike was just a vehicle for as many people to admire her in as short a space of time as possible.
A wobbly seat pack is a popular give away as well.
Playing the seaside mincer v hardcore hero is no fun with Mrs Zip so I thought I’d play it with STW.
What other Tells should I watch out for?
Forearms, like you can tell a Swimmer by their shoulders and a Golfer by their air of arrogance, MTBers have enlarged and defined forearms.
Also, unless we’re talking mile munching XCers, a proper MTBers bike will likely look, clean, well serviced, but a bit battered from use. Shiney paint and rusty chain? Charlatan.
Your own sexuality? 😉
So you're sat on holiday in the sun, by the sea, with your significant other, judgementally categorising everyone who passes you on a bicycle and sharing it with some interweb strangers...
Biscuit anyone?
So you’re sat on holiday in the sun, by the sea, with your significant other, judgementally categorising everyone who passes you on a bicycle and sharing it with some interweb strangers.
Yep it’s as close to having fun as I get.
However some of them have subtle give ways that they are in fact leisure cyclists.
Which pro team do you ride for then?
☺
There’s nothing wrong with leisure cyclists but I like them to wear trainers and pedal butcher boy style.
They should also have massive saddle bags that swing along ,a top tube bag and tennis shorts.
In all walks of life there is a natural pecking order and everyone should know where they stand.
When I started commuting in the early 90s I had to reach the point where I passed most of the other people on Mtb’s before I felt myself worthy of proper cycling shoes.
no dropper. although not sure how prevalent they are on the continent.
slick tyres
shopping basket?
There’s nothing wrong with leisure cyclists
What are you even talking about?
Unless cycling is your job YOU ARE A LEISURE CYCLIST
I didn't realize I was so wrong. 6' 2", a 26er and narrow bars on one of my bikes. I even have platforms on one side of my spds so i can use any shoe. I am well leisure.
Unless cycling is your job YOU ARE A LEISURE CYCLIST
The very fact that we are on STW elevates us to the Mount Olympus of cycling.
We are NOT leisure cyclists. They don’t just let anyone on here you know.