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What kind of cyclist are you?

05.06.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 7 Comments

A little bit ago, I ran a post here called “Are You a Cyclist or a Biker?”  It got lots of response, but some folks thought that applying labels to ourselves is counter productive.

One reader answered the biker-cyclist question, but then posed one of his own — a better one, to my mind:

Better yet, what kind of cyclist are you? Over the holidays, I found that I had become a “care-taker” cyclist. I was going through the motions of a 30 mile ride without putting a whole lot of effort into it. Fortunately I snapped out of the lull and now enjoy “working” at it.

The serious cyclist.

That got me thinking. I hadn’t considered what kind of cyclist I am, because I always took it for granted. I ride a road bike, therefore I am a road biker.

But there are different kinds of road bikers. And I’ve got road biker friends who can’t wait to get dirty on mountain bikes. I’ve described myself as a “B” rider here — a charter member of the 15 mph club — but even that doesn’t answer the whole question.

Tweedy cyclists.

I’ve been a “caretaker” cyclist before. That’s not a lot of fun. I don’t race, except for the occasional time trial, when I’m racing against myself (Oh, all right, I do pay attention to certain guys’ times). I enjoy riding for distances, but I’m beginning to think that 100 miles is over doing it, and 100 kilometers might be just right. I’m not the most gregarious guy you’ll ever meet, but I do enjoy the social aspect of cycling, which is one reason I joined a club.

Mostly, I ride for fun and exercise. Notice I didn’t say fitness. I’d have to push myself harder to lose weight through cycling, but a one-hour ride can get me to sleep longer and deeper at night, can curb my appetite so I’m not eating so much, can slow my resting heart rate and lower my blood pressure.

The "oh my goodness" cyclist. (Liz Hatch.)

The fun of riding comes when I go places I haven’t been before, or when I’m with a group of like-minded congenial people, or when I push myself a little bit, and find that I’m up to the challenge.

I guess I’d call myself a “recreational” cyclist. If someone can provide a more descriptive term for the kind of riding I do, I’m open to your suggestion.

How about you? How would you describe your riding?

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Comments

  1. Loving the Bike says

    May 6, 2010 at 10:14 pm

    It is a very good question, isn’t it? I think it is a good question to ask ourselves from time to time so that we don’t get caught up in a rut.
    I would say I’m a few different kinds of cyclist. I am a competitive cyclists who doesn’t do a lot of competing. I am a guy who loves going places by bike. I am a cycling advocate. And I’m cycle for health cyclist.
    Thanks for posing the question and providing a nice post.

    Darryl

    Reply
  2. chrisfit2009 says

    May 7, 2010 at 4:54 am

    Hmm, I guess I’m a competitive cyclist and a cycling for fitness cyclist.

    Like Daryl “Loving the Bike” I love getting out on the bike (but hate it when things go wrong). I usually ride by myself, and occasionally in a group. Regardless, I’m competitive. I don’t need to be the first to the finish line, but I either need to keep up with the lead group, or beat my best time. So I’m my own competition. Unless I’m taking the short route to work or the shops, I don’t like to finish a ride feeling like I haven’t worked.

    Reply
  3. Tim says

    May 7, 2010 at 6:47 am

    I use the bike for the store. I cycle to meetings. I use the bike to just be (in the Zen sense). I compete a little. I use it for health and fitness. I compete a little.

    I guess I have to say that I have multi-cyclist disorder.

    Reply
  4. mildstallion says

    May 7, 2010 at 10:19 am

    Let me stop ogling that pic of Liz Hatch for a second.

    We all of us are indeed cyclists, but I am usually loathe to categorize. I think it implies that we are a separate group that enjoys our “separateness”. If you get on a bike and find it either enjoyable or practical, you will feel good about it and will continue to do it.

    It needs to make you happy, not be part of a group IMHO.

    Now, back to Ms. Hatch.

    Reply
  5. bjjoondo says

    May 7, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    I’m a Rec rider that want’s to be a “Touring” Rider someday! 🙂 I want to be that guy out there touring across the world BUT, I ain’t found a way to make it happen as of yet so I “just ride”. Ya I’m a Bicycle Club member but the Mrs. and I are “TOO SLOW” for anything but the most “social” of rides. I could care less about “bicycle racing” in any form. I’m sure most here would call me a “FRED”, LOL! I want to see the world by bicycle but on my own timeframe and terms, I’ll probably never join a “group tour”, ain’t me!

    Reply
  6. Neil says

    June 17, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    I don’t compete in TTs anymore, but I’m still a competitive type of rider. Especially in group rides when those climbs come. Though, I do tend and prefer to ride solo most of the time. Do my own thing. My own time.

    My mtbike rides are usually solo rides as I enjoy the “oneness” with nature.

    Speaking of mtbikes, I realize I really can’t call myself a “roadie” anymore as I love my miles on the road as well as on dirt. And actually, my last two rides where with my mtbike. I guess I’m a “cyclist”.

    Reply
  7. thelaurenstephens says

    August 21, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    I agree I don’t see myself as one thing all the time. I think it’s healthy and more interesting that way!

    I commute, enjoy the outdoors, relax, push myself, compete, all on the bike. There’s a time and place for all of it.

    Reply

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