Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

When can you call yourself a cyclist?

10.21.2016 by Scott Jangro // 5 Comments

When can you call yourself a cyclist?

“When can I call myself a cyclist? …and when do I start shaving my legs?”

A friend asked me this the other day.

He’s a runner, and just got himself a road bike. We live 2000 miles apart, but we pledged to get together to do the Triple Bypass ride in Colorado next summer. 120 miles and 10,000 feet in climbing over three mountain passes. That should keep us going on the trainer over the winter.

The legs thing was a joke, but it implied that there’s some rule. And I think we all feel it when starting out, that we’re not yet part of The Club.

So what is it that makes you a cyclist? An expensive bike? lots of lycra? a 30 mile ride? a century? An endo? Road rash? Near death by angry motorist? 19mph average? a Strava account?

There are people who put their own judgment criteria on a question like this. But so what.

If you’re driving a car, you’re a motorist.
If you put on running shoes and go for a loop, you’re a runner.
If you walk across the street, you’re a pedestrian.
If you watch a football game, you’re a spectator.
If you jump on a bike, you’re a cyclist.

There are fast ones, slow ones, timid, and bold, kind ones and jerks. But if you get on a bike and enjoy it, you’re a cyclist.

I’m in The Club, and officially, you’re in. Congratulations. Your card is in the mail.

Don’t let someone else’s elitist attitude or douchebaggery keep you from getting out there with others, having fun, getting in shape, or even competing.

Or keep you from shaving your legs. (Don’t knock it until you try it guys.)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Categories // cycling

Comments

  1. Kris says

    October 21, 2016 at 8:04 am

    I found that brisk early morning rides have a way of shearing away the leg hair for me whether I want it or not

    Reply
  2. Tony Valente says

    October 21, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Well said sir! If you ride, you are cycling, if you cycling you are a cyclist. I have met many who disagree with this, but facts are facts!

    AND I have WAY too much leg hair to ever shave it!

    Reply
  3. Grant Shawcroft says

    October 21, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Well, fellow cyclists, I have first hand information on the Triple Bypass mentioned in the post. I entered the ride twice in my younger days. I wasn’t fit enough either time. The first time, I rationalized that even though the ride was 120 miles in one day, over three mountain passes, at least half of it was downhill! Well, leaving the Evergreen school at the start of the ride, the first 15 miles is all uphill, to the top of Squaw pass. That first 15 miles trashed my legs both times. The fast downhills are fun, and scary, but there wasn’t enough time riding downhill to let my legs get some energy back. They needed two days, not 20 minutes. So, when I got to the next climb, I was done. Both times. Still, lots of people finish even though I couldn’t. People of all ages. The ones that finish are the ones that are used to climbs at altitude. So, my advise is to climb as much as you can. It’s a great ride and well supported, the scenery is unbelievable, and your fellow riders are courteous and supportive. You just have to be able to climb.

    Reply
    • Scott Jangro says

      October 21, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      Hi Grant! Seriously, that’s no joke of a ride. Here in the Northeast, I’ve done the B2B (147.9 mi +7787 ft), B2VT (133.5 mi +8036 ft), and the infamous 6 Gaps ride, unsupported (139.7 mi +12292 ft). B2B: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/286085 B2VT: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6724885 6 Gaps: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/8677748 The Triple Bypass (117.1 mi +10608 ft ) is a whole different animal, with the same climbing of 6 Gaps, consolidated into 3 climbs rather than 6. Plus altitude. https://ridewithgps.com/events/3672-triple-bypass-saturday-clif-climb-challenge At least I feel like I know what to expect and can train for it. Will not take it lightly!

      Reply
      • Grant Shawcroft says

        October 25, 2016 at 12:25 pm

        I remember the first time I rode the Triple Bypass. I remember on that first long climb, as I was struggling along, little gray-haired old ladies on their road bikes would pass me, and each one would smile and offer an encouraging “you can do it!” Then off they went up the hill. Well, I couldn’t do it, and even though getting passed by little old ladies gave me some incentive to try harder, I just wasn’t physically up to it. I was in my early 50’s back then. Now I’m about to turn 65, and have no desire to try that ride again. I’m still riding though, although not as much as I would like (knee replacement), I’m currently riding around 25 miles a ride. This past year I rode in the Frontrunner Century, a metric century in Utah. Had a great time, except that I was fighting cramps from mile 37 on. I’m working on upping my mileage and endurance, although it will be too cold here in a few weeks (Colorado)

        Sounds like you’re way more fit than me. Nice rides you have listed. Me, metric centuries seem more like my style now days.

        Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d