It's a cold morning. The plants in front of my house, and the cars on the block are covered with frost.
I run a quick errand to a local Target (by car, if I may add). As I stand in line to pay for my purchases, the man in front of me is having a conversation with the clerk:
"It's cold, biking on a day like this." he says.
"Oh, sure is. But it's good exercise. But I don't ride, not even in the summer, even though I have a bike." she replies.
"I ride all the time. All winter, too. Every day." he says, pulling on his gloves, and collecting his bags.
"It sure is good exercise!"
The man walks out, and I pray she rings up my stuff fast, so I can get a glimpse of him riding away on his bike. I do. There he is, just as I saw him. Basic bike, bulky hooded parka, thick gloves, leather oxfords. No helmet, no gear, the Target bags just dangle from the handlebars.
Is he a cyclist? Or what?
Well, no wonder cycling isn't mainstream. "Good exercise" is boring. It's something you have to do and probably don't really enjoy and keep putting off anyway.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 17, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Red-faced and hanging my head in shame, I feel as if I've just been called out for being a poseur. (OK, perhaps it wasn't quite that dramatic, but a healthy little kick in the pants, all the same.) Great post. Thanks.
Posted by: scott | November 17, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Yeah sure hes a cyclist.
According to dictionary.com he is anyway.
"a person who rides or travels by bicycle, motorcycle, etc."
I'm just not so sure hes a 'cyclist'.
You add the quote marks, it becomes an entirely different thing ;)
I would class myself as a 'cyclist' most of the time.
Posted by: Christian | November 18, 2008 at 08:46 AM
He's the real deal. I find people like him inspiring.
I feel sorry for the store clerk who has a bike she doesn't ride. I hope by seeing this average guy - not wearing anything that screams 'cyclist' - she'll think/know that she could ride, too.
Posted by: Bethany | November 18, 2008 at 10:35 AM
haha...you had me rolling with the dictionary definition. the truth is that the cyclist brand you have for yourself and others alike is a luxury. i'm sure if you outfitted this man with 15k in 'cyclist' equiptment it wouldn't change his ability or the basic need(utilitarian). anyways, i'm glad he still rides his bike, its good for his heart and it lowers stress.
Posted by: ilike bikes | November 19, 2008 at 03:24 AM
He's a cyclist in every way, right up until someone runs over him. Then he becomes an inconvenience. Sad but true.
Posted by: Grit | November 20, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Not sure how this is a question. The man is on a bicycle, so he's a bicyclist, and a shortened version of the term. Seems the more appropriate question is "am I a classist?"
Posted by: anonymous | November 24, 2008 at 01:39 PM
a shortened version of "bicyclist" is "cyclist". Sorry for the omission.
Posted by: anonymous | November 24, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Dear Anonymous,
Seems that you got my point. As did others who commented before you. For the record, I absolutely consider this man to be a cyclist (bicyclist). Unfortunately, much of the cycling industry, including many bike shops, and cyclists who consider themselves "into" the sport, do not. How many of these "invisible" cyclists are there? And, would our attitudes toward cycling in general be different, if we recognized the fact that these very ordinary people, with very ordinary equipment and apparel, go about their daily business on bicycles? Would more ordinary people be willing to give a try?
These are really the questions I am asking.
Posted by: Justyna | November 24, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Yep, this guy is absolutely a cyclist! I'm with you, Justyna.
Posted by: Fritz | November 24, 2008 at 04:50 PM