Poseurs Seem to Be Cycling Now !!

Yarisbob · 27-04-2015 5:07pm #1

You know the sort... Seen the finish of a club race last Thursday. The fella that won was a man's man.. Unshaven face and legs - Jersey bore the marks of many a skirmish with the scenery. A well scuffed Trek carbon He came over the line a totally busted man having gave his all and more for the final sprint.

What followed is what I can only describe as a catwalk of tanned legs - highlights, super expensive spotless bikes. Some even had pink socks up to their shins. Hardly out of breath and more worried about how they and their bike looked than trying to win a race. I thought women were bad on a night out but these lads really took the biscuit. Who are they trying to impress ? Themselves obviously....!

Is this the state of affairs we find ourselves in now ? - Big Show with No Go

nomdeboardie · 27-04-2015 5:12pm

Pics or it didn't happen (as they say)

Lumen · 27-04-2015 5:15pm

If you can't be fast, look fast.

Do you have a link to the pink socks? They sound lovely.

tunney · 27-04-2015 5:16pm

Probably triathletes

Wishbone Ash · 27-04-2015 5:20pm

Yarisbob wrote: »

...Unshaven face and legs - Jersey bore the marks of many a skirmish with the scenery. A well scuffed Trek carbon ...

That's just another form of posing in reverse!

Roger Hassenforder · 27-04-2015 5:22pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's just another form of posing in reverse!

A hipster

daragh_ · 27-04-2015 5:25pm

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

A hipster

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 27-04-2015 5:33pm

Has a beard? Must be a "hipster" :rolleyes:

fillup · 27-04-2015 5:56pm

TINWOP

stas · 27-04-2015 6:19pm

Lumen wrote: »

Do you have a link to the pink socks? They sound lovely.

Pink socks can only be Rapha's:
http://www.rapha.cc/eu/en/shop/pro-team-socks---long/product/PSK02LN

RobertFoster · 27-04-2015 6:36pm

stas wrote: »

Pink socks can only be Rapha's:
http://www.rapha.cc/eu/en/shop/pro-team-socks---long/product/PSK02LN

Only €20? Is that for individual socks, or a pair?

OleRodrigo · 27-04-2015 6:48pm

There's times I wish this little island was closer to the continent, geographically and culturally.

However, there's no excuse for pink knee socks.

Roger Hassenforder · 27-04-2015 6:50pm

Gatlin Full Bench wrote: »

Has a beard? Must be a "hipster" :rolleyes:

Ive a beard, and can assure you I'm no hipster.

Darkglasses · 27-04-2015 6:54pm

Note to self, get rid of tan and stop washing bike.

rizzodun · 27-04-2015 7:15pm

Darkglasses wrote: »

Note to self, get rid of tan and stop washing bike.

You're fooling nobody you ponce! :P

I think it's the opposite in mountain biking, did an event last year where the guy took the bike out of the car already covered in mud, the oddest thing, like he had to show he used it already.

Saying that my bike frame hasn't been cleaned in a while, just the components, my god, I'm becoming just like them!

stecleary · 27-04-2015 7:22pm

what club was it? tell us so we can cycberbully to shame for not wearing full pink leg warmers

Raam · 27-04-2015 7:25pm

When was cycling ever not for poseurs?

OldBean · 27-04-2015 8:10pm

RobertFoster wrote: »

Only €20? Is that for individual socks, or a pair?

Per toe.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 27-04-2015 9:51pm

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

Ive a beard, and can assure you I'm no hipster.

No no, I mean everybody thinks you're a hipster because you have a beard. Why does having a beard = hipster? I don't even have a fixie :P

rollingscone · 27-04-2015 9:58pm

Gatlin Full Bench wrote: »

No no, I mean everybody thinks you're a hipster because you have a beard. Why does having a beard = hipster? I don't even have a fixie :P

Have you taken your typewriter to the park?

Wishbone Ash · 27-04-2015 10:04pm

Yarisbob wrote: »

. Unshaven face and legs - Jersey bore the marks of many a skirmish with the scenery. A well scuffed Trek carbon...

Sounds like he is just a lazy bastard.

eeeee · 27-04-2015 10:14pm

Yarisbob wrote: »

You know the sort... Seen the finish of a club race last Thursday. The fella that won was a man's man.. Unshaven face and legs - Jersey bore the marks of many a skirmish with the scenery. A well scuffed Trek carbon He came over the line a totally busted man having gave his all and more for the final sprint.

What followed is what I can only describe as a catwalk of tanned legs - highlights, super expensive spotless bikes. Some even had pink socks up to their shins. Hardly out of breath and more worried about how they and their bike looked than trying to win a race. I thought women were bad on a night out but these lads really took the biscuit. Who are they trying to impress ? Themselves obviously....!

Is this the state of affairs we find ourselves in now ? - Big Show with No Go

I think judging people on their appearances is really depressing and reductive. Cycling is a hobby for the vast and overwhelming majority, if not all, club league contenders. Life is hard enough without judging and getting wound up/annoyed by your hobby, that you choose to do for pleasure.

I keep my race bikes spotless. I love them dearly, and I can't afford to replace them. They are my pride and joy, and I keep them accordingly. That is my choice. They're not fancy but they are clean. I haven't the funds to keep my bikes or my kit badly, dirty etc. I cycle on a tiny budget and do everything I can to keep what I have in the best condition possible, because it has to last.

Also less of the negative, reductive gender stereotypes also please, it's not the 50's anymore, making silly, old-fashioned statements like "I thought women were bad on a night out but these lads really took the biscuit." have no place in 2015.

In short, no need to be so judgmental. Enjoy your racing, and stop comparing people. It's a pointless road to nowhere. Cycling is what you make it, it should be (ultimately, when you get the breath back and the pain in the legs recedes!) fun!

Wishbone Ash · 27-04-2015 10:31pm

gadetra wrote: »

...I keep my race bikes spotless...

Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, a spotless bike makes spotting defects, hairline cracks etc. much easier.

Lusk_Doyle · 28-04-2015 8:05am

Yarisbob wrote: »

You know the sort... Seen the finish of a club race last Thursday. The fella that won was a man's man.. Unshaven face and legs - Jersey bore the marks of many a skirmish with the scenery. A well scuffed Trek carbon He came over the line a totally busted man having gave his all and more for the final sprint.

What followed is what I can only describe as a catwalk of tanned legs - highlights, super expensive spotless bikes. Some even had pink socks up to their shins. Hardly out of breath and more worried about how they and their bike looked than trying to win a race. I thought women were bad on a night out but these lads really took the biscuit. Who are they trying to impress ? Themselves obviously....!

Is this the state of affairs we find ourselves in now ? - Big Show with No Go

So because some people can afford to and choose to spend more money than others on equipment and clothing and shave and don't cross the line in a heap with a bird's nest on their face they are posing for adoration? Get a grip.

12 sprocket · 28-04-2015 8:07am

daragh_ wrote: »

Maybe cut down on the caffeine.....

12 sprocket · 28-04-2015 8:15am

Yarisbob wrote: »

You know the sort... Seen the finish of a club race last Thursday. The fella that won was a man's man.. Unshaven face and legs - Jersey bore the marks of many a skirmish with the scenery. A well scuffed Trek carbon He came over the line a totally busted man having gave his all and more for the final sprint.

What followed is what I can only describe as a catwalk of tanned legs - highlights, super expensive spotless bikes. Some even had pink socks up to their shins. Hardly out of breath and more worried about how they and their bike looked than trying to win a race. I thought women were bad on a night out but these lads really took the biscuit. Who are they trying to impress ? Themselves obviously....!

Is this the state of affairs we find ourselves in now ? - Big Show with No Go

I'm a long time involved in cycling and the one thing I always liked about it was that many people from different backgrounds mixed together with no sense of snobbery or judgement about others, other than, could they ride their bike and how they behaved in races.. and as we were told years ago, you mightn't be a Pro but you can always look like a pro with clean bike, polished shoes, clean socks. So live and let live and enjoy the differences.

Junior · 28-04-2015 8:44am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZTrXAxZ-g

Alek · 28-04-2015 9:10am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Sounds like he is just a lazy bastard.

I have a beard, unshaven legs, nearly always dirty bike and no respect to at least 10 rules.

"Lazy bastard" - I like it!

(I was contemplating creating a new club once: "Hairy Guns")

"I thought women were bad on a night out but these lads really took the biscuit." have no place in 2015.

Aww, c'mon. Have you been around Temple Bar on friday night in 2015? Or ever?

eeeee · 28-04-2015 9:49am

Alek wrote: »

Aww, c'mon. Have you been around Temple Bar on friday night in 2015? Or ever?

Alek :mad:
I am very familiar with both, and my point still stands. No need for sexism.

Back on topic, hairy with dirty bike, clean shaven with clean bike, hairy with clean bike or whatever it doesn't matter a shyte. As CramCycle said in another thread "we're all friends on two wheels" (ok it was a different context but point still stands). We share a common interest, a hobby, and IMO there's nothing to be gained by being unecessarily divisive.

Not every cyclist is a lovely person, you get dicks in every walk of life, the kit doesn't mark them out, they come in clean and dirty bike, shaven and unshaven!

You're not a lazy bastard Alek, you cycle the way you cycle and shouldn't be judged for it, no one should.

ETA: Rules schmules. Life really is too short for aesthetic restrictions. Hail to the mob!

Alek · 28-04-2015 9:59am

I am very familiar with both, and my point still stands. No need for sexism.

I agree, no need. But...

I'd better stop now. Happy to chat about it live, internet is too imperfect medium for discussions about important/sensitive things.

You're not a lazy bastard Alek

Seriosuly I know I am not, but I like taking myself with a grain of salt or two.:p

fat bloke · 28-04-2015 10:31am

That fella who won is a disgrace. Should be stripped of his win and then stripped of his disgusting epidermal hirsutity

magicbastarder · 28-04-2015 10:38am

i would have thought the main issue with beards while racing would be aerodynamics?

Signal_ rabbit · 28-04-2015 11:11am

My bike is also very clean.........well it is after I have got the butler to wash it.
As for the kit............well i have one of those magic baskets, you know the sort? You put dirty washing in it and miraculous appears in my drawers all clean and folded.

errrrr, no really lads, who cares, just get out and ride.....life is too short!

P.s I also have a beard

LeoD · 28-04-2015 11:13am

As long as his elbows and knees were in, I could nearly forgive the dirty bike. The hairy legs are a disgrace no matter what way you look at it though.

Alek · 28-04-2015 11:18am

The hairy legs are a disgrace no matter what way you look at it though.

I dare to disagree.

More, I have the same feelings towards men's shaved legs, but I guess I am a minority here :P

rollingscone · 28-04-2015 11:18am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, a spotless bike makes spotting defects, hairline cracks etc. much easier.

Bloody cream puffs with their avoiding serious bodily injury. Why in my day you weren't allowed to call yourself a mam until you'd had at least one full body cast, grumble grumble Jeremy Clarkson.

@gadetra stop attacking our fragile men's rights!

#oppression

OleRodrigo · 28-04-2015 11:20am

Explaining why you shave your legs but don't shave your face is a tricky one tbh.

DirkVoodoo · 28-04-2015 11:50am

Best pair of socks I own:

DeFeet-Aireator-6-Sako7-Socks-Cycling-Socks-Pink-Stripes-SS14-DEF-SAKOPNS101.jpg?w=430&h=430&a=7

My inspiration was Wham! (the bar, not the band).

I'm not fast, my primary concern is indeed just to look good, so I can't really disagree with the OP. I suppose I just wonder why it bothers him so much, does he secretly want to be part of the pink sock brigade? Does it matter? I mean, if it swells the ranks of cycling Ireland's members and thus leads to more money to put into development of talented young riders, why should you care if some people want to wear pink socks or not?

#StraightUpForPinkSocksInCyling

LeoD · 28-04-2015 11:56am

Pink socks are perfectly okay - as long as you match them up with some additional pink detailing such as collar/sleeve trim. Pink detailing could be extended to the bike also - perhaps the bar tape but that should perhaps be left to the pros.

eeeee · 28-04-2015 12:02pm

Feeling a bit left out with my lack of beard. I have to wait another few decades before the menopause sorts that one out

I have pink socks, and once I wore the two of them at the same time! Then they settled into the single/poly life in my sock drawer. None of my socks indulge in monogamous relationships. This may make up for my lack of beard!

granty1987 · 28-04-2015 12:20pm

rollingscone wrote: »

Bloody cream puffs with their avoiding serious bodily injury. Why in my day you weren't allowed to call yourself a mam until you'd had at least one full body cast, grumble grumble Jeremy Clarkson.

@gadetra stop attacking our fragile men's rights!

#oppression

I just like that you typed mam