Page 6 - Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

11-06.-2006, 12:52 AM

#76

ric_stern/RST

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Join Date: Nov 2002

Location: Newport, South Wales

Posts: 3,831

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by palewin

Unfortunately this thread makes me utter the exceedingly corny remark that age is only what you make of it. Rather than think of the older "average" riders like many of us, the ones who come to mind are the older riders who were national class when they were in their 20s, and can still hold their own in most races regardless of age. Leaving out names intentionally, in our local races we have one 66-yr-old who can still do a 40k TT under the hour, and ride a lot of cat3s off his wheel in a crit. Another once-Olympian for his native country just turned 55, and places in just about any Masters race he enters, be it 35+, 45+, or 55+. I guess I'm reacting to the "Gotta admire that sort of effort...

" comment, which could almost be taken as patronizing - some of these guys are remarkable riders for whom age seems to make no difference whatsoever!

i remember in my early years of racing when i must have been about 17 or 18, i was caught in a 25 mile TT, by this old guy for a couple minutes. When i got back to the race HQ i saw the old guy and congratulated him for what must have been a good time. he replied that he wanted to do well, as it was his birthday that day and he'd just slipped under the hour. i asked him how old he was, and he replied it was his 72nd birthday... i hope i'm that fast when i'm his age. in fact, i hope i'm still just riding!

i was out for a spin today in the lovely weather. i saw an oldish guy on the other side of the road today, made me think of this thread. he was wearing a green PMU top (maillot vert in the TDF). i didn't notice knee length socks! i decided to ignore him, as he was obviously ruining things and preventing younger riders from starting cycling...

seriously, i waved at him, as i do at all cyclists (unless i'm knackered and too tired to lift my hand) and thought about the older guys who rode with me and my friends when we first started cycling at 14. they didn't always get the fashion of cycling 'right' but it never lowered our respect for those guys (even though they were no longer fast). they were great cycling days. i hope they're still cycling wherever they are now...

Ric

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12-06.-2006, 09:46 AM	#77
Aussie Steve Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 333	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. Palewin said: I guess I'm reacting to the "Gotta admire that sort of effort..." comment, which could almost be taken as patronizing - some of these guys are remarkable riders for whom age seems to make no difference whatsoever! I am good mates with Sore-Arse, and know that he was not being condescending...he apologises profusely for any offence that any older guys might infer from the comment. He just admires their tenacity and dedication, because we both find it easy to have an excuse why we can't go for a ride..."it's too cold, it's raining, etc..." and although we both have MagTrainers, we seldom use them because "they're boring " so we are annoyed with our own lack of self-discipline... __________________ I have never had a problem with Premature Ejac... it's my partners that had the problem

14-06.-2006, 01:01 AM

#78

oldbobcat

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Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Boulder County, Colorado

Posts: 505

Oldtimer's response

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullGod

I know when I am in my 50's the last thing I want to be doing is risking impotence and a heart attack grinding into the wind in April. Worse still are the over analytical endless discussions of mature riders who have also "invested" in powermeters and HR monitors and are busy trying to improve their 180w FT. Why not just get a touring bike and take a leisurely ride along a canal or something? You're never gong to be young again.

I think you should worry less about what other people are doing and more about enjoying what you're doing. I'm 54, my bike is 27, and I'm trying to get my weight within 20 lbs of where it was when the bike was new. I don't wear advertising that I'm not paid to wear, I enjoy anybody who'll ride with me, I'll listen to your opinion, and then I'll do whatever I want. I guess the attitude comes with old age.

14-06.-2006, 05:27 AM	#79
5005TimDoug Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. Good Jerseys (you can ride in them and look good at least in my distorted opinion): Plain -- this is what I wear, I have red and blue colors with black shorts. CSC-- Bad ##SS FDJ-- Only without the shorts. All white looks dorky Euskatel-- mmm orange. LiquiGas-- I like bianchis I've seen them on the trail and the riders don't even know what liquigas is. What is it, european mylanta? QuickStep-- Very conservative, and the jersey makes you faster. Local College Jersey-- Neato. Go Big Red! World Champion Jersey-- To me this is the ONLY sacrosanct jersey no one should wear it but the WC, but it's so cool on Tom Uncool (don't ride the prairie in these.) World Champion Jersey-- On anyone but Tom Discovery (if only to stop cars from yelling "Hey, Lance!", even the lay public know this team. If your name is Lance then wear away.) T-Mobile-- Pink brings car grief. Jelly Belly-- Ughh My riding buddy has 2 uncool Jerseys-- Sponge Bob Square Pants & Tommy Hilfeger, He claims to have paid $5 for each of them and his kids think they are cool, Whatever to each his own! Anyway, I reread the OP and I think he just wants to cause discussion! Bike jerseys are soo much better than NASCAR t-shirts, and people drive cars in them all the time. (at least in the US)

14-06.-2006, 06:19 AM

#80

frenchyge

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Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: Kansas City, USA

Posts: 3,689

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5005TimDoug

My riding buddy has 2 uncool Jerseys-- Sponge Bob Square Pants & Tommy Hilfeger, He claims to have paid $5 for each of them and his kids think they are cool, Whatever to each his own!

Uncool? Not Sponge Bob!

Isn't that the kind of clothes we *should* be wearing to encourage younger riders to join the sport?

My kids got me that one for Father's Day, and I get a lot of waves from kids in the back of SUVs. I think it helps keep the parents from running cyclists off the road when their kids like the jersey. Plus, I like to wear it while I'm going incognito on club rides. It's fun dropping people in team kits while wearing Sponge Bob.

The Bert & Ernie jersey is totally uncool, however.

14-06.-2006, 02:00 PM

#81

pwolffe

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Yokohama, Japan

Posts: 18

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by velomanct

I completely agree with this. Pro team clothes and rainbow/yellow jerseys aren't cool if you didn't earn it.

As a commuter who enjoys jostling with cars I routinely wear yellow, for visibility. I wouldn't pay MORE money for a jersey festooned with sponsor labels, though; a simple, plain-color wicking fabric is all I want. If, however, I was given a bright-colored jersey for free or cheap at which those in the know would point and scoff (I'm no tour rider, that's for sure), I could care less so long as it fits and is visible to drivers.

14-06.-2006, 03:43 PM

#82

willocrew

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Join Date: May 2006

Location: The Land Of Oz

Posts: 265

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwolffe

I couldn't care less so long as it fits and is visible to drivers

~edited

sorry about editing your comment i think this is what you meant and I couldn't agree more... Your bike, your ride, your prerogative.

I have been coming across this term FRED... can someone tell me what the heck is a FRED???

Many cycling forum users love to give stick to, pay out, chuck a piss at, make fun off these FRED's.

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14-06.-2006, 04:51 PM

#83

meandmybike

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2005

Posts: 229

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5005TimDoug

[*]T-Mobile-- Pink brings car grief.

It's not pink, it's MAGENTA!!!

14-06.-2006, 06:29 PM

#84

mikesbytes

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2006

Location: Ashfield, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Posts: 1,708

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by meandmybike

Have you been watching Logan's Run or something? Carousel! Carousel! Carousel!

You bet me to it, I was going to mention Sid Vicous solving the problem of growing old.

For the rest of us, would you rather be fit and be enjoying a pastime when you are middle aged or fat, risking heart attacks and watching re-runs?

In regards to the clothing, the monies earned from its sale would be partially used for sponsorship of the riders. If I was a professional rider, I'd want to earn as much money as possible.

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17-06.-2006, 04:40 PM

#85

pwolffe

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Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Yokohama, Japan

Posts: 18

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willocrew

Thanks for the edit. I should have used "couldn't" since sarcasm isn't easy to convey in writing.

I didn't know what a Fred in this context was, either, until I read the Fred Society homepage: www.fredsociety.com/nofreds.html

20-06.-2006, 02:58 AM

#86

wiredued

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Join Date: Aug 2004

Posts: 1,172

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Don't tell those 50 year olds not to ride I need some one I can pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullGod

I'm a Cat 1 and I have raced a fair bit recently in UK and Holland, Belgium. It has struck me recently that our sport has always had a major image problem, and unlike football (soccer) cycling is definitely not considered a fashionable sport. A standard comment I hear from friends is that it's very boring to watch, and that "they're all on drugs anyway", as well as more juvenile comments about shaved legs and tight lycra.

On a local level, the cyclists that people see out "training" seem to be frequently over 50 and overweight, yet still feeling the need to wear a replica pro kit, and even worse ride a pro level bike. Imagine how people would laugh if they went to the park and saw a group of middle aged and elderly men kicking a soccerball around, all dressed in replica Arsenal and Barcelona strips, complete to the team socks, attempting feebly to emulate the tricks and theatrics of Messrs Henry and Ronaldinho.

I know when I am in my 50's the last thing I want to be doing is risking impotence and a heart attack grinding into the wind in April. Worse still are the over analytical endless discussions of mature riders who have also "invested" in powermeters and HR monitors and are busy trying to improve their 180w FT. Why not just get a touring bike and take a leisurely ride along a canal or something? You're never gong to be young again. I have no objection to those who raced in their prime and ride a bit after "retirement" to keep the athlete's heart in check, but those who take up such a demanding sport in middle age? I believe it's called a mid life crisis fellas....what are you trying to prove?

So, whenever the average person is exposed to cycling it's either yet another drugs bust, scary Lance making the TdF boring, a "Fred" provoking a pitying laugh by riding along at 18kph with his knees pointing outwards astride a Trek Madone, or some bore droning on about crank length or resistance levels of tubs v clinchers.

I don't necessarily agree with all my sentiment here, and I have deliberately expressed myself in controversial terms...but I'd be interested to hear any agreements and disagreements on the issues I raised.

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21-06.-2006, 11:55 AM	#87
BILLYHOLMES Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 93	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. There is always one asshole

21-06.-2006, 12:26 PM

#88

mitosis

Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: east coast australia

Posts: 1,447

Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullGod

I'm approaching that age myself and am constantly surprised by the number of fit cyclists out there who are even older than me and who leave me in their slipstream.

If you've been racing as much as you say, you've probably had your arse kicked by over 50's without realising it.

You should look at them and hope you are at least as good when you get to their age.

24-06.-2006, 03:47 AM	#89
tyler1212 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 91	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. The oldest woman thought to have ever lived (Jeanne Louis) from France rode a bicycle until she was 100 years old. She lived 122 years. And you speak of midde age!?@#$!

24-06.-2006, 06:27 AM	#90
Pendejo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 527	Re: Cycling image problem....oldtimers. There's a fellow in his 90s who does both the 5K and 10K time trials (same day) in the Senior Games in this area of Florida, and several months ago he dismounted after finishing, waddled past a group of us and muttered, "I'm getting too old for this." But he was only kidding.

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