Part of my journey to a client involves cycling through Feltham (near Heathrow), and one thing I've noticed is how common it is to see older ladies (60+) tootling about on bikes. What's going on there then? It really highlights how much I take for granted that everywhere else the "transport cyclists" are usually middle class men.
What messes with my brain is that on the one hand it makes perfect sense for them to go shopping on a bike, yet on the other hand how come they're doing it? I haven't seen them doing it anywhere else: My Nan and her peers would never dream of going into town on a bike - it just wouldn't occur to them - ( they'll wait for a lift into town from some dashing chap in his hearing-aid-beige Austin Maestro, thanks very much). I live in a suburb on the other side of London, and I've never see an older lady on a bike in the high street.
So what is it about Feltham (or perhaps similar suburbs)? Or this generation of Ladies? I should ask them, but I know they won't be able to answer the real wuestion, which is: What's different about Feltham?
"Dransfield" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... ?>
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Dz
BTW, Forgot to mention, when I see one I think to myself "There goes a 'real' cyclist", because many of us here are into cycling as a hobby, for recreation, whereas these dames do it for a purpose.
No, I'm not about to buy a Raleigh Cameo and dress up as <LittleBritain> A Lady, on a Lady's bicyclette! </LittleBritain>.
Part of my journey to a client involves cycling through Feltham (near Heathrow), and one thing I've noticed is how common it is to see older ladies (60+) tootling about on bikes. What's going on there then? It really highlights how much I take for granted that everywhere else the "transport cyclists" are usually middle class men.
What messes with my brain is that on the one hand it makes perfect sense for them to go shopping on a bike, yet on the other hand how come they're doing it? I haven't seen them doing it anywhere else: My Nan and her peers would never dream of going into town on a bike - it just wouldn't occur to them - ( they'll wait for a lift into town from some dashing chap in his hearing-aid-beige Austin Maestro, thanks very much). I live in a suburb on the other side of London, and I've never see an older lady on a bike in the high street.
Nr here, Fareham or Gosport for instance, there seem to be a lot of old ladies on bikes; just as you describe. On market day there's an awful lot of old ladies on bikes. Bike racks full of bloody Raliegh Shoppers.
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So what is it about Feltham (or perhaps similar suburbs)? Or this generation of Ladies? I should ask them, but I know they won't be able to answer the real wuestion, which is: What's different about Feltham?
Ah, that's probably a different question altogether.
"Dransfield" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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What messes with my brain is that on the one hand it makes perfect sense for them to go shopping on a bike, yet on the other hand how come they're doing it? I
Loads of old ladies cycling around Hull, it being cycle city nr 3, working class and relatively poor.
Part of my journey to a client involves cycling through Feltham (near Heathrow), and one thing I've noticed is how common it is to see older ladies (60+) tootling about on bikes. What's going on there then?
We have a couple of governors at my school who ride their bikes everywhere. One is 74, but looks about 55, the other is about 55 and looks .. well, a bit older .. 😉
There is a large population of lady cyclists around here (Outside Doncaster) that go between the villages or around their home village. Almost all of them seem to be about 40+ and probably connected to WI, school PTA's or similar or other 'good causes' .. 😉
The villages would be a lot less colourful without them, I think. 😉
-- Paul ... http://www.4x4prejudice.org/index.php "A [censored] is a [censored], no matter what mode of transport they're using." (8(|) Homer Rules !!!
Dransfield <[email hidden]> whizzed past me shouting
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So what is it about Feltham (or perhaps similar suburbs)? Or this generation of Ladies? I should ask them, but I know they won't be able to answer the real wuestion, which is: What's different about Feltham?
Feltham's flat.
-- Sue ]🙁🙂
What goes down must come up again - Confucius' Law of Mountain Biking
