Cycling image problem....oldtimers.

velomanct said:

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.

pwolffe said:

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 [censored] at, make fun off these FRED's. 😕

5005TimDoug said:

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

It's not pink, it's MAGENTA!!! 😄

meandmybike said:

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

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.

willocrew said:

~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 [censored] at, make fun off these FRED's. 😕

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

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

BullGod said:

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.

There is always one [censored]

BullGod said:

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.

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 [censored] 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.

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!?@#$!

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.

tyler1212 said:

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!?@#$!

Let's stay a little more current. Jeanne Longo, age 47, just won both the French elite women's TT and RR titles! Of course Jeanne has about as many national and world titles as she is old (i.e. many!) so she is not a "normal" example. And in the world of exceptional athletes, I believe Jackie Boyer (1st American to ride in the TdF) won the Sea Otter Classic RR this year at age 51.

Age, fitness level or stuff doesn't matter. Desire to improve is what matters there are only two choices head towards better health or worse health.

BullGod said:

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.

I am a Master 50+, Racing in the Pacific N-West USA,i traine 15+ hour a week.I am French-Basque,i have race in France,Belgium,Lux. & other country's.Yes cycling is very much a fashionable sport,i shave my legs & there look great 🙄 ,i am far from been overweight 63.5 kg. I just got my 1 st NEW BIKE a TIME VXSR(i hope you are a little jealouse),to replace my very used steel frame( it's not the bike ,but the rider who make the difference). Ihave waited 39 years for a very nice bike,how long are you willing to wait?i am far from risking Impotence& heart A. ,my FTP:340-64-531 (BullGod:365-70-521),my resting pulse 42 MaxHR184.I traine with CAT:1-2-3 &have no probleme keeping-up the pace. The Major Problem here is YOU with your Poor Sportsman sheep.If there were only CAT1 you would not feel so Special :eek: It's the oldtimer who have made cycling what it is today, we are still waiting for you, you need to Focus more on your training & worry less about others 🙂 . So when are you Turning PRO :eek: or maybe the money is not enought or are you Afraid of the Hard work you will have to do for your TEAM?😄 I sincerely whish you the best & hope that you are NOT FRENCH (it woud be sad).Musher

BullGod said:

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.

If this guy moves in next door to you your lawn is gonna die.

I can't speak for anyone except myself. I'm out there riding not to impress anyone, or to be part of a hip crowd. I ride because I love riding. I've bought the best bike I can afford, as I've always wanted a really good bike, but never once have I looked down on someone else's bike. Likewise, I could care less how I dress, as long as I'm comfortable when I'm riding, what difference does it make. If others want to ride in full team gear and they're comfortable and having fun, that's great for them. My name sort of says it all....I'm a friendly fred out there.

As I see it, the more people who ride, the better. I don't care if everyone else is on a Wal-Mart special, if they're out there riding, I think it's great. You see, the more people who ride, the more likely it is that more bike trails will be built, the more likely people are to be aware of and careful of bicyclists on the road, the more bike shops will open. I want everyone, no matter the age or income, to be out there on a bike. I just can't see a down side to that.

If you're ever in the Farmington Valley in Connecticut, let's go ride!
Friendly Fred in Simsbury

Huh? I would say cycling, like most sports, has some unflattering (as well as positive) stereotypes associated with it. However, I'd definitely say older riders, in team kits or whatever, are not a source of any sort of negative image.

On the contrary, to me it strikes a positive association - people that are older can be in great shape with a low-impact activity like cycling. I think you certainly see a lot more of the 50+ crowd cycling than you do say, running/jogging.

FWIW - I could care less what kits or jersey's people where. If you are out riding, getting fit, working hard then wear whatever feels right. Pink works for me 🙂

I admire and am always impressed by older people who ride - regardless of power level. Also I've realized that a rider who is twice my age can easily be much more fit than I am - namely some of the ones in this forum.

Sadly, what a few of the younger competitive riders in this forum don't realize is that, like all the rest of us, they are just chumps, too, when compared to the levels above them. In fact, when you get down to it, if you're not the team leader on one of the pro teams, you're just another interchangeable domestique chump.

Pendejo said:

Sadly, what a few of the younger competitive riders in this forum don't realize is that, like all the rest of us, they are just chumps, too, when compared to the levels above them. In fact, when you get down to it, if you're not the team leader on one of the pro teams, you're just another interchangeable domestique chump.

So, I guess that makes LA an interchangeable domestique chump (IDC?). I wonder if anybody has told him.😉

Lucy_Aspenwind said:

I admire and am always impressed by older people who ride - regardless of power level. Also I've realized that a rider who is twice my age can easily be much more fit than I am - namely some of the ones in this forum.

Who can Lucy be talking about? I don't know any old riders in this forum, do you RD?😄

Sillyoldtwit said:

Who can Lucy be talking about? I don't know any old riders in this forum, do you RD?😄

I'm not sure. I do get to buy coffee at the senior discount for the 30-somethings in my club after I have kicked their asses on the climbs. Does that count?