Cycling isn't cool anymore

Kieran_Burns

sarajoy wrote:

"Don't dream it, be it"

Anyone getting the reference gets 1) cool points, and 2) to tell us what they wore if they went to see it

Full drag, make up, stockings the lot

and this was in my young, slim and busy cycling days Hell. even I thought I looked hot! :P

Actually managed to get an entire pub in Hanley (Stoke) town centre to go completely quiet when I walked in... can't think why.

Furbes

Let's just say that we are ALL COOL , all beit in our own quirky little ways , yeah :?:

DonDaddyD

Just for clarity:

What I originally meant was that, for me, cycling appears to be quickly reducing into a mere product of fashion, nothing but a mere fashion accessory. I get the impression that people now cycle not because they are truly passionate about it but they feel its something they should do, the latest vogue, a fashion statement to which, by participating they are saying "look at me I'm popular, I'm cool".

"Cool" is indeed an abstract subjective to the individual shaped by their perspective and experience. But the above seems very "uncool" to me.

Go and Listen to Lupe Fiasco "The cool" to understand this.

Maybe I'm wrong, I usually am.

sarajoy

I think the truth really is that bikes are no longer uncool.

While bikes (fashions come and go) are seen as a little bit dorky, then it's only the people who are really into it, or those who ride out of necessity, that have/ride bikes. Those who ride out of necessity tend not to go the whole hog in lycra or posh roadies. You get to feel different, you stand out.

As they start to be seen as a bit cooler (as is happening now, I've seen more bikes out being ridden by pretty young things and trendy men this year so far than before), then you're no longer 'special' for riding. You're becoming one of the masses, albeit maybe at the more keen/experienced end of the spectrum.

The more the merrier, says I

I'm not sure you ever cared about being cool, you're just sad you're no longer special

rolf_f

DonDaddyD wrote:

What I originally meant was that, for me, cycling appears to be quickly reducing into a mere product of fashion, nothing but a mere fashion accessory. I get the impression that people now cycle not because they are truly passionate about it but they feel its something they should do, the latest vogue, a fashion statement to which, by participating they are saying "look at me I'm popular, I'm cool".

Doubt it - there will always be a steady inflow of new blood and an outflow of old blood - all as hardcore, medium core and slightly softcore as ever. Fashion will come along and potentially chuck in a whole new load of people, mostly for a short while only, who might appear to swamp the normal ebb and flow. But the fashionable are, by definition, shallow and most will disappear as quickly fashion moves on and finds something else to completely misunderstand.

It is perhaps no bad thing - some of those drawn in by fashion will get it and stay for the longer term (which is great) and the others can sell their expensive kit cheaply to the rest of us. Nobody will stick with something like cycling unless they really want to.

And don't forget - we badly need more people to get into cycling however it is done. We are the worst country in Europe for numbers of journeys made by cycle which is an appalling disgrace.

gtvlusso

sarajoy wrote:

I think the truth really is that bikes are no longer uncool.

While bikes (fashions come and go) are seen as a little bit dorky, then it's only the people who are really into it, or those who ride out of necessity, that have/ride bikes. Those who ride out of necessity tend not to go the whole hog in lycra or posh roadies. You get to feel different, you stand out.

As they start to be seen as a bit cooler (as is happening now, I've seen more bikes out being ridden by pretty young things and trendy men this year so far than before), then you're no longer 'special' for riding. You're becoming one of the masses, albeit maybe at the more keen/experienced end of the spectrum.

The more the merrier, says I

I'm not sure you ever cared about being cool, you're just sad you're no longer special

I feel young and cool on my bicycle, I feel old a frail in my car.....or rather my car feels old and frail to me :-(

DonDaddyD

sarajoy wrote:

I
I'm not sure you ever cared about being cool, you're just sad you're no longer special

I will always be special.

There is one thing no one can take away from me, my ability to be a geek.

attica

I'd liken this to the disappointment of following a band for years and then they suddenly become succesful (happened to me with the Flaming Lips)
You're glad that they're successful but at the same time they were your little secret and now everyone knows.

always_tyred

gtvlusso wrote:

sarajoy wrote:

I think the truth really is that bikes are no longer uncool.

While bikes (fashions come and go) are seen as a little bit dorky, then it's only the people who are really into it, or those who ride out of necessity, that have/ride bikes. Those who ride out of necessity tend not to go the whole hog in lycra or posh roadies. You get to feel different, you stand out.

As they start to be seen as a bit cooler (as is happening now, I've seen more bikes out being ridden by pretty young things and trendy men this year so far than before), then you're no longer 'special' for riding. You're becoming one of the masses, albeit maybe at the more keen/experienced end of the spectrum.

The more the merrier, says I

I'm not sure you ever cared about being cool, you're just sad you're no longer special

I feel young and cool on my bicycle, I feel old a frail in my car.....or rather my car feels old and frail to me :-(

Ah, but do you LOOK young and cool on your bike, or do you look old, knackered and distinctly uncool? (And you have to relay someone's opinion other than your own or your mum's)