The happiest cyclists
NGale
Posts: 1,866
why is it the cyclists who always have the smiles on their faces are those ones riding the big old heavy dutch style bikes?
I passed one this morning on my way home who was on a Kona Africa, a workhorse of a bike, everytime I have seen her she is loaded down with all kind of everything, and yet has always has a smile on her face and says good morning.
Me on the other hand, while a night shift may be an excuse, I look like death warmed up, put through the ringer and then killed again. It seems those of us on the fancy carbon bells and whistle bikes always look grumpy.
I passed one this morning on my way home who was on a Kona Africa, a workhorse of a bike, everytime I have seen her she is loaded down with all kind of everything, and yet has always has a smile on her face and says good morning.
Me on the other hand, while a night shift may be an excuse, I look like death warmed up, put through the ringer and then killed again. It seems those of us on the fancy carbon bells and whistle bikes always look grumpy.
Officers don't run, it's undignified and panics the men
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maybe she enjoys Dutch "cafe" culture as well as Dutch bicycles0
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Saddle adulteration?Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.
What would Thora Hurd do?0 -
NGale wrote:
If that's the case more of us need to try that.
You are well behind the curve in this space.
I've been mounting my bike by jumping off the garage roof onto it holding a bag of cement for ages......Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.
What would Thora Hurd do?0 -
Greg T wrote:NGale wrote:
If that's the case more of us need to try that.
You are well behind the curve in this space.
I've been mounting my bike by jumping off the garage roof onto it holding a bag of cement for ages......
I had heard this rumour, but then you need to get all the thrills youi can at your ageOfficers don't run, it's undignified and panics the men0 -
Dutch bikes are very comfortable and relaxing to ride albeit not the most efficient form of bike.
I chose to ride a rusty Batavus Barcelona instead of my Specialized Crossroads to work until I left the key in and some pikey nabbed it. Had to ride the Crossroads for a few days and hated it. Tried to buy another Barcelona but failed, got a MultiCycle Tour instead but it's a bit small. I am still looking for another creaky old Barcelona in my size.
Like this but worse condition and less stolen.
I'm getting all misty eyed and nostalgic now.God made the Earth. The Dutch made The Netherlands
FCN 11/12 - Ocasional beardy0 -
NGale wrote:why is it the cyclists who always have the smiles on their faces are those ones riding the big old heavy dutch style bikes?
I passed one this morning on my way home who was on a Kona Africa, a workhorse of a bike, everytime I have seen her she is loaded down with all kind of everything, and yet has always has a smile on her face and says good morning.
Me on the other hand, while a night shift may be an excuse, I look like death warmed up, put through the ringer and then killed again. It seems those of us on the fancy carbon bells and whistle bikes always look grumpy.
I got a Spesh Tricross, and I always smile if the sun is shinging!0 -
Because they are safe in the knowledge that, with their massive FCN, they are virtually unscalpable, except maybe by one of those Google Streetview trikes1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
Pinnacle Monzonite
Part of the anti-growth coalition0 -
rjsterry wrote:Because they are safe in the knowledge that, with their massive FCN, they are virtually unscalpable, except maybe by one of those Google Streetview trikes
yep it's usually those beggers on the dutch bikes who pootle past you and you never seem to catch up!Officers don't run, it's undignified and panics the men0 -
MadammeMarie wrote:NGale wrote:why is it the cyclists who always have the smiles on their faces are those ones riding the big old heavy dutch style bikes?
I passed one this morning on my way home who was on a Kona Africa, a workhorse of a bike, everytime I have seen her she is loaded down with all kind of everything, and yet has always has a smile on her face and says good morning.
Me on the other hand, while a night shift may be an excuse, I look like death warmed up, put through the ringer and then killed again. It seems those of us on the fancy carbon bells and whistle bikes always look grumpy.
I got a Spesh Tricross, and I always smile if the sun is shinging!
+1 I am smiling now...... Might even take in the Renfrew Ferry on the way home - It only has another 2 weeks left"Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"0 -
It's probably because she's got a very snassy bike...Kona Africabike 3 - 20kgs of love and steel0
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Sometimes I miss the days of just being able to hop on a bike and go for a bike ride.
Now with the shoes, and clothes, and fettling of bikes it can seem like preparing for war just getting out the door.0 -
My girlfriend has a mid 80s Raleigh Caprice that I have been slowly upgrading with modern components. After my weekend fettling I always take it up and down the road and it's great fun.
Unfortunately all the extra weight has made my girlfriend almost a stronger cyclist than I am!0 -
Aidy wrote:Sometimes I miss the days of just being able to hop on a bike and go for a bike ride.
Now with the shoes, and clothes, and fettling of bikes it can seem like preparing for war just getting out the door.
when i bike it to the supermarket, it takes me longer to get prepared, then lock up etc,. than the actual journey!!!!
trouble with sheffield, is the hills everywhere, and i only need to look at one to sweat, so i always cycle in proper gear, hence increased prep time...0 -
Yes they are smiling because they've probably never had to ride up some of the massive hills in south london on a bike like that.0
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NGale wrote:why is it the cyclists who always have the smiles on their faces are those ones riding the big old heavy dutch style bikes?
I passed one this morning on my way home who was on a Kona Africa, a workhorse of a bike, everytime I have seen her she is loaded down with all kind of everything, and yet has always has a smile on her face and says good morning.
Me on the other hand, while a night shift may be an excuse, I look like death warmed up, put through the ringer and then killed again. It seems those of us on the fancy carbon bells and whistle bikes always look grumpy.Pain is only weakness leaving the body0 -
The Chingford Skinhead wrote:The obsession with speed means we are no better than the people in the shiny metal boxes in terms of enjoying the journey for the sake of the journey rather than the time it takes.
or we can do both, quite easily. They aren't mutually exclusive until you get to threshold level TT training.0 -
sooooooooooo many smiley cheery happy cyclist out today it was brilliant, one guy was so happy and enthusiastic about waving to me I thought he was gonna stop and hug meFCN 8 mainly
FCN 4 sometimes0