The day I became a proper cyclist....

motdoc

I think I became a proper cyclist last week. I sat up peeled and ate a banana for the first time proper, no hands, relaxed.

Does anyone else have a curious definition of "proper cyclist"? Or a moment that made them happy (bike related if you want)?

Gene Hunt

I think it was going out in lycra shorts for me. I distinctly remember thinking "If these rip, me and my saddle are in the sh1te!)

Well done on the banana though. Peeling an orange is next. More advances riders eat pomegranates with a pin (riding up hill)

rick_chasey

The first time I rode with a club.

daviesee

OOOHHHHH!!!! Nice reminder. I meant to post something along these lines.

I have had 2 moments of supreme inner well being this week.

The first happened on Sunday and then again last night, when I was out on the bike pootling along with very little actual effort and noticed I was doing 20+ mph. Okay there was a light tail wind but even when I changed direction my speed didn't drop too much.
The best I can describe it is "pedalling light". I don't know if I picked that up somewhere or just made it up but it sounds right.
That to me is when cycling is bliss and what it is all about. I get it at least once a year when I get my legs back after losing fitness over the winter. What a feeling and just in time for Mallorca!

That and riding a nice bike through great scenery in the sunshine just makes it! :P

bompington

I'll let you know when it happens...

bails87

Rick Chasey wrote:

The first time I rode with a club.

?

iainment

When I was 14 I was a butchers boy riding a big, heavy old trade bike. I enjoyed riding that no hands having a ciggy.

That made me feel real cool and as if I was the master of cycling.

Unfortunately the bike had crap breaks and once I dropped my cig down my shirt and could only stop by throwing myself off whilst going up the High Street at full pelt. In front of several girls I wanted to impress.

:oops:

milleman

Out with a group of mates on Sunday and still feeling fantastic after 70 miles, could easily have carried on, now looking back I wish I had and done a 100 mile day-not done that yet.

bobtbuilder

The first time I shaved my legs 8)

And like Daviesee, that first time each year when I feel like I've got my legs back after the Winter.

spanielsson

As the lead marshals car pulled away to signal the start of the race....... 8)

Anonymous

The first time someone says "Chapeau" to you.

inkyfingers

The other day I got in from the garden and was chuffed to see that i'd got my tan lines back!

Once_In_A_Blue_Moon

spanielsson wrote:

As the lead marshals car pulled away to signal the start of the race....... 8)

+1

Also, my first 'proper' tan lines at the end of the season caused by:

Helmet strap
Sunglasses
Jersey
Mitts
Shorts
Socks

All left me looking like I hadn't washed all summer!

rick_chasey

bails87 wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

The first time I rode with a club.

?

Sirius631

motdoc wrote:

I think I became a proper cyclist last week. I sat up peeled and ate a banana for the first time proper, no hands, relaxed.

Try putting your waterproof on when on the move.

Stuy-b

coming in the top half of a national event.

CyclingBantam

Stuy-b wrote:

coming in the top half of a national event.

Yeah well, I never liked cycling that much anyway!

Frank the tank

I'll never be a proper cyclist, I'll only ever be a bloke what rides a bike and not very well really.

However, I do enjoy riding mi bike.

Ands

When I rode up a big mountain in the Alps for the first time

deptfordmarmoset

For those who've never reached ''proper'':

Shout it loud! I'm improper and I'm proud!

freehub

I'm not a proper cyclist.

Kieran_Burns

First time I felt like a proper cyclist?

First clipless moment... that frantic moment of "ohshitohsitohshit... myfeckingfootsnotcomingoooouuuutttt......" WHUMP

Stewie Griffin

Kieran_Burns wrote:

First time I felt like a proper cyclist?

First clipless moment... that frantic moment of "ohshitohsitohshit... myfeckingfootsnotcomingoooouuuutttt......" WHUMP

My first crash when I prayed please God make sure my bike is ok when I was still on the way down to meet the tarmac.

shockedsoshocked

The first time I did a full ride in the big ring.

SteveR_100Milers

daviesee wrote:

OOOHHHHH!!!! Nice reminder. I meant to post something along these lines.

I have had 2 moments of supreme inner well being this week.

The first happened on Sunday and then again last night, when I was out on the bike pootling along with very little actual effort and noticed I was doing 20+ mph. Okay there was a light tail wind but even when I changed direction my speed didn't drop too much.
The best I can describe it is "pedalling light". I don't know if I picked that up somewhere or just made it up but it sounds right.
That to me is when cycling is bliss and what it is all about. I get it at least once a year when I get my legs back after losing fitness over the winter. What a feeling and just in time for Mallorca!

That and riding a nice bike through great scenery in the sunshine just makes it! :P

"glass cranking" is another phrase thats often used. Personally I prefer glass clanking.

northernneil

because I am up on a bank holiday at 6:45 pulling on lycra when most of the rest of the world is in bed

bompington

northernneil wrote:

because I am up on a bank holiday at 6:45 pulling on lycra when most of the rest of the world is in bed

Lightweight. I was halfway through my commute by then...

greasedscotsman

bompington wrote:

northernneil wrote:

because I am up on a bank holiday at 6:45 pulling on lycra when most of the rest of the world is in bed

Lightweight. I was halfway through my commute by then...

so your a commuter then, not a proper cyclist...

Ben6899

greasedscotsman wrote:

bompington wrote:

northernneil wrote:

because I am up on a bank holiday at 6:45 pulling on lycra when most of the rest of the world is in bed

Lightweight. I was halfway through my commute by then...

so your a commuter then, not a proper cyclist...

And working on a Bank Holiday. More fool you.

daviesee

Ben6899 wrote:

And working on a Bank Holiday. More fool you.

No holiday up here unfortunately

Ben6899

daviesee wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

And working on a Bank Holiday. More fool you.

No holiday up here unfortunately

You know; it's much better south of the border.