The day I became a proper cyclist....

motdoc
motdoc Posts: 97
edited April 2011 in The bottom bracket
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)?
Arrrrr I be in Devon.
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Comments

  • Gene Hunt
    Gene Hunt Posts: 40
    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)
    Audi Quattro
    Planet X SL Carbon Pro
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    The first time I rode with a club.
  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    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
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    I'll let you know when it happens...
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    The first time I rode with a club.
    club.jpg
    ?
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • iainment
    iainment Posts: 992
    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:
    Old hippies don't die, they just lie low until the laughter stops and their time comes round again.
    Joseph Gallivan
  • milleman
    milleman Posts: 181
    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
    bobtbuilder Posts: 1,537
    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
    spanielsson Posts: 776
    As the lead marshals car pulled away to signal the start of the race....... 8)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    The first time someone says "Chapeau" to you.
  • inkyfingers
    inkyfingers Posts: 4,400
    The other day I got in from the garden and was chuffed to see that i'd got my tan lines back!
    "I have a lovely photo of a Camargue horse but will not post it now" (Frenchfighter - July 2013)
  • 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
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    bails87 wrote:
    The first time I rode with a club.
    club.jpg
    ?


    lebaneseclub460.jpg
  • Sirius631
    Sirius631 Posts: 991
    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. :wink:
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • Stuy-b
    Stuy-b Posts: 248
    coming in the top half of a national event.
  • CyclingBantam
    CyclingBantam Posts: 1,299
    Stuy-b wrote:
    coming in the top half of a national event.
    Yeah well, I never liked cycling that much anyway!

    :wink:
  • Frank the tank
    Frank the tank Posts: 6,553
    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.
    Tail end Charlie

    The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    When I rode up a big mountain in the Alps for the first time
  • For those who've never reached ''proper'':

    Shout it loud! I'm improper and I'm proud!
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    I'm not a proper cyclist.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    First time I felt like a proper cyclist?

    First clipless moment... that frantic moment of "ohshitohsitohshit... myfeckingfootsnotcomingoooouuuutttt......" WHUMP
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • Stewie Griffin
    Stewie Griffin Posts: 4,330
    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.
  • The first time I did a full ride in the big ring.
    "A cyclist has nothing to lose but his chain"

    PTP Runner Up 2015
  • 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
    northernneil Posts: 1,549
    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
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    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...
  • bompington 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...

    :D
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    bompington 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...

    :D

    And working on a Bank Holiday. More fool you. ;)
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
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  • daviesee
    daviesee Posts: 6,386
    Ben6899 wrote:
    And working on a Bank Holiday. More fool you. ;)

    No holiday up here unfortunately :cry:
    None of the above should be taken seriously, and certainly not personally.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    daviesee wrote:
    Ben6899 wrote:
    And working on a Bank Holiday. More fool you. ;)

    No holiday up here unfortunately :cry:

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

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/