WHY DO BICYCLISTS DRESS LIKE SUPER-HEROES FOR EVERY RIDE? WHAT'S UP WITH THAT???

That is a problem. I either carry a cell phone to call for a rescue, wear running shoes with toe clip pedals, carry running shoes in a back pack, or take a chance. I also always carry flat-repair stuff and a chain tool. That will take care of 99% of emergencies.

Have you ever wondered about what do motorcyclists do when they get a flat?

Its not like you can not cycle without a cell phone, but certainly why would you go without one? Would you go backcountry camping without a phone? It's just a simple safety precaution with almost no negatives. What if you get hit by a car? What if you get 4 flat tires 50 miles from home? Neither of those things are likely to happen but why not have a failsafe plan in place in case of the worst.

Wearing backpacks is not anything that any cyclist wants to do. That's why commuters use panniers instead of backpacks, which are horribly uncomfortable due to oversweating back, and the high center of gravity is not good. Wearing running shoes (or bringing running shoes) is not a measure that 1 out of 1,000,000 cyclists would choose to do. The solution to a broken down bike is NOT running home. You will walk to a bike shop, train, etc or fix your bike so that you can make the ride. You want a very stiff sole for maximum power transfer. You can walk in cycling shoes, but try walking 30 miles back home dragging a limping bike (20 lbs.) and you realize that cyclists need to carry pump, tube, patch kit, tire irons and most everybody brings a wallet with $$ and a cell phone. Cell phones are so small and inexpensive it'd be ludicrous to not bring one out with you. Granted I've used it only once but that time I was stuck in the dark 30 miles from home and I got a ride home.

Cycling is pretty dangerous too. 2 people died on the Texas 150 Mile MS ride and 1 died on the Pittsburgh 150 Mile MS ride. Having a phone is good in case of catastrophic injury. Getting hit by a car is no fun.

Bike safety, maintenance and repair is just a daily non-issue with bikers. Just pack the stuff in your saddle bag, throw the food in your pockets on your back and hit the road.

One of my favorite threads....had to see it on top again!

I think about this thread everytime I see the super-heroes bike riders...LOL

"Breaking Away" was one Bill Rodger's favorite movies back in the day!

Injured Runner wrote:

I have to agree with this post. I'm an injured runner who is cycling and swimming as cross-training and I'm sick of seeing mid-life crisis men with circus suits, beer bellies, and skinny legs on $5K bikes. And by the way, running 5 hours a week is MUCH harder than cycling 10 hrs. I just did a 70 mile ride in 3.5 hours and my 20 mile run in 2 hours is much more difficult

You are a TOTAL idiot. Ride 10 hours with an elite cyclist, sucking his wheel the whole time, and you'll never utter something so stupid again. 20 mph is an easy aerobic ride to most. Shit, I average well over that for the 112 I'll ride in an IM event before I go out for my 26 mile run.

As for the mid-life crisis guys, you will be one yourself someday. Hope the young guys treat you with more respect than you treat others. LOSER.

this is a funny post. I bicycle with my dad. My dad is old and overweight. I'm a 20 something skinny runner. My dad and I will start taking turns drafting on our rides and we'll cruise between 25 and 30 mph and blow away all those people who spent all that money to look rediculous. The only way I'd ever wear that junk would be to race, but definately not on a sunday 40 mile recreational ride. I'm keeping my old ragged cotton shorts and t-shirt. It's like those stupid group runs at running shops too. All these people with money buy these outfits that cost them more then $100. Then here comes me. Old sweat pants and an old sweatshirt. Maybe a headband or bandana if its cold. An I'm faster then most of the people who show up, including the hotshots who go out a 4:30 min/mile pace every week for the first mile and die after the first mile every week. The worst thing about those bike clothes though, is that they pay money for a jersey that has "sponsors" all over it. Yet they pay for it. Does anyone else detect any irony?

WithMeSoFar? wrote:

this is a funny post.

It is even funnier when you see midget porn stars riding their little, tiny bicycles and all of their little tiny gear. Especially that little shit from the Girls Gone Wild informercials. Cute.

Obzerver wrote:

I wear them under microfiber cargo shorts

microfiber cargo shorts whaaaaa!!!!!

Kind of topic, and yes this thread is very old but...anyone remember how in running with the buffs Severy(RIP) was a top-level local cyclist who turned down money to keep his NCAA eligibility? And yes, amusingly, he did it in long old running shorts, t-shirt, and a cheap bike, and noted he took pleasure from beating those decked out in spandex. I remember it was specifically mentioned he beat Mark Allen in a straight up bike race.

I remember this as well. Just curious why no one responded as its a very interesting point. I've seen countless posts on here about how Lance Armstrong could run 2:15 for the marathon and how most cyclists could easily be such great runners, but havent seen much proof. Have also seen it stated that runners would not be able to transition easily to cycling. Funny to see what happens when some facts are brought to light.

WithMeSoFar? wrote:

My dad and I will start taking turns drafting on our rides and we'll cruise between 25 and 30 mph and blow away all those people who spent all that money to look rediculous.

Wow, must be nice to ride downhill the whole way. I need to move. Where do you live?

You guys are tough. Your dad should get in shape and you two could turn pro. Cruising at 30 is no joke. He may be too old, but you certainly have the chops for it.

I am not sure what I would "definately" avoid as far as "rediculing" somebody ... because those aren't words, but good for you for not developing any appreciation for another sport. It sounds like you must be much better at running than you are letting on (in your sweatsuit) since you could obviously make a good living racing bikes (all you would have to do is choose to on your Schwinn Varsity). It sounds like you have a tough training group if they always run the first mile in 4:30. But you are better than them anyway, just like the cyclists.

Tell your Dad to at least try Master's racing. Most 100-milers aren't won in less than 4:00, so if he cruises at 25-30 with just you to draft on a cheap bike, he should be able to dominate most road races. He could even keep riding in cutoffs.

There is some good points on this thread but a couple things I disagree with.

- Shaving your legs does not get you ladies, I'm in college and did it once for fun/shock value and no girls ever thought it was "hot" especially when it was growing back.

- You have to keep in mind the main point is the recreational bikers, not the people like Lance who go for 6 hours at a time.

- Whats wrong with plain clothes, without all the sponsors. I wear short running shorts, but I don't have "Nike" written all over them.

- Biking is pretty tough at least to me but I have a $200 moutain bike that I use for cross training, get me a good bike and I can smoke most people out there in a cotton shirt and basketball shorts.

As a runner, I just dig their cycling socks by companies like Sockguy, SOS, defeet and PearlIzumi. I have probably 60 pairs that I run in. Yea, I look like a dork too, I don't care.

a lot of the biking clothes is to keep the cars from hitting you when you are going that fast 20-30on flat and up to 50mph downhill you want all the cars to see you!!! I was running about 90miles a week and was in very good shape I got a stress frac and bought a bike to cross train I rode with this group and they left me within 10 min totally different muscles. try riding before you talk crap

Who friggin cares. Just live your own life and stop worrying about how others live theirs.

Quotes from superheroes who turned into geek cyclist:

Underdog:

"There's no need to fear, Cycledog is here!"

"When Polly's in trouble I am not slow, it's spin, spin, spin and away I go!"

http://www.toontracker.com/totaltv/udog-1.jpg

Mighty Mouse:

"Here I come to ride today"

http://www.kidsera.com/images/0397a.jpg

Wonder Woman:

"No one can resist my golden bike seat. It binds all who are encircled and compels them to smell... the truth! "

http://www.thecharlieman.com/Wonder%20Woman%20-%20Color%20-%20001.jpg

http://kensforce.com/lyndacarter2.jpg

http://kensforce.com/wonderwoman1.jpg

http://members.fortunecity.com/johnrobinson24/scansc/carter/carter_lynda2.jpg

roadies do look silly, no doubt , especially those guys that have the spongebob squarepants team jersey set complete with matching socks.......

the spandex bike shorts......it's a given for a roadie....

the tight shirt doesn't flap and rub against your skin in the wind...and the padding helps to keep things working for the ladies.....especially in racing or hard training conditions....material flapping at 20+ mph is no doubt speed killing drag.....it's even more pronounced should you be training solo, on a descent, or solo breakaway in a race every advantage helps once that speed increases past 25 mph.

also in race conditions, amidst a field of 60+ guys moving at an average of 25-31mph....the brighter and more unique the jersey it is the more it can stand out and the easier it is to find your teammates....remember cycling is much more of a team oriented tactical sport than running is.....so in that respect it's a little apples to oranges.....

and yea...cycling jersey's are expensive......but the nicer ones really do make a huge difference in comfort especially out on those 5 hour endurance slow pace rides...and cyclists tend to only have 2-3 pairs of clothes at most because of the price...

so no doubt we look silly, and there are way too many guys riding without helmets like morons who think they own the road....it's okay to laugh...

Ha ha......thanks for bringing this thread back gents. I started this one, and am glad it was a popular one. I do feel the way I wrote on here...

(ps I also started the "Did Shorter Kill Pre?" thread that has now been vaporized. I've come up with a few good ones in my day, I must say....)