Cyclists or Bikers or Riders?
Today I came across an article in the Guardian by Matt Seaton, talking about why cyclists shave their legs.
What struck me as odd though, once I’d got past the whole idea of shaved legs was that Mr Seaton repeatedly referred to himself as a cyclist. I know that factually he is correct as in ‘one who cycles’. He even referred to the practice of shaving legs as a means of ‘belonging’ to the cycling tribe. But to me it didn’t feel right.
I mean, I don’t shave my legs, so does that mean I’m not a cyclist? Or that I belong to a non leg shaving tribe instead? Is that what Mountain Bikers are, a tribe of non leg shavers? It seems strange that I should read an article about cycling and find myself ultimately excluded from precisely a group of people I would expect to have some affinity with.
So what are we, us Mountain Bike folk? Are we cyclists? Well, yes of course we are. Are we Mountain Bikers? well, yes, that too. MTBers? Yup, maybe, Riders as well. What about our BMX/urban cousins? Are there any differences in all this that matter that much?
I don’t think so. Really it’s a question of emphasis. I don’t want to exclude myself from different groups just because my legs aren’t shaved or I don’t have the right gear. And I don’t want to be elitest about cycling/biking/riding. Naturally there are people with whom I have more in common than others, but if you get enjoyment from riding a bike that’s a pretty good starting point for me.
Rather than putting off people from getting involved in the sport with artificial distinctions I say the more the merrier.
And only shave your legs if you really want to.
Every cyclist loves coffee!
☕Buy Matt a coffeeThere are 4 replies to Matt so far
We really appreciate comments from our readers. If you have something to say, we'd love to hear from you.
To add to the conversation, jump to our comments form or reply to individual comments.
Add to the conversation…
()
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
May 18, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Mark says:
Having seen your legs many times I would heartilly recommend that you DO NOT shave your legs. They already look like two bits of limp string, so being hairless as well would only empasise the issue!
, or add a new comment
May 18, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Muddymoles says:
Getting fit for Mountain Biking
It’s now only a short time to our trip to Afan in South Wales. Now, I’ve already said that the determining factor in how much we enjoy the trip isn’t likely to be our fitness. After all, we have all…
, or add a new comment
May 18, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Matt says:
Hah! Mark, thanks for the advice. Don’t worry there’s no danger of me shaving my legs, I think I’d end up looking like Gollum if I did.
It all sounds a bit metrosexual to me (although what would it feel like?).
, or add a new comment
May 22, 2007 at 11:03 am
Muddymoles says:
Girls and Mountain Biking
Mark and I were out at the weekend, covering a good 23 miles of the Surrey Hills in what turned out to be a fine Sunday for riding. We left Bookham behind and made our way over to Ranmore, then…
, or add a new comment