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feature
Time Xpresso 15 pedals18 things that cyclists say
Here's our pick of 18 things that we reckon most cyclists have said at some time or other. Are we right or wrong? And what have we missed off our list? Let us know down below.
• How much does it weigh?
Cyclists as a species are obsessed by weight. Bikes, components, accessories, themselves… I mean, how much difference can a carbon-fibre headset spacer or titanium bottle cage bolt actually make?
• Don’t tell me what happened in the Tour, I’m watching the highlights later.
It’s like that episode of the Likely Lads where Terry and Bob don’t want to know the result of the big match before it’s shown on TV. Spoiler alert! Chris Froome won..JPG)
Marcel Kittel wins Stage 1 of the 2014 Tour de France (picture Welcome to Yorkshire)
• I’m on a recovery ride.
This is a phrase you save for those occasions when another rider catches you up on the road. Alternatives would be, “This is my third century ride of the week”, and, “I’m just recovering from knee reconstruction surgery.”
• My bike has broken, can you come and pick me up?
It’s tragic to see a grown man/woman grovelling on the phone when things go irreparably wrong.
• My chain slipped.
A handy excuse if you get dropped on a climb. Yes, people will suspect you’re lying, but they can’t prove it, can they?
• I went out at the weekend and bonked.
Remember that this has a very different meaning to non-cyclist friends.
• Did you damage the bike?
The first question you ask when a friend tells you they crashed.
• How far is it to the top?
If you’re asking, you’re hanging.
• Is it carbon-fibre?
There’s a school of thought in cycling that says carbon-fibre is good, other stuff is less good.
• I know a short cut.
Do you though? Or do you just think you do?
• How much did you say it weighs, again?
Obsessed.
• Do you have a spare energy bar?/ Can I have some of your water?
You try to ask in the most matter-of-fact voice possible, but your legs are shot to bits.
• Is it ANT+ compatible?
Heart rate monitors, power meters, cadence sensors, turbo trainers… If it’s not on speaking terms with a Garmin, the cycling world doesn’t want to know.
• Do you have a chain tool/ Torq wrench/ 2.5mm Allen key handy?
Be prepared. That’s what they taught you in the Cubs/Brownies.
• Is there a shop/garage near here?
What have you forgotten this time?
• Campagnolo is way better than Shimano.
Or vice versa. Or SRAM is way better than either. Blah, blah, blah!
• It’s what Team Sky use.
You think your better half will accept this as a reason for spending £200 on a pair of sunglasses? You’re wrong.
• Do you know where we are?
What did we leave out? Let us know the other things that should be on our list.
Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.
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73 comments
Variant: Asking a mountain biker if they want to swap bikes as you're passing them on a ~15% slope.
In the Chambers dictionary of cycling, the definition of "morning" is: "bit slow today, aren't we?"
"Look who was KOM on Zwift last night"
"If it's not on Strava it didn't happen"
Maliciously by me as I overtook a serious cyclist (team Lycra, carbon, 11 speed cassette, etc.) whilst on a Fixie wearing shorts and a T-shirt
"I would have thought you would have been quicker up this hill. What with all those gears and things!"
His response between gasps was sadly unrepeatable.
=
Not been on a while and now realise why.
What is it about so many cyclists that compels them to come up with this kind of nonsense. Aggressive-aggressive, insecurity driven, anti-social guff.
A reminder never to trust a man who is the hero of his own anecdote.
I love cycling.... cyclists, not so much.
Because it's a competitive sport, not group therapy?
1. Cycling is not just a competitive sport, there are all sorts of other kinds of cycling as well. In case you hadn't noticed.
2. I thought the 'competitive' part applied to trying to go faster than others, not trying to be superior by putting them down.
3. I was under the impression that the 'sport' part included being 'sporting', i.e. treating your competitors with respect. Trying to go faster than them doesn't include insulting them as people.
4. 'Group therapy' does not involve just being nice, in fact if you knew anything at all about it you'd know how vicious it can be.
"This is my winter bike" when you are riding your Halfords own brand Carrera next to a guy with a Cervelo.
what if you genuinely have just recovered from major knee surgery?
ive never heard anyone say it who hasnt actually had knee surgery.
bit insensitive...
Mate from the village broke his arm in a cat related crash a month ago, and has just gone up Ventoux with said arm in a cast.
Serious respect....
How's the recovery going?
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