CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

All cyclists are men who are single or have women at home to do everything

(10 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from Min

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  1. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Long title, but sums up a comment I got on my photoblog for an entry yesterday!

    "I commute by both car and cycle (not at the same time, I might add). The pros of going on the bike are: health, fitness and enjoyment. The cons of going on the bike are: almost being killed on a daily basis usually by white van man (could it be the same one...maybe he's just out to get me?); it takes longer (I don't live in an overcrowded, polluted city and I'm not Cav so it really does take longer); having to use the most notorious round-a-bout in the whole of England; having to use a shower at work than looks like Leigionaires is highly likely. The pros of going in the car are: it's quicker come hail or shine and I can sing along to my cds. Cons: the cost.

    A few things that do wind me up about cyclists though are: cycling up the middle of the road...when did that become the norm? They all have huge chips on their shoulders, especially lycra man, and are always on the defence. They bleat on and on and on and on about how good cycling is for them, smugly! I just think how can anyone find the time to do all that cycling then I remember: oh yes, the majority of them are men!! (Either single or with women at home who do everything for them)."

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    "I love the ease and simplicity of travelling by bike, getting some exercise, and fresh air. With two small children and a full-time job, I don’t have the time for a gym membership or classes, but cycling to nursery and work has kept me active and saves me time on my commute. So why do people keep telling me that I’m ‘brave’ to cycle?"

    That said, I do find it baffling that men who work long days/weeks still find time to go on mega-cycling adventures on weekend. One of these days I'll join you..

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I did have you, min, kirst, arellcat and a number of other female friends who cycle in different ways and to varying degrees successfully implemented into their lives tucked up my sleeve.

    "Even with a cycle lane there, I've seen many go straight down the middle of the road which is crazy...I'm not talking about a city either.

    I know not everyone who cycles is single. My best female friend does proper cycling (unlike myself, also female, who just commutes or has pleasure rides...three kids under the age of eleven, I don't have time to cycle 60 miles a day)...iron man and all that...but it still baffles me how cyclists have the time to do all that cycling.

    Glad you're pulling your weight."

    That last bit in reference to me mentioning I have a wife, but she most certainly doesn't just do everything for me. It would appear I have inadvertently stumbled back into the Victorian era - hey, what are all you women doing on here, get back to the kitchen and scrub those carrots till I can see my face in them!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. Kirst
    Member

    You'll see a carrot in your face in a minute...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Uberuce
    Member

    When did it become the norm? When people realised the old way sucked. I have a vague recollection of someone in a pub saying that all of human progress, ever, depends on that process.

    I, of course, will be smug about how good cycling is for me. I have cake *and* beauttocks; most people need to choose.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Tom
    Member

    Well I suppose from the outside we must look like the perfect couple - accommodating children, our jobs, sharing household chores - but from where I'm sitting it's just very hard work. I'm really happy to now have a chance to find time for a hobby. For, what ten years or so, the children were gloriously absorbing but very tying. I mean they still are but they do their own things now. You don't have to be either single or a MSP* to spend long hours on the bike, there's a third way but it requires a bit of patience to get there.

    *Male Chauvinist Pig

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. Instography
    Member

    It's easy. Every Saturday and Sunday (and Fridays and/or Mondays on a Bank Holiday weekend) I give her a little patronising kiss on the forehead, pat her on the bum and say, "she you in fifty miles honey. Don't forget to have my fresh socks ready". But, it has to be said, it's really annoying when my shirt collars aren't ironed properly.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. druidh
    Member

    My wife is just back from a trek to Everest Base Camp. I stayed home to look after our daughter.....

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Smudge
    Member

    Either a troll or needs to get into the 21st century!
    In no particular order; No time for weekend mega adventures just now, but in future I'm sure some weekends I'll get to play and some weekends Mrs Smudge will, sometimes we have smaller family adventures... being a family is a team game!

    As to the middle of the road, sometimes yes, but a lot of the time, about a metre out (sometimes less where appropriate.) Perhaps some refresher training would help her avoid her reported near daily death?!

    Chip on my shoulder? That's not a cycling thing, that's about not wanting me or my family members having our lives destroyed out on the roads because of stupidity/thoughtlessness, if I am defensive it is because as soon as people identify me as a cyclist I am expected to defend the high profile idiots on bikes (RLJ etc, I'm not asked to justify drink drivers or speeders, why would I want to justify cyclists breaking the law??)

    Smug... only sometimes ;-) (nobody mention the fuel strikes panic over nothing!)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. Min
    Member

    I get the impression they are talking about filtering, perfectly legal and as we all know, usually safer than kerb hugging to get past stationary traffic. I think that when they are sitting in a queue of cars they think that cyclists should be queuing behind them and most definitely not riding past as one can so easily do on a bike.

    Smug? Hell yeah.

    Posted 13 years ago #

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