Exactly. What if every shoe store in America only sold running shoes and hiking boots? And the staff looked at you cross-eyed if you dared suggest you might want to do anything but run or hike. You'd have to dig deep into the dark corners of some internet "sub-culture" to buy loafers, or sandals!
On Monday, May 21, 2012 12:03:40 PM UTC-4, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery wrote: > > When I first started cycling as an adult, I purchased a $430 big-brand > "hybrid" style bike that was god-awful ugly but served my novice self > perfectly as a commuter and general transportation/recreation machine. But > when I decided that I was committed enough to bikes to get something > fancier/cooler, the big-brand shop didn't have any upgrades that weren't > racing-style bikes or suspended MTBs. The message was clear: the only way > to be a serious cyclist was to aspire to the racing image and racing > paradigms. I knew that probably was not ever going to be my cup of tea. The > ensuing internet research led me to conclude that a touring bike was what I > really wanted, but the only one likely to be found locally was the Trek > 520, and none of the local shops I called had one in stock. Eventually, I > "discovered" and purchased an Atlantis. That was my first truly good bike, > and even though I no longer own it, it has influenced all my subsequent > ideas about bikes. > > Anyway, I agree that some people who own race bikes and related kit are > probably stimulated by that aspect of cycling. BUT, how many of them went > that direction because of peer pressure or because they didn't know of > other options? > > On Monday, May 21, 2012 10:05:41 AM UTC-5, Patrick in VT wrote: >> >> On May 18, 8:18 am, Pondero <cj.spin...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > Totally on board with the ride for fun philosophy, but I also suspect >> that >> > some of those in-training racer folks are actually having fun. >> >> Agreed. Almost every racer I know has a lot of fun doing it. And >> despite certain preferences (some misguided, for sure), a lot of >> racers are actually pretty passionate about cycling in general which >> is a good thing. Whether we kike it or not, cycling is still a sport >> and it's not just "lance wannabes" who do it - the vast majority of >> people will never race anywhere near the elite level, let alone pro >> level. But they do anyway because it's fun to challenge yourself and >> participate in something. It's no different than any other physical >> endeavor - you can take it as far as you want. >> >> There's a marathon in Burlington, VT this weekend - the event is about >> as a good of an example as you can get of people of different >> abilities challenging themselves in the same "race." 99% of the >> people who line up know they will not win the race. 100% are there to >> prove something to themselves without regard for winning or losing - >> just finishing, or setting a personal record (the "PR") will be a big >> deal. it's very similar to randonneuring. bike racing is the same. >> it's all the same - we set goals and take steps to achieve them. >> whatever keeps people inspired and motivated, more power to them. >> >> >> >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/rCOqLVR-GG4J. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
