I was struck by the introduction to the introduction to this article in a Canadian newspaper:
“Winnipeg • I often get around town by bike. So curious is this behaviour to the Lexus-drivin’, lunch bag-packin’ crowd I encounter in suburban Winnipeg, that it is often discussed, sometimes behind my back. When it is to my face, at least I can defend myself. “I am not a hippy freak,” I say, oozing frustration and impatience, like Jerry Seinfeld when he started carrying a man bag. “I’m being European.”
- Cycling Goes Chic.
I remember when I was a young lad of 16. I worked at a little chef about 3 miles away. For some reason I commuted in my full cycling gear. (3 miles seemed a long way in those days, and if your going to cycle why not cycle properly?
It never failed to gain the amusement of the workers that
a) somebody would cycle to work
b) somebody would come dressed to work in skin tight lycra tights (I did change when I got to work, I should point out.)
I don’t think I inspired anyone to try cycling to work, but probably reinforced cycling’s image as a quirky pastime for people lacking in basic fashion decency. But, it did prove an enduring topic of amusement (which is perhaps just a reflection of how grim working at the Little Chef could be…)
The other thing about cycling, was the persistent worries of my mother, who seemed to assume cycling was about as dangerous as parachuting from 500 metres. It felt like all the forces were against cycling; to be cycling you had to be pretty persistent which is perhaps why so few cycled to work.
Anyway, you now hear quite a bit about ‘cycling chic.’ Beautiful models riding gracefully around on their Amsterdam bikes. Aside from the image of the urban warrior cycling on pavements, cycling is almost cool these days.
A question for the readers – What do your friends and family think of cycling, and has their perceptions changed since you started cycling?
It was my dad and younger brother who got me started in cycling and all I ever got was support and encouragement even when a local rider invited me to try some evening 10′s there was’nt even the slightest hint of trying to put me off. As for work, I seem to get more people taking interest in how far I went training and the usuall ‘how light is your bike’ type of questions rather than people taking the mick. The only thing that does result in any micky taking is the cyclist tan-lines and the odd person referring to lycra as spandex.
There seem to be quite a few of us! In all honesty though, although I’ve missed my students, I haven’t missed the job at all. I genuinely didn’t used to have the time or energy to cycle or read or do any of the things I love. I keep getting stressed emails from friends still teaching and feel immensely lucky that I’m not doing it anymore! It’s sad – it could be the best job in the world, but there are too many things wrong with the way it’s run. Do let me know how you get on!
Hi Stormfield. Thanks for dropping by. It made me smile! Thanks for sharing. BTW: I’m a teacher looking to make an exit as well…
They thought I was being ridiculous at first: my mum was convinced that I was going to be killed and my boyfriend put on his serious voice and said that he really wasn’t happy about it. But having seen how much fun I have, they’ve both picked up bikes now! The boyfriend cycles daily and mum just to the post box, but it’s huge progress.
My friends’ attitudes have been along the lines of “Oh, good for you!” as though I’ve just volunteered to donate a kidney…
Hi Mikael,
Thanks for comment. I got great inspiration from reading your blog http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/
Cycling as a normal, everyday activity has been cool and normal for decades outside of North America. It’s great that it is catching on once again over there.