Lifestyle

23 Questions Non-Cyclists Ask about Cycling

It's not their fault they don't realise how amazing cycling is, yet

Some people just can’t understand your passion for cycling. More often then not, you’re the crazy one who lives your life in the bicycle lane, and your non-cyclist friends can’t see the appeal.

Regardless of cycling discipline, we’ve all been questioned about our choices to ride bikes and why we do it. So here are a few things that non-cyclists can’t seem to understand about cycling… and why we love it!

Don’t you get bored of riding for hours?

Does anyone get bored of their passion or hobby?

How could anyone get bored of exploring, adventure, nature and riding with friends? For many of us, riding our bikes is a form of meditation and a chance to pedal away from the everyday stresses of life.

Why would you want to ride up that?

Ok, admittedly climbing isn’t every cyclist’s favourite thing to do, but it’s a small part of the grand scheme of cycling.

Climbing helps make us stronger and faster cyclists, but we also love them because of what follows, the descents.

Why would you ride in this weather?

We get a secret buzz from battling the elements head-on. We’re suckers for punishment and while cycling in the rain, hail and gale winds, isn’t much fun at the time, you get a much more satisfying feel at the end of the ride.

The best things about wet weather mountain biking

What’s the deal with Strava?

In addition to being totally awesome humans, cyclists are stat hunters. Yes, we use Strava to challenge strangers we’ve never met, and yes, we like to publicly share every single pedal stroke, but it’s super fun and addictive to beat someone for a QoM, or just even beat yourself. We’re not all that bad though, there’s a number of different Strava personalities out there.

Lyrca? Are you serious?

Perhaps one of the most commented on things about cycling has to be the Lycra.

It can take some time to get used to, but wearing Lycra is a part of the cycling lifestyle to embrace. It’s surprisingly comfortable, and it comes in a variety of styles and thicknesses so that you don’t feel as naked as you may look.

Why not wear normal socks?

No, we can’t pop into Tesco and get some normal socks to ride in.

7 of the coolest cycling socks to ride in

Firstly, we need sports fabric like merino wool which helps wick away moisture and keeps our tootsies warm and breathable. Secondly, it’s not easy to find regular socks to match our impressive colour coordination skills.

Are those little cycling caps an actual thing?

Those people are lame. You’re cool.

See more non-lame casquettes here

The cycling cap – a.k.a casquette – dates back to the very early days of passionate cyclists who would wear them for keeping the sun from their eyes, and sweat from their brow. These “lame” caps are a heritage piece of kit and a tradition we dare not break from.

Helmets make you look stupid, are they necessary?

Not all of us have the perfect shaped noggin to look cool and comfortable in a helmet. Fortunately, there are plenty of brands, shapes, sizes and colours to choose from. At the end of the day, they make think you look stupid, but fellow cyclists think you look awesome.

Doesn’t it hurt your foof?

Another common observation from our non-cycling mates will be their curiosity about our undercarriage.

How to choose a suitable saddle

Sure, it can get uncomfortable after a long while, but the key to a happy bottom is a pair of quality padded shorts, a suitable saddle and lots of chamois cream.

If you cycle to work, don’t you get sweaty and gross?

Those who don’t cycle often think it’s because we’re all Tour de France speed hungry devils and cycling amongst traffic is dangerous. To them, cycling to work means you work up a sweat because you’re travelling at the speed of light.

Busted: 5 Top reasons for not cycling to work

Lucky for us, most offices places have showers for freshening up after the commute and a majority of us casually cycle without working up too much of a sweat.

So you must follow The Tour de France?

Just because we ride bikes, doesn’t mean we’re all avid followers of the Tour de France.

The TDF is an intense three-week road race, for men. Another common misconception is believing the entire three-week event takes place sorely in France.

Why is there no Women’s Tour de France?

Whether you’re a cyclist or not, it’s pretty shocking that there is not Tour de France equivalent for women.

Instead, the TDF organisers, ASO, have allowed pro women to have a single day race: La Course. Although women’s cycling has come on leaps and bounds in terms of inclusions, equality and rights, we’re still pretty frustrated that legendary races are not female friendly.

What’s that in miles?

Non-cyclists are more likely understand distance in terms of driving which is measured in miles in the UK. However, cycling is commonly measured in kilometres which is great because riding 50km sounds more impressive than riding 31 miles.

As a cyclist, you feel the need to brush up on your mental arithmetic: 1km = 0.62mils.

Do you have hollow legs?

Cycling burns a lot of calories, and after a ride, we need to refuel our body with essential protein and carbohydrates. A post-ride meal can look like a mountain of food, but we’re really just replenishing the tanks.

Wanna see my bike?

Contrary to popular belief, owning a bike doesn’t make you a cyclist. You have to ride it as well.

When talking to a non-cyclist about their bike, you quickly learn their “old faithful” has been slowly decaying in the garden shed for the past 15 years.

That cost how much?

Cycling isn’t cheap and revealing the cost of your new bike or wheelset with often leave your friend’s jaw on the floor.

When it comes to your passion for two wheels, protection and comfort… spare no expense.

Why do you have so many bikes, don’t they all do the same thing?

Lol, no.

You let your bike live in the house?

We’d sleep with them if we could.

When you work hard to play hard, you don’t want to risk anything happening to your bike(s). Bicycles are the UK’s most stolen item, and for a cyclist to lose their bike is like losing a piece of who you are.

Why do you have a shelf full of lube?

Because we like things to run smoothly.

It’s hard to believe a sport like cycling can involve so many different varieties of lubricants. Wet, dry and all round types are essential to keep your bike’s mechanisms running smooth so you can perform your best.

Why is your house full of cycling things?

If it has a bicycle on it, we probably have it in our home.

When we can’t get outside, we like to bring the cycling indoors and surround yourself with little pieces of inspirations. This often means up-cycled bike parts, wall art and anything in bicycle print.

Surely, it’s only a bike?

Oh no, you didn’t just say that…

Don’t you get hurt?

Nope, cyclists are pretty indestructible.

We try, we crash, we get back up and get straight back into the saddle. Afterall, nothing worth having comes easy.

How to recover from fear after injury

Cycling is amazing

100% of the time a non-cyclist will not understand just how awesome cycling is. Why not take them out, and convert them?

Those who don’t cycle have so much to learn about this amazing sport, and with all the funny questions and cringe-worthy assumptions, we know there’ll be more to come as we pedal by.