Growth of Cycling in the U.S.

[BroDeal]

What is the cause? Middle aged yuppies who traded their golf clubs for a bike or something else?

 

[marinoni]

Probably. There was an article about JV's TIAA-CREFF team a few years ago in Cycle Sport were he said cycling was the new darling of the rich. I hate to say it but LA probably had something to do with it. Although, during his retirement I didnt see as many fat dudes with hairy legs riding Treks. Treks with TT bars invariably.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Everyone I roll with that started up in the 80's are all pretty much lifers, but seems like the more current generations are persuaded more my marketing gimmickry rather than culture or lifestyle, or because they read a paragraph in some gay tabloid mens mag like GQ or Maxim. Whatever, I don't really care if some upper crust douche is following trends and quits in a year or two, that just means more room on the roads for us who give a sh!t.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Everyone I roll with that started up in the 80's are all pretty much lifers, but seems like the current generations are persuaded more by marketing gimmickry rather than culture or lifestyle, or because they read a paragraph in some gay tabloid mens mag like GQ or Maxim. Whatever, I don't really care if some upper crust douche is following trends and quits in a year or two, that just means more room on the roads for those of us who give a sh!t.

 

[slowoldman]

Our own mortality. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what I believe to be the excercise generation of the US is now approaching middle age. With that comes the realization that we aren't around forever. So we start to work on lengthening our life and putting off the inevitable, or at least we try to improve our quality of life as we age through excercise. As we all know here, NOTHING makes you young at heart and feel like a kid again as a bike ride in great weather.

 

[Bala Verde]

I wish that the increased cycling population (for however it lasts I don't care) would lead to the construction of new cycling lanes/trails and improvement of general road conditions where cyclists tend to go...

If we can get that out of it, I don't care who rides

 

[BikeCentric]

Yeah I think it's more just people realizing that the bike is good for fitness more than anything. There are a boatload of recreational riders where I live in NorCal, a lot of fat folks on really expensive bikes - but despite my snobbery it's still good to have more people on bikes! I don't think the racing scene has grown at all here but it hasn't shrunk at all either - it's always been big. I'm still racing against the same dudes I've raced against for years and years for the most part.

Now in terms of US domestic pro cycling - it's definitely in way worse shape than it was 10 years ago which I think is kind of weird.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Probably. There was an article about JV's TIAA-CREFF team a few years ago in Cycle Sport were he said cycling was the new darling of the rich. I hate to say it but LA probably had something to do with it. Although, during his retirement I didnt see as many fat dudes with hairy legs riding Treks. Treks with TT bars invariably.

Doesn't matter. those guys probably drop 50% of this board. i've been racing since '89, riding since '81 (I'm 40 now), and the strength of the racers and rec riders is awesome. i love being on a training ride and having a couple hairy leg rec riders link up, because these guys don't know training, but they go out and ride 20+ becaus they don't know better. also can't believe the 35+ and cat 4 increase in skills and strength (skills are mixed, but still). If a few 50+ rec riders throw down $10,000 and keep the local bike shops humming, i'm FINE with that. if you don't think you have lance/george/floyd/christian/jonathan to thank for that, you crazy.

let 'em rock their madones with airstrykes. it creates momentum for the industry when we desp need it.

 

[elapid]

I wish that the increased cycling population (for however it lasts I don't care) would lead to the construction of new cycling lanes/trails and improvement of general road conditions where cyclists tend to go...

If we can get that out of it, I don't care who rides

Here, here. It is time that governments committed to improving infrastructure and safety for cyclists and commuters. This would increase the number of bikes and decrease the number of cars on the road, and thus make the world a cleaner place to live. It would also make life a lot more fun if we could spend more time on our bikes.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I wish that the increased cycling population (for however it lasts I don't care) would lead to the construction of new cycling lanes/trails and improvement of general road conditions where cyclists tend to go...

If we can get that out of it, I don't care who rides

I must be spoiled, as the city I live in (Portland) is loaded with them, and miles of paved bike/pedestrian only paths. I thought NC was fairly similar?

 

[Bala Verde]

I must be spoiled, as the city I live in (Portland) is loaded with them, and miles of paved bike/pedestrian only paths. I thought NC was fairly similar?

Was in Chapel Hill, and it was fairly easy to go out to the countryside/rural parts. 5 mins, and bang, you were there. I liked the area a lot, hilly (AGR like, I always made myself believe ), and the backroads were relatively low on traffic.

I just moved to DC, and the pavement is a lot worse. True there are bike trails, but some of them, on a sunny day, are overcrowded with runners and walkers, or they are interrupted with side walks etc. Lots of traffic lights as well, as to be expected in a city. You should start using roundabouts, they really improve the flow of traffic.

Anyhow, I think was spoilt in the Netherlands. So I am just getting to know the DC area, but I think it has potential. The surface however is a headache... Do they intentionally keep it in the poorest condition, like in Roubaix

 

[Bala Verde]

(I'm 40 now).

Ah, now I understand where that 'Senior Member' comes from

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

I must be spoiled, as the city I live in (Portland) is loaded with them, and miles of paved bike/pedestrian only paths. I thought NC was fairly similar?

Here's your belated birthday present Alpe.

 

[53x11 in DC]

Ah, now I understand where that 'Senior Member' comes from

Not sure where you are in DC, but payback is a bitc h!

Hey, there is a TON of good riding in DC. I live in Georgetown, and there are a multitude of options available. On the paths or even better, on the roads. You'll find yourself pleasantly surprised, BV.

 

[BikeRiderUSA]

Age and Health Have A Lot to do with it also.

When I was in the army, I was required to run 3 miles 5 days per week. We also did a lot of running on the weekends. 20 years of that destroys the knees. I took up bike riding again, rode a bit when I was in my teens, because my knees were going and because my lower back and hips were starting to also go because of all the miles I ran, plus all the other physical beatings 20 years in the military does to the body. My wife had never rode, but now is right there with me. We are retired and ride almost every day. We average 6,500 to 7,500 miles per year. My best year was three years ago when I did 8,600 miles. I of course came no where near those miles while running. But, the past two years, all those physical beatings of my military years have results in two surgeries in 12 months, one on my lower spine. But, I was back on my bike within 6 weeks of the back surgery. So, I think a lot of folks who used to run, now ride. I know a few other guys who used to run that now ride. My wife did run some, but mostly she did the gym thing. But, now it is riding.

 

[Bala Verde]

Not sure where you are in DC, but payback is a bitc h!

Hey, there is a TON of good riding in DC. I live in Georgetown, and there are a multitude of options available. On the paths or even better, on the roads. You'll find yourself pleasantly surprised, BV.

The Clarendon Cup the 31st of May right, in crystal city. That seems to be a huge event, it's even on Universal Sports. I might go check it out, they have a century ride (does that require a US cycling license?)

 

[53x11 in DC]

The Clarendon Cup the 31st of May right, in crystal city. That seems to be a huge event, it's even on Universal Sports. I might go check it out, they have a century ride (does that require a US cycling license?)

I doubt it - probably more of a "fun" ride, though you know people will be out there contesting it like a gran fondo!

 

[trailrunner]

The Clarendon Cup the 31st of May right, in crystal city. That seems to be a huge event, it's even on Universal Sports. I might go check it out, they have a century ride (does that require a US cycling license?)

A couple of corrections:

Clarendon Cup is on 30 May (Saturday). It's a great event -- spectator friendly and pro-level riders. When CSC sponsored it, they would often bring some of their Euro pros over to do the race.

The race is in Clarendon, not Crystal City (hence the name).

The ride the next day has a maximum distance of 100km, not 100 miles, so it's a metric century. Doubtful that a license will be required.

Here's more information:

http://www.arlingtonsports.org/

 

[trailrunner]

I just moved to DC, and the pavement is a lot worse. True there are bike trails, but some of them, on a sunny day, are overcrowded with runners and walkers, or they are interrupted with side walks etc. Lots of traffic lights as well, as to be expected in a city. You should start using roundabouts, they really improve the flow of traffic.

I avoid the multi-use paths in the DC area. They are not good for serious riding -- too many families with strollers and kids and dogs, and runners with headphones, so I let them have it. Trying to do any meaningful training on them just doesn't work.

There are plenty of good alternatives -- this morning I did a 40-mile ride in the countryside on Maryland.

 

[Black Dog]

Status

Cycling has become the new way to pursue status. Most of these guys will give it up in a few years when the trend shifts to something else. Any chance to prove your self importance by spending money on something is hard to pass up.

Those that end up staying around and become lifers are the lucky ones and I welcome them. This is life, there are those that get it and those that don't. Passion can't be bought.

 

[Black Dog]

Status

Cycling has become the new way to pursue status. Most of these guys will give it up in a few years when the trend shifts to something else. Any chance to prove your self importance by spending money on something is hard to pass up.

Those that end up staying around and become lifers are the lucky ones and I welcome them. This is life, there are those that get it and those that don't. Passion can't be bought.

 

[Bala Verde]

A couple of corrections:

Clarendon Cup is on 30 May (Saturday). It's a great event -- spectator friendly and pro-level riders. When CSC sponsored it, they would often bring some of their Euro pros over to do the race.

The race is in Clarendon, not Crystal City (hence the name).

The ride the next day has a maximum distance of 100km, not 100 miles, so it's a metric century. Doubtful that a license will be required.

Here's more information:

http://www.arlingtonsports.org/

Thanks for the corrections. I am not from this area so I didn't even know there was a difference between Clarendon and CC . On top of that, in my enthusiasm I just translated km to miles, because I am used to doing that, as the metric system isn't often used here!