9 habits of cyclists that make no sense
While these practices aren't bad or harmful to anybody, they'll make you think 'Yeah, why do cyclists do that and think it's just normal?'
Cyclists are a peculiar breed with a set of habits that distinguish themselves from other people. Some habits are productive for training while others are important to look like a cyclist, whatever that means. Below are nine weird habits cyclists have that when we think hard about them, we can’t help but wonder, “Why do cyclists feel the need to do this?”
Sitting in sweaty lycra at the coffee shop
What, normal people don’t wear sweaty tight clothing to lounge around at the coffee shop? Cyclists think it’s normal to have a coffee all kitted out. Pros do it, amateurs do it and we act like it’s totally normal.
Round numbers for your rides
A 139.2 km ride just doesn’t quite sound right. That’s why cyclists try to have consistency nice round numbers when they post on Strava. If it means doing an extra lap around the block, taking the slightly longer route home or pausing the Garmin before reaching the front door so be it.
Shaved legs
Shaved legs is part of the culture of cycling. It’ aero, maybe it looks better and is more comfortable for the post-ride massages we don’t get. It’s also a little weird that we feel compelled to take razor to our legs to fit in even if we don’t do all sorts of other things to maximize our performance like train and eat like the pros.
Addicted to watts
Chris Froome stares at his stem and wins Grand Tours. We buy training software and power meters to dissect our watts because maybe 3 w would be the difference-maker.
Obsessively sharp tan lines
Wanting sharp tan lines makes no sense. It certainly doesn’t look good to have pale white skin starkly contrasted with a glowing tan. While it certainly shows you are pretty serious about your cycling, it’s a weird thing to be particularly proud of.
Agonizing about sock length
The endless debates we hear about what the correct sock length is absolutely bizarre. It certainly doesn’t make you any faster or slower whether you are wearing ankle or mid-calf socks but for some reason, it matters a lot to cyclists. Ankle and short socks are nearly forbidden on group rides. At the very least you’ll be teased and ridiculed for your choice.
Purchasing all the latest gadgets and electronics
Enjoy the ease and freedom that riding offers by first checking tire pressure, checking that your head unit is charged, calibrating your power meter, loading the route on the bike computer and hoping the batteries are good for the Di2.
Putting the sunglasses temples over the helmet straps
Yes, cyclists even have unwritten rules about how you should and shouldn’t wear your sunglasses. The frame arms should always, for some inexplicable reason, be over the helmet straps. OK then.
Working on the pro-casual top tube sit for waiting at stoplights
At the start line of the Tour de France, you’ll notice all the top contenders look real suave sitting on their bikes patiently waiting for the race to start. Amateur riders also like practicing this looks but instead of doing it when toeing the line at the Tour, we like to sport the look while impatiently waiting for the red light to change colour.