Recumbent, a state of mind
Recumbent Bicycle - a laid-back mode of transportation, physically and spiritually. Most, if not all, of the 'bent riders I have met are very relaxed people. Why? Maybe the bicycle attracts this type of person or maybe the bicycle transforms the person. No matter the reason or cause I am honored to be considered a member of this society.
posted by Cliff at
3:46 PM
4 Comments
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4 Comments:
Well put, Cliff.
What? You guys have never met a___oles on 'bents?
On group rides, I have experienced people who are loud, boorish and inconsiderate. On message boards, I've encountered folk who are all too happy to initiate flame wars just like you'll find in the worst places on the web.
Thankfully, these have been the exception, not the rule. But then, that echoes my experience in other spheres as well.
Sorry, I don't buy that it attracts a laidback type of person or that it's a society of anything other than people who own 'bents.
I will say however, that if you parse the demographic, you will find that 'bent riders tend to be middle-aged males with a degree of disposable income that places them more likely among those of degreed professional level backgrounds, or at least above average, economically. What that says about the personality types of 'bent riders, I'm not sure, but socio-economically, I would wager that it skews that population in a certain fashion.
'Bent riders, I think also tend to be either open-minded (in some regards) or intentionally, out-spokenly anti-establishment, counting those personalities sometimes a little more narrow-minded. I think of those who enjoy disparaging people who ride upright bikes and who love to look down their noses at the "unenlightened ones" (my quotes).
Mostly, I think we are predominantly middle-aged guys, comfortable, economically, and largely with technical backgrounds.
Anyway, I don't mean to be disparaging of what sounds awfully like a compliment, but I just don't buy it.
Mike,
Your comment reminds me of an incident on a group ride this past June. One of the riders was ill-prepared for the distance and was plagued with flats. The rider was also ill-equipped in skill as well as tools to deal with the flats and his companion was not in sight. With the weather threatening, a member of our group insisted the others go ahead to seek shelter at the midday restaurant stop and he stayed with the slacker, guiding him to a bike shop where he was given car transportation back to the ride start. It is this unselfish act that I remember. Yes, the newbie was a 'bent rider, and yes, his companion (who I understand brought him to the event) should have stayed with him, so you are correct-not all 'bent riders are shining knights. But, I aspire to the example given by this one unselfish person.
I'm blushing.
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