As the story ran in the Standard
It was a daft exchange of words between cyclists that would have passed without further comment had one of those involved not been Boris Johnson.
As it was, the teasing by club cyclist Bob Carter provoked the London Mayor’s acerbic wit and his well-known aversion toward Lycra-clad cyclists.
Cycling ‘more than just sport’
For the general public in Britain, bicycles and Lycra are inextricably linked, which would be fine if cycling was no more than a sport.
As it is, one of the greatest barriers to cycling is that to most people in Britain, the idea of getting about by bicycle is an alien concept.
Our attitude is at odds with that of the Dutch, who regard a bicycle in the much the same way as we view a washing machine – a staple used without fuss or bother every day.
The ritualistic donning of luminous clothing, special shoes and a helmet before a short ride would be considered eccentric by everyday commuters in continental Europe.
Johnson 1 Lycra 0
Boris Johnson plans to spend almost £1bn to ‘de-Lycrafy’ cycling, figuratively and literally. He plans to make it normal, something for everyone, something we feel comfortable doing in our ordinary clothes.
Bike cover, whatever you wear
Cycling is broad church, so cycle insurance from the ETA caters to novices and seasoned club riders alike.
Every policy includes new-for-old replacement, cover against accidental damage and third party as standard.
Mary
I disagree that lycra is thought to be de rigeur for cyclists, the majority I see don’t wear it.
It’s not a matter of fun though but nor is mocking any other fellow cyclist. Riders ought to encourage others.
Kit
Absolutely Mary. In general, people ought to encourage one another to partake in positive healthy activities. Petty squabbling is not attractive or productive.
Kit
This whole ‘bickering among people who enjoy the same activity’ is pathetic. It’s pathetic even if they didn’t enjoy the same activity. They’re behaving like children and unpleasant children at that.
Why does anyone care whether someone else wears Lycra or goes up a hill quickly? What difference does it make to either of them?
The instigator should be ashamed of himself but Boris should have let it go and not made sweeping comments of such a negative nature.
Jack Roberts
Fair play to Boris, excellent ride, he might just realise just how much he could enjoy if he persevered with it and gained some fitness. You never know, he might just fool us all and actually come back next year as a chiselled whippet. And lets face it who else could close 100 miles of iconic London/Surrey roads for us all to enjoy. Oh, does anybody know who the fastest pensioner was, did any pensioner beat 5 hours? If you know please post it here.
Charles
I live and cycle in sheffield where it is hilly and often wet, so wearing work clothes just means I am wet and smelly. A good wicking top means I can change into dry clothes after cooling down.
John
Gloating at another persons attempt to cycle is not on!
No matter who that person is.
We all had to start somewhere and whether Boris carries on with the longer distances is of no consequence.At least he gave it a go, all credit to him
David Priestley
As a fattish, oldish cyclist ex Pom, but definitely not a bastard I sympathise with Boris in every way and feel sorry for the Gollum lookalike who felt the urge to make fun of Boris.
This man is doing more for bicycling in London and thus the UK than possibly anyone else and his efforts will have a trickle down effect that may even get as far as the ‘bxxxxxxs’ in Norwich on their Sunday club runs.
Come on down to Aussie Boris, we’ll appreciate you even in country Victorian towns like Bright!
Sue Mallinson
I hope Boris’s billion pound spend will cover making our roads safer for ‘ordinary’ cyclists – who rely on their bikes to get to work and have to run the gauntlet of thundering traffic and impatient car and lorry drivers on multi-lane highways, interspersed with occasional tiny sections of cycle track created by local councils paying lip service to addressing traffic congestion. It’s no wonder cyclists have taken to the pavements.
Sue
Bob Carter
Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.