Out riding today I had plenty of time to think and I realised that despite my keen interest in cycling, and even getting out and riding on a frequent basis, I'm actually a Bad Cyclist. This made my heart feel a little sad, but only momentarily, because I soon knew that I'm not alone, indeed there are thousands of Bad Cyclists out there.
Don't get me wrong, Bad Cycling has nothing to do with ability and especially nothing to do with interest (I would say passion but that sounds, well, a bit crap). It's just knowing that, deep down, you're really not the cyclist in reality that you wish you were in your dreams.
Now there's no clubhouse for the Bad Cyclists, no manifesto, subscription fees or rules. Just the quiet satisfaction that it isn't just you riding into a metaphorical headwind on soft tyres. You'll never really know who the other proponents of Bad Cycling are but, like in 'Fight Club', you'll sometimes come across a knowing look or tilt of the head as you go about your day. Want to get involved? It's as easy as ABC.
But how do you know if you are a Bad Cyclist? It takes a certain amount of self-awareness, enlightenment even, and if you think it doesn't apply to you then it almost certainly does. But it is nothing to be ashamed of, quite the opposite. Embrace your Bad Cycling, you'll be relieved at home good it feels.
My name is Ed. I am a Bad Cyclist.
Anyone else want to come out?
Don't get me wrong, Bad Cycling has nothing to do with ability and especially nothing to do with interest (I would say passion but that sounds, well, a bit crap). It's just knowing that, deep down, you're really not the cyclist in reality that you wish you were in your dreams.
Now there's no clubhouse for the Bad Cyclists, no manifesto, subscription fees or rules. Just the quiet satisfaction that it isn't just you riding into a metaphorical headwind on soft tyres. You'll never really know who the other proponents of Bad Cycling are but, like in 'Fight Club', you'll sometimes come across a knowing look or tilt of the head as you go about your day. Want to get involved? It's as easy as ABC.
But how do you know if you are a Bad Cyclist? It takes a certain amount of self-awareness, enlightenment even, and if you think it doesn't apply to you then it almost certainly does. But it is nothing to be ashamed of, quite the opposite. Embrace your Bad Cycling, you'll be relieved at home good it feels.
My name is Ed. I am a Bad Cyclist.
Anyone else want to come out?