Elfin, that's the thing though - to cyclists that piece is a witty and well-written insight into the (often unconscious) stereotyping that occurs within any group.It's a tongue in cheek piece that, if anything, reinforces the idea that we are all cyclists, in it together. It's a gentle piss take, nothing more.
Crazy-legs: I appreciate that. I certainly din't think it was an offensive article. Obviously relates to the NYC scene, so some of the cultural references are lost over here, but none the worse for that alone.
As I've sad; I just thought it was little more than a re-hashing of old ideas, and by nature possibly a little tired now.
Ok. Imagine if this had been a piece about ooh I dunno, say Ski-ing. Or Angling. Or whatever. Now, imagine you're 'outside' of that 'world'. Would you 'get' all the cultural references and in-jokes? My point is, I found little outside of the in-jokes, to elevate that article beyond the mundane. That's my opinion, and I've attempted to explain my reasoning. I appreciate others don't share my point of view.
There's a fine line between writings like that and stereotyping where it descends into prejudice.
Of course.
Funny, the guy has commented on lazy journalism in mainstream papers, eg here: [url] http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2007/12/genuine-article-reporting-on-fixed-gear.html [/url], but I thought this was pretty lazy too. There are some original things in there, but the format is pretty old.
I really like his blog, and if I don't read for I while, I'll have a binge and read the posts I missed. Althought it's heavily (completely)centred on cycling, most of his material is about fashions and subcultures and how fickle and contradictory people and their ideas are.
As has been pointed out, the actual activity or mechanical object could be different, it's about how people choose to revolve around it (or choose bikes to revolve around somehting else) that creates the interest.
The fact that he ended up with a tried and tested format for this article to promote his book probably has more to do with editors' knowledge of lazy readers than anything else.
My point is, I found little outside of the in-jokes, to elevate that article beyond the mundane.
A prime example of utterly meaningless drivel.
Not clever, not insightful, just drivel.
The article on the other hand, made many of us smile/laugh.
is a bit silly and anal.
my ar5e!
While some Roadies do ride off-road as well, many are put off by the presence of distasteful things like mud, rocks and fun
love it.
We are hillbillies in Roadie art galleries.
