Glad you noticed this too! To experienced cyclists; don't be snobby dickhead, WAVE to other cyclists!!! I don't give a crap if you're riding a big wheel, I'll wave to you ALWAYS!! Cycling is fun, show it!!
Yep, I've loved being on my road bike in full lycra and waving to people on all sorts of bikes as fellow cyclists. taking the hand off the handlebar for a second and saying "good afternoon" takes so little effort!
Truth, we had a huge 100 year old bike club in our community. It became so fitness and race oriented that a whole different club had to be formed just for social riders that literally were scorned on the first club's rides. Three years in, it is nearly as big and far more active.
I'm one of those cyclists who wears lycra and rides a race bike and trains and stuff but keep telling people *there are no rules* and *however you want to cycle it is the right way*! I love this message and wish everybody could see it. Just riding a bike, any bike, any how, is amazing! 💚
TheGschultz It’s cool that you care and you’re willing to help. Just let that person ask you for it. Let them tell you that they love riding but they’re experiencing some aches/pains and could you give them some advice. Offering unsolicited advice makes the other person feel judged, self-conscious, and associate those negative feelings with riding their bike.
Um, no. People riding like a$$holes is not fine. People riding dangerously is not fine. Cyclists who put others in danger, who piss off drivers so then they're more aggressive is not fine. Cyclists need to be conscientious and attentive and SAFE.
When I started riding it was initially just to lose weight. I got a pretty good price on a road\endurance bike and I was just gonna ride. I promised myself I would never be one of those guys in lycra. Then I lost 45 lbs. Then I bought lycra. lol.
@@jonstantine you can offer help while not being a dick about it. Preventing some pain and making someone feel better on a bike is a good cause in my opinion. Worst case is that someone is too shy to ask for help and not even realising that something is wrong, and giving up the cycling because of uncomfortability.
I don't care if there's someone riding on a Walmart bike, their seat is at wrong height, they have poor posture, they go slow, or they're a fat guy on a little bike. What I do care about is etiquette and the rules of the road!!! That's a safety issue and if riders are being unsafe, i let em know.
Fantastic message mate. I'm a new 50 something rider with my first 2nd hand road bike. I use training shoes on flats pedals and wear baggies because I feel self conscious in tight fitting clothes. I'm still learning and make mistakes all the time but I will not let the bike snob (in all the best gear and an expensive bike) who didn't acknowledge my wave yesterday on purpose make me feel less of a cyclist than him. You are quite right I'm one less car driver and that's a good thing surely. I'm a bit nervous of approaching a club because of this attitude by some.
Welcome! Damn glad to have you aboard! Here's my advice to you as a so-called "lone wolf" cyclist: Ride for yourself. Full stop. If you meet up with a club for a ride and the vibe is bad, just keep riding for yourself. There's no rule anywhere that says you have to join a club or do group rides or get the fancy kit any of that crap. I have been riding for only a few years now and most of the group rides I have been on have been with the dicks Phil talked about. And, to be fair, I have met some great folks on club rides, too. But I enjoyed every single ride because of the way riding makes me feel not because I was "part of a group". Bottom line: if you are on a bike then you are a cyclist. Don't ever forget that. Be safe out there!
Don't feel bad, I only get 50% wave backs, or sometimes less. I've been racing for years. Just know that guy might later think, "Man, I feel like a ahole. I should have been more friendly." Or whatever. You did the right thing, keep on keeping on!
I nod or flash my fingers off the handle bar when I cross paths with everyone on the bike path. Only about half respond in kind. The snobs just ride on. I focus those who respond and ignore the snobs.
2020: World stops. Everyone get on bikes. No rules, just put a ray of sunshine in your life and cycle. Triathletes: Yeah, no socks are fine! 2020: Curfews imposed.
Great message! One thing I'll add: I'm not about shaming anyone for how they're dressed or what they're riding. As an experienced cyclist I believe I have a responsibility to make sure that anyone I ride with in a group ride has a safe and fun experience. Part of that experience is to make sure that their bike is roadworthy, that nothing is loose that could cause them injury, that their helmet is adjusted so that it will stay on in the event they fall. And if they have any questions I want to be able to give them an honest answer which can include admitting I don't have an answer and directing them to someone who may actually know. This all comes under the heading of taking care of each other.
Well stated. Cycling is supposed to be fun. Cycling has a long association with empowering people (women especially). We all have a place in making cycling a welcoming place for all. And if nothing else, people who are discovering cycling now, may have more emphathy for cyclists as they drive their cars. I hope that everyone who cycles stops and reflects on what you have said.
I got a cheap $300 Vilano road bike on amazon 2 months ago and fell in love with cycling. I now have a trek Emonda ALR5 coming in tomorrow and I couldn’t be more excited! As a newbie I definitely can’t judge, I just love the sport and enjoy the rides. Stay safe 🤙
Please report back with how blown your mind is with the upgrade. Sincerely, a fellow Vilano rider who switched to a Canyon ultimate a couple years back.
i did (almost) the same! I bought a cheap 12 year old Cube and upgraded it to a Trek Emonda ALR5. It's a great bike! You'll love it! Have fun! And welcome to the cycling family :)
TRUTH -- I only started riding four years ago. Big factor in the beginning was how helpful, generous and non-judgmental other riders were toward me. I was a total rube, but they welcomed me to the group. Made an enormous difference.
4 года назад+68
Very well said Phil, damn I wish every cyclist had such a positive attitude !
It's really great to see someone so well respected within the competitive cycling world share this message. Cycling can feel like a pretty exclusive club, especially when you're first starting out. I still feel like a phony sometimes, but cycling doesn't need to be that serious.
Thanks for this. I remember my first cycling club ride. Was 17. On a Schwinn Letour with old school clips and sneakers. No one said anything. Was welcomed. Did get smoked by a 70 yr old though. Found out he was Nat time trail camp in his age group.
Bloody love this Phil. Great message to send, both parts a and b (and the bike shop part too - my local has made such a difference in me getting into biking by being genuine)!
Now we need to get bike mfg behind this thinking. It is hard to find a quality commuter bike (just because I am riding to work does not mean I don't want a smooth shifting reliable groupset).
*"The Rules"* [a-la Velominati] were meant to be tongue-in-cheek. The intent was/is always absurdist humour. Those who take them seriously are the ones being made fun of, but in a jovial sense. To those of us with experience, guide the newbies to being safe. Safety for themselves AND for motorists. Wean the Pedestrian mentality out. Help coax the 'We're all part of traffic, so act like traffic' mentality in. To which for both I mean, the need to be predictable and need to be aware of what is around you and act accordingly.
Cycling is all about having fun. I live in Italy and the thing I love the most about cycling is when you see another cyclist and you say hi to them, you get to talk with other cyclist, you help newer cyclist with things they don't know and the veterans help you with things you don't know and so much more... I don't care about how you look on the bike as Phil said, I don't care if you have a t-shirt and a pair of jeans... As long as you're cycling and you're friendly that's awesome! Keep going and you'll learn new things with every day. This is what I love about the cycling community and why I love cycling so much.
Yes, we do see an even larger uptick in cycling than we did in the last years here in germany, and we did see quite an increase in the last years to begin with. And it is great to see to get finally something done for us as well, like protected bike lanes in parts of Berlin for example. Your message is spot on, thanks for that.
agreed on the criticisms, even the "seat too low" thing. I feel drawn to offer these things where I think it will improve the ride, but it's better to just encourage people to ask questions if they're running into issues. THAT's when you can provide guidance. Otherwise, let them enjoy their new freedom!!
As someone who suffered with bad knees for years because I had my seat to low, it is now something I will politely suggest to friends of mine who are newer/less experienced at riding just to help them have a better time. I can see it is a tricky balance though between making it seem like there's so much that they're doing wrong, and trying to be helpful. The one definite for me though, is if my friend is wearing a helmet incorrectly, I will correct them. I haven't got an issue with them not wearing one, but if they've chosen to wear one, it may as well actually be worn correctly (again, I'll just do this politely to my friends).
One of the best things we ever did in one social cycling group I rode with was to run maintenance mornings, where we would run people through changing a tube and other minor roadside repairs, I've heard of people getting discouraged after having to get a taxi home with their bike all for the want of a spare tube and a couple of tools.
Exactly. Been totally put off club riding after 2 people on first ride separately chose to criticise my seat height, my shoes, my pedals. Went out to enjoy a ride and hoping to find a friendly club. Very upsetting. I didn't want any of this let alone about 15 minutes of it. Never again.
God I love your stuff! I really do, I got back to cycling after a 20 yr hiatus and doing 4k miles a year now and still intimidated by the "hard core" cyclists :)
I just started last month and was riding a shitty trail bike without a helmet but was just trying to ride any way I could. A guy flagged me down while I was riding and asked did I need a helmet. We talked for an hour. He gave me tips, the number to the bike shop he uses, and a week later I had a new great bike, a helmet, and a GREAT bike shop that has helped me repair my bike and given me riding tips. I'm hooked. I've been doing 40-60 miles almost every day.
I got into cycling last year, and it took as much time just learning about the 'rules' and etiquette as it did getting my fitness up. Hopefully with more new riders the pretentiousness fades a bit. You really don't need Dura-Ace Di2, a carbon bike, drop bars, clipless pedals, Sutro shades, Zipp rims, or even any lycra to get out and enjoy the experience.
@@brunospasta 25 year ago beginner me: "oh, i'm not wearing those stupid shorts" Today me: checking UPS tracking on the custom kit my buddy designed for us before going for a ride on a bike just like @Drew Mac described
Thank you so much! An old cyclist and some of the local biking community ruined the last few years of my life when it came to biking. I own three bikes ...one $10k carbon fiber and ive grown to despise cycling. I have all these pressures now i can't seem to get out of under and when i got back into it a couple years ago i had that innocence of my childhood. I haven't stopped riding but i have to work everyday mentally to remember to just have fun. So thank you so very very much!!!
I started cycling last year, my first bike was a Roadtech road bike from walmart i got for $50 off CL. I built my second bike alone with the help of some Diy YT'bers. Its a Chinese carbon frame with Sram rival crankset my only roadie friend hooked me up with. I love this sport, it keeps me fit and helps me clear my mind.
This video is critical. Thanks for posting. My club and I host a no drop, new cyclist ride every week and have had a large influx of people showing up. It has been amazing. My one advice to the experienced guys is try not to show off to the new people please!! As with any sport, people get competitive and want to show off how strong and fast they are. In my opinion, nothing will discourage a new rider more than turning a ride into a hammerfest. Some will want to go faster and trust me, they will ask you if there is a fast ride. Be personable, get to know them on the rides and allow them to learn the fundamentals at their respective fitness levels.
Two more things: Newbies and long timers both need to obey traffic signs and signals and ride with three times as much defensive attitude as they have when driving a car, because as Phil says, car drivers can be jerks. I love this video because as a recumbent trike rider, I've seen my share of snobby idiots who think their way is the only way to ride. Get real! Any bike or trike is the way to ride! Great video, Phil. Thanks for posting it!
Can’t agree more with this!!!! I can’t tell you the amount of cyclist I’ve seen blatantly running through red lights, it’s just not a good look. Obey the law and then drivers and other people won’t think of us as such dicks.
I just found your channel, This is a great video. Biking is fun! I'm by no means super serious, but, I love cycling every day and I've been doing my best to get friends involved. They are all so intimidated, and I just want them to come ride around the block with me. I know they'll love it.
Love your perspective Phil! Although it's been a little overwhelming at times, I love how many friends have asked me to tune up and fix their bikes, many of which hadn't been ridden for years. Hope to help ignite that spark!
Loved this! 😂 First thing I was told when I started riding was the sunglasses not in your straps thing lol! Everyone should feel welcome and not feel guilty about not “looking” the part or comparing themselves
Such a good message. I’m mostly a runner but have been riding road bikes for the last 3 years and the most of the older riders I have met suck so much. Find a group that supports you and avoid the crowd that judge based on your saddle bag, jersey, etc.
I salute you!!!!!! I am one of the new riders 4 months in I’ve gone from a comfort bike to a fitness bike to now I’m officially a road’e I love the sport I’m so addicted to cycling. I’m never going back. Again salute to you brother. Thank you for this video
Can we add "Encourage big cyclists!". I'm one of these new 'quarantine bikers' and it's been awesome. I started out nearly 300lbs with a cheap mtb and ended up not riding most of the trails but mostly road. That's where the ever elusive GRAVEL bike came on my radar. Perfect for me on light well groomed dirt trails and road. 2 bikes in one! I was riding a small section of Mulholland for the first time yesterday. From Las Virgenes to Cornel. Had two guys in matching outfits pass me. I was terribly slow. But it was 95+ at 2PM and I was at mile 50. A small word of encouragement or "you got this" will go a long way for a big guy like me. I've lost nearly 40LBS so far and I'm hoping for more as I keep increasing milage and climbs. Your videos have me hooked and I'm making videos all about my bike now~! love your content, funny jokes, and inspiring rides. kudos!!
Awesome message, Phil! It means a lot coming from you! I have shared this with our ride leaders, who do group rides for the largest bike club in the US, Cascade Bike Club. You Rock!
Such a great an important message. First impressions can have a HUGE effect. Long ago when I first started, I did a shop ride and was so immediately turned off by the folks on the ride and the shop owner's attitude that I still won't set foot in that shop nearly 20 years after the fact. I've since had on and off forays into serious cycling and even worked at a great shop for a few years. The shop I won't visit is literally down the road from my current neighborhood and I still drive right on past it to my preferred shop further south. I keep telling myself to make a visit in the hope that they have changed, but can't bring myself to bother with a visit.
one thing I don't agree with is the bike shops pushing E-bikes onto the inexperienced. You get people that might have never ridden a bike going 28 miles per hour on the bike paths. It's not safe. Speeds like that require experience. If it comes for free people aren't safe with it. If you do have an Ebike please stay off the bike path. Mopeds to be classified as a moped you need to be going under 31 miles per hour. Many E-bikes go 28. Why should they be allowed on sidewalks? Keep them safe for people that want to use them.
Patrick M-Yes, I’m not feeling the sudden proliferation of E-bikes on the bike paths. While some only have assist, many now have throttles or “boost” buttons and go fast. Worse, many of the new E-cyclists lack riding etiquette. I’m not talking bike snob etiquette, rather good manners and common sense-for instance look where you’re going on the suddenly crowded paths! I am, of course, truly glad more people are cycling-it should improve the common headspace.
So nice to see this video. I'm not new but also not a hard core rider (10-20 mile rides) and at 62 just want to stay fit. Thank you for your words, so well done....I loved it.
Amen Phil! I'll be moving back to California from Amsterdam in the fall and dreading the assh@#s on the road. I sure hope to advocate for a more bike friendly USA upon my return.
@@einundsiebenziger5488 i agree with you. Its cuz Phil said your seat height is fine, your sock height is fine... etc. Basically he was saying don't worry about any of these things, and i was saying yes don't worry about anything just get on your bike and have fun like Phil says, but i disagree that saddle height doesn't matter cuz it does, and also please wear a helmet.
im coming back to cycling after years of being lazy and not feeling my best emotionally and physically. I feel better even after my short rides, feel like a kid again. im happy people are getting into the sport and im so happy to get back into things. I may be a husky fellow but yknow what i love what i do and ill wear my jersey again with pride. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience and love the joy of riding no matter what they got they're butt on!
Great words of wisdom Phil. I was in my local shop and watched them help everyone get their old bikes back in good shape, it is do encouraging to see. Thanks for you words!!
Honestly couldn't agree more. As someone that's ridden bikes for years and just getting into it more seriously I am soo stoked to see more people getting on two wheels and getting out whatever form that takes. It's a crazy, turbulent time but this could be one good thing to come out of all of it.
This is the type of message needed for the cycling community. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that what you’re doing isn’t right you’re riding no matter what and that’s the important thing!
Thanks Phil, is a very good message to all those new to cycling and also all those not so new to cycling. It's not an exclusive club, welcome with open arms as once you were hoping to be received with open arms too...peace
We were all newbies once. I started "serious" cycling in 1980. Got into racing, and was in the sport for over 25 years. And I still remember very early on getting chastised on a small group ride with a few very experienced racers, by one guy who didn't like the dorky hard shell helmet I was wearing, telling me to take it off or I couldn't ride with them. So I took it off and rode with them. That didn't make me feel good at all, but I persevered. Even after I became much more experienced, and my ability got much higher, I don't think I ever treated another cyclist like that.
I've been an active cyclist for over 30 years and love the newcomers out there. Great message to all of us! Keep up the great work, my brother! 😎 PS. Loved the " Shave your whole body" comment.
As someone who really just rides for enjoyment on a Saturday afternoon but has 6 bike jerseys and a sweet handlebar bag (it's adorable) - i say THANK YOU for this. I think I love you. I might just ride on Sunday afternoons now, too. Wish more people had your welcoming attitude!
I came to Los Angeles in 1997 for a job which I thought would last me for a year but I'm still here. The first thing I did was to buy a bike. I thought I didn't need a car for just a year and the weather is so nice here compared to Belgium. I immediately became the weird guy at work. People introduced me to others and always added "he rides his bike to work" like it was something alien to them. (my commute was only 3.5 miles). I never had any problems with cyclist but drivers is another story. Thank you Phil for sending out the right message.
Thanks for this man! I’m a newbie and I’m definitely addicted. Went in today for clipless pedals. I’m ready to take it onto the next level and I’ve had so much luck having supportive and friendly cyclists around me!
Thank you so much for this reassurance! I went to a bike shop and told them it was my first road bike ( I’ve done MTB and BMX). They were just so pushy on all carbon, high end group set etc etc. I told them I had a $1500 budget, which should be plenty for my first time. I did my own research and came back to buy one that fit my needs and budget. They tried doing me like the financial dept at a dealership after your car purchase and tried to sell me $1000 worth of accessories. I left went on specialized website and bought quality accessories on sale.
Great message. I'm a newbie as of a few months ago and bought a used road/gravel bike (two sets of wheels) to go on family rides with the wife and kids and also for my own personal exercise on solo rides when I can push it. I'm personally having a great time exploring roads and unpaved paths while getting in better shape, but I can tell there's a bit of attitude or something going on when crossing paths with other experience road riders. They aren't aggressive or anything, but there's something in the air. Maybe because I'm not conforming to the mold of what a cyclist should look like while wearing a skateboard style helmet, loose fitting breathable sports t-shirt, sports shorts over cycling shorts and mountain bike style clipless shoes on a half flat/half clipless pedal. But I'm fine with that. I wear what I wear because it makes sense to me for what I want to do and I'm comfortable while doing it. I try to be courteous to both cars and other cyclists as that is what I expect myself but if I don't get it, I'm fine with that too as long as I'm safe. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and have fun doing it. BTW, I would have gotten into this years ago had I not had such a negative view of road cycling and I really hope the new interest in this sport/activity changes the negative perception many people have with it.
Dude, I just started watching your videos and I love your passion. This is awesome and I'll keep tuned in. I'm trying to get more people on the bike in my area, it's great to see the enthusiasm. Enjoy the retirement!
Thank you for this messsage! The cycling community can be one of the best in the world at bringing people together, and having the oldsters welcoming the newbies rather than criticizing them is the best suggestion I've heard yet! We're all brothers and sisters, no matter what we ride and how we ride it. Let's just have fun together.
What a great video!! (Subscribed!) So well so said. My first ride was 18miles and I absolutely loved every mile of it and was immediately hooked. But at the end of the ride, the guy I rode with did nothing but moan at me about anything and everything, I was going too fast/slow, my socks were too short and the wrong colour. My bike needed this that and the other doing to it....I haven’t rode with him since. I then went to a local bike club and got much the same attitude?? Over here in England we generally call these types of pretentious people “Cocks”! I found a nice couple of genuine blokes whilst out on the road one day, that just enjoy getting out on the bike. I continue to enjoy every mile I ride. Again great video mate, you hit the nail on the head! 👍👍👍
I've been loving seeing the smiles of people on my local lanes on sit up town bikes and cheap mountain bikes when I'm on my road bike, clip on TT bars, lycra, aero helmet etc. and still give them a wave. I hope they feel that when a "roadie" gives them a smile and a wave they have been noticed and appreciated as fellow cyclist.
Good advice. Have cycled all my old, long life. That said, I was not into it as I am now, thanks to youth cycling and my daughter being a part of it. It took me 3 years to integrate into a cycle club (a very competitive one) and to be accepted into the general community. I thought it should have been easier. I was made fun of, and I was kind of discouraged. That personally gets me mad and makes me try harder. Not everyone operates in that fashion. Please everyone, make it easier on the newbies. Accept them into your small communities. Create a C group for your rides. Eventually, they will catch up and add to the stoke.
What an awesome video!!! I've been cycling for 22 years. I lead my clubs Development ride and I LOVE it when new cyclists turn up! Oh, I Everested in 2015, I was #529 worldwide, but, it wasn't QUITE as fast as yours ;) A very MASSIVE well done!
Where I live there's a women's group ride, and we cheer each other on as people are reaching the top of a climb. It's been a really great bit of support if you're still pretty new to cycling or if it's the first time you've ever climbed that hill.
Love this! I love cycling and this is exactly what we need to do - we need to welcome anyone who is interested and bring them into the fold, no criticisms, no snobbery, none of that stuff...just enjoy riding your bike
I would hit the like button twice if I could! Amen! My biggest worry is folks riding against traffic. I’m seeing it here a lot in Vegas. When was that taught? Like the 60’s?
I can tell the newbies on the road (biking increasing in Corona, Ca. too) THEY WAVE BACK AT ME!!!! Lets wave and say hi, I always ride in the morning and say 'good morning' to riders, joggers, walkers, the optics is better for us. I also wave to every car that moves to the left a bit to give us space when the car is passing, sometimes they wave back. Thanks Phil!!!!
Thank you Phil!!!! All of this needed to be said. It's all about being out there turning the cranks. Keep on keepin on brother, life's a garden, dig it.
Usually I don’t make YT or any other sort of web based commentary, but I felt the need to tell you that, besides all of your other useful videos, this one deserves my true respect! This was a genuinely good advice. Kudos for you 👍
AMEN! Ride the bike you like, in the clothes you like, where you like! I've been making sure to wave and smile to everyone I see on a bike out there and words of encouragement to kids out there. I've done a century in jeans you don't need Lyrcra unless you like it/want it!
I recently got into cycling because of gyms being closed and I’m loving it. I found an ‘89 Cannondale road bike on Craigslist and have been crushing a lot of rides with it - starting to experiment and will be joining in some groups rides once I feel more comfortable. The thought I keep having is that I wish I got into cycling sooner - my BMI is already down a lot and I’ve lost about 10 pounds since starting. I’ve also been spending money on a bunch of things here and there but I suppose that’s just part of the sport. I love these videos they’ve already taught me a lot. Please keep making them!
One thing to add is to always say 'Hello'' or just give a friendly wave to all our cycling buddies out there
Glad you noticed this too! To experienced cyclists; don't be snobby dickhead, WAVE to other cyclists!!! I don't give a crap if you're riding a big wheel, I'll wave to you ALWAYS!! Cycling is fun, show it!!
Nobody in the bay area does this :(
Start it! :)
Yep, I've loved being on my road bike in full lycra and waving to people on all sorts of bikes as fellow cyclists. taking the hand off the handlebar for a second and saying "good afternoon" takes so little effort!
Theodore Roberts but I’m in an aero position, I can’t move lol
ONE. OF. US. 🚴🏼♀️🚴🏾♂️🚴🏻♂️🚴🏽♀️🚴🏿♂️🚴🏽♂️
ONE! OF! US! Gooble-gobble! Gooble-gobble!
ONE! OF! US!
One of us!!!
Freaks! Freaks!!!
When he says to experienced cyclists, "don't you screw this up"!
Truth, we had a huge 100 year old bike club in our community. It became so fitness and race oriented that a whole different club had to be formed just for social riders that literally were scorned on the first club's rides. Three years in, it is nearly as big and far more active.
One new cyclist is one less driver honking at us - Love it!
RUclips needs a "love" option.
I'm one of those cyclists who wears lycra and rides a race bike and trains and stuff but keep telling people *there are no rules* and *however you want to cycle it is the right way*! I love this message and wish everybody could see it. Just riding a bike, any bike, any how, is amazing! 💚
TheGschultz It’s cool that you care and you’re willing to help. Just let that person ask you for it. Let them tell you that they love riding but they’re experiencing some aches/pains and could you give them some advice. Offering unsolicited advice makes the other person feel judged, self-conscious, and associate those negative feelings with riding their bike.
Um, no. People riding like a$$holes is not fine. People riding dangerously is not fine. Cyclists who put others in danger, who piss off drivers so then they're more aggressive is not fine. Cyclists need to be conscientious and attentive and SAFE.
When I started riding it was initially just to lose weight. I got a pretty good price on a road\endurance bike and I was just gonna ride. I promised myself I would never be one of those guys in lycra. Then I lost 45 lbs. Then I bought lycra. lol.
@@jonstantine you can offer help while not being a dick about it. Preventing some pain and making someone feel better on a bike is a good cause in my opinion.
Worst case is that someone is too shy to ask for help and not even realising that something is wrong, and giving up the cycling because of uncomfortability.
I don't care if there's someone riding on a Walmart bike, their seat is at wrong height, they have poor posture, they go slow, or they're a fat guy on a little bike. What I do care about is etiquette and the rules of the road!!! That's a safety issue and if riders are being unsafe, i let em know.
This is literally the best thing I’ve heard on cycling, EVER!
Fantastic message mate. I'm a new 50 something rider with my first 2nd hand road bike. I use training shoes on flats pedals and wear baggies because I feel self conscious in tight fitting clothes. I'm still learning and make mistakes all the time but I will not let the bike snob (in all the best gear and an expensive bike) who didn't acknowledge my wave yesterday on purpose make me feel less of a cyclist than him. You are quite right I'm one less car driver and that's a good thing surely. I'm a bit nervous of approaching a club because of this attitude by some.
Welcome! Damn glad to have you aboard! Here's my advice to you as a so-called "lone wolf" cyclist: Ride for yourself. Full stop. If you meet up with a club for a ride and the vibe is bad, just keep riding for yourself. There's no rule anywhere that says you have to join a club or do group rides or get the fancy kit any of that crap. I have been riding for only a few years now and most of the group rides I have been on have been with the dicks Phil talked about. And, to be fair, I have met some great folks on club rides, too. But I enjoyed every single ride because of the way riding makes me feel not because I was "part of a group". Bottom line: if you are on a bike then you are a cyclist. Don't ever forget that. Be safe out there!
👋 from a fellow cyclist. Welcome!
Don't feel bad, I only get 50% wave backs, or sometimes less. I've been racing for years.
Just know that guy might later think, "Man, I feel like a ahole. I should have been more friendly." Or whatever.
You did the right thing, keep on keeping on!
Welcome aboard :)
I nod or flash my fingers off the handle bar when I cross paths with everyone on the bike path. Only about half respond in kind. The snobs just ride on. I focus those who respond and ignore the snobs.
"Your sock height is fine." As a sockless triathlete, I needed to hear this. Thanks, Phil ❤
except you
Socks height is fine. Not using them is not fine.
Jk
I was so confused on ig the other day, I had no idea people were actually throwing shade at Orla Walsh for that, honestly thought it was a joke.
2020: World stops. Everyone get on bikes. No rules, just put a ray of sunshine in your life and cycle.
Triathletes: Yeah, no socks are fine!
2020: Curfews imposed.
@@CyberdyneSystemsSkynet Orla has transformed herself into a total badass - if anyone can take it, she can
Great message! One thing I'll add: I'm not about shaming anyone for how they're dressed or what they're riding. As an experienced cyclist I believe I have a responsibility to make sure that anyone I ride with in a group ride has a safe and fun experience. Part of that experience is to make sure that their bike is roadworthy, that nothing is loose that could cause them injury, that their helmet is adjusted so that it will stay on in the event they fall. And if they have any questions I want to be able to give them an honest answer which can include admitting I don't have an answer and directing them to someone who may actually know. This all comes under the heading of taking care of each other.
I'll keep on with my running shoes on my Shimano flats! To each his own, i'm just stoked to be out there pedaling my ass off :)
Yep, flat pedals are great. I did a 320km ride with them last year. Everything in my body was sore afterwards from fatigue, except my feet.
@@J.P.1. Haha
Well stated. Cycling is supposed to be fun. Cycling has a long association with empowering people (women especially). We all have a place in making cycling a welcoming place for all. And if nothing else, people who are discovering cycling now, may have more emphathy for cyclists as they drive their cars. I hope that everyone who cycles stops and reflects on what you have said.
I got a cheap $300 Vilano road bike on amazon 2 months ago and fell in love with cycling. I now have a trek Emonda ALR5 coming in tomorrow and I couldn’t be more excited! As a newbie I definitely can’t judge, I just love the sport and enjoy the rides. Stay safe 🤙
Please report back with how blown your mind is with the upgrade. Sincerely, a fellow Vilano rider who switched to a Canyon ultimate a couple years back.
Kevin Ruane 🤯
Thats where I started! Cheep bile that I rode the wheels off of. Keep it going.
i did (almost) the same!
I bought a cheap 12 year old Cube and upgraded it to a Trek Emonda ALR5. It's a great bike! You'll love it! Have fun!
And welcome to the cycling family :)
You chose a great sport mate. Just be careful...it gets in your blood and takes over like a drug as the man said! :-) Enjoy the new wheels!
Yes! We won't screw this up Phil.
TRUTH -- I only started riding four years ago. Big factor in the beginning was how helpful, generous and non-judgmental other riders were toward me. I was a total rube, but they welcomed me to the group. Made an enormous difference.
Very well said Phil, damn I wish every cyclist had such a positive attitude !
It's really great to see someone so well respected within the competitive cycling world share this message. Cycling can feel like a pretty exclusive club, especially when you're first starting out. I still feel like a phony sometimes, but cycling doesn't need to be that serious.
Yes!!! Long time cyclist and I couldn't agree more
Thanks for this. I remember my first cycling club ride. Was 17. On a Schwinn Letour with old school clips and sneakers. No one said anything. Was welcomed. Did get smoked by a 70 yr old though. Found out he was Nat time trail camp in his age group.
Yep. 1987 Schwinn Le Tour to be more precise.
Bloody love this Phil. Great message to send, both parts a and b (and the bike shop part too - my local has made such a difference in me getting into biking by being genuine)!
Now we need to get bike mfg behind this thinking. It is hard to find a quality commuter bike (just because I am riding to work does not mean I don't want a smooth shifting reliable groupset).
*"The Rules"* [a-la Velominati] were meant to be tongue-in-cheek. The intent was/is always absurdist humour.
Those who take them seriously are the ones being made fun of, but in a jovial sense.
To those of us with experience, guide the newbies to being safe. Safety for themselves AND for motorists.
Wean the Pedestrian mentality out.
Help coax the 'We're all part of traffic, so act like traffic' mentality in.
To which for both I mean, the need to be predictable and need to be aware of what is around you and act accordingly.
Great video, embrace the diversity to build a better, safer future for every cyclist.
Cycling is all about having fun. I live in Italy and the thing I love the most about cycling is when you see another cyclist and you say hi to them, you get to talk with other cyclist, you help newer cyclist with things they don't know and the veterans help you with things you don't know and so much more... I don't care about how you look on the bike as Phil said, I don't care if you have a t-shirt and a pair of jeans... As long as you're cycling and you're friendly that's awesome! Keep going and you'll learn new things with every day. This is what I love about the cycling community and why I love cycling so much.
And don't forget the cookies!
mmm cookies.
Weed cookies
Yes, we do see an even larger uptick in cycling than we did in the last years here in germany, and we did see quite an increase in the last years to begin with. And it is great to see to get finally something done for us as well, like protected bike lanes in parts of Berlin for example.
Your message is spot on, thanks for that.
I started bike commuting like a month ago in Berlin and I love it!
This may be THE BEST message I've ever heard to, and about, bicyclists. Thanks brother!
agreed on the criticisms, even the "seat too low" thing. I feel drawn to offer these things where I think it will improve the ride, but it's better to just encourage people to ask questions if they're running into issues. THAT's when you can provide guidance. Otherwise, let them enjoy their new freedom!!
As someone who suffered with bad knees for years because I had my seat to low, it is now something I will politely suggest to friends of mine who are newer/less experienced at riding just to help them have a better time.
I can see it is a tricky balance though between making it seem like there's so much that they're doing wrong, and trying to be helpful.
The one definite for me though, is if my friend is wearing a helmet incorrectly, I will correct them. I haven't got an issue with them not wearing one, but if they've chosen to wear one, it may as well actually be worn correctly (again, I'll just do this politely to my friends).
One of the best things we ever did in one social cycling group I rode with was to run maintenance mornings, where we would run people through changing a tube and other minor roadside repairs, I've heard of people getting discouraged after having to get a taxi home with their bike all for the want of a spare tube and a couple of tools.
Yea this is one of the important things imo. I try to advise it as friendly as possible.
Exactly. Been totally put off club riding after 2 people on first ride separately chose to criticise my seat height, my shoes, my pedals. Went out to enjoy a ride and hoping to find a friendly club. Very upsetting. I didn't want any of this let alone about 15 minutes of it. Never again.
God I love your stuff! I really do, I got back to cycling after a 20 yr hiatus and doing 4k miles a year now and still intimidated by the "hard core" cyclists :)
Just tell them to get lost. Just get out and have fun!
Don't be intimidated, some of them just look hard core.
I just started last month and was riding a shitty trail bike without a helmet but was just trying to ride any way I could. A guy flagged me down while I was riding and asked did I need a helmet. We talked for an hour. He gave me tips, the number to the bike shop he uses, and a week later I had a new great bike, a helmet, and a GREAT bike shop that has helped me repair my bike and given me riding tips. I'm hooked. I've been doing 40-60 miles almost every day.
Love this! Welcome!
I got into cycling last year, and it took as much time just learning about the 'rules' and etiquette as it did getting my fitness up. Hopefully with more new riders the pretentiousness fades a bit. You really don't need Dura-Ace Di2, a carbon bike, drop bars, clipless pedals, Sutro shades, Zipp rims, or even any lycra to get out and enjoy the experience.
Been biking for decades and still do not have this stuff. 🤣 I do have 6 bikes though... because you know n + 1. It is addicting.. so be careful. 😉
You forgot $1000 Rapha kit .....
To me it feels like this is what we all say in the beginning just to end up with exactly that stuff later down the road :D :D
@@CraigEngstrom1 As Phil said - slippery slope :-)
@@brunospasta 25 year ago beginner me: "oh, i'm not wearing those stupid shorts" Today me: checking UPS tracking on the custom kit my buddy designed for us before going for a ride on a bike just like @Drew Mac described
Thank you so much! An old cyclist and some of the local biking community ruined the last few years of my life when it came to biking. I own three bikes ...one $10k carbon fiber and ive grown to despise cycling. I have all these pressures now i can't seem to get out of under and when i got back into it a couple years ago i had that innocence of my childhood.
I haven't stopped riding but i have to work everyday mentally to remember to just have fun. So thank you so very very much!!!
uplifting and inclusive.....we need this and more of it! Right on Phil
Good man! My wife just bought an E bike and joined me and the dog for an hour as we ran through the woods, she loved it and loves her new bike.
this video just destroyed about 80% of my biking insecurities :D
Perfectly said, we ALL need to be enjoying it and supporting each other 🚴🏻🍻👍
I started cycling last year, my first bike was a Roadtech road bike from walmart i got for $50 off CL. I built my second bike alone with the help of some Diy YT'bers. Its a Chinese carbon frame with Sram rival crankset my only roadie friend hooked me up with. I love this sport, it keeps me fit and helps me clear my mind.
This video is critical. Thanks for posting. My club and I host a no drop, new cyclist ride every week and have had a large influx of people showing up. It has been amazing. My one advice to the experienced guys is try not to show off to the new people please!! As with any sport, people get competitive and want to show off how strong and fast they are. In my opinion, nothing will discourage a new rider more than turning a ride into a hammerfest. Some will want to go faster and trust me, they will ask you if there is a fast ride. Be personable, get to know them on the rides and allow them to learn the fundamentals at their respective fitness levels.
Two more things: Newbies and long timers both need to obey traffic signs and signals and ride with three times as much defensive attitude as they have when driving a car, because as Phil says, car drivers can be jerks. I love this video because as a recumbent trike rider, I've seen my share of snobby idiots who think their way is the only way to ride. Get real! Any bike or trike is the way to ride! Great video, Phil. Thanks for posting it!
Can’t agree more with this!!!!
I can’t tell you the amount of cyclist I’ve seen blatantly running through red lights, it’s just not a good look. Obey the law and then drivers and other people won’t think of us as such dicks.
Red means look before you run it. TODO: One make sure your not going to die. Two make sure a cop doesn't see it.
I just found your channel, This is a great video. Biking is fun! I'm by no means super serious, but, I love cycling every day and I've been doing my best to get friends involved. They are all so intimidated, and I just want them to come ride around the block with me. I know they'll love it.
Love your perspective Phil! Although it's been a little overwhelming at times, I love how many friends have asked me to tune up and fix their bikes, many of which hadn't been ridden for years. Hope to help ignite that spark!
One way to get lots of friends - tell them you know how to tune and service a bike :-)
An amazing message for all!! I thank you sir. You are the best
Loved this! 😂 First thing I was told when I started riding was the sunglasses not in your straps thing lol! Everyone should feel welcome and not feel guilty about not “looking” the part or comparing themselves
Such a good message. I’m mostly a runner but have been riding road bikes for the last 3 years and the most of the older riders I have met suck so much. Find a group that supports you and avoid the crowd that judge based on your saddle bag, jersey, etc.
I can almost read the script from sunglasses. ;)
Call it speaking points 🙂
all the best speakers use notes my friend.
Phil's the realist right now! Excellent message and appropriately timed. I have so many friends asking me about cycling and I'm here for it!
This is the best cycling motivated video every. “You are all perfect!”
I salute you!!!!!! I am one of the new riders 4 months in I’ve gone from a comfort bike to a fitness bike to now I’m officially a road’e I love the sport I’m so addicted to cycling. I’m never going back. Again salute to you brother. Thank you for this video
3:04 this had me genuinely laughing out loud. So true! They don't know (yet) what they're getting into. So well said Phil!!
Can we add "Encourage big cyclists!". I'm one of these new 'quarantine bikers' and it's been awesome. I started out nearly 300lbs with a cheap mtb and ended up not riding most of the trails but mostly road. That's where the ever elusive GRAVEL bike came on my radar. Perfect for me on light well groomed dirt trails and road. 2 bikes in one! I was riding a small section of Mulholland for the first time yesterday. From Las Virgenes to Cornel. Had two guys in matching outfits pass me. I was terribly slow. But it was 95+ at 2PM and I was at mile 50. A small word of encouragement or "you got this" will go a long way for a big guy like me. I've lost nearly 40LBS so far and I'm hoping for more as I keep increasing milage and climbs. Your videos have me hooked and I'm making videos all about my bike now~! love your content, funny jokes, and inspiring rides. kudos!!
Thanks for the video, as a newcomer to the sport this is really encouraging!
Awesome message, Phil! It means a lot coming from you! I have shared this with our ride leaders, who do group rides for the largest bike club in the US, Cascade Bike Club. You Rock!
Phil Gaimon! You are just “The Best of The Best”!! Much Respect and Love. Thank you for this video.
Such a great an important message. First impressions can have a HUGE effect. Long ago when I first started, I did a shop ride and was so immediately turned off by the folks on the ride and the shop owner's attitude that I still won't set foot in that shop nearly 20 years after the fact. I've since had on and off forays into serious cycling and even worked at a great shop for a few years. The shop I won't visit is literally down the road from my current neighborhood and I still drive right on past it to my preferred shop further south. I keep telling myself to make a visit in the hope that they have changed, but can't bring myself to bother with a visit.
"you gotta shave your entire body" lmao
and so what ad rolls after that...manscaping "ball mower" with LED lights and 7k RPM... :-))
says the guy with the 7 day beard growth and shaggy hair
THANK YOU PHIL I LOVE CYCLING NOW I JUST STARTED IN JANUARY AND I FEEL AWESOME RIDING EVERYDAY
one thing I don't agree with is the bike shops pushing E-bikes onto the inexperienced. You get people that might have never ridden a bike going 28 miles per hour on the bike paths. It's not safe. Speeds like that require experience. If it comes for free people aren't safe with it.
If you do have an Ebike please stay off the bike path. Mopeds to be classified as a moped you need to be going under 31 miles per hour. Many E-bikes go 28. Why should they be allowed on sidewalks? Keep them safe for people that want to use them.
Patrick M-Yes, I’m not feeling the sudden proliferation of E-bikes on the bike paths. While some only have assist, many now have throttles or “boost” buttons and go fast. Worse, many of the new E-cyclists lack riding etiquette. I’m not talking bike snob etiquette, rather good manners and common sense-for instance look where you’re going on the suddenly crowded paths! I am, of course, truly glad more people are cycling-it should improve the common headspace.
So nice to see this video. I'm not new but also not a hard core rider (10-20 mile rides) and at 62 just want to stay fit. Thank you for your words, so well done....I loved it.
This is a great video for motivation for new cyclists! Keep up the content :D
Amen Phil! I'll be moving back to California from Amsterdam in the fall and dreading the assh@#s on the road. I sure hope to advocate for a more bike friendly USA upon my return.
Agreed! All except saddle height is important and wear a helmet!!!
All except saddle height is un-important* (too low ruins your knees, too high ruins your back and hips, that's why saddle height does matter.
@@einundsiebenziger5488 i agree with you. Its cuz Phil said your seat height is fine, your sock height is fine... etc. Basically he was saying don't worry about any of these things, and i was saying yes don't worry about anything just get on your bike and have fun like Phil says, but i disagree that saddle height doesn't matter cuz it does, and also please wear a helmet.
im coming back to cycling after years of being lazy and not feeling my best emotionally and physically. I feel better even after my short rides, feel like a kid again. im happy people are getting into the sport and im so happy to get back into things. I may be a husky fellow but yknow what i love what i do and ill wear my jersey again with pride. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience and love the joy of riding no matter what they got they're butt on!
The sanest, kindest advice I've heard today. Thanks, Phil.
Great words of wisdom Phil. I was in my local shop and watched them help everyone get their old bikes back in good shape, it is do encouraging to see. Thanks for you words!!
"...you do have to worry about a couple of things, just two little things" 😂😂
Oh behalf of the noobs, no words for how much I love this! Thank you Phil.
This is so freaking awesome - love it, thank you
Honestly couldn't agree more. As someone that's ridden bikes for years and just getting into it more seriously I am soo stoked to see more people getting on two wheels and getting out whatever form that takes. It's a crazy, turbulent time but this could be one good thing to come out of all of it.
this needs to be an international PSA to cyclists everywhere.
"They are one of us"- exactly. Love it!! Thanks Phil
If you have a helmet don't wear it backwards, and it works best when it's on your head.
This is the type of message needed for the cycling community. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that what you’re doing isn’t right you’re riding no matter what and that’s the important thing!
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been cycling for 2 years now and still learning and growing.
Thanks Phil, is a very good message to all those new to cycling and also all those not so new to cycling. It's not an exclusive club, welcome with open arms as once you were hoping to be received with open arms too...peace
We were all newbies once. I started "serious" cycling in 1980. Got into racing, and was in the sport for over 25 years. And I still remember very early on getting chastised on a small group ride with a few very experienced racers, by one guy who didn't like the dorky hard shell helmet I was wearing, telling me to take it off or I couldn't ride with them. So I took it off and rode with them. That didn't make me feel good at all, but I persevered. Even after I became much more experienced, and my ability got much higher, I don't think I ever treated another cyclist like that.
I've been an active cyclist for over 30 years and love the newcomers out there. Great message to all of us! Keep up the great work, my brother! 😎
PS. Loved the " Shave your whole body" comment.
As someone who really just rides for enjoyment on a Saturday afternoon but has 6 bike jerseys and a sweet handlebar bag (it's adorable) - i say THANK YOU for this. I think I love you. I might just ride on Sunday afternoons now, too. Wish more people had your welcoming attitude!
I came to Los Angeles in 1997 for a job which I thought would last me for a year but I'm still here. The first thing I did was to buy a bike. I thought I didn't need a car for just a year and the weather is so nice here compared to Belgium. I immediately became the weird guy at work. People introduced me to others and always added "he rides his bike to work" like it was something alien to them. (my commute was only 3.5 miles). I never had any problems with cyclist but drivers is another story. Thank you Phil for sending out the right message.
Thanks for this man! I’m a newbie and I’m definitely addicted. Went in today for clipless pedals. I’m ready to take it onto the next level and I’ve had so much luck having supportive and friendly cyclists around me!
Thank you so much for this reassurance! I went to a bike shop and told them it was my first road bike ( I’ve done MTB and BMX). They were just so pushy on all carbon, high end group set etc etc. I told them I had a $1500 budget, which should be plenty for my first time. I did my own research and came back to buy one that fit my needs and budget. They tried doing me like the financial dept at a dealership after your car purchase and tried to sell me $1000 worth of accessories. I left went on specialized website and bought quality accessories on sale.
Well said Phil!!! Share the love, be kind and keep smiling
Great message. I'm a newbie as of a few months ago and bought a used road/gravel bike (two sets of wheels) to go on family rides with the wife and kids and also for my own personal exercise on solo rides when I can push it. I'm personally having a great time exploring roads and unpaved paths while getting in better shape, but I can tell there's a bit of attitude or something going on when crossing paths with other experience road riders. They aren't aggressive or anything, but there's something in the air. Maybe because I'm not conforming to the mold of what a cyclist should look like while wearing a skateboard style helmet, loose fitting breathable sports t-shirt, sports shorts over cycling shorts and mountain bike style clipless shoes on a half flat/half clipless pedal. But I'm fine with that. I wear what I wear because it makes sense to me for what I want to do and I'm comfortable while doing it. I try to be courteous to both cars and other cyclists as that is what I expect myself but if I don't get it, I'm fine with that too as long as I'm safe. I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and have fun doing it. BTW, I would have gotten into this years ago had I not had such a negative view of road cycling and I really hope the new interest in this sport/activity changes the negative perception many people have with it.
Dude, I just started watching your videos and I love your passion. This is awesome and I'll keep tuned in. I'm trying to get more people on the bike in my area, it's great to see the enthusiasm. Enjoy the retirement!
Thank you for this messsage! The cycling community can be one of the best in the world at bringing people together, and having the oldsters welcoming the newbies rather than criticizing them is the best suggestion I've heard yet! We're all brothers and sisters, no matter what we ride and how we ride it. Let's just have fun together.
Great message Phil. We're a community. Lets act that way ... to all of us! Cheers
What a great video!! (Subscribed!) So well so said. My first ride was 18miles and I absolutely loved every mile of it and was immediately hooked. But at the end of the ride, the guy I rode with did nothing but moan at me about anything and everything, I was going too fast/slow, my socks were too short and the wrong colour. My bike needed this that and the other doing to it....I haven’t rode with him since. I then went to a local bike club and got much the same attitude?? Over here in England we generally call these types of pretentious people “Cocks”! I found a nice couple of genuine blokes whilst out on the road one day, that just enjoy getting out on the bike. I continue to enjoy every mile I ride.
Again great video mate, you hit the nail on the head! 👍👍👍
I've been loving seeing the smiles of people on my local lanes on sit up town bikes and cheap mountain bikes when I'm on my road bike, clip on TT bars, lycra, aero helmet etc. and still give them a wave.
I hope they feel that when a "roadie" gives them a smile and a wave they have been noticed and appreciated as fellow cyclist.
Good advice. Have cycled all my old, long life. That said, I was not into it as I am now, thanks to youth cycling and my daughter being a part of it. It took me 3 years to integrate into a cycle club (a very competitive one) and to be accepted into the general community. I thought it should have been easier. I was made fun of, and I was kind of discouraged. That personally gets me mad and makes me try harder. Not everyone operates in that fashion. Please everyone, make it easier on the newbies. Accept them into your small communities. Create a C group for your rides. Eventually, they will catch up and add to the stoke.
Why were you made fun of, dare I ask?
What an awesome video!!! I've been cycling for 22 years. I lead my clubs Development ride and I LOVE it when new cyclists turn up! Oh, I Everested in 2015, I was #529 worldwide, but, it wasn't QUITE as fast as yours ;) A very MASSIVE well done!
Lovely sentiment! likewise - australia seeing loads of new cyclists - stores all sold out of
Where I live there's a women's group ride, and we cheer each other on as people are reaching the top of a climb. It's been a really great bit of support if you're still pretty new to cycling or if it's the first time you've ever climbed that hill.
Love this! I love cycling and this is exactly what we need to do - we need to welcome anyone who is interested and bring them into the fold, no criticisms, no snobbery, none of that stuff...just enjoy riding your bike
This was awesome! thanks for making this one and recognizing the opportunity to unite people.
So many families on bikes every night, it's just great.
I would hit the like button twice if I could! Amen! My biggest worry is folks riding against traffic. I’m seeing it here a lot in Vegas. When was that taught? Like the 60’s?
I can tell the newbies on the road (biking increasing in Corona, Ca. too) THEY WAVE BACK AT ME!!!! Lets wave and say hi, I always ride in the morning and say 'good morning' to riders, joggers, walkers, the optics is better for us. I also wave to every car that moves to the left a bit to give us space when the car is passing, sometimes they wave back. Thanks Phil!!!!
Instant like for the advice. Very welcoming message to new cyclists and sometimes that’s all people need. Appreciate the positivity. Thanks Phil!
Thank you Phil!!!! All of this needed to be said. It's all about being out there turning the cranks. Keep on keepin on brother, life's a garden, dig it.
Thank you for this message. It made me feel good. I am relatively new myself. I only started cycling everywhere back in Oct 2019.
Usually I don’t make YT or any other sort of web based commentary, but I felt the need to tell you that, besides all of your other useful videos, this one deserves my true respect! This was a genuinely good advice. Kudos for you 👍
AMEN! Ride the bike you like, in the clothes you like, where you like!
I've been making sure to wave and smile to everyone I see on a bike out there and words of encouragement to kids out there.
I've done a century in jeans you don't need Lyrcra unless you like it/want it!
Damn, coming from you means a lot!! Thanks, Phil!
I recently got into cycling because of gyms being closed and I’m loving it. I found an ‘89 Cannondale road bike on Craigslist and have been crushing a lot of rides with it - starting to experiment and will be joining in some groups rides once I feel more comfortable. The thought I keep having is that I wish I got into cycling sooner - my BMI is already down a lot and I’ve lost about 10 pounds since starting. I’ve also been spending money on a bunch of things here and there but I suppose that’s just part of the sport.
I love these videos they’ve already taught me a lot. Please keep making them!
Also please don’t make fun of my Protec skateboard helmet!