@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2.

Middle of the road? Maybe less middle now here in eastern PA since riding is more limited. And the limiting factor seems to be lack of community and limited riding for anything but recreation. So I do some wrenching, a decent amount of riding, and give advice when asked, but that's it. Oh and I know folks at both LBSs.

But anything more here is hard.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite
A2 I guess I am fairly deep into cycling culture. I cycle to and from work at a cycling facility, cycle for leisure, and am a British Cycling regional commissaire.

At work, I mainly run cycling sessions for people with disabilities, using bikes and trikes, and occasionally help with triathlon coaching.
I commissaire track and circuit races, although I mainly do grasstrack these days, which locally has an age range of 4 to 85 years old!

A2. I dunno… I'm notionally a member of at least three "clubs", but I've only been out for a ride with one, and just a handful of times. I was a ranger for Sustrans for many years. I've got four bikes plus a turbo trainer. I do my own maintenance, but for some things I'd happily pay someone, if there was someone to do it. I quite like just being out by myself in the middle of nowhere.

Where does that put me?

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. Reading Marty’s comments in setting up this question, I know that I’m also not into the culture as much as others might be. On the other hand, I ride as a way of getting around to run errands, and I encourage others to do the same. I’m a member of @CycleWR, our local cycling advocacy organization, and try to engage in conversations about cycling and active transportation in general here in my community. And @CyclingGuide is an initiative that I’m passionate about. As with most things in life, there are different cultures with different norms. And I feel like I’m into cycling culture in a way that makes sense for me, and that is adjacent to the way that others are into cycling culture!

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. Caveat that I've been a bit of an outcast most of my life, so even in counter-culture I'm an outlier. I have not yet crowdfunded a recumbent replacement so I do not yet directly participate in cycle culture in Albania. In Davis, I tried to participate but the local community had a veneer progressivism that underneath was still gleefully ableist. So after a while I dropped out of their BS. (1/5)

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2 it’s probably my core identity (there are some other bits) and its emphasis shifts with opprtunity. Right now I quax, (distance)commute and audax as much as I can (on tandem, Brompton and various sporty bikes) and do most of my own repairs. Because I am a bit neurodivergent I do most of my riding alone or with close family. Tomorrow I will be attempting to repair a friend’s Dutch roadster. #bikenite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

Bicycle culture is the social culture I have voluntarily entered, from an early age, and within which I've found home.

A2: I was a bike commuter for most of my adult life, before WFH became the norm in 2020. I've shared my passion for bicycles as a kid working in a bike shop, as host of a decades-long weekly ride, as coach of youth bike programs in my city, as volunteer for the local youth bike and trail maintenance programs. I've raced, as a young man, and later in life. I watch most forms of professional bike racing. Now I find bikepacking the most pleasurable way to spend my free time. I ride for mental and physical health. I ride with family. My wife works at a bike non-profit, and has been on the board of a few others. I have antique bikes and modern bikes in my garage. I research the history of bikes in my region. I post about them on my blog and wiki. I'm a bike nut.

https://fastestslowguy.blogspot.com
https://www.wooljersey.com

Read this: https://bikecult.com/bikecultbook/book.html

#bikenite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. Have been thinking about this idea a lot lately, as we’ve been trying (and mostly failing tbh) to restart our local critical mass rides. There are lot of different cycle “cliques” here, and I mostly fit into the casual/utility cycling space & now activism. A lot of the cycle culture here is very dude-centered “serious cycling” folks, which is pretty off-putting for me personally. I feel like it harms our ability for collective action. #BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #BikeNite A2: Similar level of involvement here as Marty's: Multiple cycles, nearly daily riding, commuting solely by bicycle, post on social media about it, advocating (utility and recreational) cycling, participating in bicycle events, critical mass rides and bicycle demos, do bike touring, but no cycling sport, bike building or refurbishing myself, just mods to extend usability, i.e. mounting more stuff on handlebar, saddle post/rails and the luggage rack.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

Not sure I could get much deeper. Started riding and racing MTB in the early 1990's, worked in a bike shop for a while.

These days I commute to work on a bike, build and maintain MTB trails, advocate for cycling in the area, join group rides, travel and race with family and friends, follow world cup racing, and finally got an indoor trainer to get even faster ( hopefully ).

I'm sure there is even more I forgot, like trying to create a MTB YouTube channel.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #BikeNite A2. I am really not at all into the competitive or performance parts of cycling culture. I am really into cargo bikes and ebikes and folding bikes and ways bikes improve cities. Most of this takes the form of infodumping and receiving infodumps, because I'm such a homebody. I will talk about it with anyone (friends, coworkers, strangers) if they ask, too. I'm also super interested in bike repairs, bikepacking, and randonneuring, although I'm only qualified to receive infodumps on those. I enjoy [#] HaulShitOlympics and do post to that when I have an entry to submit. But the TL;DR is my relationship with my bike is as a commuter, and just really enjoy the kinds of freedom a cargo-e-bike gives me.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite I try to be part of the local tallbike group, where we build our own tall & freak bikes and take them on occasional (group-)rides around town. That makes me one of the most visible and therefore maybe also the best known cyclist around here.
But that's it - nothing else (anymore).
https://tallbike-stuttgart.de
#BikeNite #tallbike

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2: fairly deep I suppose.

Always have been car-free, I've never had a need to even do my driver's license. Preferred mode of transport has always been the bike, including multi-modal with a #brompton.
On and off bikepacking, and/or long(er) distance cycling, preferably off-road. Those last two years I got more into structured training, training and/or group rides on most days of the week, I unexpectedly like the structuredness of it all.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

A2:
There isn't one cycling culture! I am deep in to bike touring and utility cycling. When I was working elsewhere I cycled every day to work, shop... Now with public transport it doesn't make much sense so I don't cycle that much, I don't get the people that have insane bikestreek just for the sake of it.

I don't care about pro cycling, it just doesn't reflect my needs - I just don't want or need super fast carbon bikes, I want reliable bike that I can have nice time on.

Most of my friends have similar view on the cycling, only some that wear the lycra everywhere. My friend that used to race and didn't get me at first tried my bike and flipped his view a bit, now he gets me and I was with him on few bikepacking trips already.

As for bike repair and tinkering - I do it only on my bikes. I like to explore the options what I can use, one of my bikes I used for trip through Europe has lots of replaced parts (there is few things that survived the trip).

#bikeTooter #bikenite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #bikenite A2: not very I don't think? I really like bikes, and I'm a bit of a zealot about cycling as a solution to urban problems, and I love to introduce new people to cycling, but I'm not really interested in the competitive / racing / high-tech end of things and I don't shave my legs :-)

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

A2. I cycle, therefore I am.

I'd say very deep, which is supported by the large percentage of my t-shirts that are cycling-themed.

#BikeNite #Cycling

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2 #BikeNite It perhaps sounds tragic, but I'm all in: _Everything_ in my life revolves around it.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. Was trying to find the right terms for depth of immersion in cycling culture.

Reminded of the excellent video game Dredge (Shallows, Coastal, Oceanic, Abysall?). I suspect I'm Oceanic.

I started cycling via the competitive sport angle. But, it just expanded over the years to fill more niches. Cycle advocacy, commuting, touring, Audax and a general obsession with building & tinkering with bikes.

One of the lovely things about Bikenite is it spans these silos. Keep up the good work.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

In the cultural sea of cycling - I am so deep I walk along the seabed.

It's my biggest hobby, my only means of transport, the only broadcast TV I watch, and a joyful obsession.

My three most expensive purchases ever are my three bikes, I can and regularly do strip a bike to components and rebuild, I have built my own frames from raw materials, and read tech manuals for pleasure.

I don't e-bike or cargo-bike - but only because 4th floor flat and no lift

@MartyCormack @bikenite A2. I guess I am pretty in it - we do #BikeNite every week, right? I'm less into the racing side of things, and I do not ride recreationally nearly as much as I'd like to or as I used to. But I still ride to work/school/errands nearly every day. I work for a bicycle advocacy non-profit, so I guess that's pretty deep.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite I worked in a bike shop and at community bike places. I serially attended bike parties. But I have back pain now and don't feel like I have a place in the culture any more.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #bikenite #biketooter A2 My first reaction is “not really, I just like riding” But I Might have to admit I’m pretty far gone. Most of my time and distance is my daily bike commute but I do occasional gravel and mtb races, charity events, recreational and training rides with friends and our local no drop group ride. I started playing bike polo this year. I’m a gearhead and like working on bikes. I love the adventures of bike commuting. In it up to my ears.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. I don’t think I’m deep into any culture. I dabble in many things. I race my sailboat (six countries), I’ve competed in local events at my local rock gym, but I’ve never considered bike racing after a friend told me long ago, that you’re not serious unless you end up in the hospital once a year. Yeah no!

As to biking, I read some stuff, I watch some videos, I watch some race highlights. I bike to be outside, and to stay in shape for sailing (also a reason I climb). Aspirationally, I am looking forward to rebuilding my old bike (91 or 92) and figuring out if I should get panniers or a trailer for shopping, I waver back and forth.
#BikeNite

#BikeNite A2: "Depth" of cycling culture is a relative thing. I'm probably deeper than 90% of the cyclists in #WaterlooRegion: I commute regularly, go on group rides, belong to @CycleWR, fix my own bike (mostly), and have volunteered at #RedRaccoonBikeRescue

But I don't race or belong to a racing club, haven't bikepacked or done overnight trips, don't wear lycra, have only one bike, and haven't written a @CyclingGuide app.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

@ascentale #BikeNite #A2 We’re in pretty deep 😊 — well over 24,000 volunteer hours for bike advocacy since 2009 (https://bikemonterey.org/about/financial-donations/donations-some-ways-your-money-can-help). And like @MartyCormack, we don’t "build or refurbish bikes, don't race, don’t watch cycling sports, etc."

@urbanists.social @bikenite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite I very much believe in the "people riding" over "cyclist" identity. That said, I've had an almost life long interest in riding, cycles, and advocacy/policy for safe streets. I ride frequently for utility, recreational, and fitness reasons and am involved with advocacy groups and recreational groups which feel like community. I also enjoy doing my most of my own maintenance. I don't really think of it as cultural or lifestyle, but perhaps there is some.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

A2. I am very shallow in the local bike culture, community; I ride to avoid driving, and to get some minimal exercise.

#BikeNite

@ascentale
A2: I think I am nose deep.

I live bike, think bike, dream bike and advocate it. This is paramount to keeping my head clear. @MartyCormack @bikenite

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite I'm quite shallow into it. I do bikey things but mostly it's a means to an adventure with delicious happy neurochemicals picked up on the way.

For example, I like doing tours and love the idea of doing long endurance rides, only a little bit to push myself but mostly to see what I can see along the way - at a far more human pace than a car, train, or plane.

In the city even it means seeing more wildlife (deer, coyote, otter, beaver, fox) that drivers don't usually see, and in populated areas experiencing sights, sounds and smells (and being able to stop immediately to check something out)

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2: I vary a lot, ASD means my community stuff is pretty shallow. I submit on legislation and generally write to representatives asking for stuff.

I'm car-free, bike dependent and have done most bike-ish stuff, from building frames to riding Broome-Perth (and a lot of 'etc'). Nothing officially competitive though, or watching it.

#BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

A2. Really slow and stop a lot to take photos. Just *that* cuts me out of a lot bicycling communities. I'm a transportation and utlitarian bicylist. Retired from being a bicycle educator with the League of American Bicyclists and didn't renew my Adventure Cycling Association membership either. Mainly financial reasons. Live in a rural area now, but with a bicycle tourist season.

Also a very introverted introvert so online works ok fir ne.

#BikeNite

@ascentale
A2. I think I got a toe wet once....

Honestly, the Feels Like is 95+F (35+C) the majority of the time around here. I don't know how often I could ride without passing out.
@bikenite

@ascentale

#BikeNite | A2

I ride a bike to get from A to B. Do my grocery shopping.
Sometimes do a small, slow round 'through the fields' north of here; usually between 15 and 25 km (~10-15 miles).

Oh, and once a month I join our #CriticalMass ride.

No culture needed for any of that. 😅

@MartyCormack @bikenite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. I generally ride solo- no clubs, club rides, etc and only a few events. I don't build bikes, etc though I'd love to learn. (I'm not the most mechanically inclined and I don't have tons of time). I'd love to commute by bike and have done so years ago, but theae days my commute is 100 miles each way. #bikenite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #BikeNite A2. I've been car-free for over 4 years, now in my 5th car-free Winter in ski country. I'm an elected member to our Town Meeting, on my town's Planning Commission, and we just completed recommendations for installing 25 new bicycle racks in the downtown area on town land, with the next phase being outreach to local private property owners to encourage installation of bicycle racks for their businesses. I'm a former BMX racer and bike shop mechanic.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

Q2: not much into "cycling culture" and I'm not even entirely sure what that would mean. I ride my MTB on trails for fun, I ride around town on errands and I sometimes try to talk friends into riding or into learning how to work on their bikes. There is a local MTB club here, but they're much more gonzo than I am and ride at an inconvenient time, so I haven't joined.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. I'm in deep with the lifestyle, but not so deep with the community, while looking like a Portland transplant somedays.

I'd like to do more with people, but the realities of having two young children puts a stop to pretty much everything not involving them, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

#BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #BikeNite A2

Medium, depending on whose yardstick you’re using.

I enjoy rides in the 5-45 mile range, typically 10-15. Usually solo; occasional friend & family rides. Only group rides are chill (Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour & All-British Cycling Event). 4 multi-day bike tours (aspiring to do more).

Intermittent donor to Rails to Trails Conservancy, Black Girls Do Bikes & other cycling orgs. Read some cycling books.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2. I’m pretty shallow, but that’s mostly because I’m mostly into cycling for personal fun and for local transportation. I wish I had at least a little connection with the local cycling community (if only to trade gossip) but it’s harder out here in the boonies. #BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

I used to volunteer at my local MTB group trail days and lead group rides. I rode an MTB for trails and a hybrid for roads and paths. Now I mostly ride solo or with my wife on my e-bike ( https://the5thc.blogspot.com/2022/08/norco-scene-vlt-e-bike-for-people-that.html ) with power off 90% of the time, but it's great to have when you need it. I do very basic mechanical work but leave most of the complicated stuff to the trusted tech at my LBS. We have done a few overseas cycling tours. My biggest cycling contribution is probably this:

http://gpstrailmaps.blogspot.com/

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2: Bikes are my transport. I've been a shade-tree mechanic all my life, so I like to know how they work and like to do my own repairs. My bikes have aluminum or steel frames because I like kit that lasts. I've ridden with tough and fit performance cyclists on carbon or titanium bikes, most of whom were able to suppress enough of their their native condescension for the rides to be enjoyable. But I mostly ride alone.
#bikeNite

@ascentale @bikenite
#BikeNite A2:
The question prelude was my answer.

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

A2: Culture? Hardly even know 'er. Lifestyle? Probably pretty heavy I guess? I mean, main form of transport for me and Anna both, I make my own cargo trailers, I'm (very slowly, when I can) working on getting an abandoned rustbike back together, I maintain the Greater Northshore and MEGAMAP Seattle-area bike maps. Community? I've been on a couple of group rides and want to do more but timing is difficult.

I need one of those radar graphs to chart it I guess 😁

#BikeNite #BikeTooter #Cycling #MastoBikes

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

A2

I don't drive except for long road trips. Everything is bike. I have rebuilt junker bikes, and have built one frame, and done some bike packing

But I've been this way since I was a teenager, and I live in a city where it's not unusual. So it doesn't really feel like a cultural thing for me (other than being part of the culture of where I live)

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite #BikeNite A2. Interesting question. I am regularly participating in my city's "Bicycle Advisory Committee". Advocate for bicycling. But I never ever watch cycling sports (hate them, actually), have a distaste for competitive cycling in general (particularly the blood-doping-drugs-athletes thing, which is gross), and I never ever go bicycling with other people... I just ride around town on a bicycle, and fix bicycles. I think more people should be bicycling around town! But, I do not identify with "cycling" or any of the bicycling groups here (mainly, road bikers and mountain bikers, all with bicycles that apparently cost more than my automobile is worth).

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2) Depends which cycling culture you're asking about. In the U.S. many people seem to equate cycling with sports and road racing. More of a fietser, myself. #BikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite A2 I ... don't know how to quantify my depth. My head is still above the water?

I ride my bike to work when I can. I join group rides when the opportunity arises - sadly there are shockingly few opportunities on the west side.

But I only have one bike. I still have - and use - a car. I would like better bike infrastructure, but I'm not ready to go around torching SUVs to get it (yet).

So I guess: everything in moderation; especially moderation.

#bikeNite

@ascentale @MartyCormack @bikenite

Q2: Very little. I just ride on the local trail for exercise and to run local errands.