It is just an observation borne out during the experiences of Me and The Boy whilst cycling that the fatter and more unhealthy the fellow rider we meet and greet, the more expensive is his bike and the more outrageous his fashion sense.
This may be an indication of affluence, greater disposable income, a deprived childhood or a manifestation of the male menopause.
Given that a motorbike can be a swift bringer of injury or worse at the typically high speeds by which they are thrown around our country roads the bicycle is seen as a more perambulatory means of transport but with beneficial side effects for the heart, arteries, respiration and muscles generally. The benefits are of course only appreciated and enjoyed when a certain level of fitness has been attained. This could take upwards of six months of regular riding out to achieve and be noticeable in the loss of that shortness of breathe, wheezing and persistent perspiration from the first trips out in addition to a lesser degree of creaking and aching limbs.
The machines that we see straining and groaning under the well built gentlemen out on the highways and lanes are usually the very latest models, lightweight, high spec, alloy wheels and razor thin racing tyres, 18 speeds, deep enamelled paintwork and bearing such legendary names as Pinarello, Bianchi, Colnago and Wilier amongst equally meritorious and more commonplace Cannondales, Treks and Boardmans.
These are not by any means budget bikes.
The average price of a good road bike can set you back at least two thousand pounds and with bolt on extras that can increase to significantly more.
Then, there is the clothing. Branded gear is the most popular, either to match the bike frame manufacturer or replica strips of the main Pro and Trade Teams. Following the Olympic success of the British riders Me and The Boy observed and tallied up a major increase in the squad colours. The momentous victory of Bradley Wiggins in the summer Tour de France also spawned a multitude of wannabes and lookalikes in their Sky kit toiling along the by-pass or just posing around the towns and villages in their local area.
It is a though the flashy riders have been unleashed from years of repression and enforced dedication to domestic or business demands and are now free, at least on summer evenings and at weekends to let rip and recapture a lost youth or ambition.
I can personally endorse the social aspect of cycling as an important factor and pairs or small groups of riders can be seen heading out towards a country pub or a cyclist friendly café.
The bulging demographic, in all senses of the word, of those approaching or already at retirement age does mean that a good proportion of the population have time on their hands to enjoy social as well as the sporting and healthy living aspects of being astride a bike.
This is very apparent on a Wednesday afternoon which seems to be a popular time to escape the rat race or be enrolled on one of those courses to prepare yourself for looming retirement. Saddle bags bulge with packed lunches and a long, irregular line of riders set out on an organised jolly.
These are the longer and time served participants in cycling on old and rather antique looking bikes and equally faded and retro-jerseys or those all encompassing and less than flattering fluorescent green high viz jackets or vests.
They contrast sharply with the aforementioned flashy riders on their costly Italian made machines and seemingly with no spares or tools to attend to the niggling mechanical problems or punctures that seem to be experienced on a much more frequent basis. Perhaps the large 4x4 vehicle some way back in the traffic is a wife or partner in a supporting role ready to move up to rescue or relieve in the event of breakdown of either bike or body.
The new arrivals to cycling are not just evident from their investment levels in equipment but invariably in their stance and attitude. I am not sure where they get their idea of pedalling style but it is not knees and elbows out as is often the case. They are also an unfriendly bunch with little or no nod of acknowledgement or hearty greeting when passing or being passed. This is attributable to a constant head down position consulting the handlebar mounted computer readout on cadence, average speed and miles covered as wheel as the array of other wired up or wireless contraptions to record heart rate and calories burned. The data can be accumulated and then downloaded to a software programme to be endlessly studied and analysed as part of a clinical self improvement project.
A pair of fat businessmen can take up a tangible portion of the road and they will insist on riding side by side in order to partake in an on two wheels form of networking or to compare notes on key interests.
Me and The Boy have been amused by such a sight.
I have kept a mental record of the aggregated value of the bicycles seen in such company and this is fast approaching the equivalent gross domestic product of a small third world nation. Still, if the weather is at all unsettled or there is a bit of a blustery breeze we have the roads to ourselves and the flash buggers are very noticeable by their absence. I do keep half an eye on the classified ads and internet selling sites for cheap second hand quality continental bikes which do appear with great frequency as their owners come to realise that the simple act of pedalling is quite a challenge after all.
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