My other bike's a Cervelo...

But the obvious flaw in that argument is that no matter how fat and shit you are, you will (in a straight line) be faster in a Porsche than a skilled driver in a less powerful car. The same can't be said of a fatty guy in an expensive HPV versus a fit guy in a cheap one.

Don't know about that one...

[quote=nimhbus;588063]it's odd,but nobody seems to object to middle-aged men buying porsches and ferraris, even though they clearly can't drive like lewis Hamilton. But if anyone who isn't grand tour material dares to buy a ( relatively cheap) top end racing bike, they get all the bile and vitriol.

Nope, I'm fairly even handed - middle aged men in Porsche's and Ferraris are equally open to bile and vitriol...

I know a lot of middle/late middle-aged men (and women) who are very podgy, but they've got some desirable bikes, often owning something like a Hetchins, along with a full-carbon offering.

Many of them are unfit as well, at least to the extent where they huff and puff if riding much above 15mph.

The thing that they have in common, is that they were all accomplished club cyclists in their younger days, and have ridden faster/harder/longer than the majority of people on this forum.

Despite things like work/family/ill health/or even just the raging appetites of people who've ever turned the pedals in anger, they're unlikely to ever quit bikes, and remain hopeful that they'll regain fitness, or lose weight, or even race again.

And even when not riding, they're still organising events, doing catering, and nurturing younger, fitter, more svelte riders.

So next time you pour judgement on some lard arse accountant with a Cervelo, remember they might once have been a champion.

I mean, look at this fat fuck:

He needs to lay off the pies. Who is he btw?

It's hippy off the forum.

or these old farts..

So that's what the famous fatty looks like. Thanks.

The thing that they have in common, is that they were all accomplished club cyclists in their younger days, and have ridden faster/harder/longer than the majority of people on this forum.

Despite things like work/family/ill health/or even just the raging appetites of people who've ever turned the pedals in anger, they're unlikely to ever quit bikes, and remain hopeful that they'll regain fitness, or lose weight, or even race again.

It's also worth remembering that a lot of good athletes pile on the pounds more easily once they've stopped riding simply because they lack the activity. Merckx is a case in point, although he slimmed down massively a few years ago when he started riding his bike again.

I thought I'd sort of implied that.

It's hippy off the forum.

Cunt.

He'd still be faster than me.

He'd still be faster than everyone. He'd probably win Le Tour if he came out of retirement and rode it this year ;)

I thought I'd sort of implied that.

There are people on here who don't 'know' the forum, remember?

So that's what the famous fatty looks like. Thanks.

Nah, he looks more like this:

    ![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SJyZgjjcykI/ScVE7O92RII/AAAAAAAAA2I/qeCNC5h60Dk/s400/DSC01266.JPG)

But it's not these people we (I'm) talking about... It's the cycling is the new golf brigade.

Why has Merckx bought a load of different coloured shirts?

Why has Merckx bought a load of different coloured shirts?

He realised that yellow looks like wee.

It's also worth remembering that a lot of good athletes pile on the pounds more easily once they've stopped riding simply because they lack the activity. Merckx is a case in point, although he slimmed down massively a few years ago when he started riding his bike again.

Blackburn CC's (my old club) president is quite a big bugger.
He's also a former world sprint champion.

Nah, he looks more like this:

    ![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_SJyZgjjcykI/ScVE7O92RII/AAAAAAAAA2I/qeCNC5h60Dk/s400/DSC01266.JPG)

The one that's not murtle of corks :P

Shhhh, let him guess. :)

I'm not denying the existence of the affluent wannabe sportiver being alluded to in the OP.

And for fuck's sake, what kind of talentless cunt actually aspires to ride sportives ;)

Someone else mentioned the healthy sales it generates for bike manufacturers, and less privileged fucks like me will eventually benefit from the trickle down of top range features to mid-range bikes.

i don't drive.
my cervelo isn't turning up until the end of april.
like rapha clothing i'm only buying it because it pisses people off

P4 I hope.

only a soloist team. i wouldn't want a P4. would like an RS or R3.

But the obvious flaw in that argument is that no matter how fat and shit you are, you will (in a straight line) be faster in a Porsche than a skilled driver in a less powerful car. The same can't be said of a fatty guy in an expensive HPV versus a fit guy in a cheap one.

the obvious flaw in that argument is that no car is allowed to drive faster than 70 mph anyway..

Yeah but the Porsche will get to 70mph a lot quicker and it'll be able to go around corners at 70mph and get to 0mph a lot quicker too... responsiveness is more fun anyday, that's why people with money buy things like Porsche's instead of Bentley Flying Spurs, Bentley's not much slower (trust me, it's a bloody rocketship) but the Porsche is more fun

no. bikes are more fun.