Cycling rewires your brain in the strangest ways.
Suddenly, you care more about the sound of your gear changes than what’s happening in the world. You’ll check tire pressure like it’s a medical condition.
It doesn’t matter if you’re on the road, trails, gravel, or just getting to work. We all share this beautifully bizarre connection with two wheels and tarmac.
Here are 10 raw truths that prove you’re part of the tribe. Starting with the one obsession that unlocks all the others: gear.
1. The N+1 Rule Is Not a Rule; It’s a Constant Research Project
You can own a perfectly good bike and still spend every Tuesday evening researching the next one. This phenomenon is the infamous N+1 Rule.
The primary rationalization is the specialization argument: different disciplines – from gravel to trail to commuting – demand specific geometries and component sets. Yet, the upgrade search is often a pure dopamine loop, not merely a performance necessity.
The reality?
A single, capable “do-it-all” bike generally works fine. Your browser history, however, remains a full-time bike shop.
🚲 That being said, we all need another bike right?!
2. The Perfect Saddle Is Only 50% of the Problem
The obsession cyclists have with saddle selection is fundamentally justified. The most expensive, scientifically sculpted saddle is worthless if the saddle height or tilt is off by two millimeters.
Small shifts in position (height, tilt, fore-aft) radically transfer pressure from your sit bones onto your hands, arms, or sensitive areas. This is where the pain starts. A saddle set too high causes hip rocking, which increases chafing.
Feeling pitched forward means you transfer excessive load to your wrists and arms for bracing.
💡 Before declaring a saddle “trash,” make micro-adjustments to the saddle tilt and test on a short loop. Small, deliberate moves fix pressure points far faster than buying new gear.
3. Your Tan Is Not a Tan; It’s a Proof-of-Miles Barcode
Cyclists don’t “get tan”; we get precisely calibrated stripes.
These sharp, unmistakable boundaries at the sock, shorts, and sleeve edges are reliable proof of saddle time. Non-cyclists see these extreme lines and think you lost a fight with a barcode scanner; we see a badge of honor.
That sharp line signals serious UV exposure on the surrounding skin.
☀️ Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas, even on hazy days, though every cyclist forgets that crucial step at least once.
4. The Tailwinds Vanish the Moment You Turn for Home
The universal truth of cycling is simple: the glorious tailwind that boosts your speed always vanishes the second you pivot for the return journey.
That friendly push transforms instantly into a crushing headwind, sabotaging your pacing.
This dramatic shift feels personal because route exposure and moderate cycling speeds dramatically amplify the effort required to push through the air.
What was an effortless outbound leg becomes a punishing return, transforming the ride into a frustrating mental negotiation.
You may check the weather app for guidance, but the wind feels targeted – the ultimate cycling betrayal that turns a casual ride into a relentless negotiation.
5. The Third Flat Tire is the Universe Telling You to Check Your Tread
Cyclists know the grim math: one flat is bad luck, two is annoying. The third flat means it’s time to check your tread. Punctures rarely happen in isolation.
Your wheels hit the same debris, and tiny shards of glass stay embedded in the worn tread until the third flat finally works them loose.
After the second puncture, the mental switch flips. You stop cursing fate and start meticulously inspecting the tire carcass for embedded cuts, realizing worn rubber is the true culprit.
The repetition demands self-reliance: you never wanted to master roadside repairs, but the third flat forces you to finally pay attention.
6. The Post-Ride Drink Is a Sacred Ritual
The most profound cycling truth: the fuel you’d ignore on a normal day becomes legendary after a long effort. For shorter rides, it is the espresso shot that feels like an IV drip of velocity.
After a 70-mile effort, it’s the Coke – sticky, cold, and perfect.
The celebratory beer, while certainly not optimal recovery, is a piece of essential cycling culture. Severe depletion, high physical effort, and the social reward combine to make these simple sugars feel like a gourmet reward.
This momentary caffeine or sugar hit is what we, with a completely straight face, refer to as our “nutrition strategy.”
7. The Internal Dialogue: Why Cyclists Argue With Themselves at 20 MPH
Non-cyclists imagine quiet meditation; we know the ride involves a full, running internal debate – often while moving at 20 mph. The internal negotiation is real, especially on climbs, where you shift from capable to serious self-bargaining: “Just make it to that mailbox, then I’ll walk.”
This rapid switch to intense, instant drama is the dreaded bonk risk – the mental fog that descends when glycogen stores deplete. Outsiders rarely grasp how quickly a cyclist goes from fine to catastrophic.
The simple, practical antidote to this emotional spiral is fueling: eat and drink early. This is why many riders love data; the numbers beep without judging the crazy self-talk.
9. The Group Ride Looks Casual Until You Break a Rule
Group rides appear casual, but they rely on strict, unwritten group ride etiquette to ensure safety. In cycling, being slow is forgivable; being unpredictable is the real sin that endangers the entire pack.
Three critical rules maintain group harmony:
- Hazard Signaling: Call and point out dangers (potholes, cars) immediately so the signal travels efficiently down the line.
- Holding Your Line: Never overlap wheels – touching one results in an instant crash. Avoid weaving or sudden surging.
- Pacing: When rotating to the front, “pull longer, not harder.” Maintain the existing speed to prevent whiplash effects in the peloton.
If you are new, ask the organizer for clarification. Every group prefers questions over dangerous guesswork.
10. The Truth About Cyclist Blame: You Are On Trial
One rider’s mistake – a single red light run – puts the entire cycling community on trial.
Drivers rarely distinguish between the competitive training rider and the casual commuter; we are instantly lumped into a single, guilty category.
This collective judgment fuels hostile road interactions, though conflict often originates from unexpected sources like distracted pedestrians or runners. The best de-escalation tool is simple: a calm, non-confrontational wave or nod instantly reduces conflict.
The definitive sign you are talking to a non-cyclist is the question: “Why don’t you just use the sidewalk?” This phrase reveals a fundamental lack of understanding of road safety, traffic law, and how sidewalks impede efficiency.
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