Self Conscious - Bike

It’s certainly possible you’ll get a few judgemental stares from folks that finish ahead of you. They may wonder if the money might have returned better race results if it had been alternatively invested in coaching or swim lessons. Isn’t that how life goes? But you know what, who cares what’s anyone else says or thinks? If it makes you happy or increases your enjoyment of the sport, go for it. You’re not hurting anyone else. It’ a nice spot to be in to have the disposable income (earned through hard work) to have some money left over to put into your hobby.

I say, ride that bike with pride and enjoy yourself.

Steve

Most of us that have been in the sport long enough just plain LOVE bikes, so if yours is a head-turner, so much the better. I've learned from my experience that the bike does not matter too much when it comes to podium placement, it truly is the engine.

Patti

I never felt self conscious about my bike. Get it and enjoy riding and racing with it!

If you have the disposable income, do what you like and on the haters.

I have some REALLY nice bikes, but I'm by far not the strongest cyclist in any race. I've worked really HARD to save up for the bikes I wanted so why wouldn't I use them?

Forget what other people think and only be concerned with what YOU think. If you love the bike, race it!

Funny thing, I used to feel that way because my bike was an old clunker hybrid. I felt like a fish out of water, like "what is that old guy doing here on that bike."
I bought a nice bike a couple years ago. Sure glad I did. When I say nice, I say nice for me. There are far more advanced and expensive bikes out there-the sky is the limit, but I really like it.
So, go for it, and don't worry what others might think!!

Send the bike to me, problem solved

Thanks for the feedback; some good things to take to heart. I've always been a proponent of "engine first/bike second" and I guess maybe that's why I have this cognitive dissonance. Anyway, I do plan on using it a local sprint this weekend and will definitely enjoy the heck out of it. Happy racing everyone!

Heck no, I wouldn't get self conscious with a 10 zillion dollar bike. Unless it was like a beam type bike. I think they look funny. Edit: I think I would look funny on one. I'm top heavy. The physics don't seem like they'd work for me.

I have been self conscious:
-testing out a new tri suit on a long training ride...nothing new on race day
-testing out a sperm helmet on a long training ride....nothing new on race day
-wearing a sperm helmet during a race....I figured I'd wear it not for "speed", but if it saved me a couple heartbeats and helped raise my odds of crossing the line, I was gonna do it. I was self conscious.

Oddly, I've not been self conscious rubbing slippery slidey stuff over slippery slidey bits in front of a thousand or more strangers.
And the changing tents? My my, all sorts of oddness I've done in there. And not a soul cares.


Edited by jhaack39 2018-07-26 10:48 AM