so yah tonight I'm going home, walking the last few blocks home, cause of bag/back reasons. but this car is pulling out of fred meyer and the chick yells to me, "your bike costs way too much and it looks like poo"

what the hell. seriously ha. I just yelled back at least I'm not hiding in a car.

but honestly, people man. I know my bike is oober ridiculous but damn that's what it was made to be.

Oh the irony of a car driver telling biker their parts cost too much. And poo? Was this a 5th grader out buying school supplies or something?

I, too, suffered from car yelling last night. I was locking my bike up in front of Hawthorne Hideaway and some guy in the passanger seat of a black Golf yelled, "I think your bag looks stupid!" I kind of chuckled to myself, as I sewed the bag with my own two hands, and how he felt really wasn't important to me.

Portland is a city full of passive-aggressives. It's actually THE Portland attitude. And I imagine this was the young man's way of expressing some distaste he had without having to actually say it to anyone he cares about.

I've actually considered writing an article on this. Not for anywhere in particular, but just for myself. It all roots in something I call "The War on Hipsters".
Obviously you aren't a hipster Jenn, and neither am I, I don't think. But it's this new phenomena of style wars that has come about in our generation. We are sold ideas of better or worse, functional or useless, hip or sensible, trying to be cool or just being yourself. It's marketable, as it always has been, so companies and people-groups latch onto it.
RiverCity Bikes sells people will tell you up and down how much more functional a $200 pannier setup is. They will hide the reality of "personal preference" behind their logic of functionality. But in reality Panniers are a choice, among many functional choices. However there is a "style" that is more profitable to them. The same is for Chrome, however a little different. Chrome touches on function, but sells way more on style, (lifestyle).

Why does this cause a "War on Hipsters"?

Because "Hipsters" or even "hip" merchandise providers sell according to their "style" instead of the function, logic, or usefulness of an item. This threatens the people and providers who play the old roles of selling and trend-setting by the other methods of function. It also generates a sense of hate towards the people who don't play the "usefulness" or "functional" game.

What's a better bike, a $700 geared bike or a $1000 fixed bike? The reality is, that this isn't a question. There is no such thing as a better bike. There is no such thing as a more functional bike, at least not in the general sense of it. There are just two bikes, the $700 geared bike and the $1000 fixed bike.

What is more useful, a $200 pair of women's jeans or a $30 pair of Levis from Freddys? Once again, there is no such thing as more useful. I buy one or I buy another. Each gives me access to a certain "style" group, but one is not "better" than the other.

What is the most functional way to carry goods on your bike, a $165 Chrome, a $250 Pannier setup, or a $500 BOB? There isn't a more functional way. Of course, they all carry different amounts in different ways. But that is all there is, difference.

And this generates the "War on Hipsters", difference. Most people don't even know who or what qualifies a hipster exactly. But they create this phantom lines around a class of people. Why? Because they are a threat to everything sensible and functional. They are an epitome of useless fashion. Are they really? No. Are they the first class like this? Not at all. Look at flappers in the 20s-30s.

I've got more finite and concise things to say, but this is way too long, hope it made partial sense.

"What's a better bike, a $700 geared bike or a $1000 fixed bike? The reality is, that this isn't a question. There is no such thing as a better bike. There is no such thing as a more functional bike, at least not in the general sense of it. There are just two bikes, the $700 geared bike and the $1000 fixed bike."

Extrapolate.

jvandub:

"What's a better bike, a $700 geared bike or a $1000 fixed bike? The reality is, that this isn't a question. There is no such thing as a better bike. There is no such thing as a more functional bike, at least not in the general sense of it. There are just two bikes, the $700 geared bike and the $1000 fixed bike."

Extrapolate.

There is no such thing as a better bike, a better car, a better house. Better, when concerning products, is a fabrication of capitalism. We don't live one uniformed life as a collective. Every person on Earth has different variables that make up their needs. What's more practical? What does "practical" mean? Economically, physically, stylistically, culturally, historically, personally? The real root of the fabrication of "better" is the fabrication of "function". It's like relationships, most people have no idea what's best for them. But they are imbued with an idea of knowing what's best because merchandisers can then control that "what's best" attitude and get them to participate in buying their goods.

Automotive dealers do this with large cars and families. "Are you sure you want this unsafe sedan for your two kids? What if you decide to have another child? What if you want to go camping? It's much more functional to buy a suburban, isn't it?" Is it?

Does it make more sense to own a geared bike or a fixed bike? No.

in certain regions certain wood is better for building fire than other, certain animals are better to hunt than others, certain herbs are better in teas to treat giardia, and whatever else ails you, than others, certain minerals are better for paint than others.

"better" is not a product of capitalism.

....but i see what you're saying

Max is NOW!:

And this generates the "War on Hipsters", difference. Most people don't even know who or what qualifies a hipster exactly. But they create this phantom lines around a class of people. Why? Because they are a threat to everything sensible and functional. They are an epitome of useless fashion. Are they really? No. Are they the first class like this? Not at all. Look at flappers in the 20s-30s.

I read an EXCELLENT comic wherein the two characters buy a 'hipster' costume for halloween and the only instructions are to 'complain about hipsters'. I have since stopped complaining about hipsters, as it gets us nowhere, and everyone does some stuff purely for fashion, its unavoidable,so whats the point in singling out the people who do a few more things for fashion than you? i.e., you wear an old metal band shirt, someone else wears an old metal and shirt AND tight jeans and the latter becomes labeled a hipster. I think calling someone or a group of people hipsters is a way of alienation that makes us feel better about ourselves because by calling someone else a hipster it shields from criticism our own fashion-oriented choices, though all you are doing is shielding yourself from your own purely-fashion choices. you're not fooling anyone but yourself. It's a wholly insular activity that alienates cyclists from one another when, in reality, we all like riding bikes, and shouldn't that be enough? (i know, a little kumbaya-ish). Also, I can't honestly believe that there's a group of people out there who do EVERYTHING for fashion's sake. it's quite honestly ridiculous to believe so and you should stop kidding yourself if you do believe such drivel.

I'm sure there have been numerous things said to me but I usually always have my headphones in and can't hear much of anything (slightly dangerous I know).

When I ride my pink bike I get called a fag pretty often. oh well.

Yeah! It's a really fun bike, but I'm selling it eventually, as it's too small.

Thats why I always pick up old locks or spark plugs I see on the road. The ceramic nugget from a spark plug will penetrate hardened shatterproof auto glass like a soldering iron thru butter. I've been hearing that shit for way too long to care what anyone thinks about my way of dealing with those fucks. I have had some tough guys slam on their brakes like they are gonna get out and fight. Most are just bluffing, but one guy was actually getting out so I rode up with some steam and gave a flying monkey kick to his door on his leg. It musta broke it judging by his scream, but by then I was half a block away.

fuck 'em before they fuck you.

Unless your really down to really get into it, just shine 'em on.
I wish I could, but my temper just can't allow it.

don't chuck your u-lock though, that habit gets spendy fast!!

"@#$@! I wish I had a stick!"

i'm assuming you were riding brakeless and she was concerned for your safety? /end sarcasm

Max is NOW!:

Obviously you aren't a hipster Jenn, and neither am I, I don't think.

only a hipster would not know they are a hipster

just kidding

but seriously... i was riding down 10th just about to hit burnside when a road biker behind me yelled something with the words "do you know" and "red light" so i happily pointed to him the direction of Red Light, the trendy urban clothing store on the corner. then about 5 blocks later i realized he was yelling "DO YOU KNOW WHAT A RED LIGHT IS?" I laughed.

crossett:

yeah "fag" or "faggot" is by far the most common epithet yelled, and a few year ago it was almost eclipsed by "lance armstrong" but now that no one gives a fuck anymore about the tour people the returned to the tried an' true, "fag".

You know I have never once gotten this in Portland proper and only once in Beaverton in the past 6 years.
In Ohio though, you can't go on a ride without getting this at least once.

I get comments from roadies from time to time, like "not so fast on the uphill are you" or "'bout time to change gears huh?" for example. From cars it's along the lines of "nice turn fuck" "get a car" etc etc. You just have to brush it off really.

krystenr:

I hear "STOP SIGN!" and "RED LIGHT!" most of the time. I guess it's because I'm running them. Haha, fuck off.

I dont share your vegan diet, but I hear you on this.!!!

"suck my dick, get a truck you pussy faggot"

direct quote

so weird...i never get comments...other than good ones. I was climbing and incline on a semi nice day in my skirt (with leggings as i often do) wool cap no helmet. This lycra rodie yells "thats hot!". haha i was prepared to flip him off...but it turned out to be a compliment.

and Jenn and I got a "your bikes are hot!" from a cab driver Saturday night which i thought was awesome.

nothin but love! Maybe i don't ride in the angry parts of town enough...

ah, that makes sense.

Max is NOW!:

Nah, I think people just feel the same about all cyclists. They want to fuck em.

That's why the guys get the slurrs and the ladies get the compliments.

QFT

from a 1800gotjunk truck that ran me off the road on my 18th birthday "IF YOU HAD MORE THAN ONE GEAR YOU'D GO FASTER ASSHOLE!" He then proceeded to run me off the road. now the lawsuit ensues

hahahahaha damn

Dude, obeying the law is cooooool

Last night in front of my home, a guy stops his running SUV in the middle of the street and gets out to fight with a bicyclist. The two yelled at eachother for a minute or two. It never came to blows, but I could hear the driver call the bicyclist the "N" word, when both of them were very clearly white.

Odd.

go portland!