Word Search
I want two new words. If you’d be ever so kind as to give me your suggestions, we might change the future of our cycling world.
The majority of the Americans consider “commuting” the daily drudge of heading to and from work. Period.
When it comes to cycling that’s just not the case. I badly want more people on bikes but I don’t get very far when I describe riding to meet a friend for a cup of coffee or to New Seasons to get dinner as “commuting” to someone who doesn’t use a bicycle. These are trips we take free of the shackles of obligation. Commuting? Kill. Joy.
I’ll never forget when an old roommate of mine who raced and trained (while I “just commuted”) said, “Yeah, but you don’t really ‘ride’.” My hackles went up in defense. My ego was bruised. I did almost as many miles as she did per week but in small little doses. She DROVE most of the time for god’s sake. I was out there in every Portland downpour and I didn’t “ride”?!
So maybe the solution isn’t just to find a new word for cycling as transportation but also for bikes as fitness recreation. Fitness recreation. Now how boring does that sound? Just one sweet word to describe the everyday athletes (if I might borrow liberally from my dearest Heidi Swift) of varying ability from the weekend warrior to the seasoned racer.
I believe less intimidating language would help bridge the gap to new riders. Get those folks out the door for a quick “toodle”.
No. That’s just too silly.
So what are they? I want two new words to define our world and I’m looking to you who are inside of it to shape them. If we’re successful we can all “ride” together regardless of intention or lycra.
And maybe, just maybe, we can convince a few more to hop on.
January 27th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
I kind of like ‘wend,’ - which coincidentally Ms. Swift is connected to as well.
to proceed on (one’s way,) to direct one’s course
January 27th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I like it a lot. Though wended and wending sound a bit… weak. At the same time have a meandering feel. So wend would be for commuting?
January 27th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
you could get all Edwardian ( era of the GREAT bicycle craze) and refer to it in two parts - one’s morning and evening restorative
“A medicine or other agent that helps to restore health, strength, or consciousness”
January 27th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
What about peregrinate? It’s more a “on foot” type term, but it’s cool sounding.
Gallivant is another word that sort of describes the whole “Meet at New Seasons”\ get to work on time” scenario.
-r
January 28th, 2009 at 6:16 am
One more .. cyclomobile
January 28th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
what’s wrong with keeping it simple and borrowing from heidi as it were and just saying “everyday cycling”? britain has a cycling initiative called that and it sounds pretty much like what your talking about. can’t get much less intimidating than that.
“Practically anyone can ride a bike! Everyday Cycling is all about getting people active on two wheels and getting healthy exercise back into everyday life.”
http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/info/aboutus.aspx
January 28th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
cruise / pedal cruise / ride / rider / cyclist
I agree with jj though: “everyday cycling” says it all. cycling for… whatever. a jaunt to the grocery or video store, to work, or out to meet a friend for a beer (hint hint)…
It covers everything, and there’s something sweet in its simplicity and lack of coolness.
unpimp you language. “everyday cycling” works. maybe Heidi won’t mind.
January 28th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
What happened to just Riding? I don’t get how the word has become so loaded.
I ride almost every day. My worst day on a bike is often better than most of my best days off one. I love to ride my bicycle. I am a happier human when I ride regularly. Even my partner, who does not ride so much, understands that; and as a result she’s willing to ride more often with me (at least when it’s warm outside).
I remain an unabashedly happy, plain-old-ordinary Bicycle Rider. That seems to work for me.
Life is good. Go ride, and enjoy.
January 29th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I’m with Beth H,
Riding is always how I refer to it. Other than my friends who ride Motorcycles it’s pretty clear.
everyday cycling is good too, but that doesn’t cover my weekend pleasure fitness jaunts, or does it?
So other than critiquing existing replies I have nothing of value to offer.
April 24th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
CycloMuting (for cycling as Transportation), and Aerobic-Zen (to cover the Fitness/Recreation aspect). Pedal-Cruisin’ ain’t half bad… though it kinda’ carries a ’singles-bar’ vibe along with it.
June 11th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Yay! You’re using Everyday Cycling! I love it.
June 13th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
So Gracie — anything new to offer here?
July 8th, 2009 at 12:14 am
[...] 7, 2009 · Leave a Comment Awhile back, Tori over at Gracie’s Wrench asked for suggestions for a new term to describe cycling as transportation or everyday cycling. [...]
August 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
How about the term from the League of American Bicyclists - Smart Cycling
July 19th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
I would vote for just “pedal”. I pedaled to the grocery store. Let’s go pedaling. Do you pedal?
Ride also works.
December 26th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
This is a good question. It would be great to have a term to denife this. This is one of those things I found difficult to describe when I was going out shopping for a bike. For example, I wanted a bike I could transport my son on, a bike I could grocery shop and ride errands on, a bike I could use for a leisurely ride, a bike I could use to go out and meet up with some friends, a bike that didn’t make me have to stop and think do I need to change my clothes first , and a bike I could wear just about anything on. What would denife this? basically this is how I use(d) my car but wanted to use a bike instead. Good question, I am enjoying hearing what people have to say and look forward to more comments.