Yep. It’s self sufficiency. Not sure it’s elitism….thinking more it’s also self interest and self discipline. On the two long (800+ miles) tours I’ve done… part of the group training was everyone in the safety of our meeting space learning how to change out both the front and back tires…even the younger riders turned into a competition to see if it could be accomplished in under 3 minutes…not exactly a nascar pit time. And there is something pleasing about the accomplishment.
I think it’s important to value self-sufficiency, as most cyclists either do or come to do. But the intimidation associated with the culture of (some parts of, which may represent to some the whole field of) cycling runs deep, so I am sympathetic to people sensitive to anything with the slightest whiff of gatekeeping. I am lucky I live and bike in places where transit service and car-sharing with roof-mounted bike rack service is relatively plentiful and generally a short stroll from anywhere I might ride, and this generally felt safe enough, as a transportation cyclist averaging 10-30km per day that was also the runt of every gym class, for me not to carry a spare on every ride. I learned to change a flat back when stooping down to fit a bead under a rim didn’t make my chronic lower back pain flare (due to surgery at 12yo) for at least 36h. It’s true I feel slightly better having practiced recently, or staying current on the contents of the patch kit. We don’t all bike for the same reason, and there is no inherent morality attached to any of those reasons - nor to your suggestion on the practicality of being skilled enough to overcome an issue; nor to me managing my vulnerability to flats within the constellations of options, limitations, preferences and assets (like riding with someone else) that are before me.
As a cyclist, it's often tempting to have a gatekeeper attitude toward "newbies." So yeah, I sympathize with that sort of thing. Like, who are we to feel so self-important, right?? But the point of this post was to push back against an ostensible air of overcautiousness by some. Suggesting that someone learn to repair a flat tire is not elitist. It's not gatekeeperish. It's not excluding of newbies. I see how it could be interpreted as such, but I'm offering that it isn't -- and that it's actually good-natured.
I feel like there are some interesting gaps in my reading of your description of what you are responding / pushing back on, that highlights a lot of differences in what folks internalize about cycling, cycling culture and transportation in general. Since I work with a lot of advocates thinking about cycling in comparison to driving, there are questions about what kinds of unequal expectations we place on cyclists compared to drivers for things like self-sufficiency because the infrastructure and network of services associated with driving simply mostly doesn't exist in equivalent form for cyclists. (And there's a digressive rant on the increased complexity of cars affecting the ability of people to repair them too...)
For sure, having the skill to patch a flat is sage good-natured advice - as is being able to check the oil and change a tire on a car. I would argue that the goal of expanding the field of cyclists rests on being willing and open to hearing what the barriers to taking up the activity are, and that if the advice around fixing flats is reinforcing those barriers, that we be open to the opportunity to figuring out if we can say the same thing without doing that.
I personally am really committed to active transportation for people of all abilities, because I am not going to have the ability to change a flat for my entire life; and if and when the time comes I can't, I hope I'll still be able to enjoy cycling (and I hope I will live in a place that will value my ability to do so).
I like this: "I would argue that the goal of expanding the field of cyclists rests on being willing and open to hearing what the barriers to taking up the activity are, and that if the advice around fixing flats is reinforcing those barriers, that we be open to the opportunity to figuring out if we can say the same thing without doing that."
Well said.
I think that's essentially what Arleigh Greenwald meant to say in her tweet. But I think it was inflammatory to flat out try to cancel (for lack of a better word) the suggestion that all cyclists should know how to change a flat. THAT -- the canceling of a good-natured piece of advice -- is what I'm pushing back against.
So ... the next question becomes: how do we say the same thing without unintentionally creating a barrier for new riders who either refuse or simply can't learn to repair a flat?
A self-sustaining mission on a bike should pack in a series of back-up plans in case the inevitable “what-ifs” occur. Fixing a flat, getting a chain back on and adjusting brakes are essentials that everyone who rides should be able to fix on the fly. Recommending and teaching is part of the cyclists’ creed.
Its Definitely important knowledge to have, especially if you are far from home. When I was first starting out and didn't have a patch kit or a spare tube (or even knew I should 😅), I have had to admit defeat and call the wifey; also needed rescuing from a bad storm. This day and age you can just " call someone ". I'd rather do it myself, but if it would save time and a "meltdown" , call the Calvary...case by case basis.
As with almost anything one may utter, the WAY you say it is much more impactful that WHAT you say. Being polite, kind, and supportive when making a suggestion that one learns a skill such as fixing a flat is great. Especially if they are asking you for advice. Offering suggestions in a way that presents as demeaning, embarrassing, or shaming is not the way to do it. Also, as someone who is asked for cycling advice everyday, I am careful to avoid "man-splaining" when offering said advice. On that note, here are a few things I think a cyclist should work towards knowing if they ride solo or that someone in their group knows how to do: 1) Know how to fix a flat tire with an inner tube OR use a plug if running tubeless tires. 2) Properly lube your chain and know when it needs lubricated. 3) Learn how to do a pre-ride bike check (ABC of this is Air, Brakes, Chain). 4) Understand the basics of shifting gears (when do you shift to an easier/harder gear?). I think if a cyclists works towards these four things they will find themselves able to be fairly self-sufficient or at least able to recognize when they should make a visit to a bike shop or friend who knows the mechanics of a bike's many simple parts.
Yep. It’s self sufficiency. Not sure it’s elitism….thinking more it’s also self interest and self discipline. On the two long (800+ miles) tours I’ve done… part of the group training was everyone in the safety of our meeting space learning how to change out both the front and back tires…even the younger riders turned into a competition to see if it could be accomplished in under 3 minutes…not exactly a nascar pit time. And there is something pleasing about the accomplishment.
Three minutes is pretty quick!
I think it’s important to value self-sufficiency, as most cyclists either do or come to do. But the intimidation associated with the culture of (some parts of, which may represent to some the whole field of) cycling runs deep, so I am sympathetic to people sensitive to anything with the slightest whiff of gatekeeping. I am lucky I live and bike in places where transit service and car-sharing with roof-mounted bike rack service is relatively plentiful and generally a short stroll from anywhere I might ride, and this generally felt safe enough, as a transportation cyclist averaging 10-30km per day that was also the runt of every gym class, for me not to carry a spare on every ride. I learned to change a flat back when stooping down to fit a bead under a rim didn’t make my chronic lower back pain flare (due to surgery at 12yo) for at least 36h. It’s true I feel slightly better having practiced recently, or staying current on the contents of the patch kit. We don’t all bike for the same reason, and there is no inherent morality attached to any of those reasons - nor to your suggestion on the practicality of being skilled enough to overcome an issue; nor to me managing my vulnerability to flats within the constellations of options, limitations, preferences and assets (like riding with someone else) that are before me.
As a cyclist, it's often tempting to have a gatekeeper attitude toward "newbies." So yeah, I sympathize with that sort of thing. Like, who are we to feel so self-important, right?? But the point of this post was to push back against an ostensible air of overcautiousness by some. Suggesting that someone learn to repair a flat tire is not elitist. It's not gatekeeperish. It's not excluding of newbies. I see how it could be interpreted as such, but I'm offering that it isn't -- and that it's actually good-natured.
I feel like there are some interesting gaps in my reading of your description of what you are responding / pushing back on, that highlights a lot of differences in what folks internalize about cycling, cycling culture and transportation in general. Since I work with a lot of advocates thinking about cycling in comparison to driving, there are questions about what kinds of unequal expectations we place on cyclists compared to drivers for things like self-sufficiency because the infrastructure and network of services associated with driving simply mostly doesn't exist in equivalent form for cyclists. (And there's a digressive rant on the increased complexity of cars affecting the ability of people to repair them too...)
For sure, having the skill to patch a flat is sage good-natured advice - as is being able to check the oil and change a tire on a car. I would argue that the goal of expanding the field of cyclists rests on being willing and open to hearing what the barriers to taking up the activity are, and that if the advice around fixing flats is reinforcing those barriers, that we be open to the opportunity to figuring out if we can say the same thing without doing that.
I personally am really committed to active transportation for people of all abilities, because I am not going to have the ability to change a flat for my entire life; and if and when the time comes I can't, I hope I'll still be able to enjoy cycling (and I hope I will live in a place that will value my ability to do so).
I like this: "I would argue that the goal of expanding the field of cyclists rests on being willing and open to hearing what the barriers to taking up the activity are, and that if the advice around fixing flats is reinforcing those barriers, that we be open to the opportunity to figuring out if we can say the same thing without doing that."
Well said.
I think that's essentially what Arleigh Greenwald meant to say in her tweet. But I think it was inflammatory to flat out try to cancel (for lack of a better word) the suggestion that all cyclists should know how to change a flat. THAT -- the canceling of a good-natured piece of advice -- is what I'm pushing back against.
So ... the next question becomes: how do we say the same thing without unintentionally creating a barrier for new riders who either refuse or simply can't learn to repair a flat?
A self-sustaining mission on a bike should pack in a series of back-up plans in case the inevitable “what-ifs” occur. Fixing a flat, getting a chain back on and adjusting brakes are essentials that everyone who rides should be able to fix on the fly. Recommending and teaching is part of the cyclists’ creed.
Its Definitely important knowledge to have, especially if you are far from home. When I was first starting out and didn't have a patch kit or a spare tube (or even knew I should 😅), I have had to admit defeat and call the wifey; also needed rescuing from a bad storm. This day and age you can just " call someone ". I'd rather do it myself, but if it would save time and a "meltdown" , call the Calvary...case by case basis.
As with almost anything one may utter, the WAY you say it is much more impactful that WHAT you say. Being polite, kind, and supportive when making a suggestion that one learns a skill such as fixing a flat is great. Especially if they are asking you for advice. Offering suggestions in a way that presents as demeaning, embarrassing, or shaming is not the way to do it. Also, as someone who is asked for cycling advice everyday, I am careful to avoid "man-splaining" when offering said advice. On that note, here are a few things I think a cyclist should work towards knowing if they ride solo or that someone in their group knows how to do: 1) Know how to fix a flat tire with an inner tube OR use a plug if running tubeless tires. 2) Properly lube your chain and know when it needs lubricated. 3) Learn how to do a pre-ride bike check (ABC of this is Air, Brakes, Chain). 4) Understand the basics of shifting gears (when do you shift to an easier/harder gear?). I think if a cyclists works towards these four things they will find themselves able to be fairly self-sufficient or at least able to recognize when they should make a visit to a bike shop or friend who knows the mechanics of a bike's many simple parts.