Last Updated on 18 September 2026:
If you have been reading my content for several years, you will know I have done this before. Apparently, I have reached the point where I need to rehash old blog posts just to keep you entertained, so shame on you for continuing to read. Still, I have updated the list and reasoning, and these signs you are a cyclist should help you decide whether you can safely call yourself a proper one.
Signs you are a cyclist
Your cycling shoes are your most expensive pair of footwear
Surely this is true for everyone? A high end set of cycling shoes might set you back an amount greater than £/$300.00. Even the midrange of cycling shoes will likely come in around the same price as designer trainers.
I’m betting that cumulatively you probably have more money invested in normal footwear, but individually your most expensive shoes have cleats affixed to the sole.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with this. You need something comfortable that applies the power that your legs are producing. That means both quality of build and materials. Money well spent!
One last factor, I’m also willing to bet your cycling shoes are cleaner too…?
Your bike(s) are more expensive than your car
This is tough, but it’s probably the biggest sign you are a cyclist. I’m willing to bet some people will be close though. Even with used car prices rising in the last couple of years – I recently made 20% profit when trading in the car I had owned about a year – the average runaround car is probably pushing towards the same price as high end bikes.
If you have just the one bike, you probably aren’t ticking this one off. However, I reckon if you have more than one bike, though, cumulatively you have got to be very close.
You cycle more miles than you drive
For obvious reasons, this won’t count if you are a professional driver. Having had a quick look through some of my clients’ data, the average mileage ridden per week is close to 200. The average commute to a workplace is 16 miles. This leaves 40 miles for other activities. If you ignore irregular trips, like vacations or road trips, I reckon the averages favour being on the bike more.
Of course, I coach a lot of ultra-endurance athletes, but big mileage weeks aren’t mandatory for being a client… 😉
You give a lanes worth of road for other cyclists
I genuinely believe the roads would be a safer place if all new drivers were asked to take even the shortest ride on both a motorcycle and bicycle on the open roads.
You can always tell when a cyclist driving a car passes a fellow bike rider on their bike. They give far more than the legally mandated amount of space. We have all experienced a close pass and it can be terrifying. Once you know how bad it feels to be on the receiving end of such bad driving, it becomes very obvious why we give fellow cyclists more room on the roads.
Thank you to all the drivers giving loads of room to our fellow bike riders, signs you are a cyclist, also. Remember to reciprocate that to the drivers by riding thoughtfully and thanking them with a wave.
You wash more cycling kit than regular clothes
The only way this doesn’t apply to you is if you are truly grim. Seriously, please wash your cycling kit after every use. What your hygiene routine consists of off-the-bike is your business, but I don’t need to smell you when I’m riding with you!
If you need a simple way of knowing if you smell bad, here’s a system I’m borrowing from my time going to festivals:
If you can’t smell something bad, it’s probably because the smell is coming from you and you’ve just got used to it. Same applies with cycling. Go smell the group. Can’t smell anything bad? That means it’s you. Get a bath.
You receive more cycling related emails than anything else
“It’s been beautiful. I’ve really enjoyed our late night talks and all the times you sent me dirty pics. Unfortunately, I am running out of stories to tell my partner about where our money goes and they are starting to get suspicious.
It is for these reasons, and with deep regret, that I am cancelling my subscription to your email list. It has been amazing and you will always have a place in my heart.”
My response when Wiggle asked me why I was unsubscribing. They didn’t care that I was in tears.
You include cycling expenses before working out your disposable income
Obviously, this doesn’t apply if you don’t budget.
For those who know how to be an adult, I’m 99% certain you join me in having a line in your budget that sits high on your list of priorities (above rent or mortgage payments?) for cycling related expenses. Either that or you allocate additional budget to another area so your partner doesn’t see it. Either way, the family only gets fun after you have purchased those new wheels.
Want a way to make your bike expenses tax deductible? Become a cycling coach. You’re welcome.
You need an alarm to get up for work, but not for cycling
I’m dead certain on this one. I bet you don’t press the snooze button to get up for the early morning weekend group ride, but you need a fog horn to get out of bed for work. I’d like to tell you that I feel your pain, but I love my job!
You know why cyclists don’t think about losing sleep during daylight savings? Because we are too busy thinking about how good our Sunday ride will be. True story.
Walking is seen as an unnecessary risk
You only need to turn your ankle once in your life to know that walking isn’t worth it. Morbidly obese people have been years ahead of us, sitting there in their motorised wheelchairs. Bravo.
Remember that your cycling performance depends on your recovery. Take the lift, elevator, traveltor, escalator, or stair master.
Summary of the signs you are a cyclist
In summary, if you can say that all of these factors apply to you, signs are you are a cyclist.
- Your cycling shoes are your most expensive pair of footwear
- Your bike(s) are more expensive than your car
- You cycle more miles than you drive
- You give a lanes worth of road for other cyclists
- You wash more cycling kit than regular clothes
- You receive more cycling related emails than anything else
- You include cycling expenses before working out your disposable income
- You need an alarm to get up for work, but not for cycling
- Walking is seen as an unnecessary risk
Below: Enjoy the epic retro video I created on this subject many years ago!!
How many made your list? If you want help putting your cycling obsession to good use with a training plan that fits your goals and life, Book a Free Consultation.
