So this 'Cranky Sundays' group has been going for almost 6 months now. Officially most of us have been riding as a group every Sunday for almost a year. The group is made up of 16 - 40+ year olds who come from various walks of life and who are into very different things apart from the bike/riding. Most of us are self confessed sneaker heads in one way or another and have gotten sucked into the 'fixie' thing for one reason or another - hype being the main culprit. In saying that, not all of us ride fixed. Some started out 24" Cruisers and some are single speed. Whatever it is, this bike thing is something new and exciting for us to talk about and participate in.
In the time this rouge group was created, much has evolved. We've lost a few 'key' riders over the past few months and are about to loose a couple more. All mainly due to them moving overseas for work or to live. But we have also gained more than a handful of keen riders who turn up every weekend for a roll. Some come from BMX, some from MTB and some skating. I would say that 95% of us are decent riders, but nowhere near what you see on the videos of people mashing in traffic or doing endless tricks. The man basis of this ride is just that - a Sunday group ride.
The reason for the insight into 'Cranky Sundays' is because in the last month, I've been hearing all sorts of chinese whispers. Like every other sub-culture, there is always a little bitching. But what got me was that we have been accused of being 'gay' and that we have jumped on the fixie bandwagon cos of the hype and that our rides are shitty and boring and unorganised.... and that you have to wear shit like Supreme to come riding with us...?
Errr excuse me?
Let me get this straight. The reason why this blog was started was not to compete with the other blogs/forums/groups out there. It wasn't to showcase what the fixed scene is about in Melbourne. It was so we could post the date and place to meet on Sundays so we can go for a group ride. It started out with everyone texting everyone else and we met up. But we thought it would be much more convenient to just post it on the net so anyone can check to see if its on. And what's wrong with posting a few vid's and pics while were at it? We have never claimed to be any sort of group and we have certainly never preached about anything. We have never discriminated and we have never made anyone feel left out or behind.
What's worse is that I know for a fact that some of these 'haters' have come with us a few times - and who have now progressed onwards with their riding (or mindset about the whole culture). I also know that some of these are people that we know - pretty well.
Sad.
Bottom line is - We will keep having our Sunday rides like we always have. Gay or not, people still seem to be showing up and we have fun. Everyone is welcome to hang out regardless of what bike you ride and who you are. And if you don't like it, thats cool. No need to have a bitch cos we ain't 'extreme' enough.
So fuck all ya'll haters who think you are better than the person next to you!
All that said...I've never been to a race/alleycat before (cos I work every Friday evening/night). This is on a Sunday so maybe we can....
Posts
9 comments:
i love you hans. xo
really looking forward to coming on a few rides with you lot in dec/jan. should even be off my old man's bike and onto my new rig for a couple of the last ones !
Interesting post.
I would just encourage you guys to just keep doing what you're doing and not worry too much about what others are saying.
At the end of the day all you're doing is getting together with mates and going for a ride, and, do you really want to let the fact that someone is hating on you ruin your afternoon?
I'm fairly scene agnostic. I ride in alleycats, I ride with the hippies at critical mass, I spent many years riding road & track and I've attended the cranky ride once (and plan on doing so again). I've learned that you definitely need to have a fairly "meh" attitude to anyone that judges you just because they hate newbies or outsiders.
You guys have nothing to prove to anyone. You just happened to have recently embraced an activity/interest to which us old-timers have a strong sense of ownership. Big deal. Old timers just need to accept this is happening and move on because bitching about it wont change anything.
Side note: There are similarities between what's going on with Melbourne's track bike scene and what happened with breakbeat a few years ago. Eventually it outgrows itself, sub-groups form, and people more or less just get on with it or drown in their own jaded-ness.
I'm gonna miss the Cranky Sessions!
Lucas, spot on. Just ride.
I know you wear a lot of red, but to lump EVERYONE into this Rouge Group...?
if i want to try a new thing like riding a fixed gear bike.
its my fucking business.
whether it be a new "trend" or not.
go eat shit haters. HAHA.
It's pretty easy to be bitter and diss people from behind a computer.
In the end we are all riding, save your hate for all the retarded motorists that are out there on the roads.
peace
i was playing around in the last comment, that being said ill happy tell someone what i think to their face .
Right on.
i check this lil blog weekly and love riding round on my piece-o-hunk-o-junk single and am looking at a fixed but dont really have any other mates into it and have been thinking about coming down and introducing myself for a ride for a while now. this is because all you have to do is look through previous posts/comment and see that your welcoming to it.
maybe ill be seeing you peeps sooner than later.
Peas'
Post a Comment