I love speaking to other cyclists about their cycling adventures and favourite routes; overseas sportives and cycling holidays always interest me. I personally like cycling up things, so I’m happy for a little technical talk on this topic, and to discuss gradients. I’m also partial to some fitness talk and actively encourage any chat about nutrition on a bike that doesn’t involve gels. I will definitely embrace a conversation about cycling attire, especially if its women specific.
I except that there is a whole other world of cycling chat that is totally beyond me, routes are discussed in terms of wattage and power, food is related to body mass index and kit is all about air flow.
I did not realise how niche a cyclists chat could be until recently when I spent an evening with eight or so cyclists that I had not met before. We had come together to discuss re-establishing a local cycling club that was initially founded in the late nineteenth century. After we had gone through the agenda it was inevitable that the conversation would be dominated by cycling stories and bike talk.
I noticed Mr. M was in deep conversation with a member of the group, they were looking at photos on the other chap’s phone. Pictures of cobbles! I cannot imagine any other situation where two strangers might be so animated by cobbles and their size, unless perhaps you found yourself at a pavé convention. They were discussing the treacherous terrain of a sportive somewhere in France.
I didn’t have much to contribute to this conversation, my best offering would have been to tell them about the time I got my stiletto heel stuck between two paving stones in Covent Garden, and how with the help of a passer by, I retrieved my foot, but then had to hobble off to a work event with half a heel.
I’ve never given cobbles much thought, but must gen up.
The Small Hall 
Haha! There’s more than a hint of machismo in cobbles chatter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree!
LikeLike
I avoid most cycling discussions. I do gear my own way, which suits my body’s needs and my approach to cycling as a very practical form of transportation. I don’t really ride as a hobby, and exercise for its own sake baffles me. That leaves me with nothing in common with people who spend more on an accessory than I make in a month and then leave the whole thing sitting for months at a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get cobbles, and I can get pretty excited watching pro cyclists race on them, but I have no desire whatsoever to ride on the bloody things – here in Lancashire, a smooth bit of tarmac is a rare and revered thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me laugh. Not much in the way of cobbles here in my part of the US so I am fascinated by watching races that involve them. The Olympics in Rio with the bidons flying off the bikes when they hit the cobble section left gasping in horror and laughing at the same time. Doesn’t make me want to ride on them myself, that’s for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You would fair better than me in the cobble chat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lived for at least fifteen years in a town with brick streets. Bricks make pretty buildings, but I detest riding on them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I rode down a brick street once and I was very glad it was short, that’s for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE this post!! I too, had NO idea, what a niche world this cycling was until I started hanging out with cyclists. It’s hilarious to see what the conversation goes to at parties. It’s just ridiculous 🙂
As for cobbles – I had no idea what that really was either until going to Belgium. What an experience.
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person