Embarrassed to be on a City Bike? Grow Up.

I get it.

You’re out there, grinding away on a 30-year-old city bike. The wheels feel like they’re made of cement. The gears shift like they’re negotiating a peace treaty. And every time some Lycra-clad road warrior blows past you, you feel like you might as well be pedaling a unicycle in clown shoes.

But let’s be real. Nobody cares. And if they do, they suck.

I used to think like you. I used to feel the shame. Then I realized something: cycling isn’t about the machine. It’s about the miles. The effort. The sweat. And, sure, the occasional feeling that you might actually be dying.

So, let’s break it down. Here are seven things to consider before you let your self-worth get crushed by a bunch of guys who spend more money on their bike than their rent.

1. Nobody Is Thinking About You

They’re too busy checking their own stats, adjusting their padded shorts, or wondering why they spent $5K just to still get dropped by an old dude on a steel frame from 1978.

2. You’re Stronger Than You Think

Riding a heavy city bike for 30-50 km? That’s insane. You’re basically weight training on wheels. The day you finally get a light road bike, you’ll feel like you’ve been shot out of a cannon. And then you’ll start passing people. Sweet, sweet revenge.

3. Fancy Bikes Don’t Make You Fast

There’s always someone with a better bike. Always. Some guy on a $15K machine is still getting smoked by a teenager on a borrowed fixie. The best cyclists don’t just buy speed—they earn it.

4. The Bike Snobs Are Just Insecure

You know the type. The ones who give you the look. The ones who sniff at your bike like it just insulted their mother. News flash: these people live in fear. Fear of being slow. Fear of not looking pro enough. Fear that deep down, they’re just as bad as the rest of us.

5. Riding a Beater is Hardcore

Ever seen a dude ride a century in jeans on a fixed gear? That’s legendary. Riding a tank while everyone else is in a race car? That’s like running a marathon in steel-toed boots. Respect.

6. Your Bike is the Best Bike You Have

The best bike isn’t the one you dream about. It’s the one you actually ride. You’re already out there, racking up miles while some rich guy’s $10K Specialized collects dust in a garage. That’s what counts.

7. You’re Already Winning

Every time you throw a leg over that city bike, you’re lapping everyone sitting on a couch. You’re out there. You’re moving. You’re putting in work. And that’s more than most people can say.

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The Brutal Truth (Summarized for the Attention-Deficient)

Reality Check	Why It Doesn’t Matter
People pass you?	Who cares. Ride anyway.
Your bike is old?	That’s just built-in strength training.
Fancy bikes look cool?	Speed is earned, not bought.
Roadies judge you?	They’re just scared.
Your bike is slow?	So what? A slow bike is better than no bike.
You feel embarrassed?	Let it go. Nobody is looking.
You dream of a better bike?	You’re already winning by riding at all.

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Conclusion: Get Over Yourself and Keep Riding

The world doesn’t care about your bike. It doesn’t care if you ride a city bike, a road bike, or a tricycle with a SpongeBob horn.

What matters is that you ride. That you put in the miles. That you keep going even when your legs scream and your lungs burn.

Because one day, you’re gonna buy that road bike. You’ll swing a leg over it, push down on the pedals, and suddenly—BOOM—you’re flying. You’re passing the people who used to pass you.

And you’ll smile. Because you’ll know. You earned this.