Is cycling truly a sport reserved for the wealthy, or are we just being misled?
The age-old saying "There's nothing new under the sun" could easily apply to the world of cycling, which has remained relatively unchanged for much of the past century. Think about it: double diamond frames, pneumatic tires, established cycling clubs, and snug-fitting apparel have been staples in the cycling community for years.
In the past decade, the rise of gravel biking has introduced a refreshing shake-up to the scene, though it may not rival the revolutionary impact that mountain biking had when it emerged in the mid to late 1980s. While the gravel trend is intriguing, a closer examination reveals a common misconception: cycling is prohibitively expensive.
What we often see splashed across our screens are high-priced, flashy gear items pushed by brands with hefty marketing budgets. These products dominate social media feeds and magazine pages, appearing glossy and appealing. However, if you take a moment to look deeper, you'll uncover a different reality.
Gravel biking, along with its companion activity bikepacking, embraces all cyclists, regardless of their chosen ride. Whether you're on an affordable mountain bike or a brand-new carbon model equipped with electronic gears, there’s a place for everyone. Moreover, your outfit while riding is entirely your business; if you were to start quoting the Velominati rules about only wearing sunglasses positioned inside your helmet straps, you'd likely be met with bemusement rather than admiration.
Having spent over two decades at Cycling Weekly and cycling even longer, James has ample experience to differentiate between what’s genuinely beneficial and what isn’t in the realm of cycling.
The key takeaway here is this: you can derive immense joy from cycling without needing the latest high-end equipment or a deep bank account. Unfortunately, if you're unfamiliar with gravel biking or if it hasn't crossed your radar yet (which is likely if you're new to cycling), this truth isn't immediately obvious.
If your only exposure comes from sponsored social media posts that bombard you on platforms like Instagram or influencers promoting top-tier bikes and gear through affiliate links, you might be led to believe that unless you invest thousands of dollars, you’ll forever be labeled merely as 'someone who rides a bike' instead of achieving the status of a 'true cyclist.' The cycling community sometimes gives the impression that unless you’re spending around £150 on shorts or two months’ salary on a bicycle, your equipment isn’t worth having.
Fortunately, this perception is far from accurate and doesn’t reflect the reality of cycling.
For those interested in participating in events or races regularly, it’s true that costs can escalate quickly. Factors such as insurance fees, venue costs, and timing chip rentals contribute to the price of organizing fully-equipped events or races. Despite this, there are still many fantastic and affordable options available, including time trials, Audax events, and some grassroots charity rides, with certain bikepacking events even being free to enter.
Beyond structured events, cycling remains a reasonably affordable hobby overall. A quick search through classified ads reveals many functional rim brake road bikes starting at around £150, as well as good-quality disc brake models from £400 onward. A newcomer to cycling might benefit from enlisting a friend to assist in selecting a suitable bike and perhaps doing a bit of maintenance, but any of these bicycles would be perfectly capable of holding their own on a group ride, even a fast-paced one.
In terms of clothing, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available on platforms like Vinted or eBay, especially during sales. While investing in a quality pair of shorts is advisable for comfort, they don’t have to break the bank. You might not sport the most prestigious brands during group rides, but there’s no reason you can’t look sharp with a clean bike and a coordinated outfit.
Personally, I've always taken a practical approach to my gear (though I often skip the matching colors and sometimes forget to clean my bike). My formative years in cycling, guided by my local CTC District Association, instilled in me the belief that group rides are about enjoying the experience and camaraderie rather than a fashion show.
This perspective has occasionally left me feeling that my riding companions are casting sideways glances, pondering whether I dressed in poor lighting. Yet, the upside is that I’ve never been misled into thinking that only the most expensive and extravagant gear is worth having. While high-end products can certainly be delightful to own, as a cycling journalist, I’ve been fortunate to test numerous items that I would hesitate to purchase myself—they’ve generally performed excellently.
It’s essential to remember that often you can achieve nearly all the benefits—sometimes even all of them—using more affordable gear. In these challenging financial times, I’d encourage anyone to give it a try.
