The two subjects we're discussing on episode 66 of the road.cc Podcast are arguably chalk and cheese, but equally as interesting we hope you'll agree! In part 1, Jack and Ryan are joined by Jack Gebhard, an avid cyclist who happens to be Chief of Staff for the Conservative MP for Worcester, Robin Walker, about cycling's curious relationship with 'wokeness'.
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The characterisation of the 'woke cyclist' is something that appears to have crept into the discourse when discussions about cycling make it into the wider media - in fact, one Rotherham business owner even recently claimed that a roadworks project to improve cycling provision in the town was "one of those woke agenda schemes".
> ‘The War on the Motorist’ deconstructed — the truth behind the myths
A not-very-woke cyclist in the wild
With 'woke' having morphed from a term to describe those who are alert to racial prejudice and discrimination to a catch-all associated with a whole host of issues such as race, politics, gender and the climate – and often deployed in a negative way by those that use the word – where did the link between cyclists and woke come from, and is it even true in the slightest? We do our best to break it down...
In part 2, Ryan is speaking to Lidl Trek’s Lucinda Brand and cyclocross specialist Eli Iserbyt at the recent Cyclocross World Cup even in Dublin, before sitting down with Jamie to discuss how ‘cross fits in to the modern pro cyclist’s schedule.
After UCI president David Lappartient's recent comments suggested that riders would have to take part in cyclocross World Cup events if they want to race in the World Championships, does this mean we’re approaching the end of the multi-discipline era where the likes of Pidcock and Van Der Poel regularly appear at the biggest cyclocross races?
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176 comments
Yep, unintended consequences.
It reminds me of the Baphomet Statue (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Baphomet) that the Satanic Temple commissioned to draw attention to the installation of a Christian statue on state grounds. I do find it very disturbing when politics and religion join together.
Lots of begetting as I recall.
Those who try to hide history are planning on recreating it
Yes, we can't be sure that there aren't enough redneck dimwits and nutters in existence to bring Trump back, or enough of our own versions to bring back 'Trolley' Johnson or 'Spend, Spend, Spend on the Rich' Truss (although I think we're fairly safe from those particular villains)
Well, the comment section here has certainly answered the question in the podcast heading.
How so? The comment section is just you misusing the word "woke" a bunch of times and getting upset that nobody agrees with you.
I'm not in the least bit upset, it's the wokes who get upset.
You're using that word wrong again.
There you go again....
Woke.....
That is the thing about wokes, everyone who doesn't agree with them is a dickhead. There is only one viewpoint. Theirs.
Enough said really.
Well they can't all show the celebrated openness to persuasion, tolerance for alternative views and willingness to debate that you on the right so frequently display...honestly, catch on to yourself.
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'the celebrated openness to persuasion, tolerance for alternative views and willingness to debate'
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You mean like you, Trendy?
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Dear Lord, Rend, have you no self-awareness whatsoever???
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100% LOL
Never a truer comment!
Aw, this is cute, poor Loser's been missing a really good little bully pile-on group since Nigel (et al) and Martin got turfed. Hope you'll all be very happy together.
Ahh, I feel so sorry for you I might get out my minuscule violin
Actually, I wont bother
No need, I assure you, your "being attacked by a dead sheep" bullying style causes me nothing but amusement. Hugs xx
I always knew he had a miniscule, ahem, violin.
I agree as well.
You're the only person that could be attacked by a dead sheep tbf
No, Denis Healey was, by some tory twat strangely enough. Do keep up.
No, Denis Healey was, by some tory twat strangely enough. Do keep up
Geoffrey Howe, a later Brutus to Margaret Thatcher's Caesar, from the days when they had nicer Tories who weren't only in it for the money
Agreed.
Are you suggesting that roadcc cancel people for expressing certain views?
Is this a spoiler for the New Year's honours list?
Point is that virtually all commenting here are clearly left wing and choose to cycle as a form of political expression, which I find amusing; I cycle commute because it's cheap and convenient for my circumstances, not because I hate motoring and want to display my green credentials.
You think those on this site ride a bike as a form of political expression? Even though you have no clue what form of cycling they may engage in or when or how long they may have been cycling for? I mean I definitely chose to take up cycling at age 5 or 6 in the late 70's to express my then deeply held left wing views. I find it amusing how you think you know peoples reasoning for cycling from (mostly) anonymous online posts on this site. Idiotic.
I cycled from around 7 or 8 as that was the only way to get around. I still cycle around 50 years on as it is now the only way to get around due to congestion!
Ditto. I own a car but work in London, so driving to work would be stupid. I catch the train, but the service from my local station is abysmal. I could drive the 6 miles to where there is a decent service, but it would cost me fuel and parking. I cycle it, and it costs me £50 a year for access to the "cycle hub" to store my bike securely. Not to mention being close to the Dartford crossing, and with the amount of development occuring, often cycling is actually quicker.
The OED defines "woke" as currently 'alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice’.
Are you happy to support discrimination and injustice? I suspect from your comments that you are anti-woke. Do you really care whether they describe you as a dickhead? Or why they do?
Being called a dickhead isn't quite the same as being silenced, or 'cancelled' as some prominent media types call it. You are 100% allowed to have an opinion. People with discrimnatory views are everywhere - there are lots of loud 'n' proud racists, there are many homophobes, violent abusers and sexists (e.g. the Met police) and easily triggered anti-whatever anti-wokes are everywhere, it seems.
Use of the word just means that other people who disagree strongly with their/your discriminatory views are prepared to call you impolite names.
I don't like injustice and I don't like discrimination. Never have done. Why is that so objectionable?
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