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Is cycling ‘woke’? Cycling and culture wars discussed with a Conservative aide, plus Lucinda Brand and Eli Iserbyt on the future of cyclocross

Yes, we went there. Cycling's curious relationship with so-called wokeness is up for discussion on the latest episode of the road.cc Podcast, plus a much less loaded chat and pro interviews about the crazy sport of cyclocross...

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

Boris Johnson (picture credit TfL).jpg
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... 

Lucinda Brand, Dublin cyclocross World Cup 2023 (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

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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This content has been added by a member of the road.cc staff

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176 comments

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Adam Sutton | 11 months ago
5 likes
Adam Sutton wrote:

Yes, but this incident did make me chuckle.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/07/book-bans-are-sweeping-us-schools-a-surprising-new-victim-the-bible

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.

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eburtthebike replied to Adam Sutton | 11 months ago
2 likes
Adam Sutton wrote:

Yes, but this incident did make me chuckle.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/07/book-bans-are-swee...

Lots of begetting as I recall.

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wtjs replied to hawkinspeter | 11 months ago
3 likes

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)

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Rik Mayals unde... | 11 months ago
3 likes

Well, the comment section here has certainly answered the question in the podcast heading.

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BalladOfStruth replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 11 months ago
9 likes

How so? The comment section is just you misusing the word "woke" a bunch of times and getting upset that nobody agrees with you. 

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Rik Mayals unde... replied to BalladOfStruth | 11 months ago
3 likes

I'm not in the least bit upset, it's the wokes who get upset. 

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BalladOfStruth replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 11 months ago
11 likes

You're using that word wrong again.

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Clem Fandango replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 11 months ago
9 likes

There you go again....

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hutchdaddy | 11 months ago
20 likes

Woke.....

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Rik Mayals unde... replied to hutchdaddy | 11 months ago
5 likes

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.

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Rendel Harris replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 11 months ago
17 likes
Biker Phil wrote:

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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Flintshire Boy replied to Rendel Harris | 11 months ago
3 likes

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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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Adam Sutton replied to Flintshire Boy | 11 months ago
3 likes

100% LOL

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Left_is_for_Losers replied to Flintshire Boy | 11 months ago
1 like
Flintshire Boy wrote:

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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???

.

 

Never a truer comment!

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Rendel Harris replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 11 months ago
6 likes

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.

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Left_is_for_Losers replied to Rendel Harris | 11 months ago
2 likes
Rendel Harris wrote:

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

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Rendel Harris replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 11 months ago
6 likes
Left_is_for_Losers wrote:

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

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Clem Fandango replied to Rendel Harris | 11 months ago
5 likes

I always knew he had a miniscule, ahem, violin.

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perce replied to Clem Fandango | 11 months ago
4 likes

I agree as well.

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Left_is_for_Losers replied to Rendel Harris | 11 months ago
0 likes
Rendel Harris wrote:
Left_is_for_Losers wrote:

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

You're the only person that could be attacked by a dead sheep tbf

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perce replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 11 months ago
5 likes

No, Denis Healey was, by some tory twat strangely enough. Do keep up.

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wtjs replied to perce | 11 months ago
4 likes

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

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perce replied to wtjs | 11 months ago
2 likes

Agreed. 

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grOg replied to Rendel Harris | 11 months ago
2 likes

Are you suggesting that roadcc cancel people for expressing certain views?

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TheBillder replied to Flintshire Boy | 11 months ago
4 likes
Flintshire Boy wrote:

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Dear Lord Rend

 

Is this a spoiler for the New Year's honours list?

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grOg replied to Rendel Harris | 11 months ago
2 likes

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.

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RDaneel replied to grOg | 11 months ago
3 likes
grOg wrote:

 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; 

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. 

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Hirsute replied to RDaneel | 11 months ago
5 likes

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!

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Adam Sutton replied to Hirsute | 11 months ago
3 likes
Hirsute wrote:

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.

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Simon E replied to Rik Mayals underpants | 11 months ago
15 likes

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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