to think people who exercise excessively are boring and quite selfish

[rosesaremyfavouriteflower]

I have a couple of friends who cycle a lot. By that I mean all school day on their days off work (work part time) plus at least 2 evenings and a large proportion of the weekend. I get the importance of exercise and I do and also have friends who do a few 5k runs a week but never mention it. I wouldn't mind if they would keep it to themselves, but they seem to have the knack of turning conversation around so they can talk about their bike ride, they moan about how tired and achey they are. They complain their dh's (who work full time) are not pulling their weight (dispite the fact they are spending a couple of days sat on their bikes). And their latest feats are all posted on social media. I just get the feeling they think it's great and the rest of the world is missing out when in reality non excessive excercisers just think it's a bit sad and they need to get a life.

It's not sad nor do they need to get a life. What harm is it doing? They are passionate about it, it has become a big part of their lives, nothing wrong with it.

Of course, that doesn't mean they should go on about it to those who don't follow the same passion, and maybe they need to be told, but considering them sad and needing a life strike of some sort of envy, maybe that they are fit and happy, or just that they have the time to enjoy a hobby at that level.

Ah I'd love to write what I really think here, but I fear it could be outing.

Let's just leave it at All Cyclists Are C**ts.

There.

I'd be very interested to know how 'healthy' you are? If you're one of these that's overweight and never exercise then it's most likely jealousy on your part.

Exercising benefits everyone. I think it's great they have a hobby they enjoy. If they are close friends then speak to them and explain you don't need a blow by blow account of their rides.

I don't know about selfish but certainly obsessive and self absorbed. Yes, boring definitely but so is anyone who is fixated on one topic. I know someone who cycles, is a member of a cycling club, teaches people cycling. children also cycle and go to club. Nuff said.

My view is that moderate exercise is all that's needed. Cycling can be part of that, very good for you.

Anyone with a monomania is likely to be a bond single out sporty bores as worse than any of the other types.

Fun to have a thread about female cycle bores. It's mainly men, on here and in RL.

and I do and also have friends who do a few 5k runs a week but never mention it

So .... how do you know? That they do these runs?

Can I ask what you talk about in conversation that is so non-boring by way of comparison OP?

I've met a few people who have no conversation at all, once you've exchanged pleasantries about the weather. They never go anywhere or do anything to talk about. Well, thats not strictly true. My SIL has attempted to talk to me about the joys of the different varieties of patchwork available in a local specialist shop, or the types of different nozzles that came with her new hoover.

Or perhaps the cycle-bores are attempting to fill in the deafening silence that occurs when they do try to have a conversation with you?

‘Cyclists are the vegans of the exercise world’ 😂😂😂

YABU. People who go on about any one thing can be boring but generalising those who exercise a lot is unfair and incorrect.

Maybe it's you who needs to get a life 🙄

I am not overweight or unfit. I exercise regularly in moderation. I just don't want to hear about other people's exercising and I do feel that cyclists look down on those who partake in different forms of exercise. I agree they are the vegans of the exercise world 😂

I'm most definitely not jealous.

YABU. I exercise a lot. I talk about it with kindred spirits or anyone who asks me about it.
I'm not boring or selfish. I fit it in within my working day and being a mother. Yes, my kids know how important it is to me and I think I'm setting a good example.

It is the first thing to go when I am pushed for time and that does make me a bit upset (cos it's really not that much time out of my day), but that's the way it is at the moment.

It's saved my mental health actually.

Anyone with a fixation/obsession will be a guaranteed snoozefest. Cyclists can be prone to obsession, but I’ve met (just for example) obsessive musicians, car enthusiasts, and competitive parents, all of whom are unbelievably dull.

I can imagine two cycling enthusiasts having a really engaging conversation about wheels or seats with each other. Just like two hobby bakers might wax lyrical about icing nozzles.

It's not the cycling that's the issue it's your friends' inability to read their audience.

I do feel that cyclists look down on those who partake in different forms of exercise
Oh dear god.

YABU Op, you need a hobby.

I do feel that cyclists look down on those who partake in different forms of exercise

I know many, many cyclists and have not come across this AT ALL.
Perhaps I just know nice people

@TheOrigRightsofwomen Or perhaps whispers cyclists aren't the devil people that MN thinks they are...

Its like cyclist-bashing is the 'in' thing now.

@rosesaremyfavouriteflower Re-read your last post, your not a nice person.
Cyclists and vegans are people too. Don't be such an arsehole!

If I get free time, housework has to take priority

Why? That's your choice, it's not mine. Running takes priority. Unless you have allergies, a bit of dust never hurt anyone. I would rather have a slightly messy house than be overweight because I never get any exercise (which I was before I started running).

I do feel that cyclists look down on those who partake in different forms of exercise

And this is a load of nonsense.

YANBU if they really do go on endlessly about it, except that people also bore on about plenty of things that aren't exercise. People like to target runners and cyclists because it makes them ferl lazy and unfit by comparison.

Are you sure they're you're friends? You sound like you can't stand them

This whole debate is premised on the assumption that there's something noble about activity for its own sake - that if you have free time you "should" be spending it in a certain way - on housework or self improvement or exercise or whatever. When really it's all as meaningless as each other in the final analysis. Prolonging one's own health and life expectancy is a perfectly rational but not entirely altruistic endeavour so I don't see why it entitles people to feel morally superior to lazy bastards. Ditto housework really - you might create a more pleasant environment for yourself and stop your family dying from a fridge algae born disease, but the universe isn't that much better off as a result. If you're not causing active harm then crack on, is my general view, but less of the smug would be welcome all round.