If you’re considering dating a cyclist but you need pushing over the line, we’re here to give you a sign. Or are you a cyclist looking to entice a lover? Let us know what your number one selling point is in the comments at the end of this article.
Forget the red flags and late nights; dating a cyclist is the gateway to a wholesome, healthy lifestyle full of delicious coffee, exotic travel and sexy (spandex-shaped) silhouettes.
Sure, not all cyclists are the same – but we reckon one or two of these might ring true for you.
1. Silky shaven legs
First things first. Most, although not all, cyclists opt for freshly shaven legs in the summer. Call it aero gains or tradition, or for some, the reason is to avoid hair getting tangled into road rash or pulled by a sports massage.
Silky smooth, sun-kissed legs with calves and quads that are perfectly sculpted by thousands of miles of effort? Yes, yes please.
2. They’ll have a healthy appetite
Cyclists are used to eating something carbo-licious every hour on the bike, and it’s often not too different off the bike, either.
All that pedalling requires some hefty fuelling and replenishment, so the rider in your life is very unlikely to shy away from a good feed. Bonus points if you’re a fellow foodie.
3. Domestic bliss
With multiple rides a week, whether that be in the great outdoors or on the turbo trainer, cyclists quickly accumulate a healthy (and perhaps stinky) laundry pile.
Alas, the Lycra wardrobe is not endless, so cyclists find themselves on laundry duty more often than average folk.
Expensive performance materials require more delicate care than your everyday garms, so your cyclist partner is likely to know their way around the more obscure washing machine settings, and might even be happy to sort out your laundry, too.
4. Cycling is good for your sex life
On the spicier side of things, they say that cycling is good for your sex life – we’ll leave you to read that one at your leisure.
5. They make your hobbies seem cheap
Let’s not beat about the bush; cycling is not a budget-friendly pastime.
Sure, you can cycle happily on a reasonably priced second-hand bike with inexpensive kit, but the sparkle of kit upgrades and performance bikes certainly lures a good few of us in.
The good news is that this can make your hobbies seem relatively inexpensive. Unless you’re into horse-riding, scuba diving, alpine skiing (or you are also an avid cyclist), that is.
6. They're easy to buy for
Do you struggle with gifting for special occasions? When you’re dating a cyclist, unless they’re a picky diva, that’s no longer an issue, because they’ve always got a healthy list of upgrades they’re coveting.
Still not sure? You can never go wrong with a new pair of cycling socks, although you may have to brace yourself before you check the price.
7. Coffee > shots
If your idea of going out centres more around a lovely brunch date than a night on the tiles, a cyclist will make the perfect partner for you.
Cycling culture is centred around coffee stops, and many riders delight in finding a great-quality brew and a golden flaky pastry or vast slab of cake.
Don’t fear the late night either; cyclists are keen to maximise their sleep scores for optimal recovery, so you don’t need to worry about feeling haggard the next day.
8. You’ll get plenty of me-time
Are you the independent type who relishes plenty of time on your own or with your friends?
Take yourself off on a solo date, spend a weekend with your nearest and dearest or pack in as much work as you like, totally guilt-free – your partner will be happy enough on their bike anyway.
9. A multi-tool can fix all ills
OK, maybe not quite – but knowing your way around a bike and owning a good selection of tools can come in pretty handy for other aspects of your life, too.
If you’re harbouring a dread for DIY, then a practical, mechanically minded cycling partner can alleviate your household anxiety.
As BikeRadar digital editor Jack Luke has proven, if you can fix a bike, you can fix a washing machine.
10. They’re not afraid of a performance review
Cyclists love to dig into the stats after every ride; average speed, elevation climbed, distance, segment personal bests or even trophies, so don’t think they can’t take a bit of feedback.
Relationship not quite developing as you’d imagined? Set your cyclist partner some goals (preferably with a quantitative measure that they can score themselves and their progress against) and watch as they put in the training to win back your heart.
