This originally contained in a post to uk.comp.sys.mac, but someone suggested I should archive it.
It’s easy to tell the nationality of a touring cyclist from the way they load their bike:
- Front and rear panniers, neatly packed – British.
- Saddlebag and tiny front panniers, ancient bike – hard-core British.
- Huge pile of stuff over back wheel – Dutch.
- Huge pile of stuff over back wheel, plus rucsack – German.
- Glamorous bike, no panniers, luggage in accompanying car – French
- Very glamorous bike, no panniers, luggage in accompanying sports car – Italian.
- All other combinations – New Zealander.
- Sheltering in bus-stop – American.
…to which Sak Wathanasin added:
- Turns up at start in Mercedes with personal mechanic, masseur etc, then goes like the wind – Belgian.
Sak also noted that some Americans really do cycle. Even if it’s raining. Fair point – I don’t claim to be reasonable or accurate. Especially not reasonable.