Ottawa’s Awesome Bike Paths are Not an Invitation to Wear Spandex Everywhere

by: Brian Clarke

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One of the best features of Ottawa is its extensive bike path system. However, this is also one of the most disturbing things about Ottawa.

With all these bike paths, our city has a huge cycling population. I like to think we are a more fit city than other cities of similar size. I have no proof of this, but I believe it. Tons of Ottawans can be seen cycling to work or school almost every day.

However, this vast bike path system seems to be taken as an excuse and an invitation to wear cycling spandex onesies everywhere. And I mean everywhere. I’ve seen them in grocery stores, coffee shops, even a sit down restaurant!

I have only ever noticed this phenomenon in Ottawa, but maybe I just haven’t spent enough time in other cities to notice it elsewhere. But this certainly seems to be an Ottawa thing.

I can understand the argument that “I’m just stopping in to grab some groceries on my way home”. That’s okay. But you see way too many people rocking the ‘cyclist uniform’ that they all can’t just be ‘stopping in’. I mean, just last week I saw a guy come into Starbucks and sit down for a half hour to sip his tea while jamming out in his spandex suit.

If you know you’re going to be in public for long, can’t you throw a pair of sweats in your knapsack? No one likes to see every outline and crevice of a middle aged man’s junk!

To end this short little rant, I just want to make clear that this is all in good fun. I don’t mean to offend anyone – I have tons of respect for any athlete or individual who takes pride in their fitness, no matter how they choose to pursue their goals. I just find this “You can wear spandex onesies anywhere” thing to be an odd phenomenon in Ottawa.

But hey, the best individuals must be able to poke fun at themselves, so why can’t one of the best cities do the same?

Have a good weekend!