What has happeend to the SS 'cult'?

Depending on the way you view them (love or hate?) it's always sad for a 'cult' of any kind of once trendy fashion - the day your average punter takes what was once an icon of cool and makes of mockery of it.

The cult of SS (single speed) that has been growing in popularity really crossed that line for me today.

There was a time every SS rider was emblazoned with artistic and mysterious tattoos, unusual piercings and clad in clothes that told the world they were truly 'out there'. I've noticed more and more riders having a go at SS both on and off the dirt. Not that this is a particularly bad thing - but but today on the cycle commute I happened to pass a couple of riders that signaled SS is no longer the hip and cool alternative - it's all gone a bit too mainstream.

Witness SS rider one this morning: on the Pacific Highway in full road club Lycra, arm and leg warmers - the lot! The name of the club has been withheld to save their embarrassment, please do not ask.

SS rider two pulled up alongside me at lights on Epping road. Clad in Lycra shorts he really didn't look right on his minimalist, retro frame. He looked as if he'd be far more comfortable on a standard road bike with a few gears and sat in a pack. Perhaps the poor chap would have preferred it that way too after I took some pleasure in clicking down a couple of cogs and sprinting away up a hill when I noticed him sneakily sitting on my wheel

So it's so long the cult of SS - although I never really knew you.