You have to admit, for those not indoctrinated into the sport it's not a big stretch to understand how people can view it as less than masculine. This thought has occurred to me on numerous Sunday mornings as I tap dance across a cafe floor in my cleats and Lycra shorts to pay for my latte.
Frankly I don't care if the world laughs at me. About 10 years ago a friend twisted my arm to get me out with him on a local bike shop group ride. Didn't own a bike so he set up a mid 80's steel Bianchi (shifters on the down tube)for me to ride. I was a distance runner so my cardio and respiratory was in decent shape but I had not been on a bike in over a decade. 40 Miles later I thought my spleen was going to fall out. I swore I would never subject myself to that kind of torture again but, sure enough, a week went by and I was right back out with them. Hands down the most difficult yet enjoyable sport I have ever participated in.