I ride only when the weathers' good (otherwise i take public transport) and drive a car occasionally through the year, but there's something pretty tough about someone who gets out there at 6.30am on a rainy winter morning, and braving angry motorists, cycles to work.
On the other hand, is there anything more effeminate than a fat bloke sitting in his poncy leather-seated 4wd? Three or four generations ago we were out in the weather all the time, now we have to sit in our personalised spaces of comfort with air-con, electric seat-warmers, music, cup holders, soft seats, etc...
Between cyclists and motorists, I'm pretty sure I know who your great grandfathers would call 'soft'.
