Some Riders are Snobby

[Veronica]

I commute on a mountain bike with fenders, ride the same route every day. I ride in street clothes and regular shoes.

Every couple of days, a male rider crosses onto the bike path, right in front of me. He never says anything. He is hauling butt and I am stopped waiting for my light to change... so I figure he's just working hard.

Yesterday either I was early or he was late, as we crossed paths while I was still on the bike trail. He slowed down, looked at my jacket and said good morning. Apparently wearing a triple crown jacket gets you into the "club", even if you're on an old lugged steel mountain bike with flat pedals and carrying a huge bag of books on a rack.

Of course maybe he has just never really registered my presence before. :)

I hope I never become one of those snobby riders. I like to think that even when I'm riding hard, I still manage to choke out a hello or a wave if someone waves to me.

V.

[Cassandra_Cain]

I doubt you will become one of those riders Veronica. Else we wouldn't have you on the board ya know? :D

Ah, we hinted at this stuff in other posts. I still don't get the how or why, but I have just come to accept that vast majority of people (at least those I encounter) riding are basically oblivious to everyone. These are predominantly men admittedly, though that isn't exactly an attempt to rationalize it.

Places where I ride hard are usually more isolated (ie...mountains) and away from the most popular routes. When I do see someone in these spots I always wave, smile, or say hi just as a courtesy. Some people respond, others never even look. So be it.

We aren't worried about you becoming a crusty rider :)

[salsabike]

Veronica, something like that happened to Mr. Salsa. The local club does some "high performance" rides that involve difficult hills and a fast pace. The first time he went on one, with his 30-year-old steel Raleigh International, he got pretty well snubbed---until they noticed he'd gotten up the hill just as quickly as they did on their carbon fiber whatevers. Then, all of a sudden, he got looked at and talked to.

[Trek420]

V,

just in case he thinks you're wearing your hubbys jacket :rolleyes: next time we want you to turn and chase down that rider, in your street clothes, flat pedals, mountain bike with fenders and books :D

Don't forget to say a cheery "on your left"

Do it for the TE gals :p

[SouthernBelle]

V,

just in case he thinks you're wearing your hubbys jacket :rolleyes: next time we want you to turn and chase down that rider, in your street clothes, flat pedals, mountain bike with fenders and books :D

Don't forget to say a cheery "on your left"

Do it for the TE gals :p


Can't you get someone to follow you with a video camera when you do this?

[Geonz]

I'm feeling sorry for that guy. Guess he did the wrong thing saying good mornign to you! Until then he was just working hard <<rest removed by author, who should have chewed out her bagel instead !)

[Trek420]

SouthernBelle "Can't you get someone to follow you with a video camera when you do this?"

I'm thinking one of those helmet-cams should do it. :p

[SouthernBelle]

But on the other hand, you weren't there. She was. She was the only person to observe his behavior. So she is the only person in a position to make the assessment.

[Squeaky]

I think that was a little harsh. Veronica already admitted that it was likely he just never noticed her before (rather than him being a snob). I think her comment was more of a general observation. I know I say good morning to a lot of people and never get a response. Which doesn't necessarily mean they're snobs, but with some people you just get a sense and it can feel that they are.

Another definition of snob for me? People zipping along on the bike path, dodging pedestrians and cyclists, totally disregarding the safety of others because they think they have the right of way since they're faster. Do I judge those people? Of course!

[Veronica]

We aren't worried about you becoming a crusty rider :)

Ha... you haven't seen me after a hard ride. My helmet is certainly crusty. I don't even want to think about the rest of me. :D

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Another definition of snob for me? People zipping along on the bike path, dodging pedestrians and cyclists, totally disregarding the safety of others because they think they have the right of way since they're faster.

Those aren't snobs- those are jerks! ;)

I myself tend to not put people into the snob category until they've really proven that they are. Lots of people are distracted when they ride, or so deep into their riding so they don't notice others much. They often have intense strained looks on their faces while they're training (poor things!). Sometimes we assume someone hunkered down with that kind of facial expression is unpleasant in some way, when really they are just concentrating. Others just are not extroverts who smile or wave at everyone they pass. That's ok, they are not me. I wave or smile at almost everyone. I do find that most intense "roadies" I pass WILL smile or wave at me once I make the initial nod or bell ring or wave.

[KnottedYet]

I have one of these unfortunate faces that looks intensely angry/upset when I'm perfectly happy and relaxed. (so does my mom)

It's frustrating, because I get crap about it all the time.

I wonder how many bikers think I'm scowling at them as I cruise along happy as a lark and at peace with the universe?

[Xrayted]

SouthernBelle "Can't you get someone to follow you with a video camera when you do this?"

I'm thinking one of those helmet-cams should do it. :p

Ya know, I don't really ever watch tv, but I'd watch that. Go get 'em V!! :D

On the paths around here, everyone seems pretty friendly so far. There is the occassional one who you can tell is just out there hammering and doesn't know anyone else exists. On the road, I've found that I get more waves/nods from people on Harleys then I get from roadies. :confused: Strange... Just goes to prove that it's got nothing to do with the bike and a lot to do with the person riding it.

Ok, I don't normally ever do this and I apologize, but... ==>> Not cool at all. Geonz, that was pretty quick and harsh judgement from someone who claims to not do such things. **And yeah, I guess I'd qualify as one of those "fragile" people that you seem to think deserve your pity. I believe you may need it more. (Sorry, I don't often get upset, but that comment got to me.)

Peace to you all
-X.

[Geonz]

Pardon my pre-caffeine (naw, just snarky, no real excuse) harshness... that was a little much :rolleyes: Should have cutt off after the first lines... geez, who put sand in *my* chamois this morning? Apologizing... editing... hoping the other 900 more positive posts will support my "I"m not usually like that!" whine...

I'd have stronger words than snob for the reckless ones... that's kinda my definition of an a*h* .

And the solution (to the original situation ) *is* to chase him down and blow by him :-)

[Squeaky]

I have one of these unfortunate faces that looks intensely angry/upset when I'm perfectly happy and relaxed. (so does my mom)

It's frustrating, because I get crap about it all the time.

I wonder how many bikers think I'm scowling at them as I cruise along happy as a lark and at peace with the universe?

Ah yes, I inherited that face from my father, I know your pain....

Lisa, you're right, they're jerks not snobs.

Some of the people that I've said good morning to are standing at a stop light with me. And they just look at me like I'm a freak for saying it. Maybe I'm just oversensitive.

[GLC1968]

I have one of these unfortunate faces that looks intensely angry/upset when I'm perfectly happy and relaxed. (so does my mom)

It's frustrating, because I get crap about it all the time.

I wonder how many bikers think I'm scowling at them as I cruise along happy as a lark and at peace with the universe?

Me too! I have actually been verbally/physically attacked because of it (at a party by a drunk girl...but still!)...she thought I was scowling at her and I'd never even noticed her! She wanted to beat me up and I was just tired from a long day at work! :eek:

I've wondered if other bikers have thought poorly of me as well. I think that's why I try to hard to be the first one to wave...so that it doesn't matter what my face looks like! :p

[Geonz]

I consciously retrained my face (because my default scowl sunburned the heck out of my lower lip one ride)... and now people think I'm simply joyful and ecstatic in the nastiest weather (when obviously, sometimes I'm not...)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I consciously retrained my face (because my default scowl sunburned the heck out of my lower lip one ride)... and now people think I'm simply joyful and ecstatic in the nastiest weather (when obviously, sometimes I'm not...)

I had to do that when playing music. Musicians tend to concentrate on playing so much that they get the most awful peculiar facial expressions going. Performers learn to retrain this. I retrained my face to stop scowling and look relaxed and happy too when I play.
But oddly, when I'm biking I always catch myself naturally smiling even when there is no real reason. Biking does that for me. :)
Runners, on the other hand, ALWAYS seem to look like they are miserable. ;)

[Bad JuJu]

I, too, have a "problem face" :eek: or maybe it's more of a problem default expression. But it's not angry, it's apparently more of a pensive/unhappy expression--I mean, according to the responses I get from it, when I'm just going about my life as usual. I've actually had a person say to me, "You look like you just lost your last friend," when my day was really going pretty well. The funny thing is that I'm generally pretty happy-go-lucky, so it's odd that I have such a face. Hereditary, I guess, as Squeaky said.

But it does keep me alert to the possibility of reading people's expressions wrong.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Ok, so I definitely do not have the angry face mentioned. Is this a good thing? I think so.

Ironically, last weekend I came across plenty of bike snobs but actually got some very enthusiastic encouragement from several motorists - yikes!

They probably felt sorry for me,, climbing up the mountain in the cold but it was 'allez allez' and 'wooo hooo, go girl' - from a car full of women. That was fun :)

[SouthernBelle]

There have been a couple of occasions where cars with one or more women have been obviously fascinated with me. Slowing down and following, stopping, etc. Very cool.

[pooks]

I've actually had a person say to me, "You look like you just lost your last friend," when my day was really going pretty well.

Same here. I finally figured out it's because when relaxed, the corners of my mouth turn down. Sigh. I remind myself constantly to turn them up, hoping I can train them in a new direction, but I think that's a lost cause. It also means that the only decent pictures taken of me are when I'm smiling. When I'm not smiling, I look like I need a rolling pin in my hand.

Fortunately I smile a lot.

[snapdragen]

When I was in West Marin riding the Holstein, I was on the only big downhill approaching a curve. I'm not the best decender, so I was concentrating, "relax the shoulders, relax the grip...NOT TOO LOOSE!, look where you want the bike to go". I suddenly realized I had the most intense scowl on my face. I'm talking a teeth bearing, wrinkled nose, squinty eyed scowl! I almost fell off the bike laughing.....

[GLC1968]

Runners, on the other hand, ALWAYS seem to look like they are miserable. ;)

Thats normally very true!

Three days ago, I was driving somewhere and I noticed this runner coming towards me. He had a HUGE grin on his face...as if he was having the time of his life on his run! I immedately snickered and I found myself smiling the whole rest of the way to my destination. He'd totally made my day!

I need to do the same thing...smile as big on the outside as I feel on the inside when I am on my bike! :D (the threat of bugs in my teeth doesn't scare me, damn it! :p )

[jobob]

Same here. I finally figured out it's because when relaxed, the corners of my mouth turn down. Sigh. I remind myself constantly to turn them up, hoping I can train them in a new direction, but I think that's a lost cause. It also means that the only decent pictures taken of me are when I'm smiling. When I'm not smiling, I look like I need a rolling pin in my hand.

LOL! Mee too. My mom was that way also, she'd be walking down the street thinking about nothing in particular and someone would come up to her and ask "what's wrong??".

And I can't tell you how many times perfect strangers would come up to me and go "smile, honey, it can't be that bad". gahhhh.

So yeah, I too try to remind myself to turn up the corners of my mouth, but it's hard to counteract my natural expression.

People who have naturally "happy" faces are so fortunate !

[Bicyclette]

I think I always ride with a funny look on my face - my husband pointed it out last week - he thought I was suffering - but I was just totally focused - which is what I tend to do - and I try to say hello to everybody - but sometimes I just can't get it out!! and when others say hello first - by the time I realize they've greeted me and I go to respond - they're long gone :D

[Brandi]

This is funny cause I have thought about this myself. I didn't have clipless peddles for sometime (to scared) and I am not a fredweina And my bike is a highbread with street tires. It was strange cause when i got my clipless peddles it seemed the bikers on my route noticed me all of sudden. maybe I am wronge but that is what I noticed. I am still not a fredwiena though! Very mix match bike clothes.

[eclectic]

2 things

first of all people could think I am a snob because I don't wave a lot of times. the main reason is I have a hard time quickly taking a hand off the handlebars and eyes off the road - I have a tendancy to turn where I am looking:(

I do give a smile and say something like - its a great day for a ride or Hi there in a cheery voice but too often they are long gone and probably don't hear me

I've been wanting to tell this club ride story so here is my opportunity.

The official rides ended about a month ago but people are still getting together and going. A couple of Wed ago I showed up had a quick visit with a few great people that were meeting but not riding that night and waited for other riders to show, one other person was there and I thought "Whoooa we won't be riding together long - He was cruising in and had legs like tree trunks (and not saplings if you catch my drift.)

He looked at me like "who is this granny, she probably can't even make it up the easy hills" I didn't really want to ride with anyone with an attitude so just said "which way should we go but we will most likely be doing our own rides anyway" He said I should go ahead and he would catch up because he was going to wait a bit to see if anyone else was going to show (I thought this was lame because we were already 10 min past regular start time.) I said fine. I knew he had no intention of even starting out with me so because of the wind I switched routes and had a great 23 mile ride. I just thought he's a hammerhead jerk who can't even be kind (most of the other good riders are very kind and will soft pedal while the slower ones catch up)

Now for the surprising part. On the local club website this guy made a public apology for ditching the unknown rider that night. He said he made a lame excuse about waiting for others then just went home. His route home was on the route chosen and he didn't catch me like he thought he would and figured I just went home too. (the wind was pretty strong that night)

He didn't have to make this public apology because the only people who would have known was me and him. The other members assigned him penance such as riding for 60 miles with a slower rider in granny gear all the way :D

One person wondered if the ditched person read the site. That was my opening and I said "yes she does and apology accepted". The other members thought it was a hoot when they found out it was me. Because although I am not as fast as they are for the distance I can keep up for quite awhile now, a good friend (and star hammerhead himself) was going to post " good thing you didn't ride with her she would have smoked you!" (not true but the thought was nice) :)

So the old lesson learned once again on both our parts "never judge a book by its cover"

[7rider]

... geez, who put sand in *my* chamois this morning?

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I love that line! I'm going to have to remember that one!!! :D

[Trek420]

snapdragen "I suddenly realized I had the most intense scowl on my face. I'm talking a teeth bearing, wrinkled nose, squinty eyed scowl!"

now THAT'S when you round the corner and there's the event photographer! :p

[mimitabby]

This is funny cause I have thought about this myself. I didn't have clipless peddles for sometime (to scared) and I am not a fredweina And my bike is a highbread with street tires. It was strange cause when i got my clipless peddles it seemed the bikers on my route noticed me all of sudden. maybe I am wronge but that is what I noticed. I am still not a fredwiena though! Very mix match bike clothes.

wow, you get the prize here. I was thinking, high bred? bred? high? bread?
blink blink blink...

sorry.. back to your regularly scheduled program..

[Cassandra_Cain]

Eclectic - great story! thanks for sharing :)

Glad mr. congeniality managed to find some manners and actually apologized.

[HillSlugger]

On the road, I've found that I get more waves/nods from people on Harleys then I get from roadies. :confused: Strange... Just goes to prove that it's got nothing to do with the bike and a lot to do with the person riding it.

Where I ride almost all road bikers will nod, wave, or say "hi" (I like to say "good morning!"). I was put off by the guy who buzzed by me without so much as a "on your left"...he was tuned out with his iPod.

I've never gotten any response from a motorcycle rider.

[mimitabby]

most motorcyclists have been really friendly to us except for the !#@$@ who told us to get off the road (right outside a state park)

[Squeaky]

I believe the appropriate response to that is, "bite me."

[Bad JuJu]

I believe the appropriate response to that is, "bite me."

Yes, I think I read that in "Miss Manners." :D

[Red Haired Girl]

<heavy sigh.....> I have yet to get to wave to/from (or see) another rider...shoot, even the junk yard dogs ignore me!:( I'm beginning to wonder if the loaner Trek 1220 is actually a Romulan bicycle, complete with the optional cloaking device....now that would way cool! :D

Lara the Lonesome Rider

[Geonz]

This is funny cause I have thought about this myself. I didn't have clipless peddles for sometime (to scared) and I am not a fredweina And my bike is a highbread with street tires. It was strange cause when i got my clipless peddles it seemed the bikers on my route noticed me all of sudden. maybe I am wronge but that is what I noticed. I am still not a fredwiena though! Very mix match bike clothes.

To many cyclists around here, riding a hybrid means you're not a real biker... could be the clipless pedals made them look closely enough to see the street tires (I have a similar arrangement and it's plenty fast, though mostly people see me on the Xtra, which is in its very own category - the fast guys will go by and say "sure could use a smoothie about now!" whether or not I've got the blender attached :) )

[Bluetree]

I think it can go both ways. I say "hi" to a lot of people on my rides... and very few on a MTB or hybrid respond. Or, if they do, it's belatedly with a surprised look on their face. Maybe they're just not used to other riders acknowledging them. Roadies, on the other hand, almost always respond to me, unless they are in full TT-mode.
Just this morning, I came out of a blind corner (construction was obstructing a clear view of the main bike path) and I stopped short so I wouldn't hit a jogger or blader as I came out. At the same time, a guy in full pro-kit on a sharp looking Cervelo came around the turn. He was in his lane, I was in mine, but he thought I stopped short because of him. He stopped, turned around and apologized. (It was totally unnecessary, but if a cute guy with legs like a Greek statue wants to be nice to me... no one better stop him ;)

Granted, if I were wearing my grungies instead of my Castellis, he might not have given me the time of day... but I'm not complaining!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think I always ride with a funny look on my face - my husband pointed it out last week - he thought I was suffering - but I was just totally focused - which is what I tend to do - and I try to say hello to everybody - but sometimes I just can't get it out!! and when others say hello first - by the time I realize they've greeted me and I go to respond - they're long gone :D

And they probably think you're a snob! :rolleyes: ;)

[SouthernBelle]

In this area we have large groups of both bi- and motor- cyclists who ride out on Saturdays in large groups. So we frequently meet up. Most of them wave or nod, at least to me. Maybe it's because I'm a girl. I do think I often get treated better because of that.

[inatree]

i live in a very bike friendly town, and there are always LOTS of different bikes and riders around town.

when i nod, smile, wave, whatever, it is a special day when i get a positive response.

i just got a new road bike and i've noticed i am treated very differently...i thought i would get more respect from riders for having a nicer bike, but its the opposite.

i dont have my cool little oufit yet, or my gear yet. some of them actually look at me in disgust.

this is only one more aspect of life that directly mirrors the high school experience, tho. all that talk about people growing up and not worrying about looks or coolness is just not true. such a shame.

[SouthernBelle]

I think the only real snobby-ness I have noted is from the group I call the "fast boys". They tend to be young, fast and overly competitive. They also don't quite realize that no matter how hard they work, it ain't gonna last forever. They are going to slow down. Things are going to start to ache. Life is going to get in the way.

Is it wrong that I want to be available for snickering when it does? :D

[mimitabby]

I think the only real snobby-ness I have noted is from the group I call the "fast boys". They tend to be young, fast and overly competitive. They also don't quite realize that no matter how hard they work, it ain't gonna last forever. They are going to slow down. Things are going to start to ache. Life is going to get in the way.

Is it wrong that I want to be available for snickering when it does? :D

Hey Susan, I ride with some of these guys, only they are in their 60's and 70's

they are truly amazing riders. Some of them walk like little old men, can't see well at night; wear thick glasses or dentures, but they DO ride like bats out of hell STILL! but the main thing about these old men, If they can see you, they are very friendly!

[Eden]

I think the only real snobby-ness I have noted is from the group I call the "fast boys". They tend to be young, fast and overly competitive. They also don't quite realize that no matter how hard they work, it ain't gonna last forever. They are going to slow down. Things are going to start to ache. Life is going to get in the way.

Is it wrong that I want to be available for snickering when it does? :D

At the risk of stirring something up. Yes, I think it is just as wrong as someone who sneers at you for you to want to sneer at them. It seems like what they've done wrong is to be young and fast and it annoys you because you aren't one or the other. Besides than riding a bike, what do you have in common with these guys that would make them talk to you or be your friend?

It's OK to be annoyed at people who ride dangerously, but not all fast riders are dangerous and yeah I have come across people who think that every rider who passes them is the devil incarnate and riding too fast, just because you've gone by them, no matter how much room you give them or how much "on your left" notice you give.

So I say live and let live. Accept that while we are a cycling "community" we also have different motivations for riding and off the bike we are probably all as different as any other group of people. Any reason to ride is a valid reason to ride and no one should sneer at anyone else for their gear (too plain or too fancy) or their speed (too fast or too slow), but neither should one expect all other cyclists to automatically love one another.

[SouthernBelle]

At the risk of stirring something up. Yes, I think it is just as wrong as someone who sneers at you for you to want to sneer at them. It seems like what they've done wrong is to be young and fast and it annoys you because you aren't one or the other. Besides than riding a bike, what do you have in common with these guys that would make them talk to you or be your friend?



And I say you are mistaken and assuming a lot yourself.

OK, I'm editing because that response really p****d me off. My post was intended to be humorous. I have neighbors and friends who fit in that group.

I'm assuming we don't have a sense of humor in common even though we both ride bikes.

Shoot. I'm still angry.

[Squeaky]

Wow, some of us need to lighten up. I think SouthernBelles comment was made tongue-in-cheek.

[Squeaky]

Susan, don't let it get to you... easier said than done, I know... but I think humor is lost on some people. That or they're having interpretation problems.

[SouthernBelle]

Susan, don't let it get to you... easier said than done, I know... but I think humor is lost on some people. That or they're having interpretation problems.

:o

Thanks

[Eden]

Indeed some people didn't read the post as humerous at all.