Why is there always one jerk in the group ride, and why is he always behind me?

Last week I made my return to group riding after a hiatus of a few years. I quit going partially because of kids, partially because of the people.

Because of that "hiatus" and the fact that I wore an oversized camelbak (I'll explain this in a minute) I was treated as the newbie. Which was annoying.

One of the guys, let's call him Green Jersey, was sizing me up. I'm sure he thought I belonged in a slower group (I picked a pretty fast pace group, about 22 MPH average). He made some rude remarks about my camelbak (I know its not a roadie thing to do!).

And throughout the entire 2 hour ride, he was behind me: telling me how long I should pull, how I should ride, when I should get a drink, what gear I should be in, etc. :mad: Every now and then he'd ride up next to me, finally I just told him to go in front.

The BEST part was when someone initiated a sprint. I was about 7 people back when the paceline started to break apart. I cranked it up, leap-frogged two groups and FLEW past the leader for a definite win. Even Green Jersey couldn't catch me.

Right after that, we regrouped and did an easy ride into town. Green Jersey decided to take-off at this point, ran a stop sign and was nearly run over by a car!!! It was scary. He was reprimanded by the group leader.

So, the reason for the camelbak: When I used to ride with "the group," it was all men and they always tried to drop me. The ride was a 120 minute sufferfest of which I usually bonked in the last 10-15 minutes because I could never find a free second to grab my water bottle or some nutrition. I was expecting that same level of intensity this time around. I thought it would be a lot easier for me to wear a camelbak with Endura in it than trying to reach for my water bottle. And it was. Except the ride wasn't as aggressive this time. Next week I need to ride up a group.

Yay for beating the socks of Green Jersey! Eat your dust! :D:cool::D

Sorry about having "the jerk" follow you :(

Last weekend I have "the jerk" follow me for awhile (unknown to me! GRRRR) and then get in front of me for awhile too.

He wasn't even part of our group to begin with!! Wasn't wearing a helmet AND had earbuds in! I really wanted to scream. He didn't ask to tag on, just jumped in when we passed him on the road. Obviously he was a decent rider, but UG! So inconsiderate!

Our group has a strict HELMETS MANDATORY policy and if it were ANY other way I would NOT ride with them. I've watched people die from severe head injuries. The long, drawn-out, emotionally draining kind of death at that. You ride with me you ride with a helmet (no exceptions; I've ridden away from really good friends before...), but there wasn't a darn thing I could do about it because he had HEADPHONES in too and I was in the middle of *MY* group (so if I dropped back I lost the group and I couldn't sprint away from him as I was boxed in).

I get the whole helmets are optional when you are riding alone thing (and I don't say anything as much as I want to), and heck, I wear headphones sometimes if I'm just cruising on a MUT alone. But in a group you don't know going down the highway at 22 mph average!?!?!?!? It's just rude and dangerous!!! We do a lot of verbal signaling... I was really glad when he decided we were too slow for him and swung out.

Really I have no idea how to handle that. I really wanted to yank an earbud out and yell "if you are going to be an inconsiderate jerk that doesn't care about your safety or anyone else's then at least get the F away from me", but he was in front of me, and well, yanking an earbud out at 22 mph is dangerous. *sigh*

I think next time I'll just fall off the back and loose the group. Of course that ruins my ride, but not as much as having to hold grey matter in someone's stupid head until the EMTs get there (I'm certified and thus legally obligated to respond *sigh*)

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Originally Posted by limewave

He made some rude remarks about my camelbak (I know its not a roadie thing to do!).

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And yet Bobby Julich used to wear one during time trials. In pro races. In Europe. And he did well.

Use whatever works for you.

Terrific story, limewave :D

Some guys are just like that. I guess I should say some people, but I have the feeling this really is a guy thing.

He's the one who was left with egg on his face. Good for you!

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Originally Posted by limewave

And throughout the entire 2 hour ride, he was behind me: telling me how long I should pull, how I should ride, when I should get a drink, what gear I should be in, etc.

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I used to get this on group rides a lot, too. I try to give the person the benefit of the doubt that they are just trying to be helpful, but for pete's sake, I've been riding for 6 years now, I think I know how to use my gears! It's doubly annoying when the person is being a jerk, so I totally feel for you. I'm glad you had a chance to show him up!

To this day, I'm not sure what would prompt people to do this to me unless it's my weight. I haven't ridden with a larger group in ages, but back when I did, I was usually one of the faster ones, so it wasn't my speed. Puzzling.

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Originally Posted by limewave

One of the guys, let's call him Green Jersey, was sizing me up. I'm sure he thought I belonged in a slower group.... So, the reason for the camelbak: When I used to ride with "the group," it was all men and they always tried to drop me.

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Well, you fixed his little red wagon. ;)

It's frustrating when cyclists, and in this case Green Jersey, judge a book by it's cover. :mad: But, you do have the element of surprise and men sorely dislike being chicked. :D Just remember, actions speak louder than words.

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

To this day, I'm not sure what would prompt people to do this to me unless it's my weight. I haven't ridden with a larger group in ages, but back when I did, I was usually one of the faster ones, so it wasn't my speed. Puzzling.

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That's been my experience as well.

I had this ordered once to try from a website, short of story order got messed up and I canceled--plus reality set in that my bad back disk probably wouldn't like my water on my back road-riding more aero (vs. how we change position so much mtb & are more upright etc.)... but I think this looks good...

http://camelbak.com/sports-recreatio...bak-women.aspx


OK, on the Green Jersey guy, total jerk face and exact reason why I stayed away from group rides to ever try it out. My geek thing I have on my road bike is my Sprint-Tech mirrors that go in the drop bar ends. I always get made fun off that I have "omg THAT lol" on my nice carbon Orebea. Well... better Fred than dead--so kindly F off now Mr. Green jersey guy lol.

On the water I know *exactly* what you are saying. If you break long enough to grab a drink... the pack is gone. It's so stupid. But what you describe is how it is unfortunately.

WTG Limewave! Sorry you have to deal with such a jerk. Some guys just don't get it that new people (especially woman) are not always novice riders. I think that he knows know that you are not a "newbie"!

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Originally Posted by Miranda

My geek thing I have on my road bike is my Sprint-Tech mirrors that go in the drop bar ends. I always get made fun off that I have "omg THAT lol" on my nice carbon Orebea. Well... better Fred than dead--so kindly F off now Mr. Green jersey guy lol.

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I have one of those mirrors, too. I feel SO much more confident with that on my bike. If I ever get clipped and survive I'd like to have some vehicle ID to give the police.

Lime, is this by chance the Breakaway group? They are NOTORIOUS for attracting riders with this sort of behavior. My hubby rides with Rock 'n Road frequently for this very reason. They have several pace groups and generally are a very friendly, respectful bunch. They ride on Thursday nights if you ever want to join them.

I know Breakaway is planning on doing more routes and trying to attract a wider range of cyclists--and families--but I know I'd be leery to join them at this stage. I'm still pretty slow and a 16mph pace group is all I would feel comfortable with at this point.

Last night I rode 25 miles in N. Musk. with the women's group affiliated with Breakaway, though...nicer group of women couldn't be found. We were pretty (they get faster as the season wears on, I was told). Not including stops our pace was only about 14.5. I enjoyed meeting some cycling buddies. We stopped for pizza and beer after the ride. Lovely way to spend a Tues. evening and I look forward to doing this as many weeks as I am able. :)

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Originally Posted by limewave

The BEST part was when someone initiated a sprint. I was about 7 people back when the paceline started to break apart. I cranked it up, leap-frogged two groups and FLEW past the leader for a definite win. Even Green Jersey couldn't catch me.

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Lordy, I LOVED reading that. I'll never get over 10mph but I am bathing in your glory!

I lead RANK beginner rides and it's sweet; like watching ducklings trip over each other and giggling as they paddle along. Life is good at an average of 6 mph.

One of the things that I love about being 50+ ... I just don't care what they think. When I encounter someone like that, I just say, "You want to do me a real favor? Stop talking and ride."

Hey, did you ride with the R'nR group tonite? My hubby (big dude with black & purple Herman Miller shorts and garish pink/purple HM jersey--that's where he works) said there was a woman on tonite's ride with a Camelbak who said guys have given her crap in the past...I thought it might be you. :)

and as I turn 62 I am less and less uninhibited about telling someone to get lost or shut the hell up. Assholes deserve no manners or politeness. I'm always sorry when I encounter one because then I have to say something which ruins my reputation as a friendly rather absent minded nice little old lady, but if and whn I do, I feel no compunction about stating my opinion. I am there for my enjoyment not to gratify any little desires or warped ideas someone else has about how my ride should go.

marni

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Originally Posted by marni

and as I turn 62 I am less and less uninhibited about telling someone to get lost or shut the hell up. Assholes deserve no manners or politeness. I'm always sorry when I encounter one because then I have to say something which ruins my reputation as a friendly rather absent minded nice little old lady, but if and whn I do, I feel no compunction about stating my opinion. I am there for my enjoyment not to gratify any little desires or warped ideas someone else has about how my ride should go.

marni

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Beautiful.

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Originally Posted by marni

and as I turn 62 I am less and less uninhibited about telling someone to get lost or shut the hell up. ... I feel no compunction about stating my opinion. I am there for my enjoyment not to gratify any little desires or warped ideas someone else has about how my ride should go.

marni

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I came to this point in my early 40s, probably because the high number of azzholes in the DC area! :) ;) Having been raised by old fashioned parents, I try to be polite but depending on the degree of rude behavior on the part of the azzhole, I have no qualms about very clearly speaking my mind. It's important that these people know that they don't intimidate me (most of the time, they are bullies who are really cowards). I cannot abide by rude people, know-it-alls, or the self-centered.

I don't know why but I encounter very few rude mtb'ers. I guess it's a different culture altogether and with everyone battling it out on the trails and with Mother Nature perhaps it humbles one even more.

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Originally Posted by sundial

I don't know why but I encounter very few rude mtb'ers. I guess it's a different culture altogether and with everyone battling it out on the trails and with Mother Nature perhaps it humbles one even more.

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This parallels road/trail running. Trail runners are generally a really laid-back, friendly bunch. There are relatively more elitist arseholes in road running, IME.

Happy to say there were no jerks on my group ride this morning :).

The guy behind me was either
a) my considerate DH
or b) the random rider who caught up with our group, going the same way. He was the antithesis of a jerk, slowed his pace to match ours, and chatted politely, instead of displaying attitude and impatience with his encounter with large, slower paced group. When we we stopped for RR break, he waved goodbye, picked up his pace and headed on toward his destination- a serious climb into the mountains.