Quote Originally Posted by DarcyInOregon View Post
I really dislike bike police, the self-important cyclists who think they know everything, who issue proclamations without any understanding of what is going on.
I've run into one of these, recently on a group ride. She seems to assume that I know nothing, simply because she's old enough to be my mom and uber-fit (I'm 20+s overweight and struggle with overly large hills from that, compounded by asthma--but I'm still faster up hills than others we ride with)...she reminds me a LOT of my MIL--in build, fitness, and demeanor.

I get to this week's ride when it's 90 at 6pm and haven't yet put my helmet on, since it's at least 15 minutes before we roll and the last thing I want to do is make myself warmer for no reason. My helmet is actually hanging on my handlebars, but she couldn't see it with a car between us. So she very condescendingly says "don't you have a helmet?" She's ridden with me once before...not sure why she assumes that I don't have a helmet on this particular instance.

Later we're pacelining and after about a mile of pulling I drop off. Shortly after I drop a huge pick-up truck appears from behind (it's a somewhat winding stretch of road) and very aggressively passes us, macho-ly gunning his engine and acting very put-out that he had to deal with passing a group of riders--with one of us 2-abreast (legal here in MI).

Again, in a condescending tone of voice, she "instructs" me to check behind before dropping back. Duh, I have a rear-view mirror on my bike...which I use religiously. I also always double-check by glancing over my shoulder to make sure that I'm seeing the whole picture.

So, yeah...last thing I want to do is come off like that. It does nothing to encourage others to ride more or ride better. The only time I speak up is if another cyclist or pedestrian is truly putting my safety at risk with their behavior.