Wow, roadies are a-holes...who knew?

[SadieKate]

Oh, I've experienced jerks in every group. I've yet to have a roadie call me "Sweetheart" (said in a very nice way). If something ever happens to Bubba, I'll have to track that guy down . . . .

[xeney]

I did not mean to suggest that I think people are being cliquish if they don't wave to everyone they pass. I don't wave or say hi to 90% of the people we pass because we don't make eye contact, and I don't see how that can be construed as rude. (Although when I am riding alone, most of the male roadies passing in the other direction do say hello or nod or whatever. Maybe they ARE flirting and I am just naive.) I am thinking more about rest stops or flats or other times when it would be natural to say hi or offer help.

And even then, it might not always be cliquishness. If I'm on a mountain bike I don't have a tube to offer to someone on a road bike, and vice versa. My frame pump works for both kinds of valves so I can offer it to anyone who needs it, but not everyone carries that kind of pump. I also don't think cyclists have a responsibility to help each other fix flats, etc. -- it's nice to offer to help if someone looks like they forgot their pump or patch kit, and depending on how remote the area is you might be heading into "basic decency" territory to not leave someone stranded if you could have helped, but mostly I think it is fine if everybody just pays attention to their own ride.

[Trekhawk]

Oh, I've experienced jerks in every group. I've yet to have a roadie call me "Sweetheart" (said in a very nice way). If something ever happens to Bubba, I'll have to track that guy down . . . .

LOL - Oohh Im telling on you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Strange... everyone I pass always exchanges greetings or smiles or nods with me, roadie, non-roadie, man, women, kid, whatever they are. I live in a fairly rural area, with lots of bikers. Is it a city/rural thing maybe?

About half the time I ring my bell, ching-ching, just before I say Hi or smile, and I always seem to get a friendly response. But I get friendly responses when I don't ching too.
Maybe some people are not getting enough time to see a big smile or hear a big hello and respond to it before the opportunity is past?

[GLC1968]

I was just talking about this with a friend at lunch and we came across an interesting point.

When I lived in a major city (Boston, Tampa, etc), I rarely said 'hi', waved or even made eye contact with people when walking down the street. It just wasn't something most people did for whatever reason. Here in this place (the south), it's EXTREMELY common. To the point that when we were driving around with our realtor looking at houses, I just assumed that he knew EVERYONE here because everyone waved. Turns out, it wasn't that he knew these people...it's just how people here interact.

This is why it struck me as so odd that I'd be snubbed. I certainly don't expect everyone to wave (I know I don't always do so myself) but the look and then look away when the week before you waved to me (in the exact same place) just stood out like a huge social blunder. It made me think.

I just hope everyone here doesn't think I'm some super crazy chick who rides around all day waving frantically at every bike I see in the hopes that they'll wave back!

[Cassandra_Cain]

My impression is this thread has become more focused on whether people 'wave back' or say 'hi'.

Well I think it is only fair that this isn't always possible or a big deal - waving back/saying hi I mean. Oftentimes there is a median or divider along the road and I am definitely not even bothering to look at a rider on the other side, 50 feet away! Sometimes, as has been mentioned you can be totally zeroed in on your ride (or too busy sucking wind!) to be waving at people.

What irks me about roadies is, among other things:

A) Unsafe passing - you know, they go by you like you are standing still and give you all of maybe 3 inches with absolutely no warning, nothing. So much as slight move by me in one direction or another, maybe to avoid glass or something on the road, and crash thanks to this type nonsense by others.

B) Not helpful at all - you have a mechanical or whatever and dozens of riders go by w/o so much as even glancing at you, much less asking if you need help. So much for a sense of community.

C) Bike clubs and group rides - Despite having lived in several states, countries and places, I've yet to see a bike club make any real effort to encourage newer riders. All they do is parrot the same old tunes....you'll get dropped, dropped, dropped, if you can't go 728 mph, ride a roadbike, and keep up.

I have far less of a problem with people not waving or whatever, than the 3 things above which to me are a much bigger deal.

So my conclusion is that roadies are, as a group, not much better than car drivers and motorists. It is all me, me, me.

Indivdually there are some great people, on this board for example, but on the road I don't expect it.

[PinkBike]

I know when I first was on the road, I'd wave and say hi to everyone. That was part of my focus, seeing others out riding, and being thrilled to be a part of it. I'm in no way an expert rider now, but I am more focused, and sometimes I just forget until the person's already past me. I agree with pp that being startled by someone speeding by is the worst part, and I really try to make some noise (you know, say hello or on your right or whatever) when I'm coming up on people because that's scary for me. Now I'll nod at someone if I catch their eye, but I do wonder if they notice b/c our bodies do jiggle on bumps or whatever- maybe it's too subtle, but usually it's what I've got in me.

I think now, for me, it's a little more about belonging to a subgroup which is spandex clad on road bikes, and faster and identifying with what those people are doing. I ride a scooter too, and when I'm putting along with my little helmet I am much more likely to smile or nod at people who have scooters like mine, esp if they are also wearing a helmet. I almost am never acknowledged by a harley, crotch rocket or big motorcycle rider ESP if they aren't wearing a helmet. I'm just not "serious" to them. I am certain that I noticed this a lot more when I started riding that too, and now, if I catch the person's eye, I'll nod but I'm usually thinking about how great it is to be out solo and free!

I think people just like to see other people doing what they're doing-- it's connection (and of course there are plenty of snobby people out there too).

If I'm friendly or smile to a woman with a baby and I don't have my baby with me, it's just a different kind of reception. The list goes on.

If I see a group of women riding, usually what I'm thinking is "How did you find each other!!!???? and can I come with??" I also usually have a **** eating grin on my face, because they are out there too. Guys on bikes are just a given, so I pay less attention to them.

i totally agree with sarahannecycle, when i commuted on my mountain bike i felt a kinship with mountain bikers, now that i'm a 100% roadie i feel a connection with roadies. but i always stop for someone who looks like they need help, whatever they're riding. i saw a woman on a cruiser stopped on the side of a road, and i stopped and asked her if she needed anything, and she went on and on about how i was the only bicyclist who stopped. turns out she didnt need help, was just checking out the complex. another time was like destiny, i was driving my truck and saw a woman pushing her bike, and i picked her up and brought her and the bike back to my house and fixed her tire - it was perfect because i had mountain bike tubes and slime that i didnt know what to do with!!

kids are the greatest, ALWAYS wave to kids, it makes them feel special.

[SouthernBelle]

I love it when kids get excited to see me on the road. I've had that happen several times.

I won't necessarily stop for someone who just looks like they are taking a break. But I usually give a shout out.

To whoever it was in NC who didn't see other roadies, in the South you aren't going to see them in the summer unless you are out early. We start organized rides early to beat the heat.

[betagirl]

I'm not sure that it's that they're "roadies" but more a reflection of their personality. Like stopping or pausing to see if you're ok if you have a mechanical. Would these people stop if you were having an issue walking on the sidewalk (like twisted your ankle or something)? There's also a social phenomenon called the diffusion of responsibility, where people basically assume someone else will stop and help. So nobody ends up stopping and helping. I assume though that as a basis of comparison mtn bikers stop? Maybe because you're not out on the road it's perceived differently? Just a thought.

I'm a "roadie" and I don't say hello or wave to most people I pass. I smile and nod. But not always. Sometimes I'm in my own little world and am thinking about whatever. I may be crabby and not feeling all that outgoing or social. Why is there a requirement that because you're on your bike you need to be so friendly? We don't go around waving at each other in our cars. Again, just playing devils advocate I know, cycling is a community supposedly. And it is nice when we're all more courteous and kind to each other. It did used to bother me if people wouldn't return the wave or smile. Now it's not a big deal to me. I guess I'm complacent.

As for the reaction based on your bike. This I've seen. Though I don't have a hybrid. But I do have a fixed gear that I just started riding. 99% of the messengers in the city ride fixed gears. I usually don't get acknowledged by them when I'm on my Trek, but today I got a couple of nods.

I've ridden with a couple of clubs, and yes there are some a-holes in there. But some are nice guys, down to earth. The club I ride with now is more down to earth than the last one. I had one guy stay with me when I fell off the group and helped pull me back up. He could have easily dropped me. I could probably never return the favor, so I got him a cup of coffee when we were done

For me cycling is more what I get out of it. When I start getting bent out of shape because of how other people act, it loses some appeal. Just my $.02

[Kitsune06]

I've found anyone in full lycra has a 50/50 chance of being a total jerk. I tend to ride in regular cargo shorts and dri-fit top because I'm going to the gym (most days) or on a spin 'round the country roads, and people look at my clothes and snort "You're not a *real* biker."

...I'm on a *bike* carrying *cargo* wearing full *protective gear* and *blinky lights*... I tend to think that because I'm actively avoiding using a car to do my errands, I *am* a *real* biker, thankyouverymuch. I feel like saying "'kay, boys, let's go out to the park and we can bounce our 'real' bikes down the rock gardens, and we'll see who seems to be the 'real' biker, and who's the freddish poser."

*sigh*

[7rider]

I think the puzzlement here over waving to cyclists vs. waving in cars or as pedestrians, is that pedestrians are so....well, pedestrian. Are cars are just all over the place. There is nothing "special" about them. But cyclists are a much smaller community. Hence, it's more akin to that small country road someone mentioned where folks wave. That is why many folks expect (hope?) that a wave will be responded to in kind.
Sure, many folks zone out on bikes. They're concentrating on their own thing, they're dodging obstacles, checking their speed, watching for traffic. A million things that take away their attention for another cyclist coming at them on the other side of the street. The brain may register them for a nanosecond and say "Not a car. Not a threat." and go on dodging glass. It's not a snub.
But when a cyclist who you have seen before, who does acknowledge you when you catch eye contact, then disses you when making similar eye contact because (perhaps) of the type of bike you have, that is a snub.
All things being equal on the rides, you can almost hear the snub. What is the line from that movie "A Knight's Tale"? - "You have been weighed, measured, and found lacking"?? Is that a fair or paranoid interpretation? Who knows? I don't want to crawl inside the minds of those guys.
Just a little respect, a little courtesy for all riders, is all that we can ask for. Because some day it will be you on the side of the road with a flat and no spare in your saddle bag, thankful for someone who stops and says "Got everything you need? You okay?"

[KSH]

A) Unsafe passing - you know, they go by you like you are standing still and give you all of maybe 3 inches with absolutely no warning, nothing. So much as slight move by me in one direction or another, maybe to avoid glass or something on the road, and crash thanks to this type nonsense by others.

WOW! This pisses me off and scares me! I hate when they do this. Especially when you aren't expecting some pelaton to be cruising down the road you are on.

B) Not helpful at all - you have a mechanical or whatever and dozens of riders go by w/o so much as even glancing at you, much less asking if you need help. So much for a sense of community.

Well, all the men I ride with... are kind and a few of them have helped me out when I needed it. But, I ride with groups and they see me weekly.

C) Bike clubs and group rides - Despite having lived in several states, countries and places, I've yet to see a bike club make any real effort to encourage newer riders. All they do is parrot the same old tunes....you'll get dropped, dropped, dropped, if you can't go 728 mph, ride a roadbike, and keep up.

The club I belong to has many different rides. There are rides where yea, you will get dropped. And then there are the no drop rides... where no man gets left behind. Even if the sweeper (who knows the way home) and the lone rider has to pull themselves in.

My club is great... I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful one in my area... cause it sounds like other clubs suck.

[yogabear]

I'm a roadie, but really more of a mtn. biker at heart

My DH is a cat 2 road racer He's a sweet, respectful guy, especially towards women...He says we are smarter, better looking, and tougher than guys...What a sweetie, huh?

I'm super friendly to everyone, so that is what I usually get in return. I've had a few roadie guys help me this year with mechanicals on the side of the road...they did it just to be nice. I also ran into some pretty rude people on the road...some were male, some were females, some were dogs, and some were cars I notice if I don't look for the rude behavior, I don't notice it LOL.

For me though, it's how the guys act off the bike. I know that road racing and training are very difficult endeavors firsthandedly. I myself can't always muster a smile when my HR is 180+ But, I telepathically will send love or kind energies to others and notice that it is returned...Hmmm, I am starting to wonder about this quantum physics stuff...It works!

I personally have an issue with guys who put racing and training above their families, for instance. This is off the bike of course. I also realize that it is judgmental for me to look at this since it's not my life.

My DH off the bike is a very caring and loving. Some of his biking friends actually had the audacity to razz him about taking my bike out of his truck for me at races or putting it on the trainer for me, etc. (I have upper body injuries and such and am short LOL). The biking friends don't see how I help at home...fix water bottles, make healthy food, do bike laundry...Last time I checked marriage is a teamwork sport LOL...But, then again, none of them have wives who race!!! I almost told these people to kiss me in a special place, but oh well, I'm human and I judge too

I hear ya though

[Eden]

Some of his biking friends actually had the audacity to razz him about taking my bike out of his truck for me at races or putting it on the trainer for me, etc. (I have upper body injuries and such and am short LOL). The biking friends don't see how I help at home...fix water bottles, make healthy food, do bike laundry...Last time I checked marriage is a teamwork sport LOL...But, then again, none of them have wives who race!!! I almost told these people to kiss me in a special place, but oh well, I'm human and I judge too

Wow - most of the guys are jealous that my husband has a wife that races too. I doubt any of them would razz him about doing things for me - they only wish that their wife/girlfriend/SO shared their interests. The only down side for him is that I've been doing better than he has so he gets to be known as Oh - your Eden's husband

[yogabear]

Eden, you just cracked me up You go, girl!

I was telling my hubby about this thread last night on our mtn. bike ride. He said that he is too nice...that is part of his problem. I told him to save the niceness for off the bike and be intense while racing

It cracks me up though here where I live...So many guys are all intense while road racing. I mean, I know it's all about balance, but still, riding off after a race in their SUV's or mini vans, listening to Bare Naked Ladies...that is what they do Hee hee! I know this is really mean to say and judgmental, but it still makes me giggle. Just as I am sure people make fun of me for my pre-race warm-up music...Johnny Cash LOL

I like the sticker that says, 'If it has tires or testicles, you know it's gonna mean trouble' ROTFLMAO...

Okay, I've been mean for the day