Some Riders are Snobby

[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!

[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?

[Geonz]

Pardon my pre-caffeine (naw, just snarky, no real excuse) harshness... that was a little much 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 :-)

[7rider]

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

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

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

[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!

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!

[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.

[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! (the threat of bugs in my teeth doesn't scare me, damn it! )

[Bad JuJu]

I, too, have a "problem face" 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

[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.