Did I take his comment wrong or was he a pig?

[Trek420]

Irulan "the way you describe him, perhaps he's mentally disabled? ( is that this year's correct term?)"

no helmet, big headphones if not already he's a fall off the bike away from it.

"We have a guy around here who rides an adult trike on the sidewalk. This particular sidewalk is next to a bike lane on a major arterial. I think it's great he's out riding his bike on the same one mile stretch of sidewalk."

I agree, I think it's great he's out riding. Just a half block away is a park where he'd be safer, less hassle to peds and plenty of room for the short rides he does.

I've educated pedestrians who've complained to me about him that yes, bikes should be in the bike lane. But he's slow, poor reaction time.

I'd be happy if he'd grant the right of way to peds but I think cognitive impaired is the term we are using these days. My aim is that he be safer and local peds don't get angry at him then take it out on me when I ride ;-)

Have to watch it because I don't know how he'll take the tips.

and as for the main subject here wouldn't it have been best if the LBS said something like "what type of riding do you do? are you looking for a fast pace, paceline riding, hills, medium pace? what? I'll point you to a local a club ride for you."

That way nothing's assumed.

Just like they should ask you what type of riding you do before pointing you away from the pink Orbea ;-)

I don't follow astrology but someone told me Mercury is retrograde or something like that and that all comunication gets all katywhompus and I'm just going to shut up till the planets align again

[Geonz]

I suspect you took his comments wrong.

Think, for a moment, about his position. HOw many people does he talk to each day? How many of them ride fast? Oh, of course, he should be sensitive to every person's ego and never assume anything... but frankly, I can't do that 24/7 either. Far more people have to worry about being dropped - and too many of them get dropped and get discouraged and don't go back to cycling - than have to worry about people assuming they can't keep up. (And it's a lot more fun for those folks when they get to prove 'em wrong.)


If he doesn't have any right to -- possibly, not even definitely-- assume you're slow, then you shouldn't have the right to assume he's being a jerk.

And, why is it being a "jerk" to assume you're slow? Is there something wrong with being slow? <extending the "sensitivity " thing to it's illogical extreme ...>

[Dianyla]

Um, is it just me, or are there two totally unrelated conversations happening in this thread?

[Trek420]

Dianyla "Um, is it just me, or are there two totally unrelated conversations happening in this thread? "

no, it's not you....they are thinly related to the common theme of people taking things wrong. Sorry for any confusion I once again have caused.