One Reason Cyclists Are Disliked

[Tri Girl]

I totally agree. I hate to do organized rides, because there are always those cyclists who refuse to obey the laws and ride unsafe
I have even stopped riding with a group of fellow triathletes because they do the same thing (and wear headphones, to boot). I'm no goody two shoes, but I do stop at all city intersections, and even in the country with nobody around for miles I'll do a very good rolling stop (sometimes I don't put a foot down, and I'm bad for that).
Doesn't that just infuriate you? No wonder we get a bad rap. Just like some drivers, some cyclists refuse to follow the rules, but when cyclists do it the reputation of all cyclists is harmed...
I'm glad your friend wasn't hurt...

[jobob]

I agree too.

I'm simply not comfortable in large groups of riders on account of that - my neck and shoulders get sore from cringing so much.

And, there are people I avoid riding with on account of that.

[snapdragen]

I agree too. I'm simply not comfortable in large groups of riders on account of that. My neck and shoulders get sore from cringing so much.

And there are people I avoid riding with on account of that.

There's also that whole having to ride really fast to catch up with boneheaded riders so you can rip them a new one. Or politely tell them the rules of the road.....

[Trek420]

It's intervals, that's a good thing Here's the latest Spinerval DVD:

Ride safely, legally and well
Sprint to catch up and rip them a new one
Ride safely, legally and sanely
Sprint to catch up, yelling all the way
Ride safely, stop at stop signs and lights
Sprint to catch up with ditwads who blew the light ...

Ultimately you're a stronger rider than them.

Seriously, these riders don't respect what I say if I can't catch them. Breezing in at the next rest stop or coffee to say "hey,back there you ..." does not count. I'm not fast or strong on hills. Once or twice I've been able to catch up, that gets their attention.

Otherwise it's just "yeah, whatever, I'm ahead of you"

[ilima]

There's also that whole having to ride really fast to catch up with boneheaded riders so you can rip them a new one. Or politely tell them the rules of the road.....

Naw, just pull the old 'drop them from behind' move.

I've learned which groups play fast and loose with safety, laws and plain old common sense. And I don't ride with them.

[Mr. Bloom]

You did well to model good behavior to her. Some folks know the rules,nut don't follow them until someone they respect calls attention to it

[tctrek]

We did a ride yesterday where several in front of us refused to give up the road to any cars trying to get by. They would not form a paceline and had a line of cars backed up for a quarter of a mile.

I think Share the Road goes for both the cars and the bicycles. No wonder the drivers of the car get angry .

[Crankin]

I so agree. I pretty much have stopped going on group rides, except for the ones I lead, or with leaders I know. Otherwise, I ride alone, with my dh, or just a few friends. I always say something when I observe bad cyclist behavior! It probably just makes me feel better, but, hey.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

We did a ride yesterday where several in front of us refused to give up the road to any cars trying to get by. They would not form a paceline and had a line of cars backed up for a quarter of a mile.

I think Share the Road goes for both the cars and the bicycles. No wonder the drivers of the car get angry .

Oh man, that is awful! No reason for that besides ego and selfishness. Consideration should go both ways.