Park police disturbs me

[Cataboo]

ha. Apparently the police aren't the only people in Atlanta aggravated by roadies. I just told a friend that lives in Atlanta about this thread and his immediate responses were:

- was this in a race or were the roadies being the general a**holes that they always are and blocking the f**king road?
- they do that **** around here all the time...atlanta is really bad about it
- 5 PM...20 bikes in the middle of extremely busy roads
- the funny thing is how many places there are in atlanta for roadies to ride and they ride on traffic jam streets
- oh, that is probably the main road for the park, not exactly wide streets, so a pack of roadies would completely block the road
- 2 abreast, yeah right, if there are three roadies on a street in atlanta, there are three people side by side. If there's 4, there's 4 side by side
- the entitlement is ridiculous...not like anywhere else I have lived
- they will go into neighborhoods and ride in loops in packs for hours.
NOT in neighborhoods where they live and then they wonder why the residents get pissed

He's not a roadie, but a mountain biker

[ZenSojourner]

ha. Apparently the police aren't the only people in Atlanta aggravated by roadies.

but . . . but . . . but *I* am a roadie! *WEEP*

See I separate people like this off into a different group which I call the "racerati".

This is a group of cyclists that have their own culture and rules and secret handshakes and all that.

These guys are not just racers. Just because you race you are not a member of the racerati. Not even if you actually WIN your races. In fact, ESPECIALLY not if you actually WIN your races. Being a member of the racerati does not mean you are actually a competitive racer at all, though you probably THINK you are, and like to PRETEND you are.

No, no, no, there is much more to being a member of the racerati than merely owning (or at least aspiring to own) a $10,000 carbon frame bike and the sleekest of anti-friction lycra jersey's and shorts.

If you aspire to become a member of the racerati there are a few things you need to get down pat.

Firstly, there is the Racerati Sneer. This sneer should be pasted across your face at all times, but particularly when any non-racerati cross your path. In particular, you must be prepared to sneer full blast at any of the following:

• Anyone with a triple
• Anyone on a mountain bike, hybrid, recumbent, Bike Friday, or MOST ESPECIALLY a mixte, step-through frame, Schwinn, Huffy, or other Big Box Store Brand Bicycle
• Anyone more than 5 pounds UNDERweight
• Anyone with duct tape anywhere on their helmet or bike
• Anyone with a kickstand
• Anyone who stops at red lights, stop signs, or crosswalks
• Anyone who uses the brakes when going downhill
• Anyone wearing a hydration pack

Secondly, you must be a First Class Bike Snob. Here's how:

Bike Snobbery 101

Thirdly, you must make sure you are properly outfitted (also, more about proper Bike Snobbery):

So You Want to be a Cyclist: Part 1: Choosing Your Equipment

So You Want to be a Cyclist: Part 2: Lifestyle Changes

Then, you must learn to love The Peloton. You must ride the roadways like a swarm of angry hornets. You must clump together as if tigers are stalking you and pulling down the weaker members of the herd at the edges and rear of The Peloton. Similarly you must jockey for position at the front of The Peloton in order to avoid contamination by said weaker members of the herd. You must think with a Single Mind, Swerve as The Peloton Swerves, Climb as The Peloton Climbs, single organelles yet all part of a vast, Amoebic body.

And finally, and most important - you must show a fine contempt and complete and total disregard for everyone else on the road, for all traffic regulations except as applied to other people, and you must believe totally and unwaveringly in the Complete Infallibility of Your Right To Take The Entire Road, Not Just The Lane.

And remember, All Pedestrians Belong in Cars, and ALL Cars Belong At The Bottom of the Ocean.

[Cataboo]

*cough*

Apparently he's not the only one with unresolved anger at racerati.

He was fine with 1 or 2 roadies, he just went on a rant about the packs.

I will make sure to get my terminology straight in the future, as I toodle along on my triple.

[PamNY]

ZenSojourner, what grade did you say you are in at school this year?

Pam

[kacie tri-ing]

Hmmmm....I am a native georgian who loves atlanta, but it is not the easiest city to ride in

I am not defending anyone, but the city does not do a whole lot to make it easier on us (granted, I am a bike commuter and triathlete who rarely rides in packs because I practice without a draft most of the time...). I know that I am not the people he was complaining about, but it always tough to hear people upset with your city when they are usually a part of the traffic problem (not always, of course! There are a *few* who walk, bike, or take public transit sometimes, but it is not easy here!).

I think there are some relationship issues between motorists, cyclists, and the city (remember we have crazy sprawl and insane traffic. We are always at the top of the "bad city pollution" lists).

There is a reason we drive from the city out to the silver comet trail and stone mountain to actually be able to ride....I live in the middle of atlanta, but I save my city riding for weekend mornings

And I do NOT want to end up in any tense conflict, I just can't help but explain my city at least a little bit!

[ZenSojourner]

I just can't help but explain my city at least a little bit!

Truthfully I have read that Atlanta is The Worst City to Ride Bike In.

Although, having been forced on occasion to drive in Boston traffic, I don't see how that can POSSIBLY be. Boston's scary enough in a car, I'm pretty sure I don't have the cajones to try it on a bike.

[ZenSojourner]

BTW, we as cyclists are invited by the Stone Mountain Police Department to come and ride there.

The assistant chief did suggest, however, that we might want to avoid coming on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon/evening as this is when the largest of the fast pelotons likes to zoom through the park.

[Cataboo]

He works from home, so he's not part of the traffic problem.

I've got the luxury of having nice rolling countryside a few miles from my house, so I avoid riding near cars as much as possible. It's just unpleasant.

it always tough to hear people upset with your city when they are usually a part of the traffic problem (not always, of course! There are a *few* who walk, bike, or take public transit sometimes, but it is not easy here!).

I think there are some relationship issues between motorists, cyclists, and the city (remember we have crazy sprawl and insane traffic. We are always at the top of the "bad city pollution" lists).

[kacie tri-ing]

He works from home, so he's not part of the traffic problem.

I've got the luxury of having nice rolling countryside a few miles from my house, so I avoid riding near cars as much as possible. It's just unpleasant.

That sounds nice!

[ZenSojourner]

ZenSojourner, what grade did you say you are in at school this year?

Pam

I am beyond mere "grades". I am working on my doctorate.

*SNIFF*

/me assumes snootiest possible expression



PS - My son is also currently working on his doctorate. We're racing to see who finishes first. I'm pretty sure he's going to win.