WWTEPD??- aka What Would TE Peeps Do

[SadieKate]

The so-called Coffee Republic ride began a decade ago as a weekly workout for a women's cycling club, but has transformed into one of the most popular and competitive race-training rides in the region, swelling to 80 or more on some Saturdays.

. . . . . .

"That ride bums me out," said Eve Blumenfeld, who co-founded the ride a decade ago and still participates, albeit not up with the racers. "I love to ride fast. I just think you can do it with a little more respect to the motorists."

I know former members of the club she founded. They left over the club's poor attitude of which this article is only one example. And I've also finished organized rides where I and all of my friends have independently had run-ins with their dangerous behavior.

[WindingRoad]

Wow that was a really great article. It's too bad things have to get to this point. It's strange though I do notice on our 'vigilante' ride here in Indy a lot of the people are doctors, lawyers etc. Maybe they think they are more entitled because they make a lot of money or something?!?! I hate making the choice to drive somewhere to do my training rides but like the one mentioned in the article ours has been ruined too by this idiotic behavior.

[smilingcat]

You've got to have lots of hutzpa and big ego to be a: neuro-surgeon, heart specialists... That is what was told to me by my father who was an anethesiologists. They too have big egos. My father relished in the fact that he can take some one "this" close to OD/death and still keep the patient alive for the general. No room for error as he puts it. Heart surgeons are the same way... or do you have the nerve to stick a needle into someone's brain...

To be a good litigator (lawyer) you really have to have a big ego... cause he's gonna flatten his opponent no matter what. That's hutzpa.

So no, I'm not suprised by the behavior on the bike. Unfortunately, it ruins for the rest of us and puts us in harms way. I don't ride in a group. maybe in a fun ride.

[OakLeaf]

All true, but I don't think all or even most of the participants in those type of rides are professionals of that sort.

IMO it's pack behavior, no more, no less. Get enough people together, get the adrenaline and testosterone flowing (yes in the women too) which happens any time you have a competitive athletic group, and the pack mentality takes over. Those who are not a member of our pack are undeserving of consideration. Those who are not a member of any pack, less.

[bmccasland]

I can't believe the gall of the "coffee republic" riders. Seems like a ticket writing opportunity to me.

I guess getting your thrill riding sanction rides isn't good enough? Yeah, it's fun blasting through red lights - and I say "thank you" to the police officer waving me through on passing too.

[Thorn]

Pack/herd/mob mentality. Large numbers of people in a group stop behaving rationally.

I've read this thread with interest. In our area there are two local bike clubs. Both do cue sheet rides on the weekend; both attract 10-40 people on a ride. In the past I stopped riding with one because they had gotten into the herd mentality with a lot of Type A's. For two years I rode with the other group that is slower and made up of Type B personalities.

Last year both groups changed. The Type A group stopped doing mass starts. Small groups of riders start together and there are "lunch" stop regroup points for chit chat. At the same time the Type B group moved to herd mentality. 20-30 riders in a pack (and doing a whopping 12-14mph). If motorists think a fast pack is rude, I can't imagine what they think when it dwaddles along.

Needless to say, I'm now riding with the former Type A group. We're all on the same route. You still have the camaraderie, but we stop at stoplights, Idaho stop (with proper yielding) at stop signs, and go single file in traffic. And, you know, it is still a lot of fun and I still find I can get pushed to ride a little faster.

I'm not sure what my point is, except that it is clear that groups can change. While I'd put money that the Type B group's morph into rude pack was just herd mentality, something had to have happened to change the Type A's behavior. Was it police? Was it internal? Don't know, but it is for the better. Rude riders can reform.

[Brandy]

As a business owner I'd probably stay out of it. Word of mouth in the bike shop biz is huge and one or two remarks from people seem to trickle down and could end up hurting your business.