WWTEPD??- aka What Would TE Peeps Do

[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.

[Geonz]

Rather than wait for fatalities, I think I would discreetly alert the authorities and suggest to others that they do so, too.

It's been noted by some that cyclists are highly unusual in that so many of them wish laws were better enforced on their kind. Ya don't see too many truckers wishing... or doctors... (won't bring bankers into it)

Our fast group... yea, there's ugly ego inflating that happens there and a need to trash others. Most of them have quit our club, since the club prez was in said group and wanted to abolish membership and the newsletter (that I wrote) and ... "nothing personal" ... but abolish the board positions of (wait for it) all the people who weren't type A riders. Because we didn't need that stuff, we would figureo ut how to do it online or something, and the club was too involved in things that weren't riding. (Oh, and one of them firmly believed that commuting by bicycle was just wrong.) Not sure where things will go, especially since I've said I don't want to be president after this year because it really is time to bring in new blood...

but your guys are endangering themselves and others... thelaw may not care... maybe a 'name witheld' letter to the editor...

[tulip]

In my former city, there were a big group of these type of a-holes, I mean, riders. They often wore their racing kits. I made it a point to never go to that shop, and to call them and tell them why. I have no idea if it had any impact, but if alot of people do that, then it might. Shops don't really want negative publicity.

So maybe that's a route you could go--have all the people you know call the sponsors and complain.

[Selkie]

In my former city, there were a big group of these type of a-holes, I mean, riders. They often wore their racing kits. I made it a point to never go to that shop, and to call them and tell them why. I have no idea if it had any impact, but if alot of people do that, then it might. Shops don't really want negative publicity.

Do tell, what shop (assume you mean DC)? I'll boycott it as well (pm me, if you don't feel comfortable posting the name).

[Selkie]

Mickchick, it was a few years ago, and I hesitate to diss anyone now since I don't know if they have changed their ways.

.

I understand. It gets worse when these types of riders decide to do a hammer ride on the MUTs...

I think actually there is less courtesy/more of that sort of middle-aged-man-child attitude in NOVA's western suburbs, rather than inside the beltway. Just my impression. Haven't ridden in DC proper in awhile, though, and for the most part, Arlington/Falls Church riders have been courteous.