WWTEPD??- aka What Would TE Peeps Do

[michelem]

We have a similar ride here in town . . . sigh . . .

Below is a Sacramento Bee article on it (from last year). The leader of the group I ride with sent it (the article) to our group basically saying that this ride is not sanctioned by our group and we better not be caught displaying similar behavior.

As you'll read, the police even came out to lecture the group to no avail.

http://www.sacbee.com/296/story/1886121.html

HAS FOLSOM BIKE RIDE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL?

A pack of cyclists rolled out of the parking lot of the Folsom coffee shop just after 9 a.m. on a recent Saturday, primed for a 40-mile ride promising high speeds and burning lungs.

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.

These days, it's the men leading the charge, for better or worse.

Residents and motorists mostly see the worse: cyclists roaring through stop signs, riding five abreast, crossing the center line, stopping traffic.

"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."

Such no-holds-barred rides packed with amateur racers are a national phenomenon, thanks to the popularity of the sport since Lance Armstrong rose to prominence in 1999.

In Tucson, Ariz., for instance, a decades-old weekly ride known as the "Shootout" has grown to nearly 200 cyclists, drawing occasional crackdowns by the Pima County Sheriff's Office.

Several of the large rides have triggered car-vs.-bike outbursts.

Last summer, a Los Angeles emergency room doctor was accused of road rage when he slammed the brakes of his car in front of two cyclists he had just passed near his Brentwood home. One of the riders flew through the back window, breaking his teeth and nearly severing his nose.

On the Folsom ride, cyclists report that a driver once put his pickup in reverse and threatened to ram riders. Motorists hurl debris, shout, even swerve toward them as they pass, they say.

Pack mentality?

These race-oriented rides are distinct from most recreational rides, where the pace is slower, the behavior usually more civil.

While pack mentality can be problematic in many social settings, cycling adds another layer of complexity: Drafting, or tucking behind other cyclists in a paceline to reduce wind resistance, enables inferior athletes to keep up with much faster ones, if only for a short time.

"Speed, pure speed," said Steve Ward, a 47-year-old novice racer, when asked to explain the allure of the Folsom ride, which starts and ends at the Coffee Republic cafe. "You can sit in somewhere around 15th position and do relatively little work and go very, very fast."

In recent weeks even Ward, a software developer, has skipped the large group ride to join eight to 10 others for a separate workout.

Rick Humphreys, a state geologist who has been racing so long he's known as "Retro Rick," stopped doing the Coffee Republic ride a couple of years ago, when the tone shifted.

"I don't want to be associated with a ride where people are breaking laws and upsetting lots of people," he said.

Given the flouting of traffic laws in Folsom and elsewhere, the makeup of participants may seem surprising: men and women in their 30s, 40s and 50s – doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, business owners and state workers – who can afford the $5,000-plus bikes seen in the Tour de France.

The competitive rides have allowed scores of middle-aged cyclists to get into such good shape they can trounce athletes in their 20s, but their growth spurt is fueling animosity toward cycling.

"Motorists disrespect us and cause tons of problems, but we're doing the same things to pedestrians," said Bob Mionske, a Portland, Ore.-based lawyer, Bicycling magazine columnist and former Olympic cyclist who specializes in bicycle law. "We are heading toward a bad place."

More close calls

Cyclists who have campaigned for years to get motorists to share the road find themselves having to apologize for the kind of riding no one can defend.

"There is a reason I don't do the Coffee Republic ride," said Michael Sayers, a longtime professional cyclist from Sacramento who retired last year. "I went out there one time and I absolutely refused to go back ... . I've told them they are going to ruin it for the rest of us."

Perhaps they already have.

A few weeks ago, a California Highway Patrol officer showed up at the coffee shop to urge riders to reform their ways, citing numerous citizen complaints.

Sgt. Gordon Canham of the Auburn CHP office noted that bikes are subject to the same traffic laws as motorists and would pay the same fines if cited. Running a red light, for example, costs upward of $350.

Did the rogue riding tone down? Not if a recent Saturday ride was any indication, when a car driven by a Bee reporter trailed the group.

In the first minute, a rider pedaled down the middle of the street, refusing to move to his right. In less than five minutes, several cyclists crossing Oak Avenue pulled in front of the The Bee's car, forcing two more cars to stop.

Ten minutes later, the entire group crossed four-lane Douglas Boulevard, bringing cars approaching at 45 mph – in both directions – to a sudden halt.

"I've never seen it so dangerous as it has been," Blumenfeld would comment later. "I've seen more close calls than ever."

The riders headed to Itchy Acres, a neighborhood with narrow roads and no sidewalks. One amateur racer, 52-year-old Tracy Muegge, had recently urged riders to slow the pace through Itchy Acres – but to no avail.

On this Saturday, Matt Obregon, a college student and part-time racer, ramped up the speed and shot ahead.

The race was on.

Three dozen others gave chase, barreling through a stop sign before nearly forcing a man and his dog into a ditch. The cyclists blanketed the lane and a few moved across the center line to improve their position in the pack.

It would have been impossible for a car to get past.

Unwritten rules of the road

Typically, well-behaved groups will call out, "Car back," and slide to the right. Not here.

In cycling circles, behavior and style often are summed up in terms of being "pro" or "not pro." When told of the scene through Itchy Acres, Sayers scoffed and said, "That is absolutely not 'pro.'

"What a lot of riders have lost touch with is these group rides are not racing. They're training. There is a place to go fast and a place not to. You just don't do that in congested areas."

At the professional level, the pack or "peleton" is a marvel of unwritten rules based on tradition and is almost entirely self-policing, with unofficial leaders and enforcers who crack down on those who fall out of line.

When asked about his ride, Obregon, 20, a pre-law major at California State University, Sacramento, initially denied he had run stop signs, asking, "Do you have video of me, or something?"

He later conceded the ride may have gotten out of hand but said the group had a mind of its own.

"I'm just a student. I'm a realistic person. No one listens to anyone," Obregon said. "They're Type A people and they all have good jobs."

The us-first pack mentality evident in Folsom can encourage people to behave differently than when they ride alone, according to John Meyer, a Sacramento clinical psychologist who specializes in sports psychology. A former college basketball player, Meyer also is a cyclist.

"There is something about being part of a group, the anonymity of that," he said. "It's funny what that unleashes."

"When we get a paceline going, there is something adrenaline-making about that, where as a group you go by the slower riders... . You're riding by on a cool bike in a cool group 12 inches from the tire in front of you. It gives you an identity and it does kind of kick up that 'us-vs.-them.' "

Being in a group also allows some to dominate their surroundings as they ignore rules, according to Rich Maile, 45, a local bike mechanic and racer who competes nationally.

"One of the things I see is just general lack of courtesy," Maile said. "The (Coffee Republic) group has swelled ... . Forty to 60 cyclists feel they have more of a right of way than a couple of motorists."


'Totally self-centered'

During the recent ride, the cyclists came upon Vince Martinez and his dog without warning, blowing past at close range.

"There are kids in strollers out here," said Martinez, 48. "I know these guys want to go fast and that's great. But this just isn't the place for that."

Later, on busy Sierra College Boulevard, the riders kept mostly to the bike lane. But as a downhill approached, a man and a woman on a tandem swung out wide and accelerated, forcing a car to swerve.

Meyer says that kind of behavior probably is not limited to their bike riding.

"There's a fair number of them that would look and conduct themselves in much the same way in their life in general," said Meyer. "That guy that is totally self-centered on his bike ... you might see a toned-down version of that in his personal life or in the workplace."

Several cyclists say rides like the Coffee Republic will not change until someone is seriously hurt or law enforcement issues tickets.

Short of that, Meyer says, the behavior likely will go unchecked unless the cyclists look within because, he said, "The first step is awareness."

Blumenfeld, who dreamed up the Coffee Republic ride with a friend a decade ago, isn't hopeful.

"It's cool that it got so big, but it's sad that it has become a rebellious ride," she said. "The thing that bothers me most is the attitude. It's a recipe for disaster that doesn't have to happen."

[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.

[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).

[tulip]

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.

But take note of the riders who do not ride responsibly and contact their club and sponsors. I've found that most of these guys love riding in their racing kits, so they are easy to spot.

My current bike club has nearly 1,000 members. The rides can be really huge-like 50-60 people sometimes. It's a policy of the club to break up those big groups into smaller sub-groups. It's so nice to ride with a club with responsible leadership. Peer pressure is a powerful thing, and can work both ways.

[VeloVT]

Here's what I would do if I owned a shop: I would not say a single word against the offending riders, or against any riders. However, I would start a visible *POSITIVE* campaign about responsible riding. I would put up posters in/outside the store (and maybe in public places that permit posting handbills). I would maybe print some bumperstickers. I would put some line about it in all of my advertising. I would try to get interviewed by the local paper... etc... If it were really important to me, I would harp on it so much that people who didn't know much about the shop would hear the name mentioned and say "oh, those are the 'safe cycling' people, aren't they?".

[salsabike]

Here's what I would do if I owned a shop: I would not say a single word against the offending riders, or against any riders. However, I would start a visible *POSITIVE* campaign about responsible riding. I would put up posters in/outside the store (and maybe in public places that permit posting handbills). I would maybe print some bumperstickers. I would put some line about it in all of my advertising. I would try to get interviewed by the local paper... etc... If it were really important to me, I would harp on it so much that people who didn't know much about the shop would hear the name mentioned and say "oh, those are the 'safe cycling' people, aren't they?".

What a really wonderful idea!

[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.