A bit of a rant

[ny biker]

Quite a few cyclists are completely oblivious. The most striking thing about your post is that you find it unusual to be annoyed at fellow cyclists. If that's the case then you should count your blessings.

Seriously. I have gotten into the habit of avoiding the most popular trails around here because I'm tired of being mad at the idiots around me.

[Skierchickie]

You are perfectly right. Those are the people that make motorists hate us all, and not want to share the road. Anyone who is so self-absorbed that they can't be bothered to try not to inconvenience others (on a bike, in the grocery store, .....) should try to put themselves in the other person's position.

That is an ideal way to promote a little road rage. No motorist is going to feel more kindly toward cyclists in general after an encounter like that. They make us all look bad.

[Crankin]

Thanks for letting me vent. Yes, all I could think of was "these people are making me look bad for future situations." And Mr. S., you are correct about the group mentality. Even the group I ride with, which is a bunch of mostly 40+ year old riders who are very upstanding people have horrible habits when the group gets big. I have been known to yell, "Get in line," which I am sure makes me sound like the former teacher that I am.
Cycling is hugely popular here and has been for quite awhile. But, as the years go on, the groups get larger (although this one was not) and we get more groups coming out from the city, who are not as familiar with the roads. We are way past the time when my DH started riding, maybe 12 years ago, when he got bottles thrown at him and my 14 year old son was called a "fag" when he was out training. But, still. OK, my rant is over. I went on a challenging 28 mile ride, with about 2,000 feet of climbing, further to the west, with less cars. Saw plenty of cyclists, but they were mostly solo or in pairs. Nobody behaved badly.