Wow, roadies are a-holes...who knew?

[GLC1968]

Let me start by saying that I'm a roadie. I like mountain biking, and commuting, but I LOVE road biking...fast.

I've discovered something new about my sport (and this may not come as any suprise to everyone else)...men on road bikes are jerks. I have been commuting back and forth to work for about 6 weeks now. For the first couple of weeks, I rode my road bike. Then I got a Terry Classic touring bike that I now ride (with straight bars & a more upright stance). Biking is very popular in my area, but MOST cyclists are recreational riders. There aren't many commuters. Anyway, when I commute on my road bike and I see other riders, they wave when I wave. This is true of all types of cyclists except perhaps the occasionial paceline group who are clearly intent on their training (and I wouldn't expect them to wave).

Last night while riding my commuter bike, I passed a couple of riders that I've seen before...this time, they did not return my wave. Then I passed two other guys, who clearly were not serious cyclists (one was in full kit but on a bike that totally didn't fit him and was huffing and puffing on a small hill....the other was wearing denim shorts and a baseball hat...but also on a road bike). These two glanced at me, I waved, and then both looked away. WTF?

I guess a rider on a straight bar Terry with a rack on the back isn't a 'real' cyclist in their eyes?

My DH suggested that I turn my bike around, blow past them up that hill, turn it around again, and repeat....that'll show them who the 'real' cyclist is!

[limewave]

The general trend I've noticed is that most roadies are arrogant elitists. I'm married to one and it drives me nuts.

[spokewench]

I call them "THE BOYS" - cause they are so immature and selfish.

[7rider]

My first reply was going to say "let me correct that statement: It's not 'men on road bikes are jerks', but "men are jerks.' It's just the odd good one we find that we can term "DH" that are the stand outs.
But then, as I continued to read your post, my reply became "Take heart. Those weren't "real cyclists" you saw."
It's not that men on road bikes are jerks, it's just that *those* men on road bikes are jerks. Or rather, those men are jerks. Or, those humanoids posing as men are jerks.
You get the idea.

[mimitabby]

what Regina said.
However, the guy puffing and panting up the hilll probably didn't want to talk to ANYONE!

[jobob]

This might come as a surprise - it did to me - but some of the rudest roadies I've ever encountered were women. More specifically, two or more women riding together in matching full-zoot team kits.

Maybe it makes more of an impression on me than similar behavior from men because I've pretty much come to expect it from men .

[GLC1968]

because I've pretty much come to expect it from men .

No kidding. You'd think I wouldn't be so suprised.

I think the part that hit me the hardest was that when I was on my road bike, the same two guys (not the inexperienced ones) waved at me! I'm going to keep a running tab to see if these are just not-nice people, or if the bike had anything to do with it.

[CycleChic06]

Ok now, I think we all need to take a step back and look at why we are riding in the first place. Cycling is an indivdual sport, yes there are teams and groups, but it is mainly individual. I, personally, don't ride for anyone except myself, for my own well being and because it's great exercise and I really love being out on the road. So who really cares if there are other people out there that don't wave back? Who really cares what other people think of your equipment? I could care less that some roadie jerk out there thinks I'm less of a rider because I don't wear a team jersey. It's great when other cyclists are friendly and you can meet some really nice people while out on the road. But there are a lot of jerks out there. I have been on the recieving end of some condsecending and rude comments from other cyclists, but why should I care? Why should anyone care what anyone else thinks, as long as they're having a good time.

[emily_in_nc]

Ok now, I think we all need to take a step back and look at why we are riding in the first place. Cycling is an indivdual sport, yes there are teams and groups, but it is mainly individual. I, personally, don't ride for anyone except myself, for my own well being and because it's great exercise and I really love being out on the road. So who really cares if there are other people out there that don't wave back? Who really cares what other people think of your equipment? I could care less that some roadie jerk out there thinks I'm less of a rider because I don't wear a team jersey. It's great when other cyclists are friendly and you can meet some really nice people while out on the road. But there are a lot of jerks out there. I have been on the recieving end of some condsecending and rude comments from other cyclists, but why should I care? Why should anyone care what anyone else thinks, as long as they're having a good time.

Good questions all. I guess for me, it comes down to the sense of community I feel with other cyclists. Like we're in our own little sub-culture, and it's kinda us against the big, bad cars and truck. I know that since we're both riding, we share at least some values, be it staying active/healthy, enjoyment of the outdoors, environmental/eco concerns, or whatever. Because I feel that sense of having at least something in common with every other cyclist on the road, from newbies riding hybrids on bike paths to racers in full-zoot kit in pacelines, I like to wave and/or say hello when I can (not if there's approaching traffic or I need both hands on handebars for whatever reason), and it's kinda nice if they do the same. I don't take it too personally if they don't, but it always gives me a good feeling when they do, like we share a little secret.

It's kinda like I feel a sense of camraderie with other Honda Element drivers...hard to put into words, but definitely there. I'd be more likely to let an Element cut in front of me in traffic than, say, a Hummer.

Emily

[Aggie_Ama]

My theory with waving to everyone I see is to welcome them into our sport. I remember being a nervous newbie and I just imagine anyone I see might be trying this for the first time. It is about making everyone I see feel welcome and know that they couldn't have picked a better thing to be doing.

Every morning I am so happy to see this elderly gentleman who lives near me riding his hybrid. He gets out there at 6:30 in the morning with his lights and helmet and rides the same route. Honestly it warms my heart to see him because he looks like he is enjoying himself.

[donnambr]

I don't expect roadies (or any other cyclists) to smile, wave, or offer me verbal greetings as I pass them. My only wish is to not be sneered at as I ride by. That's all.

[Bad JuJu]

Good questions all. I guess for me, it comes down to the sense of community I feel with other cyclists. Like we're in our own little sub-culture, and it's kinda us against the big, bad cars and truck.

This pretty well sums up my take on the "to wave or not to wave" issue. I don't necessarily feel slighted if another cyclist doesn't wave--sometimes they're working too hard or just zeroed in on what they're doing, and that's OK. But I try to wave as much as possible, even if by "wave" I just mean lifting my fingers off the handlebar in a subtle, mute greeting--doesn't have to be a big old "howdy neighbor" love-fest. Just a tiny little gesture that says "We're all in this together, and isn't it great?"

As a not-so-svelte, slightly-past-middle-aged woman cyclist, I've had to get over being bugged by others who wonder what the heck I think I'm doing on a bike. Still, it's nice to see someone else acknowledge with their subtle wave that I am in fact "in the club," by which I mean the community of cyclists everywhere.

[littlegrasshopp]

To wave or not to wave doesn't bother me so much. I take it as they are in training mindset and don't want to be brought out of it. Some of you guys ride pretty close to each other's wheels!! BUT I do get offended when I'm showing up for my first beginner, no drop ride and no one welcomes me, talks to me AFTER I'VE said hello, bothered to listen when I say my name, and they LEAVE me on the first hill of a NO DROP ride. We have a lot of LBS that play host to group rides here and it is VERY hard to get people to let you into their inner circle...even the beginner rides. I never felt like I was in a friendly group showing up for these rides. I felt like it was a big competition to see who we could all drop first.

Having said that - I now have many friends that are roadies and don't participate in the LBS rides and are wonderful, no matter what bike they are on. I assumed it was part of group riding culture. I hope I'm wrong...

[KnottedYet]

BUT I do get offended when I'm showing up for my first beginner, no drop ride and no one welcomes me, talks to me AFTER I'VE said hello, bothered to listen when I say my name, and they LEAVE me on the first hill of a NO DROP ride. We have a lot of LBS that play host to group rides here and it is VERY hard to get people to let you into their inner circle...even the beginner rides. I never felt like I was in a friendly group showing up for these rides. I felt like it was a big competition to see who we could all drop first.

What about starting a TE ride where you are? Now that you know how the road-riding works, you could organize a few fun rides for the TE'ers in your area.