rkwaki

I'm shy...
Is that offer open for me as well?

mike868y

i'm really shy, BUT, let's talk on fb or something.

carpediemracing 

The club's main focus is to promote cycling. The majority of the effort is in the mtb/cross side of things (one guy is or was a Canadian Masters National Champ in cross, another guy got 3rd one year at US Masters, etc). However a significant portion of the club's efforts goes into helping charities and such. The rider in question is a key point person for the charities.

The problem with letting him race on his own is that he's actually very strong. When he drags the field around it's pretty impressive, at least at our level, and he works so hard, puts so much of himself out there, that he actually gets stuff done, meaning he can close some decent sized gaps.

Of course if he's just chasing, because, say, we need to chase, he doesn't put that kind of effort in. It's when he works for himself that he can work so hard, even if it means working against his teammates.

Plus it's just frustrating to try to race with him. Like if we get a guy off the front, get our guy in a good mix with a rival team that maybe put a worse sprinter in the break (so ideal for us), and to watch them ride away as the field messes around, it seems really promising, with the field essentially powerless to chase. Then suddenly the 25 second gap gets closed to under 10 seconds by said teammate (who can't sprint as well as a number of teammates), and of course seeing the resulting flurry of attacks/counters erase the break… frustrating.

grolby

I can think of almost nothing scarier than you showing up to one of my team rides.

Yes, let's.

MDcatV

careful @grolby, mikey is surly and hardly ever said hi to me at races. although that didnt hurt my feelings as much as when chappy rode past me and didnt wave that one time. he's been plying me with beers after races ever since, but i'm still holding a grudge.

hubcyclist

As a generally shy person, I do worry that my shyness gives the impression of surliness or aloofness. In my case, if people make the effort to get to know me that they definitely see past that pretty quickly. So don't judge us quiet types!

globecanvas

Regarding teams... I think getting along with your teammates, camaraderie etc, is really the most important factor. Everything else kind of sorts itself out. If you are racing with friends, you want them to do well, so it's not a sacrifice to be a worker when the situation calls for it. If there are disproportionate talent levels within the team, that can affect camaraderie too, meaning that the group you feel best with is likely to be a group of peers. There's no real substitute for the good feeling you get from feeling like you belong to a team.

bmcphx

I am generally surly and aloof, and always hope that my attitude is perceived as shyness.

In all honesty, I think most every cyclist who is as serious about it as we are is pretty socially inept in some way, so I don't think being shy should be a hold back for anyone. Just say hello and make some friends, or go on offense and start dropping people... they'll come to you

Ygduf

I am super shy.

MDcatV

i'm not shy but am also a pretty mediocre racer and tend to be intimidated by those who are more accomplished.

mattm

Lol as if! =]

Maybe you're not familiar with the backstabbing/talking behind backs/etc that goes on on bike race teams?

Of course I'm sure someone here will raise their hand and say they're on the best team ever, but every team I've been on (all 3!) had bunch of people hating on each other but never to someone's face.

I'd believe that if you hadn't posted a shirtless pic!

caloso

It's like junior high girls but with less hairy legs.

MDcatV

reported

big john

I think it would be awesome. I'm not thinking I could keep up with him, but I'd bet he's funny and a blast to ride with. I'd bet he doesn't take crap from anyone, either.

grolby

Heh. I've ridden with rkwaki a couple of times; I used to live in the same area. He knows I'm just busting his balls.

furiousferret

I just make snap judgements too fast on guys and dislike a lot riders of based on what I think they are like. I really dislike riders that judge others based on their riding ability.

There are also rides where I just don't feel like talking to anyone, and ones where I chat nonstop.

The coolest guys to ride with are the domestic pro's / former pro guys. The problem is you have 2-3 guys groveling for their attention and those guys are typically the ones that have a bad attitude (unless you're pro, of course).

rkwaki

I'm awesome to ride with. I'll pull the entire ride and tell jokes nonstop. I also follow the rules of the road and make sure others do as well. But the big thing is I will not leave anyone behind. I'll tow anyone back of they are in trouble.
Oh and I pull like a freight train.

furiousferret

Yeah, but then there are those times we have to ride on the sidewalk to avoid being within 100 yards of the school

bmcphx

Is it 100yds? **** I thought court told me 150...I've been giving an extra 50yds all these years?

Ygduf

Let's not pretend either of us is above it! You make fun of the guy during the ride.

echappist

is that the first time back in 2012 around Thanksgiving? in my defense, i was dazed and lost actually took a wrong turn and ended up doing 20 miles i didn't meant to do. had to take the subway home...

jsutkeepspining

Wow all those fancy degrees and you can't even formulate a coherent sentence.

bmcphx

Shut up, kid.

jsutkeepspining

You know you love me

Hermes

Hey I will ride with Rkwaki any time. I love to be pulled around.