I got ran off the road by a pack of cyclists today...
#26
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Sorry, but I disagree, we should not accept this jerk behavior. Most local teams in Minneapolis make a statement on their site to the effect if you see our team breaking the law (or being a jerk), let us know 'cause we'll correct the problem. Since the group is riding with the sponsor's brand on the jersey, the team sponsor doesn't want this kind of bad publicity.
#27
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So I got ran off the road today by a pack of cyclists on my commute home tonight. I was coming up to a fairly busy stop sign controlled intersection intending on turning left (after stopping at the stop sign of course...). I look back and a pack of about 40 roadies were coming up behind me so I signal my intention to turn left and start to move over...THEY CAME AROUND ME ON MY LEFT ANYWAYS and proceeded to blast through the stop sign and headed right. I was forced to pull off the road to my right and come to a stop (certain expletives may have been uttered). If I had swung over to the left I would have taken out the whole pack.
I have been commuting on these roads for 10 years and have never had an interaction with a motorist and then I get blasted off the road by a bunch of aggro roadies? WTF? Its bad enough for cyclists to piss off motorists...but when cyclists start pissing off other cyclists using the road responsibly? Unfortunately it is cyclists like these guys who give cyclists a bad image and wreck it for those of us who try to behave on roads.
Oh yeah I live in Boulder Co. Colorado...go figure. Not all of us here are like these guys BTW.
I have been commuting on these roads for 10 years and have never had an interaction with a motorist and then I get blasted off the road by a bunch of aggro roadies? WTF? Its bad enough for cyclists to piss off motorists...but when cyclists start pissing off other cyclists using the road responsibly? Unfortunately it is cyclists like these guys who give cyclists a bad image and wreck it for those of us who try to behave on roads.
Oh yeah I live in Boulder Co. Colorado...go figure. Not all of us here are like these guys BTW.
I have been browsing these forums for a while and have had various issues with other members, but to be double-posted on by a newb?!? WTF? It's bad enough cyclists comment in general forums to piss off the general public... but when cyclists start pissing off other cyclists who post responsibly in Bike Forum? Unfortunately it's cyclists like these members who give BF members a bad image and wreck it for those of us who try to behave on BF.
Oh yeah, I post here on BF frequently... go figure. Not all of us here are like this guy BTW.
#28
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Ok, what do you plan to do about it? Elbow one of them on the way by? Pull in front and cause a crash? I didn't say accept it, I said brush it off. This kind of stuff happens, and there is little you can do about it. Write a letter to a state office, report the group to the cops, get involved with a local cycling organization...what is any of that going to do, and why is it even worth the effort for a once-in-a-ten-year event? And who said anything about sponsors?
if you see our team breaking the law (or being a jerk), let us know 'cause we'll correct the problem.
It's not complicated, most Minneapolis teams are sponsored by bike shops, bike-related businesses, and a bike-friendly restaurant. They care, because they want the positive association with their name. Jerks riding around town with your name all over their jersey is not good for their marketing.
We, the bike-community, should expect better than disrespecting others in the name of 'fast'.
#29
Pedalin' Erry Day
I agree that it's not polite, but frankly I wouldn't get too upset. A pack of fast cyclists on the road is like an oversized piece of farm machinery, a train, or extra-extra-extra-long trailer, it takes much more time/distance to stop safely and longer to accelerate clear from a stop, so the riders at the front who have could conceivably stopped to allow OP to turn might have made the right decision to protect the safety of the 40 riders behind them (and keep the total net disruption to all traffic on the road to a minimum) since they probably weren't planning to stop there.
#30
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BTW - "brush it off"... well I do. But in my case I walked 4 miles home (I was dumb and left my pump at home), changed the tube and took my ride.
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Did you read my post?
if you see our team breaking the law (or being a jerk), let us know 'cause we'll correct the problem.
It's not complicated, most Minneapolis teams are sponsored by bike shops, bike-related businesses, and a bike-friendly restaurant. They care, because they want the positive association with their name. Jerks riding around town with your name all over their jersey is not good for their marketing.
We, the bike-community, should expect better than disrespecting others in the name of 'fast'.
if you see our team breaking the law (or being a jerk), let us know 'cause we'll correct the problem.
It's not complicated, most Minneapolis teams are sponsored by bike shops, bike-related businesses, and a bike-friendly restaurant. They care, because they want the positive association with their name. Jerks riding around town with your name all over their jersey is not good for their marketing.
We, the bike-community, should expect better than disrespecting others in the name of 'fast'.
What do you mean "we"? I am a cyclist but I do not consider myself as part of "your" community. That's your construct, and if you want to live within that, that's fine. I see a "me" when I ride on the road; when I am disrespected or put in danger I fire off a finger and let it go.
You never answered my question - when you (not your team, pay attention to context here) are disrespected by a group ride, what do you do about it?
Then what are you arguing with me about?
Last edited by jfowler85; 08-26-15 at 08:49 AM.
#32
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The OP isn't writing about your team, he is writing about another team he encountered. If you were part of that team then tell your team members they are being ********.
What do you mean "we"? I am a cyclist but I do not consider myself as part of "your" community. That's your construct, and if you want to live within that, that's fine. I see a "me" when I ride on the road; when I am disrespected or put in danger I fire off a finger and let it go.
You never answered my question - when you (not your team, pay attention to context here) are disrespected by a group ride, what do you do about it?
What do you mean "we"? I am a cyclist but I do not consider myself as part of "your" community. That's your construct, and if you want to live within that, that's fine. I see a "me" when I ride on the road; when I am disrespected or put in danger I fire off a finger and let it go.
You never answered my question - when you (not your team, pay attention to context here) are disrespected by a group ride, what do you do about it?
When I am disrespected on the road? I use a booming voice to call it out, post a video to YouTube, and contact the correct authority. I have been doing this for a number of years with great success. I wasn't riding with a GoPro the day I got run off the road, otherwise I'd share that with you.
There isn't 'my team', my team is simply me, myself, and I. I am involved my community and there are a large number of teams in Minneapolis, I ride with these teams at a number of races through the year. I know the people that lead the teams, they keep high standards.
Interesting you are involved on BF since your not part of this community.
#33
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You are tons of laughs on a hump-day morning!
When I am disrespected on the road? I use a booming voice to call it out, post a video to YouTube, and contact the correct authority. I have been doing this for a number of years with great success. I wasn't riding with a GoPro the day I got run off the road, otherwise I'd share that with you.
There isn't 'my team', my team is simply me, myself, and I. I am involved my community and there are a large number of teams in Minneapolis, I ride with these teams at a number of races through the year. I know the people that lead the teams, they keep high standards.
Interesting you are involved on BF since your not part of this community.
When I am disrespected on the road? I use a booming voice to call it out, post a video to YouTube, and contact the correct authority. I have been doing this for a number of years with great success. I wasn't riding with a GoPro the day I got run off the road, otherwise I'd share that with you.
There isn't 'my team', my team is simply me, myself, and I. I am involved my community and there are a large number of teams in Minneapolis, I ride with these teams at a number of races through the year. I know the people that lead the teams, they keep high standards.
Interesting you are involved on BF since your not part of this community.
So, you're that guy. Do you also spend half the video yelling out "you're on camera, I got you on camera!" then turn around and run when the person you instigated actually comes after you? I could think of a handful of constructive things to do with my time other than post videos to youtube about "near misses" which no one cares about. Those vids were amusing at first, now they're all trite. "OMG that driver almost made the cyclist kind of swerve...did you see that anticlimax where nothing happened??"
Can you read? I said I am not part of your version of "we" which you used in the context of your local team(s). If you are deluded that an online forum is some kind of legitimate community, then I implore you to get out into the real world a bit more often.
Last edited by jfowler85; 08-26-15 at 08:59 AM.
#34
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Originally Posted by bmthom.gis;18111215
From BSNYC's first book
[B
From BSNYC's first book
[B
The Roadie[/B]
The Roadie is, in a certain sense, the prototypical cyclist. Road racing is certainly not the oldest form of competitive cycling, but it does have a long history and it is by far the most popular competitive discipline. After all, even people who can't tell a road bike from a mountain bike have heard of the Tour de France. The drop bars, the jersey with rear pockets, the tight shorts and the diminutive brimmed cycling cap together embody the cyclist in the popular imagination.Because road cycling is steeped in tradition (and occasionally garnished with attitude), every single aspect of road cycling – from clothing choice to equipment choice to hand signals to which way to pull off the front of a paceline – is governed by rules. And like all rules, some of them have evolved out of necessity, and some of them are simply tradition for tradition's sake.
The negative view of the Roadie is that he or she is fastidious, snotty and aloof. On the other hand, the romantic view is that Roadies are the toughest of all cyclists and that their careful preparation and studied appearance is a natural expression of this mental and physical toughness. But there's a deeper truth. Beneath all the training and suffering and Lycra and embrocations, the fact is that all Roadies are freeloading cheats. I'm not talking about doping. No, Roadies are freeloading cheats because the true essence of road cycling is the conservation of energy. Naturally, the only way a bicycle is going to move is if a person puts energy into it and they do what they can to make their bodies strong, but there the effort ends. Beyond this, everything else is based on not making an effort. It's based on making things as light and aerodynamic as possible; it's based on slipstreaming behind other riders for as long as possible and it's about expending as little effort as effectively as possible.
And the Roadie's freeloading ways extend to life off the bike as well. Anybody who's spent any time in bike shops knows the Roadie is the worst kind of product-grubbing discount hunter there is. They have no loyalty to their shop; if they can find it online for £2 less, they'll buy it there. Yet they'll spend £1,000 on a wheel set if they think it might give them an edge, and if you lend them the money for it don't expect to get it back. Roadies are the junkies of the cycling world; they're skinny and untrustworthy, and they'll do whatever they need to in order to keep their habit going. The Roadie's life is full of disappointed people – spouses, friends, family – all of whom have involuntarily funded their depraved lifestyle in one way or another.
Why other cyclists don't like them: They don't appear to enjoy what they're doing and they don't appear to know you exist.
Compatibility with other cyclists: Have been seen at mountain-bike races, but are largely compatible only with their own kind.
The Roadie is, in a certain sense, the prototypical cyclist. Road racing is certainly not the oldest form of competitive cycling, but it does have a long history and it is by far the most popular competitive discipline. After all, even people who can't tell a road bike from a mountain bike have heard of the Tour de France. The drop bars, the jersey with rear pockets, the tight shorts and the diminutive brimmed cycling cap together embody the cyclist in the popular imagination.Because road cycling is steeped in tradition (and occasionally garnished with attitude), every single aspect of road cycling – from clothing choice to equipment choice to hand signals to which way to pull off the front of a paceline – is governed by rules. And like all rules, some of them have evolved out of necessity, and some of them are simply tradition for tradition's sake.
The negative view of the Roadie is that he or she is fastidious, snotty and aloof. On the other hand, the romantic view is that Roadies are the toughest of all cyclists and that their careful preparation and studied appearance is a natural expression of this mental and physical toughness. But there's a deeper truth. Beneath all the training and suffering and Lycra and embrocations, the fact is that all Roadies are freeloading cheats. I'm not talking about doping. No, Roadies are freeloading cheats because the true essence of road cycling is the conservation of energy. Naturally, the only way a bicycle is going to move is if a person puts energy into it and they do what they can to make their bodies strong, but there the effort ends. Beyond this, everything else is based on not making an effort. It's based on making things as light and aerodynamic as possible; it's based on slipstreaming behind other riders for as long as possible and it's about expending as little effort as effectively as possible.
And the Roadie's freeloading ways extend to life off the bike as well. Anybody who's spent any time in bike shops knows the Roadie is the worst kind of product-grubbing discount hunter there is. They have no loyalty to their shop; if they can find it online for £2 less, they'll buy it there. Yet they'll spend £1,000 on a wheel set if they think it might give them an edge, and if you lend them the money for it don't expect to get it back. Roadies are the junkies of the cycling world; they're skinny and untrustworthy, and they'll do whatever they need to in order to keep their habit going. The Roadie's life is full of disappointed people – spouses, friends, family – all of whom have involuntarily funded their depraved lifestyle in one way or another.
Why other cyclists don't like them: They don't appear to enjoy what they're doing and they don't appear to know you exist.
Compatibility with other cyclists: Have been seen at mountain-bike races, but are largely compatible only with their own kind.
#35
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So, you're that guy. Do you also spend half the video yelling out "you're on camera, I got you on camera!" then turn around and run when the person you instigated actually comes after you?
Can you read? I said I am not part of your version of "we" which you used in the context of your local team(s). If you are deluded that an online forum is some kind of legitimate community, then I implore you to get out into the real world a bit more often.
Can you read? I said I am not part of your version of "we" which you used in the context of your local team(s). If you are deluded that an online forum is some kind of legitimate community, then I implore you to get out into the real world a bit more often.
#36
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I experienced a similar incident a few years back. A local cycling club passed me very aggressively. It was a large group maybe 50/70 riders going at race speed on a state park road crowded with duffers like me. About midway in their pass 20 riders or so up something went horribly wrong and I witnessed a crash of TDF peloton proportion.
Fortunately I, and the other nearby casual crusiers missed the carnage being much slower. As I cruised past the pile of bodies, frames and bent wheels of the riders who seconds before buzzed me like a logging truck I smiled thinking of instant karma.
Fortunately I, and the other nearby casual crusiers missed the carnage being much slower. As I cruised past the pile of bodies, frames and bent wheels of the riders who seconds before buzzed me like a logging truck I smiled thinking of instant karma.
Last edited by Worknomore; 08-26-15 at 09:20 AM.
#37
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The o.p.'s post broke down when he claimed that in 10 years of commuting he never had an interaction with a cager. I'm not believing that. Seems like in addition to cameras and/or head lights with shaped beams we are going to see more posts driving a wedge between those who ride for sport and those who ride for transportation. As with most debates there will always be those who are not above manufacturing evidence for their POV if none is handy.
#39
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Why do you think cyclists should behave differently?
No, they shouldn't have blown through the stop sign, but that has no bearing on your inability to turn left when there is traffic (cyclists) in the lane to the left of yours.
#40
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The o.p.'s post broke down when he claimed that in 10 years of commuting he never had an interaction with a cager. I'm not believing that. Seems like in addition to cameras and/or head lights with shaped beams we are going to see more posts driving a wedge between those who ride for sport and those who ride for transportation. As with most debates there will always be those who are not above manufacturing evidence for their POV if none is handy.
#41
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Pleeeeease, is BF, it's all about the complaining. I would never let such a minor incident effect my day. I kinda like the big packs riding along so fast, reminds me of my youth. And I'm glad to see youngsters enjoying riding, they'll tone it down once the testosterone goes down ~5-10 years from now. In the meantime, next time OP sees 'em coming, be ready!
#43
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#44
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I've lived in Boulder County for ~1 year and while this place is much better than the mean streets of Chicago, it's not as if there aren't jerks. I never even heard of "coal rolling" before I moved here, now I anticipate it....
#45
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This happened to me once when I was on a old beat up commuter on a local bike path. I figured out who they where got myself a nice fast spech and joined the club....
#46
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To be fair, most of bad behavior I witness from cyclists is from those wearing regular clothes. Of course most cyclists I see aren't wearing lycra anyway unless I'm someplace outside the city.
#47
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that sucks.
that said, this probably belongs in the commuting forum, no?
that said, this probably belongs in the commuting forum, no?
#48
Senior Member
You know what... come to think of it... I've seen my fair share of commuters pull stupid stunts before as well. Example: I - stopped at a street light. Commuter - blew the light, didn't even stop. Scared the sh*t out of me. I guess every bird of feather has a bad bird, not just the "roadie" birds.
#50
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I just finished a ride with my whole club (all one of me); 20 miles round Lake Minnetonka. Great ride, 65F and sunny. You should give it a try.... I implore you!