PoorBob

As the season gears up (pun intended) so starts the season for many other outdoor activities.

On my daily ride through and around the city I ride on a little bit of everything thing. Some by choice and some by necessity. During my rides I try to be as courteous as I can to both vehicles, pedestrians, and others cyclists. I am ashamed for our community by how many act. Parts of my ride cut through a city park, here I forget about Strava, I do not worry about pace, I am traveling at a safe speed to allow me to stop if a kid runs in-front of me, or if a dog has a little too much slack in the leash. But what do I see each day, somebody dressed up like they are about to enter the Giro, pushing themselves as fast as they can go cutting between me and a mother pushing a stroller trying to better yesterdays segment. I understand cycling can be competitive, and its great to push yourself but we cant forget there is a time and a place.

As we all set out for hopefully another fun and long season lets not forget to respect those around us, and to respect the places we ride.

So there is my rant, maybe I am just getting old but I feel we should remember we want cars to respect us, pedestrians want bikes to respect them.

AlmostTrick

The best way to teach the racer wannabe's a lesson is to pass 'em as you yell at them to slow down.

f4rrest

The manner of dress is unrelated.

PoorBob

I agree to a point, but it seems the guy that spends more on kit has a sense he is entitled to be rude to those around him.

People on beach cruisers, or people in jean shorts on mountain bikes dont seem to be in a race when they are around crowds. And yes they do there share of stupid moves too.

jon c. 

Yet it is so often mentioned.

CB HI

So you rant about one group you have singled out, but not the other groups that are no more or no less safe?

Cyclist0084

gregf83 

I see the same behaviour you described every time I drive on the highways. Must be a lot of kitted up cyclists driving cars too.

Or perhaps you're just ashamed to be human.

coominya

JohnnyCyclist

As are BMW's (and other luxury cars). They're just noticed more.

merlinextraligh

We as cyclists hate being stereotyped by motorists.

Yet, that's exactly what you're doing here. Simply because you wear clothes appropriate to your endeavor doesn't make you more or less likely to be a jerk. No doubt there are racer wannabes behaving poorly, but it doesn't mean you can judge everyone wearing lycra.

And in my experience, people who actually race, i.e. people who are riding around wearing the full kit of their team and sponsors tend to be less likely to ride like jerks around others, One, because we're representing our sponsors, and Two, the competition is the actual races, not trying to blow by people on the MUP

merlinextraligh

Difference between a BMW and a porcupine?

JoeyBike

The kit dudes/ettes are going too fast in the park while the beach cruiser types are going too slow. Don't get me started on the kids.

I hate everybody but me generally, and sometimes even me.

wphamilton

Maybe it's more noticeable when the person riding aggressively is kitted out. I don't see it, beyond them generally being faster. I more often see people on hybrids, wearing anything, weaving through pedestrians and kids and passing on blind corners. Or kids on mtn bikes doing it, or young women riding fitness, or old guy who likes to educate you how to warn before passing, or, I guess, every variation out there.

merlinextraligh

Porcupine has the pr*cks on the outside



Apparently, being a singular prick on this forum is ok, but not plural

FBOATSB

****** are on the inside?

FBOATSB

Oops, should have said quills.

unterhausen

no car is more likely to violate the 4' passing law than a bmw with a mountain bike on it. Actually, any car with a bike on it is bad.

I see people riding too fast for conditions. I think they are all triathletes.

jefnvk

I just wish they'd turn off the blinkies. No need for flashing lights on a MUP, and when you get a group all flashing them, it is even enough to give me a seizure!

coominya

A lot of what cyclists do is for pose value, the right cloths, the right helmet, the right bike, the blinkie always on. Cyclists are not alone in this, most in society dress up to impress, flash their ostentatious watches or smart phones, put special wheels on their cars and keep them waxed and gleaming. It doesn't start out as a pose but often ends up that way. Next time you see someone in a cool car watch and you'll invariably see them looking around to see who is looking at them.

I personally I think I look cooler in a black tank-top than a white one, but when cycling I wear the white one because it stands out and I hope has some "innocent cyclist" value. There is so much negative sentiment against the average cyclist I want to distance myself from that stereotype as much as possible.

jon c. 

Wonder where the negative sentiment comes from?

Trsnrtr

Correct. Jerks are jerks whether they are on mountain bikes with cargo shorts or road bikes in full kit. Stating otherwise is arguing from a position of prejudice.

coominya

cyclists bashing mirrors and kicking car doors, holding up traffic and hogging lanes.

jon c. 

I hear more negative feelings about cyclists on BF than I do in the rest of life by orders of magnitude.

Tape2012

I just wish the guy I pass every day in a full kit would buy new bike shorts since the pair he wears every day is worn and nearly transparent in the back. Yak.

Now I have that off my chest, I have several kits and like them for long rides in warm weather. Just as often I wear a technical running shirt or t-shirt. I think some on here are a bit too sensitive about full kits, they are absolutely gaudy but they do a job. No more or less.