Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - My RANT!! sort of. DC roadies Arghhh!!

So lately I have been going into DC a lot and now that I just secured a new job with 23 drops a day 4 days a week I'll be heading in almost everyday. My rant is the mount vernon trail that runs along the potomac and the fu%&$&g roadies that are on there. I get so pissed with their attitude towards fixies. One day on the way home I was taking my sweet time enjoying the scenery both landscaped and walking :) and had a roadie start running off the mouth because "I" was holding him up. You know if these Lance Armstrongs wannabe's are all that why ain't they over in Europe in the Tour De France making some big money instead of riding back and forth along the trail. And I never see these jerks downtown with us during rush at say Conn ave and K st or M st in Georgetown. They wouldn't make it in traffic. I watched one roadie start yelling at this guy Sunday who was on the trail with his daughter who was learning to ride a bike because they shouldn't be using it for that purpose. Uh exscuse me a#$wipe, it is PUBLIC property to be enjoyed by ALL people. I could go on and on but WTF. Just had to vent some...............

oh

I see.

um, why is your fixed gear on the street and not racing around a velodrome? or in a circus with bears riding it and juggling?

Maybe if you thought less about punks on bikes and more about your route messengering, you could add a few drops/dollars to your your day.

eyes, meet prize.
feel better soon.

If that happened to me I would stop riding bikes.

I understand your frustration and desire to vent; people suck sometimes. It's especially bad when we fight amongst ourselves (cyclists) instead of fighting for us.

But I agree with pitboss, the whole comment about 'why don't they ride in the tour' was a bit silly.

i heard that if you aren't a messenger and try to ride on the downtown streets that your bike will turn into an H3.

If that happened to me I would stop riding bikes.
for some reason, this really made me laugh. thanks

I hear you on this one. I usually use the MV to do slower rides with my wife and friends, and we're constantly getting barraged by roadies, most of them credit-card Lance noobies (hence my favorite bike path game: "count the Treks"). They do piss me off as well, but then again, I can rest in the knowledge that these people are generally all posers because the real hardcore roadies are out on the roads, pacelining at 25mph with a bunch of USCF-license holders. The MV roadies just like to zip past pedestrians, joggers, and leisure riders because that makes 'em look fast and "serious".

Basically put, the MV is a multi-purpose path where the pedestrians are at the top of the pecking order and cyclist are there until some out-of-control cyclist seriously injures somebody, then some politician can make a stroke of the pen and all bikes are banned. So ride slow and safe on the path, and if you don't like it, take your Trek, your USPS kit, and your credit card, and hit the road!

U.s.a.! U.s.a.! U.s.a.!

ipearl. I "hear" ya. Not trying to start something and fixies aint better than roadies or mt.bikes, ect. Just venting my anger. For a lot of those guys its like a weekend thing sort of. For me my bike is everything. I don't have a car, so its how I get around, Its how I make a living and allows me and my kids mama to afford a mortgage in Alexandria. I just wish that if they want to go break neck speed on their $2000+ road bikes than get out on the road and do it, not on MV where you have people especially a lot of families with young kids trying to enjoy the trail as well.

kids need a little danger in their lives.

^^^^^agreed, my son in the last day or so used his face to stop his trike. He really digs the scar.

or in a circus with bears riding it and juggling?


:)

If I dropped $3K or more on a bike and like $500 on a kit, I'd be as far away from cars as possible......unless there was one directly behind me carrying spares.

I just keep right, nod at passers by, and avoid doing intervals around roadies.

Cycling sure does attract some weirdos that live in fantasy land! :rolleyes:

stop telling people what the hell they should be doing with their bikes, seriously, we ride ****ing fixed gears.

Despite being loosely associated with roadies, I am definitely against their elitist habits. Jerks in yellow Discovery Channel Kit and brand-new carbon Treks are very frustrating. The worst are those who are just attempting to be hardcore, like said Lance-wannabes.

Anyway, I would politely ask them to be considerate, and note the fact that a bike path is not a road, and that people teaching their children to ride bikes have just as much right to be on it as they do. Almost everyone on the path would politely move out of your way if they see you.

While the rant is going, I really can't stand people with 13 dogs on impossible long-leashes that totally obstruct the pathway. That is a downright inconsiderate move.

Cheers~

that trail attracts more *******s than just about any spot i can think of in the area. i avoid it whenever possible.

roadies (and fixers and mtbers) who ride too fast on multi-use paths suck, they need to ride on the street or slow the **** down. peds who act cluelessly and endanger the people around them suck, they need to realize they're not walking in their cul de sac.

as far as kids who feel discriminated against for riding a fixed gear (not saying you're one, everyone needs to vent now and then), i'm just glad that they've never experienced real discrimination. hope they never do.

congrats on your new job dude, if you have any regular drops at NAS or the foggy bottom area hit me up if you feel like a spin or a drink sometime. or come by the bike rack at 14th and q, i work sundays.

illegitimus non carborundum.

-downtown roadie

um, why is your fixed gear on the street and not racing around a velodrome? or in a circus with bears riding it and juggling?

Maybe if you thought less about punks on bikes and more about your route messengering, you could add a few drops/dollars to your your day.

eyes, meet prize.
feel better soon.


I just might love you.....

ipearl. I "hear" ya. Not trying to start something and fixies aint better than roadies or mt.bikes, ect. Just venting my anger. For a lot of those guys its like a weekend thing sort of. For me my bike is everything. I don't have a car, so its how I get around, Its how I make a living and allows me and my kids mama to afford a mortgage in Alexandria. I just wish that if they want to go break neck speed on their $2000+ road bikes than get out on the road and do it, not on MV where you have people especially a lot of families with young kids trying to enjoy the trail as well.


I'm a "Roadie with a $2000.00+ bike" as well as a fixed rider. Following your logic, said bike path, fully of kids and slow people, is still public property so why shouldn't I be riding on it as fast as I want? You should get out of my way? You know. It goes both ways.

Public bike paths/trails are just that, public. You get all kinds. I avoid them as I can and will take my chances out on the open road. Oddly I feel safer there than having to deal with some dolt and a 3 year old on a big wheel who has no idea what "two way public path means". At least on the open road you can protect your own. Bike path/trails have little respect I've found as when people get one them, regardless if they are riding/walking/rollerblading/running.... they seem to think the world revolves around them. They take up the entire path, swerve around, etc. In my mind it's like driving....stay right accept to pass. That would solve so many problems. So when I have no choice but to get on one of these paths on my $2000+ roadie or fixie I stay to the right and only go left to pass someone slow and/or in my way. Unless they are REALLY in the way I just ride past.

While I see your point and frustration (as a roadie I have problems with other roadies often, be it on my road bike or fixie or MTB) just because your life is on the bike doesn't justify you over the weekend warriors. Why aren't you out there on the road then since you are commuting home and work on the bike. Again it goes both ways. You are no better than them and vis-versa.

If you KNOW it's a problem and it's going to piss you off why not find another route? Roadies can be dicks but fixie riders can be just the same but their holier than though "I'm not wearing spandex" schtic wears thin quickly.

People generally suck in this world. But you are no better than them. Deal with it.

Despite being loosely associated with roadies, I am definitely against their elitist habits. Jerks in yellow Discovery Channel Kit and brand-new carbon Treks are very frustrating. The worst are those who are just attempting to be hardcore, like said Lance-wannabes.



Yes, those guys do suck, but....fixie riders with their tight jeans, toe clips and mess bags (or whatever cliche you want to name for a fixie rider) are just as bad, maybe MORE elitist (I mean if you aren't on a lugged frame with a quill stem....OH MY!). Again, it goes both ways.




While the rant is going, I really can't stand people with 13 dogs on impossible long-leashes that totally obstruct the pathway. That is a downright inconsiderate move.

Cheers~

Oh ya....those people.....no excuse. Karma will get them.

If you KNOW it's a problem and it's going to piss you off why not find another route?

there's a big ole pentagon shaped building in the way, and they're not too keen on you just riding through. ironically, that building is also public property.

sadly, there are pretty much no feasable on-road alternatives for that trip, that's why the path is so crowded.

there's a big ole pentagon shaped building in the way, and they're not too keen on you just riding through. ironically, that building is also public property.

sadly, there are pretty much no feasable on-road alternatives for that trip, that's why the path is so crowded.


Understood. I don't know metro DC well enough to know. Still, if you KNOW it's going to be a problem and you can't do anything about it, just get used to it then..... it's like crying over spilled milk.

Yes, those guys do suck, but....fixie riders with their tight jeans, toe clips and mess bags (or whatever cliche you want to name for a fixie rider) are just as bad, maybe MORE elitist (I mean if you aren't on a lugged frame with a quill stem....OH MY!). Again, it goes both ways.

whatever, man. i've heard this fixed elitism referenced on the internet WAY more than i've experienced it in real life.

when i showed up to my first alleycat i was all worried that people wouldn't like me or my bike. i got over it after a while, cause people are friendly and fun. i have a bunch of friends here in the bike scene - hell, parts of the scene come comfortably close to what i like to call a community - and maybe we laugh loud and do fun ****. and generally, we like to get other people involved. people who maybe are intimidated (with or without reason) like i was at first.

just because people talk about it on the internet, doesn't mean it's true, aight? come ride. come hang out.

whatever, man. i've heard this fixed elitism referenced on the internet WAY more than i've experienced it in real life.

I think that's the case with most underground subcultures and their internet branches. The cliché/stereotype gets *****ed about until it becomes this massive element that everyone hates, despite the fact that more often than not it barely exists in real life. In most cases, the people accused of it may look the part, but usually end up being nice, genuine people. And then the people doing the *****ing are usually the most ****ed to begin with, despite their insistent barking at others' trees.

Trust me, I've hung out on "punk rock" messageboards.

Oddly I feel safer there than having to deal with some dolt and a 3 year old on a big wheel who has no idea what "two way public path means".

Man, you've gotta grow up.

For real though, that bike path is the worst.

Sucks that its pretty much to only (direct) way of getting from DC into AV

I guess thems the breaks...

Guys on the bike path in full kit yelling at kids with training wheels to get out of their way aren't roadies. Roadies ride on the road. They like brisk 30 mile or longer rides, and they know that bike paths aren't the place to do that. Even if you CAN find a bike path long enough, it's also flat and full of rollerbladers, kids on BMX bikes, couples out for a picnic. Even if you CAN find a path long enough you can't safely average 20+ on a bike path. Roadies know that. That's why they ride on the road. I'm always amused when I go on a bike path and see someone treating it like a training ride.

What elitists of all kinds don'tunderstand is, those trails are public, and pedestrians have the right to jaywalk on them whatever way they want! It's in the law (at least here in Finland). Cyclists have to follow the bike path regulations, but pedestrians have the right to walk both on ped-only as well as cyclist trains/paths.

But moreover, elitists of all kinds forget that pedestrians are your allies!!! They are on the cyclist's side, they allow for more cyclist-friendly paths of all kinds! And even greater allies are pedestrians that teach their 3 yo to cycle!

Finally, if a cyclists would give me **** while I'm teaching my 3 year old cycling on a public path, he would find my foot so far up his ass, he'd regret ever letting his mouth run.

Finally, if a cyclists would give me **** while I'm teaching my 3 year old cycling on a public path, he would find my foot so far up his ass, he'd regret ever letting his mouth run.[/QUOTE]

I disagree with this. A bike path is NOT a good place to be teaching someone how to ride a bicycle. An empty parking lot is. Think about "bunny slopes" at mountain resorts - people who are learning to ski do it there, not in the middle of the GS course on the black diamond trail, right? Or driving. Do you take someone who has never driven to the busiest road available and try to teach them to drive there?

I agree the path is a public place, but that means everyone has to be cognizant and respectful of anyone using it. People shouldn't be on the path stumbling around drunk, people shouldn't let their dogs run all over it on a leash, cyclists shouldn't buzz walkers, mothers shouldn't change a diaper with their stroller parked dead center, et cetera. Just as a cyclist needs to beware of walkers, joggers, bladers, those not on bicycles need to realize there are people using the path to pedal a machine at a high rate of speed.

It has to be a shared space.

But moreover, elitists of all kinds forget that pedestrians are your allies!!! They are on the cyclist's side, they allow for more cyclist-friendly paths of all kinds! And even greater allies are pedestrians that teach their 3 yo to cycle!

Finally, if a cyclists would give me **** while I'm teaching my 3 year old cycling on a public path, he would find my foot so far up his ass, he'd regret ever letting his mouth run.

You are exactly right on this........the future of cycling depends on the image we cyclists portray to non- cyclists. Teaching our children to ride, is where it starts and good vibes from other adults make children want to keep riding. There is little worse for a child than to have a traumatic experience that involves other adults, who set bad examples.

To the OP......I would try to find a way to be friendly to others on that path and make it a relaxed experience and a time for you to wind down from blasting all over the city a spit second from getting hit by a bus. Your work might be causing you some subliminal anxiety, since that adrenaline is pretty powerfull stuff. ;)

everyone has to be cognizant

f'rillz

I disagree with this. A bike path is NOT a good place to be teaching someone how to ride a bicycle. An empty parking lot is. Think about "bunny slopes" at mountain resorts - people who are learning to ski do it there, not in the middle of the GS course on the black diamond trail, right? Or driving. Do you take someone who has never driven to the busiest road available and try to teach them to drive there?

I agree the path is a public place, but that means everyone has to be cognizant and respectful of anyone using it. People shouldn't be on the path stumbling around drunk, people shouldn't let their dogs run all over it on a leash, cyclists shouldn't buzz walkers, mothers shouldn't change a diaper with their stroller parked dead center, et cetera. Just as a cyclist needs to beware of walkers, joggers, bladers, those not on bicycles need to realize there are people using the path to pedal a machine at a high rate of speed.

It has to be a shared space.
I agree with what you say, really.
You are right, but not quite right in this context: as I said, it's a path open to all except cars and motorcycles. If I am cycling on one of them, and there is an elderly couple strolling by, I would never even dream to utter a single word at them. Because it's their right to be there. And guess what? They recognize my respectful behaviour and move out of the way, almost always. They don't have to, but they respond to my friendly and respectful attitude.

As for where is optimal to teach your child to cycle: the bike trails are perhaps not optimal, but sometimes a parent has to use what he has, as long as it doesn't endanger his kids. Because the best place to teach your kid might be very far and that day you have also other plans. So you teach your littles where you can. Of course, if I know that there are very fast cyclists that have trouble braking, wizzing around there, I'll avoid that place.

And, don't unerestimate those inocent-looking pops with their kids. Some of them can become completely deranged when you yell at their kids. Don't do that. Seriously. Don't.

I disagree with this. A bike path is NOT a good place to be teaching someone how to ride a bicycle. An empty parking lot is. Think about "bunny slopes" at mountain resorts - people who are learning to ski do it there, not in the middle of the GS course on the black diamond trail, right?

A bike path is more analogous to a bunny slope than a black diamond trail. They are made flat and smooth and wide. designed to be easy to use for people at all skill levels.

OP - you should just carry a bag full of water balloons and/or a really big super soaker and let fly whenever you feel the need ;)

RE: kids learning to ride on the path, at least once a week on the chicago lake front path I have to pull over or slow down and gently explain to some parent that they wouldn't teach their kid to drive on the interstate, so why the hell are they trying to teach them to ride a bike somewhere with tons of other cyclists whizzing by. It's not even a matter of roadies, their kid will be just as dead if they swerve out in front of some old guy going 10 on a cruiser or in front of me going 20 on a fix or roadie. Heck, they'll be a lot better off if it's me on a roadie, I can at least bunny hop that thing. These people also usually need to be reminded that kid + bike - helmet is not only very stupid, but can get them a lunker of a ticket if a bike cop comes by.

Some of them can become completely deranged when you yell at their kids. Don't do that. Seriously. Don't.

My son is only a year old, so training wheels and trikes are around the corner, but coming up soon.

So i pictured myself in this situation, and saw my little guy out there pedaling away on the path with me behind him.

Then i pictured someone telling me to get off the path.

This would really piss me off.

You'd get pretty much unanimous support if you wanted to tell someone off on those MUPs if it had anything to do at all with your kid.

We have a similar situation on the strands on the beach. Yeah, you can ride bikes, but if you have any illusions about getting any speed up at all, check your head, it's just not realistic. It's all about the journey, the scenery (who omg San Diego is great for that) and chilling out.

Part of my daily commute is on the MV trail. I'm lucky that it's empty in the AM and not too bad by the time I ride it in the evening. A weekend ride on the MV this time of year? Good freaking luck. You're likely to get killed some impatient jackass on a bike they can't control. No thanks.

My son is only a year old, so training wheels and trikes are around the corner, but coming up soon.

So i pictured myself in this situation, and saw my little guy out there pedaling away on the path with me behind him.

Then i pictured someone telling me to get off the path.

This would really piss me off.

No offense, and not trying to start a flamefest, but unless your kid can ride a straight line and get it over 5mph, I'll tell you to get off the path. Again, when the little guy is 16, are you going to head straight for the interstate? Of course not. You're going to spend hours and hours in parking lots and really quiet neighborhood streets and stuff like that until he's ready for more difficult and dangerous situations. When he needs to learn to swim, are you going to head to some wild beach with currents and rocks and surfers buzzing over his head? Of course not, you're going to go to a nice safe pool or tame beach, and if it's a pool you're not going to plunk him down in the lap lanes where some adult is trying to get exercise. Same goes for little kids on bikes, there's a whole world of sidewalks, quiet park paths, empty parking lots, and other places for kids to learn to ride.

MUPs are for everybody, but this is one of those things in a free society where just because you have a legal right to do something doesn't make it a good idea.

No offense, and not trying to start a flamefest, but unless your kid can ride a straight line and get it over 5mph, I'll tell you to get off the path.

i'm pretty sure that by that time tink's son will be able to kick all of our collective asses.

but i think you both have a point. symbiosis requires concessions on everyone's part. parents gotta be smart about where they bring their kids, we gotta give em lots of swerve room. pedestrians have every right to be on the trail, but need to be smart about it. bikes have every right to be on the road, same deal.

...One day on the way home I was taking my sweet time enjoying the scenery both landscaped and walking :) and had a roadie start running off the mouth because "I" was holding him up.


...Why aren't you out there on the road then since you are commuting home and work on the bike.

see above

I love the internet

But siriously, "Roadies" zooming the bike path on the weekend, driving to and fro the park, in there RAnge rovers piss me off. i dont think its a great idea to blast a congested path, while there are many kids about, thats just me,I dont ride on the Martin goodman trail(big multi use path here in toronto) because i feal like an ass, ziping in and around every one. plus is slows me down, you wanna use a multi use path as traning space, fine, but if some kid learing to ride gets in your way, maybe you shouldnt be training on saturday, at 1:30pm on a crowded path, you wouldnt attempt to train downtown, at 5pm friday of a longweekend, so why the saturday when the path is the busyest ? try early/late when no one is about.

I did many of my first realativly long distance rides on when a wee'un on MUPs and have more than one memory of being yell'd at by some surly roadie for a reasons that i failed to understand when was that young, don't knock the up and coming bikers!

In the case of a child learning to ride on a public trail/path:
don't most paths have speed limits posted? I know the one out by where I grew up is 12 miles an hour. There is a family who purchased a specialized trike for their son who has CP and I always go very slow approaching him, as well as all other younger riders.

I think if anyone felt the need to blast past a younger rider on a trail paid for by taxpayers and not the "wannabe" roadies (as described within), I would probably say something. There is no reason to have a trail shutdown by a fraction of the users' ignorance or abuse.

I concur 100% with tink20seven on being pissed off - it has happened to me and my sons once before ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. That was entertaining.

Guys on the bike path in full kit yelling at kids with training wheels to get out of their way aren't roadies. Roadies ride on the road. They like brisk 30 mile or longer rides, and they know that bike paths aren't the place to do that. Even if you CAN find a bike path long enough, it's also flat and full of rollerbladers, kids on BMX bikes, couples out for a picnic. Even if you CAN find a path long enough you can't safely average 20+ on a bike path. Roadies know that. That's why they ride on the road. I'm always amused when I go on a bike path and see someone treating it like a training ride.

Exactly, no one I ride with wants to be on a MUP. If you need to be on one to get from point A to point B then you do so but you certainly don't ride it fast. Riding MUPS clipless is a serious drag with way to much slow traffic and getting forced to stop and trying to clip out to avoid falling. Who wants to deal with that mess, roadies ride on the road not MUPS.

Has anyone tried to ride on the streets of Northern VA during most of the workday? It's an invitation to get run over. The MV trail is great for riding the road bike. Most of the other roadies, fixies, what have you, are friendly. As long as you realize there might be walkers, kids, etc out there and are prepared to slow down, it's no big deal. I ride my road bike on the MV trail a lot and slow down for the Mommies with kids and I give the hello nod to fixies and other roadies alike. There will always be arrogant bums from all walks of life, on bikes and off. Just be aware that the majority of people are friendly out there are not snobby people with attitudes. Most are just out to enjoy the path and ride somewhere where they're not likely to get killed.

This thread reminds me of my snowboarding friends *****ing about skiers, and vice versa. Making blanket assumptions about either group is downright stupid. I commute on my [badass beater] road bike through downtown DC every single day, and you ALL get in my way somehow or another. Fixies, roadies, cars, smokin' hot ladies walking their dogs, everyone.

As for the MV trail, yeah dude, I'm happier that my tax $$ goes to something that allows a little girl to learn how to ride a bike -- even if she drifts into my lane -- than to someone ripping on a fellow rider for how many gears their bike has. Lighten up.

It's a MUP. They suck.

FERAL: where you coming from? You can get around the Pentagon by cutting through the parking and taking the trail that runs between it and Wash Blvd. The entrance is near the Columbia Pike cloverleaf(well,it was a cloverleaf). It'll take you to the trail near the Memorial bridge. Don't know where your start point is,but this might help get you around the worst part. All the times I've ridden the MV it was worst from Memorial bridge to just below the airport.

Ok. Everyone has has their say and I want to thank everyone for not blowing this all up and starting a firefight. Lets look at a few things. Its not just about roadies. I've seen mt. bikers, fixies, ect. do the same thing. It's just that a large percentage seen doing this is the "lance wannabe's". So my bag for saying just them. Christ look at us messengers blowing thru traffic all day, just missing peds, going up one way streets the wrong way or if I'm coming across Key Bridge instead of shooting down Mst to get downtown and meet the car drivers to get my drops I'll shoot down Whitehurst freeway, not the brightest of moves esp. at 8;30 in the morning. Has for find another route. Well lets see.......... I could go down the GW Parkway that runs along MV and get killed or arrested for riding it. I could go down US1 which is an option but after riding in traffic all day it's nice to get on MV to unwind and relax and get the adrenaline to subdue, or I could cut across Rosslyn into Arlington and come down Glebe road. Uh NO THANKS!!!! There are more accidents on Glebe road especially around the Route 50 exit than any other spot in the DC metro area. I'd rather ride Kst, Mst during rush hour than Glebe.
Its not about dishing on one set like I said we ALL do dumb stuff. Messengers are looked down on. Fixie riders playing polo on concrete are thought of has weird. Mountain bikers wanting to ride around in the woods jumping off of rocks,ect. Roadies with their spandex and look at my shiny bike that cost me more than what you earn in a month look. I was just venting frustration. If you want to top out at top speed find do it. more power to you just don't do it on a trail that is wall to wall people and when you can't make progress like you want start giving folks a hard time. Thats all I'm saying. Christ when that one said something to me that one day, I just kept my mouth shut and thought yea right, I put in more miles than you'll ever be able to do and just kept enjoying the ride home. So again thanks for everyones input and opinions and not letting this get out of hand. I now return you to your regular scheduled program.