Why is it?

[h2omojo]

So I was riding the Cross Timbers Classic today (great ride by the way) and I kept noticing something. Gel wrappers on the side of the road and in the road. Why is it that everyone thinks they are part of the pro peloton and can just throw their trash on the side of the road? What's next people throwing empty water bottles to the side of the road?

C'mon people, I know they are nasty, but put them back in your pocket and throw them away when your done or at the next rest stop!

<rant over/>

Thank you.

[jsharr]

Agreed. Take the fulls ones outta one pocket, put the empties in the other. It is road biking, not rocket science.

[aikigreg]

I always bring my gel ina flask - no wrapper whatsoever.

I kept hoping I'd see someone from bikeforums. I wore my jersey, and I was the only recumbent on the 100 mile ride. I did well considering I took it nice and easy while it rained and until the roads dried out - 18.1mph average for the full century.

[dstrong]

In the "I should have said something" category...I was riding an organized ride last year and rode past a guy just as he was finishing a gel pack and tossed it aside. I was so shocked I didn't say anything but in retrospect, should have. I now hope for the scenario to happen again so I can stop and pick it up, then ride back to the offender and say "Here...you dropped this.".

[George Handy]

Probably those 'racers' who just upgraded from Cat 5 to Cat 4. They're just too cool to pick up after themselves now. Seriously, though-I've noticed the same thing on other rides. Dosen't set a good example for the rest of us.

[jim10040]

OP guessed water bottles would be next...About 6 months ago, White Rock Lake (Dallas) had a LOT of rain. On the downwind side of the lake, there were all the branches, leaves, other organic trash you expect...but also HUNDREDS of empty water bottles of all brands. There were city people picking them up. MY TAXES were paying the people to pick up the trash of extremely careless people. So, Yeah...I Hear You.