Fifty Plus (50+) - Frustration with LBS riders justified?

Yesterday I was out for a leisurely recovery ride and had a rider fly past me on the left close enough that we actually brushed shoulders. I was keeping a straight course. So, it wasn't an issue of me wandering into him. Additionally, there was no "On your left", warning from him, and he had plenty of room to pass without being so close. What really frustrates me about this is that this guy was wearing a jersey from the same bike shop that another rider was wearing when he crashed into a mother and daughter and got up screaming at them, despite it being his fault. (I posted about this several weeks ago). I'm beginning to get the feeling that this particular shop (I won't mention the name, but it is the term used to describe the rate at which one pedals) is breeding a cadre of arrogant, rude, and thoughtless riders. Or, maybe he just bought the jersey and his Cervelo Soloist Carbon SL there and has nothing else to do with them. It could be that I'm jumping to conclusions. I hate this trait I have of sometimes assuming the worst in people. In any event, I was so shocked by his behavior, I didn't know what to say.

I got cut off by a guy in a Ford today. I have heard about Fords being involved in many accidents.
Ford must be breeding a cadre of arrogant, rude, and thoughtless drivers.

I got cut off by a guy in a Ford today. I have heard about Fords being involved in many accidents.
Ford must be breeding a cadre of arrogant, rude, and thoughtless drivers.

Have you thought of the possibliity of those "Fords" using Goodyear tires? Just saying...

Arrogant, rude and thoughtless is not brand specific....:)

Have you thought of the possibliity of those "Fords" using Goodyear tires? Just saying...

OMG...ya think? :eek:

Arrogant, rude and thoughtless is not brand specific....:)

Tony Stewart and others may argue your point:D

You notice VW drivers never cut bicyclists off?

Doubt that the no name CADENCE bike shop is intentionally breeding aggressive and arrogant riders..........but then who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?

You notice VW drivers never cut bicyclists off?

That's because the VW's are broken down while the cyclist say "on your left" as they go by.:D

LeVan,

CADENCE does not breed those types. Nor is their trail etiquette unique to those who patronize CADENCE. I have spoken to some who understand how badly one can be injured in a bike crash. Others don't have a clue.

As bike trails go the Schuylkill River Trail is a mixed bag when it comes to the riders who use the trail.
My wife and I have been using that trail for 5 years now. It appears to be a point of if they are aggressive drivers on 4 wheels they will carry over the same attitude when there are only two wheels under them.

I'm beginning to get the feeling that this particular shop ... is breeding a cadre of arrogant, rude, and thoughtless riders.

Sufficient explanation: they're selling a lot of expensive bikes to young men with rich parents.

You can not ask the arrogant, rude and thoughtless to change their ways cause they go by so quickly,,,however you can keep a look in the rear view mirror and get out of their way.. maybe that is the way life is... that does not mean I don't try and inform them of their ways when I can.

LeVan,

CADENCE does not breed those types. Nor is their trail etiquette unique to those who patronize CADENCE. I have spoken to some who understand how badly one can be injured in a bike crash. Others don't have a clue.

As bike trails go the Schuylkill River Trail is a mixed bag when it comes to the riders who use the trail.
My wife and I have been using that trail for 5 years now. It appears to be a point of if they are aggressive drivers on 4 wheels they will carry over the same attitude when there are only two wheels under them.

I suspect that patronage at the shop is not the real issue, but was confounded when two negative incidents took place with riders wearing the same jersey. BTW, this took place on the open road, not on the SRT.

BTW, this took place on the open road, not on the SRT.


Stay off the open road and head to the trail.

I find that sometimes a "THANKS" yelled just after they pass works. If they turn around and want to confront then just say "I said it looks like your skewer's loose". Helps if you're 240Lbs and look like you played a little football or rugby in the past.

Put a rack on the back and mount one of those spring loaded arms on the left side with a flag hanging from it. They'll pass farther out, or else.

If the shop in question in any way sponsors those riders you should let them know that some riders are giving the shop a bad name, I suspect they may let the riders know that rude dangerous behavior will not be tolerated if it gives the shop a bad name.

Yesterday I was out for a leisurely recovery ride and had a rider fly past me on the left close enough that we actually brushed shoulders.

There's no excuse for behavior like that, given that there was plenty of road available.

Looking at the situation from your point of view, one might tend to perceive the development of a pattern... two boneheads, similarly clad, two bonehead behaviors. I can't say that I would blame you for making the observation.

We have a couple of road teams in our area. I'm happy to say they are well behaved and amiable.

If the shop in question in any way sponsors those riders you should let them know that some riders are giving the shop a bad name, I suspect they may let the riders know that rude dangerous behavior will not be tolerated if it gives the shop a bad name.

I like this approach. You get to test your hypothesis by asking if there are sponsored riders (or conversely if they just bought the shirt), and if they did, ask the shop to show a public-spirited attitude.

Road Fan

Yesterday I was out for a leisurely recovery ride and had a rider fly past me on the left close enough that we actually brushed shoulders.

What really frustrates me about this is that this guy was wearing a jersey from the same bike shop that another rider was wearing when he crashed into a mother and daughter and got up screaming at them, despite it being his fault.

What possible justification could there be for either incident?

I'd have reached the same conclusion that you did. I think that some groups have a way of nurturing the jerk gene.

Catch up with him, pass him, give him an elbow!

Looking at the situation from your point of view, one might tend to perceive the development of a pattern... two boneheads, similarly clad, two bonehead behaviors.


Or maybe it's only one bonehead...the same perp responsible for both incidences. :bike2:

Or maybe it's only one bonehead...the same perp responsible for both incidences. :bike2:

No, the guy ready to jump on the mother and daughter I physically restrained, while his riding buddies calmed him down. Him, I'll remember. This was a different guy.

I've experienced this. Some riders don't understand that if they tap the one they're passing with a bar that their bike will slam them to the ground extremely hard away from the bike they tapped, which is likely to continue onward without comment. I've seen this happen ahead of me. Quite exciting. Except the cyclist lightly tapped commented impolitely to the one on the ground as he rode by.

A thoughtful letter to the shop that assumes the rider is sponsored might work well.

I got cut off by a guy in a Ford today. I have heard about Fords being involved in many accidents.
Ford must be breeding a cadre of arrogant, rude, and thoughtless drivers.

Yer rong. It's Hondas. ;p

To the orriginal post. I see this kind of arrogance in many leasure activities. I am also an avid Radio Control enthusiasts, and most of those guys with the $10k Turbojets and corporate sponorship are nice guys. Some are arrogant, and fatherless.

We have a couple of road teams in our area. I'm happy to say they are well behaved and amiable.

That's also true here, The cause is excellent team leadership.

There is a group in central Florida which is famous for riding very close to other cyclists at very high speeds. In that case, it is a matter of youth+competition+testosterone+fitness = :eek: But what would one expect? Getting this kind of toxic behavior from a solo rider is pretty atypical. Maybe he thinks he is driving a hummer or something.

I'm doubtful that the bike shop has any culpability. However, it has been my observation for many years that the most obnoxious riders (rude, unfriendly, blocking traffic, etc.) are often what I would call "hardcore racer types." Often they're on college racing teams, or are sponsored by a local bike shop.

I think it's just human nature. When you're really good at something and you know it, there's a tendency to be arrogant.

In their defense, I've also been passed many times by "hardcore racer types" who said "on your left", said hello, asked how I was doing, and have been generally friendly. I don't mean to condemn a whole category of riders because of a few bad apples.

If there are any "hardcore racer types" reading this, be nice. Be considerate of lesser riders who you pass like they're standing still. (I resemble that remark.) Shout, "On your left". Say hello. If there's room in the bike lane, stay out of the traffic lane. (You're making drivers hate bicyclists. They make take their rage out on me!) Ride single file if you must. It won't kill you. You can still get a good workout.

If you pass a cyclist going the other way, you might even consider waving. C'mon, it might feel good.