Geosammy

I was going to my local department store today.
To get myself a new coffee press, (I broke the old one).
I hopped on my bike (daily commuter) and was on my way.
Stopped at a traffic lite and noticed a large group of cyclists on the opposite corner.
A few of them shouted something at me about my clothing, but I wasn't sure what it was all about.
They seem to all get a good laugh though.
From what I could tell. These guys were all decked out in cycling gear, riding "expensive" (at least they looked expensive to me) bikes.
I on the other hand, was wearing just a plain old t-shirt and shorts and riding my daily commuter.
It's not a "top-o-the-line ride", but I keep it in good working order and it gets me from point a to point b quickly.
As we rode by each other. Some one shouted "Nube!", and again another roar of laughter.
I've been riding nonstop since I was a kid and I'm 50+ years old now.
Needless to say...
I got my new coffee press and I hope I never see these guys again.
What a downer that was. :-(
Am I alone, with this type of treatment form other "cyclists"?

dougmon 

No, but I've found it to be rare where I am.

However...I dress in regular clothes when, and my bike is an upright style rider...and I've sometimes gotten smirks and comments from some of the weekend racer crowd. (I also get comments about my pasty white legs, but those, I think, are justified. )

But ultimately, you just have to not care about these things. You like your bike, right? And you like biking? And it's not really a competitive thing for you, am I correct? If so, then I think you're on the right track. Don't worry about those guys. They'll eventually take up golf. And then you won't see them again.

General Geoff

They feel they've bought the right to denigrate those who haven't spent $$$$ to look like tour de france rejects.


I don't make fun of anyone I see on a bike. Sometimes I feel sorry for the poor guys and gals who are struggling up a paved hill on a walmart dual suspension mountain bike with knobby tires, thinking about how much extra effort they're putting into it, wondering if that will put them off from cycling as much as they otherwise might. But I would never make fun of them, because at the end of the day, they still made the effort to get on their bike and ride.

Geosammy

I've always used a bicycle as my main means of transportation.
I've ridden in every conceivable type of weather and terrain.
If anything... I should be the one laughing, but I have more respect than that.
Thanks for your reply dougmon.
"Hoping they take up golf"

Geosammy

I agree.

mongol777

Next time ride your bike right throuhg their bikes - that will show them!
Just kidding of course - they are just ********, you did the right thing by not lowering yourself to their level.
Don't let it ruin your day, just enjoy your ride
I always wave and say hi to anyone on two wheels whether I ride my bike or my motorcycle.

texaspandj

The only time I don't wear lycra shorts and a athletic style shirt is on Sunday family fun rides. But unlike you I'd want to see those guys again. Either to dare them to say something to my face or on the road where they would be frustrated they couldn't drop me. I dislike bullies in case you couldn't tell.
I always have the up most respect for the downtown dressed in a suit commuter or the this walmart bike is all have to get to work at McDonald's commuter . I hold no cyclist any higher or lower based on what they're wearing or riding, (even those bike bullys). The way I see it all cyclist are just as crazy as me to be out there on two wheels, Whether riding 3 or 300 miles a week.

smarkinson

As usual, when someone insults someone else it says a heck of a lot more about the person doing the insulting than the person being insulted.

6 months ago those guys were all playing golf and hadn't been near a bike since they were a kid (which is why they called you a newb, to hide their own newbiness).

They've bought all the gear, read all the websites, watched all the videos and now they think they're going to win the Tour de France next year.

Geosammy

Yes, I'm the same way, when it come to noticing other cyclists on the road.
I've built my daily commuter, to be very reliable and comfortable for me.
It just saddens me about their lack of respect and the lack of respect in general that cyclists endure in the USA.

indyfabz

Your fly was open.

And you didn't have bar tape on your pedal.

P.S. Try to not be so obvious.

General Geoff

Respect is a dying virtue in all walks of life in this country.

Geosammy

I bet none of those guys would ever think of taking their bike on a grocery run.
I haven't brought any of my bikes to the local BS for any kind of repairs. I do it all on my own.
I use my LBS, as a parts warehouse.
Just recently overhauled my bottom bracket and went to a 1x10.
Those guys have nothing on me.

Geosammy

Yes, no bar tape on my pedals.
That's pretty funny of you to say.

16 Tons

"Nube"? What the heck is that?

San Rensho 

So a bunch of cat 6 racers made fun of you. They are pretty pathetic. Kind of sad actually that they have to mock another cyclist. I ride with real racers and we would never mock a cyclist.

techsensei

It's like the movie Breaking Away, when in the Little 500 race, the frat boys of the Sigma Tau Omega team laugh when Moocher hops on the bike after Dave's crash.

noglider 

What others think of me is none of my business. If someone wants to tease me, it reflects badly on his self esteem, so I should feel sorry for him, but I won't say anything, because that will make it worse.

Geosammy

Nube, according to .urbandictionary.com

The "Old English" Word For Noob. Usually meaning someone is unintelligent or lacks common sense. Mainly used in online gaming. Call of Duty has many of these.

Northwestrider

I ride and dress like a Fred , always have , yet never heard a thing so far. Possibly out of ear shot however .

jon c. 

I see a lot of this sort of comment on BF, castigating the TdF wannabes. I never see TdF wannabes, or anyone else, actually posting anything negative about riders in street clothes.

Sometimes I wear a jersey, sometimes I wear a tee shirt and sandals. Never noticed any difference in the how the club riders greet me in passing. I read about how the riders in full kit look down on other bicyclists, but never see any of evidence of it myself. Maybe I just ride in the right places and read the right threads.

Geosammy

I agree.

b_twill

I find that in any group or hobby that there are always the ones that go out pay the big $$$$ to look the part and then look down their noses at everyone else. Whether it's pick ups, golf, firearms, bikes, doesn't matter you can find them. Typically they are guys that are trying to compensate for small....uh...parts.
We're not all Ansel Adam's or Chris Froome's, most are just out for the enjoyment and that should be celebrated.

Clyde1820

Whatever others might think of my senioritis, I can live with it. Their loss, if any.

Myself, I often use such differences as opportunities to meet new folks. Such people as the OP describes miss out on that. Their loss. I'm good with that.

Geosammy

I have to say, that is the first time and hopefully last time I'll ever encounter this group of riders again.
I have also never encounters this kind of behavior from other bicyclists before.
It must have been an anomaly, at least I'm hoping so.

Flip Flop Rider

move on, keep living, don't waste time or energy worrying about those guys