Ben I.

1) I used to wear a Camelbak myself (with my mountain bike) but once I got a road bike I could carry more water and go faster. Now my back doesn't get nearly as sweaty because it's vented. Plus, a lot easier to wash water bottles than a Camelbak lol.

2) When I got back into cycling a few years ago I started wearing normal clothes. They were hot and always soaked with sweat even on shorter rides. As I rode more, I started getting more clothes and now I'm wearing full Lycra and I don't regret making the switch one bit. Modern cycling clothing is very moisture wicking, lightweight and keeps you feeling relatively cool, although on really hot days, you're going to be hot no matter what. It isn't for everybody but don't immediately dismiss it.

3) I personally don't use mirrors because I just see them as all that necessary. I feel you should be able to be aware of your surroundings without seeing every single thing. With that said... I don't blame anyone for using mirrors if you like being able to see behind you without turning your head. Nothing wrong with trying to be safer, just not for me.

4) After about a year of using platforms that came with my mountain bike, I decided to switch to SPD pedals and absolutely love it. Much more comfortable than using platforms when my feet would move around or I'd be wiggling them trying to fit the right spot for my foot.

cicatrize

I 100% agree with this. I've been made fun of for my SPD pedals, but they are so wonderful.

practical

I know the "attitude" you're referring to. Do what you want. In defense of the "rules" however, there are some commonsense reasons that other posters have mentioned. The "rule" I would most disagree with is the "no mirror on the bar" rule. A mirror is an essential safety device and it doesn't matter which kind you use. I know a lot of people who have one attached to the end of the drop bar and it works fine (and looks fine too.)

Homebrew01

Seems this imaginary roadie hate is common. Just ride more, worry less.

P.S. The "rules" is a satirical list some goofballs dreamed up a while back.

P.P.S When I'm in roadie mode, and I wave to a guy on a hybrid, and they don't wave back, it confirms hybrid dudes are snobbing me.

Tiglath

1. Do you need a gallon? Two bottles on the frame can take you a long way. Refill.

2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o07_s00

Tight bike shorts look ok under that shirt, and are better than loose flapping shorts.

3. Practice turning the head, you can get a good idea with the corner of your eye, try a helmet-mounted mirror as altenative.

4. There are soft clip on pedals that allow dead easy clip off. Look at Speedplay Ultra-Light pedals. Your cycling experience, and efficiency is considerably better with clipped-in shoes.

They are more guidelines than rules, drawn from experience and general preference. You can do as you wish, of course.

rpenmanparker 

Joking about the Android.

Athens80

For tracking talk, read https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...en-riding.html.

sleepy

I use a Camelback on long road rides where there is no water. Take it as a badge of pride.

As for everything else, there are reasons. Spandex is comfy, Clipless pedals are efficient, mirrors are a personal choice.
Don't worry about "The Rules", those are for dorks that worry too much about nothing of consequence.

AristoNYC

People just need to go ride their damn bikes and stop worrying about all this crap.

hokie cycler

RVARider, are you in Richmond? Shouldn't be too hard to spot you with the yellow "kit."

pacificaslim

Yep! This is the point of the "rules," and conformity in road cycling. It is indeed a secret handshake of sorts for riders to get some information about who they can trust to ride near. It totally makes sense.

Lone wolves need not sweat the rules. I ride a cross bike everywhere, on MTB pedals/shoes, 28mm tires, small saddlebag, big RayBan sunglasses, cycling cap and likely no helmet and headphones. No one would draft off me anyway because I'm much too slow!

StanSeven

If you drink from a creek, be sure it's upstream from the cattle poop.

Goriot

Not clipping in on a road bike (or any bike for that matter) is such a shame. Clipping in is the hallmark of a real cyclist imho.
There are shorts in between tight spandex and loose gym shorts, and these may be a nice option. They fit nicely, and don't flop so much in the wind.

a1penguin

There are many forums at bikeforums.net. A large fraction of people in the Road Cycling forum are really into the rules. The people in the Commuting and Hybrid forums are much more tolerant. I have to admit that the amount of derision for well meaning noob questions has decreased a lot. Thanks to the moderators who make people take a break when they get too insulting. OTOH there are a lot of experienced cyclists here and you can learn a lot about the technical points of cycling and bicycles.

My only recommendation on the clothing is to wear material that is wicking. Avoid cotton.

Camelbak is hotter, but I can put a LOT of ice cubes in it and have cold water. Refilling bottles doesn't always net you cold water. As my fitness has improved, though, I seem to drink less water.

Cycling clothing is is meant to be tight fitting to be more aerodynamic in addition to having clothing features designed for cyclists. Shirts that are longer in the back, have front zippers and have pockets in the back are pretty nice. I certainly do not have a cyclist's body, but I still wear black cycling shorts and sold color cycling jerseys.

I have yet to find a mirror I like, but since I commute regularly, a mirror would probably be beneficial.

RVARider

Yes - Chesterfield - I do most of my riding on all the roads around Pocahontas State Park

practical

This thread illustrates a point about "categories." Just because you ride a drop bar bike doesn't necessarily mean you're a "road biker." And you may be a road biker if you use a flatbar. I'm inferring that the OP is more of a recreational rider on a road bike. No problem. My guess is that he likes to go on rides of about 25 miles at a pace of 14-15 mph. That's great. If and when he wants to go further or faster, he'll see advantages to clipped pedals and bike clothing, etc. Some people ride flatbar bikes and average 18-20 mph and routinely go for rides of 50 miles and an occasional century ride. They probably don't do gap rides. They'll have light bikes, clipped pedals and bike clothes. Some people with road bikes never get off the bike path. You'll see commuters on all kinds of bikes. This forum (and bike shops) categorizes bikers by the kind of bike they ride rather than the kind of riding they do, which is understandable, but not always helpful or informative.

RVARider

That is a great point - I ride a road, hybrid, and mountain - so I guess I am just a cyclist

Dan333SP

I'm assuming RVA means you live in Richmond, right? I do too, and in my 8-10 hours of riding per week either solo or in groups, I'd say 95% of the other people I see on the road riding acknowledge me and I acknowledge them in some way, be it a nod or a finger raise or a super-sarcastic double hand wave for people I know well. My friendliness doesn't discriminate based on clothing/type of bike or whatever, and I'm one of the skinny spandex-clad morons that spends more time staring at his heart rate than enjoying the scenery, so I'd think you shouldn't have such a hard time getting a wave out of people.

Dan333SP

Missed this. Maybe all the jerks live on the south side of the James.

RVARider

unless I am dressed in baggy clothes, sneakers, not clipped in with a mirror and camelbak?

RVARider

I work in the glen allen area and see a lot more people on bikes up there

RollCNY

OP, you reading disdain in a failure to wave is a mistake. I have ridden by friends and not waved because I was focused on riding. Many people ride for exercise, and tune out things outside of that. There is no judgement being passed toward you.

merlinextraligh

No acknowledgment of the other rider; you're a dick.

The trick is to make the most minimal, but still perceptable acknowledgement of the other rider.

The rider with the most subtle gesture wins.

indyfabz

There goes 5 minutes of my life I will never get back.

Dan333SP

My morning ride takes me up to Ashland along bike route 1. Plenty of friendly people out on warm mornings, all of them get a wave regardless of baggy shorts or mirrors or whatever. I do tend to swing wide when passing people of a certain attire, though, because in my experience they tend to be much more startled than people who look like they spend more time on the road. Passed a lady this morning with about 8 feet of clearance, I moved over the double yellow lines and gave her a loud but not alarming "good morning" as I came by on her left. She still nearly went off the road to her right and yelled at me. Sometimes you can't win.