Originally Posted by
PedallingATX
oldfixguy--
I see what you're getting at, but I just don't think it is as widespread of a problem as you make it out to be. Honestly, the only roadies I've encountered that are rude or snobbish are poseurs anyways.
It's funny because I'll wave hi to some guy out on the road, and he won't wave back. But then as soon as I show up to an actual crit or road race, everyone there is super friendly and coming up and talking to me. I remember my first crit race they marked me with a blue number so everyone knew it was my first race. Tons of those guys were coming up to me and giving advice/asking how I liked it/etc.
I will agree that triathletes (although dorky as hell) are extremely nice. My favorite group ride in Austin leaves from a triathlon store, and it's one of the only group rides that respected me when I showed up on my FG. Other shop rides will snub FG roadies, but the guys at this tri shop were totally down and thought it was cool.
But, like I said, i think (like everything else) it all varies person to person. Some roadies are very nice, some MTBers are snobs, and some tri-geeks are too focused on their HR monitors to even notice you haha.
PedallinATX,
You are correct - the bad behavior is a minority. I've never said any different. I also agree that tri's (and anyone else who writes on themselves with grease) are dorky. I love giving the few guys in my building crap over that stuff. I'll have to trust you on the road race scene. I believe what you say. Unfortunately, I'll never personally know. I stand against one thing - unacceptable, self-absorbed, elitist behavior. It eats at me because what we do (cycling) is supposed to be an equalizer. No matter who you are, no matter what you do - you can join the greatest activity/sport ever devised. Of course there are different levels. I don't know. I guess I'm just saying it wrong. I want cycling to be what it should be - fantastic, clean, encompassing and human. Hell, I want to look down at your equipment and drool. I love seeing high dollar rigs. I want to climb as hard and as fast as I can. I want to race to the city limit sign and take your crap when you wax me. But, I want to smile and laugh about it. Know what I mean?