just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
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caveat: I did not read the original post before it was amended. My response is to the post as it is written now.
Frankly I am surprised at the venom being aimed at the OP. I have seen the kind of self-important inconsiderate groups of riders that the OP describes and it embarrasses me that people would associate their behavior with the activity I love. While it is important to take the lane when needed for safety, it is common decency to ride in such a way as to not unnecessarily interfere with other people using the road. Sharing the road is a two way deal.
Drivers need to be patient and wait for a safe opportunity to pass cyclists, but cyclists need to respect that others use the roads as well. If conditions are such that long lines of cars form behind a cycling group, they should ride single file and possibly pull over on occasion to avoid creating a bottleneck. It is the decent thing to do.
See my sig.