No, just an idiot. Anybody who would ride with headphones on is a moron. In Maryland it is against the motor vehicle code (which governs bicycles) to have headphones on. You could get a ticket for wearing them. Personally, I like to hear what is coming up on me from the rear.

Now to the snob thing.....

I have a nice bike. I am a decent rider. It took a long, long time and a ton of work to become a decent rider. A nice bike costs a bit of cash. Mine is not top-of-the-line, but still a high-quality bike. For years I rode other people’s used equipment until I could afford a nice bike. I put in the time and work to get fit, I saved my money, and therefore I think I should have a decent ride. Does this make me a snob? I hope not. I have no problem with people who want to ride whatever they want to ride. However, I do like to protect my health, safety and the investment in my bike, all of which could be lost in a crash. I do have a problem with people showing up on long and/or fast group rides and being ill-equipped, inexperienced or just plane old clueless. These people are a hazard to the entire ride and everyone on it. I also have a pet peeve with people who have expensive rides but can’t pedal, but I guess that is more of a socio-economic peeve. So, some of what some beginners might find to be snobbery may in fact be the instinct of self-preservation well rooted in experienced cyclist who have been in and seen their share of bodily-injury and bike-busting mishaps. When I first started riding seriously, I found out about a local ride. This ride had no cue sheet or route, it was whatever the more experience riders decided to do that particular day. The first time I showed up to this ride, they tried to kill me. The guys who knew each other would take turns attacking me. I hung for a long time. The next time I hung longer. The forth time I showed up, they could not drop me. Then, they accepted me and I was one of the guys…and I was a much better rider for it. Nice? no... but that is the way it was. If you wanted to ride fast or race, you had to pay your dues.

When I ride, I wave at everyone. Cyclist, people walking dogs, anybody. If I think I am going to startle somebody from behind, I call out to them that I am approaching. Sometimes they respond, sometimes not. If I catch another rider from behind, I slowdown and say hello. If they want to ride with me, they are welcome. If they want to draft, they are welcome.