But ...

1. There are a lot more people on bikes at the start of the season than at the end.
2. These early season riders are a bit rude.

I was on the side of the road, clearly adjusting something when 4 riders go by in my direction. Not a peep out of them. While I had the situation under control, they had no idea. Not a single "Need help?" I don't like that.

And to keep it C&V, I was riding this.

Pecorari 001 by iabisdb, on Flickr

Cotter come loose?

And yes, I agree.

They probably saw it was a Cambio Corsa and decided there was nothing they could do to help...

The last two cogs on the freewheel were loose. I didn't think to check that when I built it up.

And these people wouldn't recognize a cambio corsa from Adam.

If I saw someone riding a Cambio Corsa I'd stop just to gawk.

Woooow on that ride report on the other thread! Solo out there with that prize? Well, maybe not so bad having a SAG phone but certainly would have joined you.

We're up north and was able to get some miles in. Indeed the winds are fun today. Riding 13/18 six speed 52-40, believe me I was in the small ring for a good amount of the time. Yesterday while out on a ride, happened to meet up with another C&V rider. Has a few neat 70's / 80 lightweights. Mentioned the Crystal Lake ride.

Did see a few others on slip-streaming tri bikes. Even though in a mind your own zone, usually will exchange a friendly wave.

But.... back to topic, had 20 to 30 y.o. couple riding oncoming to me while on the roadway! I HATE THAT! At least the dude went over to the other side of the road but his other just meandered and didn't even notice me until the last moment. Closing in fast (I'm carrying 20-25mph) at last second confused she decides to swerve towards me but then correctly veer's to her right.

I've noticed that too. I just figure they are too busy trying to break yesterdays personal best by few 10000th of a second to be nice to anyone.

OH also since the advent of brifters I think a lot of people are just frightened to take their hands off the bars.

Guys just get upset I don't help when they have a flat. I offer a phone call, But I'm on tubulars, and they then are just gobsmacked when I tell them. I'm thinking, no tube? No patch kit? These guys just depending on Stan's or something... .? Just too much to ask to add 8-10 oz to their 14 lb rigs? While training?

1. Yes.
2. Probably, but most of them are pretty casual and don't know the etiquette.

I always ask people if they need a hand, I fixed a guy's chain for him this week, but most people don't know how to help and don't have a tool kit, so I forgive them for not offering.

Yesterday's ride was on a beautiful day, near 75 at the end.
Most of the people that I encountered that were riding or walking were friendly.

I would have offered up my mini-multi-tool just to see if you'd laugh out loud.

I used to always tell customers to carry what is needed to fix a flat. They might not know how to do it but if I come across them I will have the know how but not the tools!!

^^LOL

While mentioned, 99% of the time I ride with a Camelback + extra storage. Lots of excess golden crap. I carry both spare tubular and tubes, you name it tools and sometimes an ugly heavy steel 6" adjustable Crescent wrench. I've done many repairs for others out on the trail and roads. I can understand the newbie in Springtime out on his non-'broken' in new bike and or is unprepared for jammed / jumping chains, flats or worse.

I've seen lots of situations but the worse is when they're bonking. Yes... bonking. Poor dude is gagging for his last and or gut wrenched. But, hey, that's why I carry spare energy or nut bars! But where I draw the line is when they run out of water. They'll guzzle two or three bottles or totally forget to fill before heading out. I'm not sharing my Camelback nipple with anyone

Made me think of that Grey Poupon commercial. Someday, I'll have to tie a spare carbon fiber dual control lever to my Camelback. If ever come across a team lycra crash.......... oh, never mind.

Yeah, the least the could have done is whip some St. Jude medals at you.

Perhaps you are no longer Cute enough for someone to stop and render assistance.
Did you shave your legs for Spring?

Perhaps you just looked like some old man muttering and grumbling at an old bicycle, most would steer clear of any interaction at all for good reason.

-Bandera

1. No way, at least not here. Bike traffic is still light despite having had beautiful weather for pretty much the entire month of March.
2. Normally I do ask people standing/walking bikes if they need assistance, but I probably would have rolled past too in this case. If someone is riding a classic bike that looks to be well cared for I figure they know perfectly well what they're doing.

Same here.

If they don't stop and rob you......it's a good day

LOL. You're probably right too!

I like to see... or would like to see... cycling grow in popularity with younger cyclist. Actually a large number of the cyclist I see are old men like myself. But then when I see these newbies out on the paths I realize they don't always make my cycling experience better. But still I like seeing the next generation out there... often with the kids... and sometimes even the dog.

I agree that the first weeks of good weather bring out more riders than the last few weeks of good weather in the fall. And I agree that with the increase in numbers of riders, there is a decrease in politeness. Beyond that I dunno.

Sometimes I do suspect the more gear-oriented riders seem to judge other riders by their gear, and if it doesn't measure up to a certain standard, the rider I isn't worthy. The guys in lycra don't often wave at me, I think because I don't dress like them. But it's hard to tell what goes through their minds.

I find that many riders on the path are in intense training mode or something? Only about 15 % return my hello. Many give me a look like, can`t you see I am training here? Maybe they just want to ignore the eccentric crazy man on the old bike?


I would stop if I noticed that bike on the side of the road. I would want to take a picture of it.

nice rear deraileur.

Except my shorts were lycra and while my jersey was wool, you would only know that if you read the label. And considering my bike was oriented parallel to the road, I was behind fiddling with the chain and they were coming up from behind, they didn't know what I had nor what the problem was.

No, these guys were just d-bags with no particular motivation.

I am with you on this JABS, however; I never distinguished between end and beginning. I suppose, in Thunder Bay, that phenomenon (good grief, I spelled that correctly the first time), is probably why so many old road bicycles are available in Thunder Bay...



I always ALWAYS talk to people, when I am out riding. I, too, dislike those who fail to acknowledge my presence, unless my presence happens to present itself in busy traffic. But on the open road, always a wave, or a "howdy, eh" (Canadian for howdy), or "do you need a hand". Just today...

My grandson and I went yard sailing. First yard sale was not, however; as we retraced our route back down Gunn Road, I saw an old CCM in a yard, sitting right behind an old Norco road bicycle. I pulled over, approached the guy oxy/acetylene cutting in his back yard. I explained my interest and...

Before I left, he offered me a banana saddle (for my grandson and for free), an old CCM man's roadster ($ would be involved for that one) and, for a mere $7,500.00 CND a Harley Davidson Sporster (always have trouble with spelling that word) in great shape.

At the next yard sale, my big mouth flushed out a mint, and I do mean mint, Apollo something or other, probably a Sport 12...



The Apollo was my size (56cm) but I had no intention of paying $100.00 for the bicycle. I did offer $75, (only had $80.00 in my pocket) figuring for that, my grandson would have a new/old bike, but the offer was rejected. While at that yard sale...

A fellow approached me, explaining that he over heard my grand son and I talking about the first offered Harley. This guy offered me a 2001 Baby Sporster (883 cc) for $4000.00 (I have owned several Harleys, and Indians, and Clevelands, and Ariels, and Triumphs, and BSAs and Nortons and - anyway). Mrs. Me and Me are discussing that thought, currently. My guess is that N+1 won't quite work this time. However...

She did agree for us to buy this, next year, when we return to Jamaica...



After the boy and I returned to Willow River, I jumped on the Marinoni...



...and headed up the road. As I was riding, I spied a woman, standing on the top of a pile of cow manure. I uncliped, pulled over and called to her. I asked if she knew of any old bicycles, in the area. Yup, got something to do tomorrow. And just for saying hello...

Anyway, I, for the life of me, can't understand why a simple salutation, on the road when no one else is around, is such a problem. Say hello and if the hello is not returned, with sincerity, keep in mind...

It is not your problem - it is their's.

And as Sean Connery would say in "The Untouchables", with a gently rap on the shoulder with his night stick - "Thus endith ( not sure how to spell that either) the lesson."

This, incidentally, is beer and something else time, in Prince George (grandson is out for the evening)...