I don't get the oft repeated put down of "lycra clad roadies" (under various names), as elitist, snobby, rude, reckless, etc.

Yes, there some who meet some or even all of these descriptions, but there are many, and probably most, for whom none of these terms apply. It seems to be some sort of reverse snobbiness by non-members of the class who, by engaging in this nonsense, prove that they are at least as elitist as those they accuse.

--------------------------

BTW- I let it slide without comment earlier, but the same applies to the term "serious cyclist" which some object to as a put down of the "non-serious". I used that phrase on another thread and was roundly flamed. That's a shame because, unless the context or supporting language clearly implies exclusivity, "serious cyclist" is an inclusive term describing ANYBODY who rides a lot or cares about bicycling and related issues, and describes most regulars here on BF.

That is because the discussion was about self described "serious cyclists" who post their disparaging comments about allegedly less "serious" cyclists and disapproved cycling products and techniques on the commuter forum (as well as several other non road oriented lists), not lycra clad roadies or any of the posts that might be found in the road cycling forum.

The Walmart bike bashing, odes to LBS provenance for bicycle products and service, sidewalk cyclist rants, Vehicle Code quoting, Vehicular Cycling/take the lane, or wear a helmet BSing on the commuter forum, etc. don't necessarily come from lycra-clad roadies; BUT such elitist/smarmy comments invariably are from posters who consider themselves oh-so-serious about Bicycling Correctness.

Sorry, I stand by what I said. And more to the point, I suspect that if there were ever a poll on who puts up the most "smarmy" posts disparaging others, there would be one stand out winner, and it would not be any of those you accuse of being elitist.

The problem isn't what many so-called "serious" or "elitist" cyclists say, do, or post here, it's the attitude of those who feel the need to seize on anything to accuse them of being a member of some sort of PC class.

Not naming any names or accusing anybody of anything, but it seems that some on BF mostly post positive, constructive, or helpful responses, whether others agree or not. Then there are those who's stock in trade here is the put down or strawman post, based on a false inference of what someone else has said.

But those Cat 3er's are real jerks. Says me, a former Cat 3. Need more proof? I now own a Prius :)

Drive it while wearing lycra and a serious expression, it cancels everything out.

FWIW, I would gladly trade our old Saturn for a Prius and would be doubly glad to be fast enough to qualify as CAT 3. I'd even let my wife drive the Prius while I was riding in the passenger seat. I promise not to say anything about taxes if she almost runs over a freeloading cyclist.

I'm a three too, have been for 5 years.

"The ultimate cat" they call it: as far as us average Joes with limited time and talent can go and remain competitive.

did they pull over in order to wait for you? were they targeting you?

Got to wonder what kind of motor vehicles or high horses are driven/ridden by the super serious Prius/BMW, pickup, SUV or soccer-mom-minivan bashers of BF?

Interesting tidbit. Here in Boston the ******* ( pick your own word) capital of the USA, they tend to be standard drivers. I've been rear ended 4 times and got two girls through the driving years (mixed results on all counts) I like them for durability and gas mileage. I'm also not a fan of making interest payments on depreciating assets. Currently driving a 99 corolla with 165,000 miles, more $ for bikes.

https://momentummag.com/free-rider-myth/

here ya go - i too have had many battles with drivers on the road that go similarly.
"get off the road"
...ignore
"my taxes pay for this road"
"actually they don't"
"YES they do. YOU DON'T PAY FOR THE ROADS. I DO"
"No you don't pay for the roads. You don't even come close. I subsidize you."
<and...this goes on and on>

My expectations for other people is remarkably low but they regularly exceed even that level. I am always pleasantly surprised and immediately mark the time and date in my diary when a stranger acts with insight, courtesy, and compassion for anyone else's situation at the moment. It does happen, but the pages of my diary are no where NEAR overflowing with such acts.

You forgot "poor fashion sense". This is what garners most of the disdain from the non-costume crowd.

^
that's sort of my take as well; I'm pleasantly surprised when someone is genuinely courteous or kind. Doesn't happen very often.

You just have to accept that driving a Prius is going ruffle some feathers. That's why we always keep one of these in the back seat for protection.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...2&d=1459537662

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512922

Like my "regular" clothes are any better.

Confirmation bias, confirmation bias everywhere! :)


Best way to confront drivers if at all is to be SUPER NICE ABOUT IT. (I have learned this by making mistakes in the past.)

As it so happens I've got one of those but I'm not so sure it would help.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=512924

At least yours doesn't have a bow.

Whenever someone plays the "tax" card, I just say "I'm a taxpayer, veteran, teamster, and know the law". That almost always ends it.

Commonly where I live, there is no discussion about anything. The driver just waves a firearm a little bit and the discussion is over immediately.

Every day is April Fool's Day for folks who drive a Priapus with a permanent hard-on for bicyclists.

http://49.media.tumblr.com/aaf1fc2f5...gei2o1_400.gif

I'm sure they are good cars, after all they are Toyotas. I have a 2006 Scion xB, the final year of the first gen xB. It's a great car to drive, very sporty, with an avant garde design. Let's see how much hate that gets. The point I'm making is that there are better choices in the Corolla price range.

I guess I'm not the only one to wonder that.

I've been around, and I haven't seen that one yet from the tax rant crowd. I'll place that one on my list of worries right after getting hit by a meteor.

:thumb:

Some of us "serious cyclists" actually goof around quite a bit!

Yeah, but you gotta admit, it makes for an entertaining post on the board. ;)