Oooh, don'tcha just HATE that?
 

I just retired, so I'm a bike commuter no more, but still a cyclist. Wouldn't give it up for the world. As a retiree, though, I feel entitled to be a (tongue-in-cheek) grouch. It's a quirk of human nature that no matter how many people in the world are suffering, no matter how dreadful the world's problems, we will always ***** and moan about trivia; be irked by petty inconveniences and setbacks. Cafe tables that wobble and dump your coffee into the saucer, for example. Ooooh! There's a lot in this forum about inconsiderate motorists, but what about the annoyances of cycling itself? Here are some of my pet peeves:

1. Helmets: I wear one, of course. Don't want a concussion any more than the next person. But they're a bother and a hindrance. Damn and blast all helmets! Do you like them? WHAT do you like exactly? The sweat pouring down into your eyes? The bother of what to do with the awkward bulk of them when you're off the bike? The havoc they play with your hair? Perhaps you think you look attractive in yours. You don't. You probably don't look much better than I do in mine... dorky.

2. Security devices; locks, chains, etc.: I grew up in the rural midwest, and the whole fun of cycling was the carefree spontaneity of jumping on, riding off, and dumping the bike at your destination, to pick it up again and ride off, unhindered. Another necessary evil: heavy U-locks, chains, all the fussing before and after you ride. Bah!

3. Other cyclists: Don't even get me started.

4. Thrown chains: When this happens I exhaust the vast store of expletives, curses, etc. I have at my disposal, but it's never sufficient balm for my soul. Late for the meeting with grease-blackened hands. Lovely. Oh, for the infallible Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub of my youth!

I could go on, of course, but what do you just HATE about the activity you love (cycling). Oooh!

Nothing really.
For example, I love my helmet, security devices are fine, many other cyclists are a blast to ride with, and
I don't throw chains unless I am acting like an idiot.

I suppose I could put down the incessant whining in this forum as an annoyance but who really cares.

I like my helmet,
Good place to mount my mirror
and my red blinkie.

let me begin...

i dislike not having bike bike lanes on streets...i hate that this weekend alone 3 cyclist got ran over by cars, 2 of them by drunk drivers...a poor guy lost his face flesh and a ear!....

the law says the government has the responsibility to promote cycling and educate drivers...and they are failing big time......

i dislike only having 1 bike....no backup

Okay, it was just for fun. I also find a lot of other cyclists friendly, yourself included, no doubt. Still don't like my helmet, though.
Chas.

The lady who didn't see me as she pulled out from a parking lot this morning....luckily I noticed that she failed to look both ways ... or for that matter even one way.

The rest of it, I could live with.

Getting a freaking flat in the pouring rain.....Mobs of young men trying to scare me on the street......taking my bike on the train you have to stand up the whole ride....that is all for now.

I also got menaced, while riding, on the street by a group of young punks, so I can relate to that one, too.

Touché! :thumb:

One more getting asked how much my bike cost.....I was asked that on the train by a young lady and she had several friends with her (Guys and Girls about 15 to 17 years of age) I told her I don't like talking about that...lol....she looked shocked.

Yeah, my "other bike" is an electric assist which is great for commuting and shopping. When gas prices soared I had people literally demanding to know how much it cost. Some of them would really give me the third-degree and didn't want to let me go on my way; no kidding. It was weird. When gas prices went down, it stopped, thank God.

Not getting to ride.

i dislike exhaust very much.

You have an electric bike!!! Sweet!!!!

Agreed, semperfi. When my knees play up and I can't ride I give up the pleasures of riding and complaining. Dang.

Actually, my helmets mold my hair into a shape that usually looks better than it did before I put it on my head.

what don't I like?

Helmets - problem solved, I don't wear one. Don't get me started... read the helmet threads

Bike lanes- problem solved, I ignore them. don't get me started... read A & S

People who think their stories about what happened to brother Jim equal scientific inquiry

People who make lists about what they don't like

Okay, danarnold and others: I'll sign out of this thread now. People who make lists and whine are unwelcome. I see it's not the humor forum or the playful forum. Consider me humbled and corrected. Can you ever forgive? Buh-bye.

Got laid tonight??? Huh???:D

People that think I'm stupid for using my legs.

Or your a freaking nut case for riding????:D

Me too. I dunno about you, but when I'm wearing my glasses I just look stone cold and they don't touch me, they just try and scare me.

Has anyone started a club yet?

I noticed your in St Louis...where were you riding when you got messed with...I'm in St Louis too!

yeah, I don't mind the hair thing.

I do, however, get indentations in my forehead from the front pads (yet no discomfort to indicate I have it too tight), which make me look battered, or as if I have really bad complexion above my brow

1. Stop wearing one.
2. Get a krypto mini and keep it in your back pocket. You'll forget it's even there.
3. Go faster than everyone else.
4. Fix your derailleur, or ride a track bike.