I Just came back from a cycle tour of the Italian Dolomites. I have always felt a kinship with cyclists be they MTBers, Roadies, tourers, until now.
Going over those mountain passes, these "purists" think they are in the Giro d'Italia. At every pass, (highest point across the mountain) the roads were littered with gel packs, energy bar wrappers and other such trash only a cyclist would leave. It was disgusting.
Never again will I feel any camaraderie for these people who feel great about themselves, bringing their crap uphill, but are too tired or concentrated to bring the wrappers downhill.

Next will come the video cameras and recordings to send to the authorities

Yeah, that's ugly behavior. Don't grace them with the moniker "cyclists," though; hard-core egoists, perhaps?

That behavior has nothing to do with being hard-core; it's more of an ******* thing.

+1

They'd probably do the same thing eating a candy bar walking down the street.

Bingo. Same kind of people that toss their cigarette butt on the ground, that leads to a loading dock at a business being completely carpeted in butts.

I try to pick up litter whenever I see it.

Can't always do so but sometimes I come home from grocery shopping with a bag of litter or carry empty soda cans to the trash can on my bike.


-Tim-

I see them everyday. Where every ride is "Tour De France". Then there are the super loud talkers, thinking anyone else cares about their conversation's. Or the over the top hand signals with loud command folks. I am not even sure they know they are being laughed by the general population and most others on bikes. Am pretty sure nobody here falls into that category.

The problem of generalizing in full effect. The reinforcing replies don't help either (how you like bubble life?). Hopefully the roadie forum doesn't get wind of this because then you will be on the spot to define 'hard-core' and 'purist'. Most of us don't litter. Drivers litter too. Most of them don't. I also don't see how hand gestures (that keep us safe from drivers and incompetent riders) and loud (to you) conversations (that are required in order to hear your buddy when you're cruising with a head wind) have anything to do with littering.

Eh, that kind of behavior isn't limited to roadies. I've seen MTBers, tourists, backpackers etc. leave a metric ton of trash behind too. IME when people get particularly vocal in their complaints about a lot of this stuff, they're usually about as bad as everyone else without realizing it.



Some of those hand signals are done for good reason in group rides. I can't say much about the loud talking, but wind noise *is* a thing if you're going faster than a crawl. I don't talk much when riding but I'll still signal if there's crap on the road and all that if I'm in front of a group.

Seriously? You presume to know what/who these people are by the way the talk or give safety signals? And you are lumping them with litterbugs who have little regard or respect for their environment, as per OP? Explain to me how one is connected to the other. I'm very curious.

What's an over the top hand signal? More importantly, how does one keep hand signals under the top?

I guess some people like to cheat at Bridge played while cycling?

Good to know that 'hardcore' and 'purist' cyclists are the only ones who litter. Will need to start carrying gel wrappers to toss around, lest someone might think that I am a Fred.

Spot on response

About sums it up.

Real cyclists use gels before the climb.

No, but it's mostly hard core that do 2,000+ meter passes and buy 5 euro gel packs. and I passed quite a few MTB rest areas and did not see near the trash.

Are you defending yourself or all riders?

Pretty sure I am laughed at by everyone who sees me, whether they are on bikes or not.

Nothing like a Fat Man In Spandex to make everybody laugh. And a Fat Man In Spandex working really hard to go slowly on a bike? Priceless.

still probably not as bad as rubbish along the Mount Everest trail

Not sure what that has to do with this rant.

it's not unique to cycling

Agree that a rant is in progress.

So instead of focusing on how fortunate you are for the opportunity to cycle in one of the most beautiful and iconic cycling destinations on earth, you decide to focus on the negative? You seem fun.

Agreed: leaving bike trash all over the road is rude.

Fortunately, most of us cyclists who either are or appear to be hard-core have respect for the natural environment. Sure, half the fun might be the physical workout, but the other half is the aesthetic experience - clean open roads, gorgeous landscapes, away from the crowded cities. Keeping that experience available to everyone is important to many of us, even if it means riding 30 miles with a jersey pocket full of blown tubes

There are unfortunately jerks in every group.

Wow MarcusT, the flame throwers are out. Run for cover.


Carry on, I have nothing to contribute to this discussion :-)