Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

What's the dumbest thing another bicyclist has told you?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

What's the dumbest thing another bicyclist has told you?

Old 07-10-22, 12:12 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
trackhub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Watching all of you on O.B.I.T.
Posts: 2,023

Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1. Nicely restored

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
What's the dumbest thing another bicyclist has told you?

I'll begin with one of the great standards:
-I always ride on the left, so I can see the cars coming at me.
-It came with reflectors, so I don't need any lights.
-I only ride on the sidewalk, so I don't need a helmet.
This was told to me by someone with a master's degree
in mechanical engineering. Nope, nothing wrong here.
trackhub is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 12:57 PM
  #2  
Passista
 
Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,584

Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Liked 711 Times in 392 Posts
"You're gay, right?" looking at my World Champion striped socks.
Reynolds is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 01:22 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,768

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,148 Times in 1,312 Posts
Everything I know I learned from Bike Forums.

John
70sSanO is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 04:13 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Chicago North Shore
Posts: 2,331

Bikes: frankenbike based on MKM frame

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 714 Post(s)
Liked 602 Times in 371 Posts
'I thought you were going inside of me.' IOW, he said he thought I was passing on his right.

I was traveling West and signaled a right turn to go North. Some turtle's egg was riding East on the sidewalk going into the crosswalk I had to cross to complete my turn. He had to have seen me. I thought he had the right of way, and I decided he wasn't going to stop anyway, so I slowed down. He turned left at the East end of the crosswalk, so he was on a course that was parallel to mine. I was going faster than him, and I announced 'On your left'. Without looking or signaling, the shmegegi hung a U-turn, and we both went down. Fortunately, I didn't trust his competence, so I we were probably going 5 mph when we collided - but he was still crossing the road, and I was going North.

We disentangled the bikes. That's when he said it. 'I thought you were going inside of me.' He was right by the curb, for crying out loud. This was last Monday. My hand and back still aren't totally right.

I do owe the POS something, though. His arrogance and incompetence has finally gotten me to ride defensively. I avoided 3 accidents in 25 miles today (actually 3 accidents in the first 5 miles of the ride). First, a kid jumped from the sidewalk to the bike lane right in front of me, without looking, of course. Second, when I had a left turn signal to turn West, a southbound POS rode through his red light, forcing me to slow my acceleration or hit him. Easy choice. Third, I was again heading West taking a right turn. I signaled with a proper right turn signal. A rider going South and wanting to take a left turn just rode into his left lane - which was the lane I was supposed to turn into. No signal from him. I was prepared for their stupidity.

I sort wish I had hit all of them. I would have, too, except that I knew I'd probably end up hurting myself as well as them.... Am I angry? You bet I am. But I'm still going to stay defensive in my riding. (I've driven defensively for years.)
philbob57 is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 04:20 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721

Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times in 1,286 Posts
I never had a cyclists in real life say anything dumb to me....Some of the dumbest things I heard cyclists say is right here on Bikeforums.
wolfchild is offline  
Likes For wolfchild:
Old 07-10-22, 04:23 PM
  #6  
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
I never had a cyclists in real life say anything dumb to me....Some of the dumbest things I heard cyclists say is right here on Bikeforums.
So you DO read your own posts!
livedarklions is offline  
Likes For livedarklions:
Old 07-10-22, 04:41 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,762
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6881 Post(s)
Liked 10,869 Times in 4,634 Posts
These "What's the dumbest thing _____ has told you?" posts really seem more appropriate for the winter months, when we're all looking for ways to mindlessly waste time.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 07-10-22, 05:00 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,879

Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3905 Post(s)
Liked 7,181 Times in 2,905 Posts
Originally Posted by wolfchild
Some of the dumbest things I heard cyclists say is right here on Bike forums.
I think that's pretty much the definition of a set-fulfilling prophecy.
tomato coupe is offline  
Likes For tomato coupe:
Old 07-10-22, 05:29 PM
  #9  
climber has-been
 
terrymorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,002

Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3335 Post(s)
Liked 3,435 Times in 1,737 Posts
"I have more control descending on the hoods"

"I always use my aerobars on group rides"

"I only use the rear brake"
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse


terrymorse is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 06:11 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,050
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,266 Times in 7,222 Posts
Originally Posted by livedarklions
So you DO read your own posts!
Those made under all his user names.
indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 07-10-22, 06:30 PM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2022
Location: New Canaan, CT
Posts: 145
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 17 Posts
"How fast is that bike?" Or the various ads I've seen for expensive bikes described as like a magic carpet ride, pure propaganda. A bike is no better than the rider, the condition they are in, the hills and gravity you have to face.
TLit is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 06:44 PM
  #12  
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,065

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,421 Times in 2,824 Posts
As I passed two older guys on a climb, one called out, Must be nice to have a battery. I said, I wouldn’t know.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 07-10-22, 06:47 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,879

Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3905 Post(s)
Liked 7,181 Times in 2,905 Posts
Originally Posted by rsbob
As I passed two older guys on a climb, one called out, Must be nice to have a battery. I said, I wouldn’t know.
He could have been referring to his pacemaker battery.
tomato coupe is offline  
Likes For tomato coupe:
Old 07-10-22, 06:57 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 781

Bikes: Trek 970, Bianchi Volpe,Casati

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 354 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times in 86 Posts
I only use 2 gears, that's it, don't tell me to shift .
(a buddy) he was in a 21 speed hybrid Trek.
rossiny is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 07:09 PM
  #15  
señor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,484

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times in 3,183 Posts
Originally Posted by terrymorse
"I have more control descending on the hoods."
Well, yeah, feeling of control can be considered inversely related to speed.
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 07-10-22, 07:59 PM
  #16  
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,065

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,421 Times in 2,824 Posts
When riding my tandem with my wife; Can you tell when she stops pedaling?

Since both pedal sets are connected by a chain, what do you think?
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 07-10-22, 08:29 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,291

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,909 Times in 1,884 Posts
"You'd look better in shorter shorts" - some female at a red light.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Likes For Troul:
Old 07-11-22, 03:25 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,050
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 15,266 Times in 7,222 Posts
“Blue bikes are the fastest.”
indyfabz is offline  
Old 07-11-22, 03:45 AM
  #19  
Full Member
 
Outrider1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 402

Bikes: Trek Emonda ALR 5

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 155 Post(s)
Liked 296 Times in 137 Posts
Found a half-full bottle of vodka in a dumpster while on a ride
Outrider1 is offline  
Likes For Outrider1:
Old 07-11-22, 04:56 AM
  #20  
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
Originally Posted by rossiny
I only use 2 gears, that's it, don't tell me to shift .
(a buddy) he was in a 21 speed hybrid Trek.

Telling people how they should shift is pretty dumb.
livedarklions is offline  
Old 07-11-22, 06:17 AM
  #21  
Super Modest
 
Trsnrtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,387

Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC

Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10886 Post(s)
Liked 4,558 Times in 2,088 Posts
Originally Posted by rsbob
When riding my tandem with my wife; Can you tell when she stops pedaling?

Since both pedal sets are connected by a chain, what do you think?
We got one of those, “She’s not pedaling!” Comments yesterday.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!







Trsnrtr is offline  
Likes For Trsnrtr:
Old 07-11-22, 07:59 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
My example isn't a dumb thing, it's an astute observation.

Years ago when lot of riders were still not wearing helmets (~1989) I was on our weekly 40 mile Out-N-Back ride.

There were about 20 riders in this group ride ranging from amateur racers to recreational riders like me. We all were used to riding with each other and a new guy shows up. Well he tangles with one of our guys' wheels and dumps our guy. I'll NEVER forget the "SMACK!!" sound of his helmet hitting pavement going around 28+ mph. It was unmistakable.

All of us stopped and went back to check on our downed comrade. He was really shook up with a really bad case of road rash. He pulls his helmet off and that's when we saw it. A hole almost all the way through the helmet. He looked up and said, "Any questions why we wear a helmet?".

It was obvious he had a concussion and a couple of us stuck with him and flagged a car down for a ride back in to town (era before cell phones). Had he not been wearing a helmet, I'm positive he would have died right there on the road.

I've never forgotten that sound.


--

Last edited by drlogik; 07-11-22 at 08:02 AM.
drlogik is offline  
Likes For drlogik:
Old 07-11-22, 08:21 AM
  #23  
Tragically Ignorant
 
livedarklions's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613

Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,094 Times in 5,053 Posts
Unsolicited equipment advice from people who are slower/have less endurance than I do. "You'd be faster if you rode clipless" being my favorite.
livedarklions is offline  
Likes For livedarklions:
Old 07-11-22, 09:09 AM
  #24  
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
If you count Bike Forums, there are just too many gems to choose from.
Kapusta is offline  
Old 07-11-22, 09:23 AM
  #25  
OM boy
 
cyclezen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,340

Bikes: a bunch

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 502 Post(s)
Liked 623 Times in 425 Posts
Originally Posted by livedarklions
Unsolicited equipment advice from people who are slower/have less endurance than I do. "You'd be faster if you rode clipless" being my favorite.
so, being very 'Off Topic" - I have a different perspective on 'advice from slower' riders...
as a young person, enamored but vastly unknowledgeable about cycling, my primary and quite extensive education into 'performance' cycling came from a bunch of old, somewhat out-of-shape riders in central park, NYC.
They cajoled, made fun of me and at the same time opened my eyes to both the higher side of riding and equipment. I was very, very green, and knew that.
They were old, somewhat slow, over-the-hill gang, who took me under their wing, because my un-initiate status kept them well stoked with humor. Some claimed 'ex-racer' status from their Euro roots (all were immigrants of various nationalities). Their park benches by the boathouse, were my schoolhouse.
Much of what they conveyed, set me on a good and 'lifelong' track, some concepts have since fallen away... I've since been blessed with forming a good life, family and a reasonable living from my passions. Couldn;t have asked for better - 'more' was up to me...
The 'real' racers, at that time in the mid 60's in Metro NYC, were a tight clic, not easy to break into, without the right equipment and the real 'legs'.
So
I'm always careful not to judge an idea solely based on the physical attributes of the idea's origin.
... back to your regularly scheduled programing...

... I love a good joke, but don;t ask me to retell it properly - I just never seem to remember it properly...
same for 'dumb things heard'... if I were asked to imitate Trump... I'd fail miserably... LOL!
Ride On
Yuri

Last edited by cyclezen; 07-11-22 at 12:47 PM. Reason: grammar nazi slapped me...
cyclezen is offline  
Likes For cyclezen:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.