Unfriendly
10-04-16, 06:11 AM
#201
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My personal experience is that I get positive energy from the interaction. When I am running on fumes, thanking a volunteer, giving someone a nod, wave or "good job" gives me some energy. They usually respond with something similar and their positive energy sends me down the road a little further without having to think about the task at hand. Here is an example of the positive energy. In a marathon last year, I was running in a pack of about 10. Around mile 16 we were on the uphill side of a roller and struggling. Suddenly, one of the front runners peels off about 10 yards off the course. He gets close to a tree, whips it out and starts relieving himself. There were spectators all around. Well, the funny comments start flowing and everyone had a good laugh about it. By the time we were through laughing about it and refocused on the task ahead, we had moved another 1/2 a mile down the road towards the finish. Give and take that positive energy whenever you can.
10-04-16, 06:19 AM
#202
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10-04-16, 06:41 AM
#203
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During Marathon training season, huge packs of runners go out through the city on the weekends. I'm talking 500 at a time with staggered times within a 30 minute window. Dan has probably came in contact with some of them from time to time. Headphones are prohibited, but the rule is not strictly enforced.
I've noticed probably half of that crowd will smile or acknowledge you if you wave at them, and the others scowl at you, especially if they have to yield to you at a crossing because you have the right of way.
Fits with my working theory that being unfriendly isn't specific to any particular group.
10-04-16, 07:29 AM
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I've had many encounters with the early weekend morning MTT people. Last weekend I almost hit a guy running down Hermitage into traffic in a bike lane with earbuds in. I had a car approaching in the lane to my left so I was hoping he'd look up and dodge onto the sidewalk. He did, barely.
I've noticed probably half of that crowd will smile or acknowledge you if you wave at them, and the others scowl at you, especially if they have to yield to you at a crossing because you have the right of way.
Fits with my working theory that being unfriendly isn't specific to any particular group.
I've noticed probably half of that crowd will smile or acknowledge you if you wave at them, and the others scowl at you, especially if they have to yield to you at a crossing because you have the right of way.
Fits with my working theory that being unfriendly isn't specific to any particular group.
It's dangerous out there. You have to be watching out for each other.
10-04-16, 07:48 AM
#205
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This year there is a lady in our group that is running with a Metronome app playing on her phone. She has it turned up nice and loud. Talk about annoying. It's hard to be friendly with her. It takes about 3 miles before the group is strung out so I don't hear that tock, tock, tock, tock. Way worse than one of those Beehive rear bicycle hubs.
10-04-16, 07:55 AM
#206
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Hrmmmm....around me the folks with apparent extra high "F" are (local) politicians, and church ladies near the top of their hierarchy.
There are power gains to be had, however it seems over-training can be toxic as hell.
There are power gains to be had, however it seems over-training can be toxic as hell.
10-04-16, 08:06 AM
#207
Erik the Inveigler
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The topic of the thread is, Unfriendly, as noted. There's been a lot of concentration on the ponderous necessity to offer a wave to fellow cyclists. I say that at least a smile of acknowledgment is sufficient. But, more broadly, unfriendliness in our sport can be communicated by general attitude as well; this constant sense of one upmanship that so many "serious" cyclists display. I live in the mountains and I can always tell when the famous Death Ride is coming up (Tour of the California Alps) because all of these lowlanders start to come up to train for it. Unfriendliness is yet another guy who makes a big point of trying to catch you on a mountain road, only to give you a scowl and a "Lance Look" as he goes by, only to die magnificently on the coming incline; I merely smile when I, in turn, leave him behind. Too many people, I find, seem to be riding with chips on their shoulders these days. There is more than one way to be unfriendly.
10-04-16, 08:14 AM
#208
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The topic of the thread is, Unfriendly, as noted. There's been a lot of concentration on the ponderous necessity to offer a wave to fellow cyclists. I say that at least a smile of acknowledgment is sufficient. But, more broadly, unfriendliness in our sport can be communicated by general attitude as well; this constant sense of one upmanship that so many "serious" cyclists display. I live in the mountains and I can always tell when the famous Death Ride is coming up (Tour of the California Alps) because all of these lowlanders start to come up to train for it. Unfriendliness is yet another guy who makes a big point of trying to catch you on a mountain road, only to give you a scowl and a "Lance Look" as he goes by, only to die magnificently on the coming incline; I merely smile when I, in turn, leave him behind. Too many people, I find, seem to be riding with chips on their shoulders these days. There is more than one way to be unfriendly.But the best is to not return a wave.
Last edited by texaspandj; 10-04-16 at 08:21 AM.
10-04-16, 08:32 AM
#209
meh
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I have no doubt there are rude cyclists like rude everything else. There are all kinds out there. At some level of effort it becomes difficult to pay attention to much else than the self inflicted pain. Also at high levels of effort people just get more aggressive. So I would expect the reaction you get depends a bit on where you ride and how hard others are working.
Around here we live and ride the only path from OC to San Diego and it is shared by surfers, who, tend to turn sideways with boards when spoken to. Later on the path the road is so full of bikes it is not practical to say hello. On any given ride there are a few flats at the side of the road too. So for me it goes like this. If there are few riders, I say hi, nod, wave to everyone. If someone is stopped I ask if they need help. On peak ride time - I say hello to those I know and those that are riding near me about my speed. If I, or they are clearly involved in an intense effort - nothing is said.
I think you see this kind of behavior in many things when someone comes from a populated area to one less so.
Around here we live and ride the only path from OC to San Diego and it is shared by surfers, who, tend to turn sideways with boards when spoken to. Later on the path the road is so full of bikes it is not practical to say hello. On any given ride there are a few flats at the side of the road too. So for me it goes like this. If there are few riders, I say hi, nod, wave to everyone. If someone is stopped I ask if they need help. On peak ride time - I say hello to those I know and those that are riding near me about my speed. If I, or they are clearly involved in an intense effort - nothing is said.
I think you see this kind of behavior in many things when someone comes from a populated area to one less so.
I'm sick of people seeing the 'rude' or 'angry' cyclist; so I go out of my way to share pleasant words/smiles/waves with others while I'm out on my bike. It's no effort and creates a more enjoyable environment.
To all the haters... meh.
10-04-16, 09:06 AM
#211
meh
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OTOH, to my video above, I typically can talk through major effort when it's a 45-minute race.
OK, I didn't want to attach this photo after I uploaded it; but now I can't seem to get rid of it.... so this the Toad's pain-cave-face on the Almanzo 100. For what it's worth, I met and rode with another racer after this photo, we talked for awhile and now we're friends, seeing each other at a number of races. I guess I'm just a friendly guy.
65778889-Almz16-00430.jpg
Last edited by Hypno Toad; 10-04-16 at 09:11 AM. Reason: photo edit issues
10-04-16, 09:26 AM
#214
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This year there is a lady in our group that is running with a Metronome app playing on her phone. She has it turned up nice and loud. Talk about annoying. It's hard to be friendly with her. It takes about 3 miles before the group is strung out so I don't hear that tock, tock, tock, tock. Way worse than one of those Beehive rear bicycle hubs.
10-04-16, 09:27 AM
#215
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0:35 (you can't her the woman's voice talking with me)
2:10 chatting with Bruce as I pass him
10-04-16, 02:48 PM
#216
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To help put us back on track.
Wait, what was this thread about?
Wait, what was this thread about?
10-04-16, 03:08 PM
#217
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