Riding with hacks
02-14-07 | 06:08 AM
#101
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There seems to be a little confusion on the part of a few people. His issue has nothing to do with how fast or powerful anyone is as a rider. It has to do with skill. I do not care how well you use your legs, but by all means use your brain.
I am by no means the fastest guy on any given ride, but I put thought into what I am doing and I expect that of the people I am riding with. Keep a consistent pace. Ride a straight line without making any sudden movements. If there is a minor road hazard and you are leading the group, simply lead the group around the hazard. If you cannot do these things then go to the rear of the group. If you cannot ride without falling over or have a panic attack when another rider is alongside you then practice before you ride in a group.
If you see a car and it is proceeding along a path of travel that is typical of automobiles then keep your mouth shut about it. Guess what, there are cars out there all the time. If the car is on a course where it may collide with us, then by all means, speak up.
In short, it is more important how well you use your brain then how well you use your legs.
I am by no means the fastest guy on any given ride, but I put thought into what I am doing and I expect that of the people I am riding with. Keep a consistent pace. Ride a straight line without making any sudden movements. If there is a minor road hazard and you are leading the group, simply lead the group around the hazard. If you cannot do these things then go to the rear of the group. If you cannot ride without falling over or have a panic attack when another rider is alongside you then practice before you ride in a group.
If you see a car and it is proceeding along a path of travel that is typical of automobiles then keep your mouth shut about it. Guess what, there are cars out there all the time. If the car is on a course where it may collide with us, then by all means, speak up.
In short, it is more important how well you use your brain then how well you use your legs.
02-14-07 | 06:18 AM
#102
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Originally Posted by monk
When I see posts like this I often check the profile of the OP. I see that DM4's hobbies are "High-end audio and wet, naked women." Now I'm not going to fault any guy for liking wet naked women, but DM4 I'm afraid your credibility with me is nil. Try to help other riders who may not be as strong or road-smart as you. Don't just cut them down. Did one guy REALLY have a helmet mirror?! Did you call the police?
Could it be the Rocket Scientist thing? That part is true.
02-14-07 | 06:29 AM
#104
Peloton Shelter Dog
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From: Chester, NY
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Originally Posted by monk
Your last post makes perfect sense. But use your skill and experience to help the group instead of using this forum to blast them!
02-14-07 | 06:44 AM
#105
Originally Posted by formula4
We need a Fred forum.
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02-14-07 | 06:53 AM
#106
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Originally Posted by patentcad
All the skill and experience in the world isn't going to stop some Fred from Hell from screaming 'CAR UUUPPPP!!! or CAR BAAACKKKK!!!!!!' Trust me on this.
Do you suppose that these same people yell "BIKE UUUUUP" and "BIKE BAAAAAACK" when they are riding as a passenger in someone's car?
02-14-07 | 07:01 AM
#107
Dirt-riding heretic
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From: Gig Harbor, WA
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This thread has inspired me to look back to Smoothie's "My favorite fred" thread, where I posted a then-recent encounter....
Originally Posted by Me
This post reminded me of my brief brush with extreme fredosity just this past weekend.
Organized ride in Virginia. My fiancee, a complete noob, is taking on her longest ride ever, a half century. I'm kinda taking it easy and making a recovery day out of it. On one descent, I gap the soon-to-be-Mrs. and move all the way left in the road to let her catch up.
Up from behind comes a guy I saw at the rest stop and honestly thought "Fred." Mirror, neon yellow jersey, white calf-length socks scrunched down, reflector belt, $20 helmet, those sports glasses that stay on with an elastic band (like the basketball players wear), trunk rack with massive trunk pack--quite impressive. I figured I'll just stay where I am. Not a car in sight.
I hear the Fred yell "on your left." Huh? I'm all the way left and there's a whole lane in front of me. I'm still soft pedaling waiting for Mollie. I wave him by with my right hand and hold my line all the way left.
I hear another, more urgent, "On your left!" and this Fred passes me, sure enough, on the left, riding right on the centerline and coming within an inch of hitting me. Literally. ON A WIDE OPEN ROAD.
So, to everyone out there who doesn't know, when you're riding in a group and someone moves to the left, that means "go ahead." This Fred clearly believed that the ONLY place to pass a cyclist was on the left, and that the center line is NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, to be crossed, because he felt the need to endanger both of our safety to pass me on the left and not cross the line.
A fred move regardless of the bike and outfit, but he had the full package. He had the equipment AND the skills.
Organized ride in Virginia. My fiancee, a complete noob, is taking on her longest ride ever, a half century. I'm kinda taking it easy and making a recovery day out of it. On one descent, I gap the soon-to-be-Mrs. and move all the way left in the road to let her catch up.
Up from behind comes a guy I saw at the rest stop and honestly thought "Fred." Mirror, neon yellow jersey, white calf-length socks scrunched down, reflector belt, $20 helmet, those sports glasses that stay on with an elastic band (like the basketball players wear), trunk rack with massive trunk pack--quite impressive. I figured I'll just stay where I am. Not a car in sight.
I hear the Fred yell "on your left." Huh? I'm all the way left and there's a whole lane in front of me. I'm still soft pedaling waiting for Mollie. I wave him by with my right hand and hold my line all the way left.
I hear another, more urgent, "On your left!" and this Fred passes me, sure enough, on the left, riding right on the centerline and coming within an inch of hitting me. Literally. ON A WIDE OPEN ROAD.
So, to everyone out there who doesn't know, when you're riding in a group and someone moves to the left, that means "go ahead." This Fred clearly believed that the ONLY place to pass a cyclist was on the left, and that the center line is NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, to be crossed, because he felt the need to endanger both of our safety to pass me on the left and not cross the line.
A fred move regardless of the bike and outfit, but he had the full package. He had the equipment AND the skills.
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02-14-07 | 07:19 AM
#108
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Originally Posted by monk
Your last post makes perfect sense. But use your skill and experience to help the group instead of using this forum to blast them!
Quite frankly, I do not have the time or ambition to conduct cycling clinics for all the inexperienced cyclists and those that have developed bad habits. Do you?
I have taken the time and effort to teach my children to ride well.
I also try to teach my children critical thinking (i.e. Are your actions producing a desired result). This is all that is required to get you through most of life's endeavors, including cycling.
Cars can typically be expected to be on the road. I know this; I’ve seen them. Constantly yelling about cars on the road serves no purpose, except to announce that you have the ability to recognize cars- over and over and over and over...
02-14-07 | 07:46 AM
#109
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From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Originally Posted by AGGRO
Sounds like you need to ride and get used to calling it out. I started years ago. Riding alone it tends to get stares though so be prepared.
Nice touch is adding your own, like 'HOT CHICK', 'BEER STORE' or 'PEDESTRIAN'.
Riding alone it tends to get stares though so be prepared. Nice touch is adding your own, like 'HOT CHICK', 'BEER STORE' or 'PEDESTRIAN'.
I once got to call out a mattress that had fallen out of a truck into the middle of the road. Later that ride I warned the others of some vicious Lhasa Apsos that were waiting for us.
02-14-07 | 07:47 AM
#110
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Originally Posted by formula4
We need a Fred forum.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-14-07 | 07:49 AM
#111
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Originally Posted by DM4
Do you suppose that these same people yell "BIKE UUUUUP" and "BIKE BAAAAAACK" when they are riding as a passenger in someone's car?
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-14-07 | 07:53 AM
#112
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From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Originally Posted by ken cummings
When I get bothered by car back type stuff I just ride away from the person doing the calling. And I normally only get bothered if we are on a Class Two bikelane when they are doing it.
Hey! That's the ONE time I'd really wouldn't mind hearing "Car Back".
02-14-07 | 10:40 AM
#113
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From: All your base (miles) are belong to us
Originally Posted by DM4
Quite frankly, I do not have the time or ambition to conduct cycling clinics for all the inexperienced cyclists and those that have developed bad habits. Do you?
I have taken the time and effort to teach my children to ride well.
I also try to teach my children critical thinking (i.e. Are your actions producing a desired result). This is all that is required to get you through most of life's endeavors, including cycling.
Cars can typically be expected to be on the road. I know this; I’ve seen them. Constantly yelling about cars on the road serves no purpose, except to announce that you have the ability to recognize cars- over and over and over and over...
I have taken the time and effort to teach my children to ride well.
I also try to teach my children critical thinking (i.e. Are your actions producing a desired result). This is all that is required to get you through most of life's endeavors, including cycling.
Cars can typically be expected to be on the road. I know this; I’ve seen them. Constantly yelling about cars on the road serves no purpose, except to announce that you have the ability to recognize cars- over and over and over and over...
Now, if the group I'm riding with is outright dangerous, not merely annoying, I won't come back. But if they are merely annoying, what's the big deal? Are you out there to ride your bike and enjoy some companionship, or to conform to a rigid yet totally subjective standard of behavior?
Are your actions (or inactions) producing a desired result? You hurt the feelings of the guy who asked you back. You've lost the opportunity to make more friends, and a chance for a casual vs training ride.
I guess if their behavior, again which really can't objectively be ruled right or wrong, was so offensive to you, then you did what was right for you. But then why bother ranting in the first place? Some degree of affirmation from the rest of the forum? Are you as certain in your rightness as you think?
02-14-07 | 10:49 AM
#115
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From: Front Royal, Virginia
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Originally Posted by bbattle
Who was the ride leader? I'd talk with this person. It sounds like a very inexperienced group if they don't feel comfortable with people beside them or can't keep a steady pace.
As for the "car back!" "gravel" and "dead dog", get used to it. I get a bit annoyed at the way some riders scream at dogs that obviously just want to run but instead of getting mad I just say hello to the dogs. And the cows, goats, horses, mules, donkeys and geese that I see in the fields. Perhaps the other riders post vents about that crazy guy that waves to the cows.
Who knows? Who cares?
As for the "car back!" "gravel" and "dead dog", get used to it. I get a bit annoyed at the way some riders scream at dogs that obviously just want to run but instead of getting mad I just say hello to the dogs. And the cows, goats, horses, mules, donkeys and geese that I see in the fields. Perhaps the other riders post vents about that crazy guy that waves to the cows.
Who knows? Who cares?
I thought I was alone in doing this. When I pass a group of cows I always say "good morning/afternoon ladies"! Pigs I always call out "Wilbur" and horses get "how's it goin Ed or Winnie"? 
Maybe that's why noone rides with me.
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02-14-07 | 10:59 AM
#116
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From: Ohio
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Originally Posted by Eyeseeu
I thought I was alone in doing this. When I pass a group of cows I always say "good morning/afternoon ladies"! Pigs I always call out "Wilbur" and horses get "how's it goin Ed or Winnie"? Maybe that's why noone rides with me.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
02-14-07 | 03:55 PM
#117
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From: Schertz TX
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Originally Posted by Eyeseeu
I thought I was alone in doing this. When I pass a group of cows I always say "good morning/afternoon ladies"! Pigs I always call out "Wilbur" and horses get "how's it goin Ed or Winnie"? Maybe that's why noone rides with me.
02-14-07 | 04:46 PM
#119
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From: On the intramaweb thing.
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In the past I've been on training and group rides when the shouting gets out of hand.
For some reason we began shouting stuff like 'Elephant', 'Helicopter' and 'Alien Abduction'... That seemed to give us all a laugh and the shouters stopped...
For some reason we began shouting stuff like 'Elephant', 'Helicopter' and 'Alien Abduction'... That seemed to give us all a laugh and the shouters stopped...
02-14-07 | 08:21 PM
#120
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Actually those are the second and third rules of safety- the first is never ever ride with someone who wears a helmet mounted mirror. those are the cycling rules of safety. now the rules of safety for wet naked women- those would make an interesting thread.
