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Originally Posted by patentcad
(Post 6395985)
[IMG]h ttp://www.costumedogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/squirrel4.jpg[/IMG]
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ugh, is that real?
that is not a very cool bottle either. |
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ya I know those frame mounted pumps are ugly.
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Originally Posted by catherine96821
(Post 6395859)
Cycling is great, but it is probably a bigger *elitists magnet* than most sports I have encountered.
Ever just walk up to a bunch of soccer players getting ready to start a game and see if you could join them? Maybe hop into a volleyball game or a softball game? Would you usually be welcome? Cycling is one of the only sports where a complete outsider is welcome on most rides. Yes, there are a few "elitists", but there are far more friendly and welcoming bike riders and racers. |
We of the Road Nazi Gestapo are watching this thread. We are taking names.
You have been warned. |
Originally Posted by cmh
(Post 6396164)
I don't think this is even remotely true. Try going down to a city park and getting into a pick up basketball game. Now try it out of shape and wearing penny loafers and see how many times they pass you the ball. Isn't this similar to what the OP did?
Ever just walk up to a bunch of soccer players getting ready to start a game and see if you could join them? Maybe hop into a volleyball game or a softball game? Would you usually be welcome? Cycling is one of the only sports where a complete outsider is welcome on most rides. Yes, there are a few "elitists", but there are far more friendly and welcoming bike riders and racers. |
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Originally Posted by botto
(Post 6395872)
once again, this time with feeling: it's not elitism, it's self preservation.
all you have to do is read the countless "i crashed my bike, pity me" threads that sprout up on BF.net once the weather gets better, to realize that it's a squirly world out there. I'm plan to try my hand at racing later this year but fully intended to prepare with many months riding with a group to ensure my saftey and that of others. I'm pretty good in terms of strength and endurance but definately need some tighten on the close quarter riding skills. While there is ego and those just wanting to look "cool" types in cycling, there are many more great riders willing to help if asked. These "Dealing with elitists" statement seems to be more like a "I need to be loved"..... Suck it up and get back out there ! |
Offer them a bag of weed! You'll be accepted.
It can be grass clippings from the your lawn dried with a little peppermint oil. |
It's elitism... sort of.. in the sense that (from what I gather) you're not nearly as good as them and are basically in the wrong place... You are not paying money for a training group, they don't owe you anything. Letting you ride with them might be crueler if you just end up lost in the middle of nowhere while they blast past you going 25 mph for a 70 mile ride.
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Originally Posted by cmh
(Post 6396164)
I don't think this is even remotely true. Try going down to a city park and getting into a pick up basketball game. Now try it out of shape and wearing penny loafers and see how many times they pass you the ball. Isn't this similar to what the OP did?
Ever just walk up to a bunch of soccer players getting ready to start a game and see if you could join them? Maybe hop into a volleyball game or a softball game? Would you usually be welcome? Cycling is one of the only sports where a complete outsider is welcome on most rides. Yes, there are a few "elitists", but there are far more friendly and welcoming bike riders and racers. And regarding the self-preservation, that's a very strong factor. I drifted a little bit on Saturday and bumped into a rider coming up behind me on my left on a descent. I wobbled a bit but didn't go down, and he yelled at me to hold my line. He gave me looks and a wide line the rest of the ride, and he knew me. I don't know why anyone would come into a situation as an unknown quantity with equipment that screams inexperienced and expect people to not have some hesitation of your abilities. |
Originally Posted by catherine96821
(Post 6396086)
ugh, is that real?
that is not a very cool bottle either. Yep its real.... one of those old fashioned frame pumps. |
"The trouble is with experienced and fit riders that they don't always remember what it was like when they were starting out."
Some fit people haven't ever been unfit, so it's not memory, just lack of experience with being unfit in the first place. Suggestion: Look up all the charity rides within a 100 miles of you and go on them. Based on the ones I've been on, you have a bunch of fast people that promptly lose you, and then you wind up riding with people of similar speed, and there's a bunch of them, too. You're not necessarily riding in a tight group but you're not the only bike on the road either. |
That is by far the handsomest devil of a squirrel I've ever seen.
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Originally Posted by iain.dalton
(Post 6393567)
Hi, I'm a young man of 19 who recently got into cycling (been planning on a long tour this summer). I recently moved, and decided to ride with the local cycling club. Not one of them but has a carbon or aluminum-and-carbon road bike, while I have a steel touring bike with fenders, a rear rack, and a Brooks saddle. Before we even started riding, I got the feeling that I was "not wanted." Sure, I've just moved with a 5000ft elevation increase, and I've slacked off in the winter so I'm not in shape yet, but if I were, wouldn't I be able to keep up with the rest of them? It's not a race after all. So what's to be hostile about?
And just in case it will help--how much of a speed difference would it make to remove my fenders and rear rack? I like my fenders because it keeps grit out of my drive train, and it would be a real drag to remove that stuff every week end, so I'd only do so if it were to make a difference. |
Originally Posted by StephenH
(Post 6396448)
"The trouble is with experienced and fit riders that they don't always remember what it was like when they were starting out."
Some fit people haven't ever been unfit, so it's not memory, just lack of experience with being unfit in the first place. Suggestion: Look up all the charity rides within a 100 miles of you and go on them. Based on the ones I've been on, you have a bunch of fast people that promptly lose you, and then you wind up riding with people of similar speed, and there's a bunch of them, too. You're not necessarily riding in a tight group but you're not the only bike on the road either. |
Originally Posted by StephenH
(Post 6396448)
"The trouble is with experienced and fit riders that they don't always remember what it was like when they were starting out."
Some fit people haven't ever been unfit, so it's not memory, just lack of experience with being unfit in the first place. Suggestion: Look up all the charity rides within a 100 miles of you and go on them. Based on the ones I've been on, you have a bunch of fast people that promptly lose you, and then you wind up riding with people of similar speed, and there's a bunch of them, too. You're not necessarily riding in a tight group but you're not the only bike on the road either. i've been riding with a bunch of triathletes lately. i have no doubt that they can outrun me, out-swim me, and athletically just about out-everything else me. the one thing i know, is that most can't out-ride me. ;) |
Where's the original poster?
I think he never asked for advice, he was just ranting! But I'll give mine anyway! Even if they are muscular but have nice faces and smooth hands... you may keep up with them. If they look like they came from PCAD's Road Nazi concentration camp with chicken legs and sunken cheeks, holes in the lycra and bloodshot eyes, you don't stand a chance. |
http://www.joeydurango.com/pix/squir.../squirrel2.jpg that must have hurt |
You see, some stereotypes are in place for a reason. They automatically judged you because not only do all people judge others on the first impression, but because they've seen out of shape guys on touring bikes before and most, if not all, have left the same impression before.
Nobody in their right mind is going to think to themselves "Wow, if that guy was in shape, he could probably keep up with us!" This isn't elementary school where the teams are picked at random like in gym class, this is cycling. Those riders go to that ride to get some training miles in and improve their fitness, why should they wait for just some guy they haven't met before? Did you even get acquainted with the group before setting out? Because if you did (which I'm guessing you didn't) they'd be warmer to you. |
Originally Posted by cmh
(Post 6396164)
I don't think this is even remotely true. Try going down to a city park and getting into a pick up basketball game. Now try it out of shape and wearing penny loafers and see how many times they pass you the ball. Isn't this similar to what the OP did?
Ever just walk up to a bunch of soccer players getting ready to start a game and see if you could join them? Maybe hop into a volleyball game or a softball game? Would you usually be welcome? Cycling is one of the only sports where a complete outsider is welcome on most rides. Yes, there are a few "elitists", but there are far more friendly and welcoming bike riders and racers. |
Originally Posted by qmsdc15
(Post 6393769)
You may need to prove your ability before they accept you as a peer.
With peers like that, who needs enemies? |
I always figure most guys on bikes are d*cks. I have no problem with women riders though, they seam to be more social. Guys are always trying to prove something even when they are out supposedly enjoying a bike ride. I never understood it. When I give a simple "Good morning" it is rarely returned. But thats the way its always been with bikers, theyre very snobbish.
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