Dealing with elitists
03-24-08 | 06:59 PM
#126
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
03-24-08 | 07:02 PM
#127
I enjoy doing 25mph on my $179 Fuji Hybrid with Alivio & slicks. Although I agree with the folks who give me that look - flat bars really don't belong in a tight group.
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03-24-08 | 07:08 PM
#128
.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,377
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03-24-08 | 07:22 PM
#131
going roundy round
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,086
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From: High Point, NC
And considering pcadette is what, 14?, this is how he looked after showing up at the door and PCad got through with him.
03-24-08 | 07:27 PM
#132
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: SE Minnesota
Bikes: are better than yours.
03-24-08 | 07:46 PM
#136
Super Course fan
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,720
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From: Lost on the windswept plains of the Great Black Swamp
Ok, just let me know when the next slow, out of shape, insecure fred's on steel touring bikes with fenders and racks group ride is,
I am sooo ready....
I am sooo ready....
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I have a white PX-10, a Green Dawes Galaxy and an Orange Falcon, now I'm done.
I have a white PX-10, a Green Dawes Galaxy and an Orange Falcon, now I'm done.
03-24-08 | 08:07 PM
#137
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
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From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
03-24-08 | 08:21 PM
#138
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 2007 Trek 1500
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.
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.
03-24-08 | 08:27 PM
#139
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 539
Likes: 10
From: Western Washington
OP- just go do your own thing for a while. Get in shape.
"Tonight, it ain't right.
I got to have me a week,
but I'll be back for you, Jack,
and I'll let the machine speak."
-ZZ Top
For you, just substitute "year" for "week."
"Tonight, it ain't right.
I got to have me a week,
but I'll be back for you, Jack,
and I'll let the machine speak."
-ZZ Top
For you, just substitute "year" for "week."
03-24-08 | 08:28 PM
#140
Il cucchiaio
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 509
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Velosolex St. Pierre (RIP in peace), Giant OCR2 (sold), ADK Bottecchia
03-24-08 | 08:30 PM
#141
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
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From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
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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
03-24-08 | 09:12 PM
#142
The Weird Beard
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,554
Likes: 3
From: COS
This thread illustrates precisely why I prefer to ride alone. Not like our rebel friend in cycling, Pee Wee Herman, but I like to ride fast, to test myself against the course. I know I would be in the way of fellow club riders, and frankly, have no desire to learn how to ride in a group. Much respect to you club riders, but some of us just aren't cut out for it :-)
Although when I do pass you guys going the other direction, it is rare that a cycling wave is reciprocated.
Although when I do pass you guys going the other direction, it is rare that a cycling wave is reciprocated.
03-24-08 | 09:23 PM
#143
Super Course fan
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,720
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From: Lost on the windswept plains of the Great Black Swamp
Not likely.
P-Cad, I'd see your back wheel for about 15 seconds.
Then I'd be dropped.
Chipcom dropped me, came back, dragged me back up, stole my lunch money, then dropped my steel riding fendered rear end again.
The cool thing was, there is allways Somebody In worse shape, or riding an even heavier, over racked contraption out there somewhere.
I so totally dusted a family on repro Schwinn Apple crates. They never knew what hit em..................
P-Cad, I'd see your back wheel for about 15 seconds.
Then I'd be dropped. Chipcom dropped me, came back, dragged me back up, stole my lunch money, then dropped my steel riding fendered rear end again.
The cool thing was, there is allways Somebody In worse shape, or riding an even heavier, over racked contraption out there somewhere.
I so totally dusted a family on repro Schwinn Apple crates. They never knew what hit em..................
__________________
I have a white PX-10, a Green Dawes Galaxy and an Orange Falcon, now I'm done.
I have a white PX-10, a Green Dawes Galaxy and an Orange Falcon, now I'm done.
Last edited by redneckwes; 03-24-08 at 09:30 PM.
03-24-08 | 09:33 PM
#144
Geosynchronous Falconeer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,311
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From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour, Campy Habanero Team Ti, Soma Double Cross
03-24-08 | 09:35 PM
#145
Super Course fan
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,720
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From: Lost on the windswept plains of the Great Black Swamp
03-24-08 | 09:36 PM
#146
Chicago needs more hills.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 76
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i hope one day the karma train punches those elitists in the mouth. don't sweat it. take off your racks and fenders if you want. also, i'm sure people have mentioned, but are there any recreational riding clubs in your area as opposed to the competitive ones? and to make you feel better, my friend in san fran did group rides on a single speed geared at 44/16 and SMOKED riders who were riding 5, 6, and even 22K custom bikes. of course his engine is more efficient.
03-24-08 | 09:54 PM
#147
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 111
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i hope one day the karma train punches those elitists in the mouth. don't sweat it. take off your racks and fenders if you want. also, i'm sure people have mentioned, but are there any recreational riding clubs in your area as opposed to the competitive ones? and to make you feel better, my friend in san fran did group rides on a single speed geared at 44/16 and SMOKED riders who were riding 5, 6, and even 22K custom bikes. of course his engine is more efficient.
03-24-08 | 09:57 PM
#148
.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,377
Likes: 50
i hope one day the karma train punches those elitists in the mouth. don't sweat it. take off your racks and fenders if you want. also, i'm sure people have mentioned, but are there any recreational riding clubs in your area as opposed to the competitive ones? and to make you feel better, my friend in san fran did group rides on a single speed geared at 44/16 and SMOKED riders who were riding 5, 6, and even 22K custom bikes. of course his engine is more efficient.
03-24-08 | 09:58 PM
#149
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,850
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From: Blacksburg, VA
Bikes: Yeti ASRc, Focus Raven 29er, Flyxii FR316
I always love it when someone turns this into a "straight edge", organic only, single speed dude vs. roadie snob thing.
On the group rides I go to, of which there are three, there are widely ranging levels of bikes and ability levels. $10k to 1980's 10 speeds. Only thing that matters is that you go fast, and keep it rubber side down.
Oh, and your friend would have to be turning 140rpm to avoid getting dropped for most of a group ride around here, FYI.
On the group rides I go to, of which there are three, there are widely ranging levels of bikes and ability levels. $10k to 1980's 10 speeds. Only thing that matters is that you go fast, and keep it rubber side down.
Oh, and your friend would have to be turning 140rpm to avoid getting dropped for most of a group ride around here, FYI.
03-24-08 | 10:00 PM
#150
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
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From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB