Dealing with elitists
03-25-08 | 04:32 AM
#178
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,664
Likes: 7
From: Someplace trying to figure it out
Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.
Until it's time to find a job.
Why do you think there are so many Starbucks locations?
...real men of genius...
03-25-08 | 04:33 AM
#180
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17,196
Likes: 761
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
I'm hearing a lot of people say "you're too slow to fit in until you get into shape." In my defense, I didn't know what the environment would be like until I got there, and it's hard to develop to the point where one can ride ~15-20 mph for 90 miles if one only rides alone. Companionship and _friendly competition_ helps spur oneself on. As far as finding another group, there's this and a randonneuring group, which I plan to also try. This club covers both road cycling and mountain biking (which I'll check out next week; they alternate).
Since I probably am too slow, I have plans to ride a lot before the club meets again, so I hope to get up to speed.
[edit] scotch, The group did seem to be _unofficially_ broken into groups. Naturally, I lagged a bit behind the slow group.
Since I probably am too slow, I have plans to ride a lot before the club meets again, so I hope to get up to speed.
[edit] scotch, The group did seem to be _unofficially_ broken into groups. Naturally, I lagged a bit behind the slow group.
I definitely just need to HTFU, but I had a similar experience with the local club. Ride was advertised as having route guidance, having several levels of start groups, and no drops/no left alone for newcomers. Well, there were no maps or route sheets, no one or group of ability group leaders, no ability groups, no one looking for newbies, noone doing a sweep, and no identification of club personnel.
Luckily I knew a route to the destination, but it wasn't the expected one. I rode with a person who was new to the area, and she had hoped to use these rides to learn local routes. Well I taught her one, but there was not a good impression left, overall. So yes, I need to get faster, but this ride was not as advertised.
03-25-08 | 04:35 AM
#181
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,664
Likes: 7
From: Someplace trying to figure it out
Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.
03-25-08 | 04:45 AM
#182
Custom User Title
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,913
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Canada
Bikes: 2006 Marin Stelvio, 1990s Steve Bauer, Marin Palisades Trail
03-25-08 | 06:09 AM
#184
Prefers Cicero
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
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.
03-25-08 | 06:26 AM
#185
Good Lord this thread is getting ridiculous.
03-25-08 | 06:31 AM
#187
about riding groups being elistic, Im split on that one..
I did go through one tough ride where I was left to fend for myself and find my way back ( I did get lost on icy roads in a 25 degree temp) of course I was upset and thought it was wrong since the ride was tagged 'social" ride but I turned the table around and put responsability on myself instead of them.
If I had been faster I wouldn't have had to turn back,( noone's fault but mine) that's where the work began for me, it's much easier to change yourself then change everyone else.
Last edited by blonduathlongrl; 03-25-08 at 06:36 AM.
03-25-08 | 06:32 AM
#188
1.9lb/in
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: Susquehanna shoreline
Bikes: LeMond, CAAD9/1
I love this nonsense. Folks come out of the woodwork to pile on these "elitists". They dropped the guy. That's not elitism, it's riding fast. That's what everyone here is going for.
If you want to ride slow there are other subforums here at BF which may be more your style.
You could probably even mix it up a little in a helmet mirror flamewar or two. This forum is a little too elitist – preoccupied with Zipps and other such things that make you go fast and/or look good (equally important).
I've seen guys who can't stay upright on skates try to mix it up in open hockey with the high school kids. The ones who get all butthurt about not getting passed to because they're 8 minutes late joining the rush and never move their stick to receive a pass because it's the only thing keeping them from falling down are the ones who give up. The ones who recognise they suck and that it's their own stupid fault for sucking tend to stick with it, fall down a lot, and gradually get better. I know because I used to suck at it, too. I kept at it for years, fell down a lot and no longer have problems. Those little turds wish they could keep up with me now.
If you want to ride slow there are other subforums here at BF which may be more your style.
You could probably even mix it up a little in a helmet mirror flamewar or two. This forum is a little too elitist – preoccupied with Zipps and other such things that make you go fast and/or look good (equally important).
I've seen guys who can't stay upright on skates try to mix it up in open hockey with the high school kids. The ones who get all butthurt about not getting passed to because they're 8 minutes late joining the rush and never move their stick to receive a pass because it's the only thing keeping them from falling down are the ones who give up. The ones who recognise they suck and that it's their own stupid fault for sucking tend to stick with it, fall down a lot, and gradually get better. I know because I used to suck at it, too. I kept at it for years, fell down a lot and no longer have problems. Those little turds wish they could keep up with me now.
03-25-08 | 06:34 AM
#190
It just seems to be on a whole new level of ridiculous. I mean, we still have the dry sarcastic rants and ramblings, the useless drivel, and the pointless remarks, oh and the confusing squirrel art, but it's gone to new heights. What page will it stop? When will the points be driven home enough to never put the defibrillator to this subject again?
edit: and since I'm back to work, I want to make more of the day by stretching this as far as possible.
edit: and since I'm back to work, I want to make more of the day by stretching this as far as possible.
03-25-08 | 06:36 AM
#191
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
It just seems to be on a whole new level of ridiculous. I mean, we still have the dry sarcastic rants and ramblings, the useless drivel, and the pointless remarks, oh and the confusing squirrel art, but it's gone to new heights. What page will it stop? When will the points be driven home enough to never put the defibrillator to this subject again?
03-25-08 | 06:37 AM
#192
.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40,377
Likes: 50
It just seems to be on a whole new level of ridiculous. I mean, we still have the dry sarcastic rants and ramblings, the useless drivel, and the pointless remarks, oh and the confusing squirrel art, but it's gone to new heights. What page will it stop? When will the points be driven home enough to never put the defibrillator to this subject again?
03-25-08 | 06:41 AM
#193
03-25-08 | 06:44 AM
#195
03-25-08 | 06:53 AM
#196
1.9lb/in
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: Susquehanna shoreline
Bikes: LeMond, CAAD9/1
It just seems to be on a whole new level of ridiculous. I mean, we still have the dry sarcastic rants and ramblings, the useless drivel, and the pointless remarks, oh and the confusing squirrel art, but it's gone to new heights. What page will it stop? When will the points be driven home enough to never put the defibrillator to this subject again?
edit: and since I'm back to work, I want to make more of the day by stretching this as far as possible.
edit: and since I'm back to work, I want to make more of the day by stretching this as far as possible.
03-25-08 | 07:01 AM
#198
03-25-08 | 07:03 AM
#200
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB