I got booted from my group ride because I'm a triathlete (seriously).
 

So I've been riding 3 mornings a week with the same group since early February. Good group, 5-10 people usually, Cat 3/4 types, and early risers (we go out around 5). The entire time I've ridden with them I've used my tri/tt bike with no issues, just the unspoken rule that I stay out of aero in the pack. Well, last month some of them started hassling me about riding in aero when I'm pulling, saying things like I don't make a good draft or that I won't be able to avoid things well (bs). When they were there I just didn't get into aero when pulling, no problem, no one else said anything. Finally last week a few more said that I needed to get a real road bike or stop riding with them, and today they basically told me I wasn't welcome riding with them on my bike anymore.

So WTF? I don't up the pace when I get to the front (except when they wanted me to), I don't ride them through glass and pinecones, I have the best headlight, I'm the only one who consistently brings a pump and tool kit, and I'm smoother in the group than most of them. So seriously, why hate on the bike? I did recently order a road bike (shop will get it in this week), but right now I'm thinking **** them and finding a new group to ride with.

^^^This!

But I'm going ****, just in case :P

This should be good.



..and I have to ask, where exactly do you do triathlons in Utah?

Uh... eff 'em I say.

There are plenty of places, tons of local reservoirs and mountain lakes. There's a good Olympic distance race at least every week, and 2 or 3 small pool swim sprints every weekend. Good long season to, open water races from April to October.

You should keep riding at the same time as them, but do the ride backwards.

****.
we hate on tt bikes in our group...maybe youre one of the guys riding a tt bike who actually has handling skills. Maybe the guys in your group have had similar issues that we've had. Like them not being able to go around corners, point out debris without swerving, etc...we do everything we can to drop the tt guys as quickly as possible. Which usually doesnt take long because they have no acceleration. Ive never understood the idea of buying a bike that was made for solo riding and taking it to a group ride.

EDIT: credit due for ordering a road bike.

From the aerobars, you can't effectively point out obstacles and warn folks of hazards that are coming. You can't get to your brakes as quickly. If you want to ride a tri/TT bike in a group situation, you absolutely should stay out of the aerobars.

My cycling background comes from mountain bike racing, handling is no problem, I even learned to bunny hop in aero. And all the races I do are solo events, hence the bike, but why shouldn't I do group rides when it's easily some of the best training you can do?

That about covers it. Just make sure to wave when you blow by them at races. ;-)

I thought tri-bikes were bad etiquette in group rides? Some people consider the horns unsafe as well, you're lucky they let you join at all.

Eh...it happens.

http://www.greatoutdoors.com/files/i...cture%2044.png

They sound like a bunch of pricks.

I do know that a clueless rider on a TT/aero bike is dangerous, but you've been riding with them for a while so that doesn't really explain it.

Maybe you can find another group?

Maybe there's some personality clash going on, and they're just not being honest about it?

I've seen groups split up because of problems in social dynamics. Just because it's supposed to be about riding bikes, doesn't mean they're above treating this like it's high school all over again.

I ride with a couple of yahoos, on road bikes, that do that same crap.

Props on ordering a road bike. There is a difference and you're acknowledging that you know the difference.

Props on bringing pump etc on rides. It's annoying when someone flats and they didn't have the responsibility to bring their own stuff.

Now, the group ride bit. I have a feeling it's more than just the tri bike thing. Are you significantly stronger than they are? Do you have to constantly ease?

You seem pretty centered. Make sure that you really are more smooth than they are, or at least as smooth as possible. Smooth doesn't just mean pedaling, it means being predictable, not swerving, etc. You probably know that but as I've learned the hard way, it's hard to self-critique. You can ask one of the more sane riders for honest feedback if there is such a thing.

good luck. If none of that helps then find a new group. It's stressful enough to have to get to the ride on time and all that. No one needs to deal with clique infighting and such.

cdr

Ditto. I've never lived in an area where a TT bike would be allowed in a group ride.

no doubt, I do as well. imagine if those same guys were on tt bikes.

+1

+1. I seriously hope you ordered the road bike because it is something you have been wanting and not because of "peer pressure", which sadly sounds like the case.

I think you found your answer!

More than likely, you having aero bars is not the reason but rather an excuse. Either you have missed all the clues or they are a bunch of ****** bags!! Either way, I wouldn't want to be there, so move on.

Sounds like you rode with some BF members. Seriously find another group to ride with.

further adds to my opinion that group rides are not for me. ill stick to my solo death climbs.

This. I did my first rides a year ago on an 87 Centurion Ironman with DT's.

A young rider who I know well now voiced his dismay in safety, and didn't want us riding with them.

His father explained they did it safely, why couldn't I? I eventually upgraded, but I bet the OP's situation is Sandbox 101; he looks different than us thus does not belong.

Isn't the title a bit misleading?


So you knew there was an unwritten rule to stay out of aero on the group ride, you decided to ignore that rule and they came back and said "you will have to ride a bike where you cant do that."

Is that about it?

+1 I wouldn't be surprised the real underlying issue is you are outperforming your group. Your TT bike is quite possibly the scapegoat.

They did the right thing. You belong to a different dicipline. The member who posted the pic of the htc team forgot to take into considration the fact that these guys are all trained together, riding the same kind of a bike a in a closed non climbing relativley short course. You don't see mix and match here. If you want to hang out with your rodie friends, htfu and get a proper road bike. Don't bring a T-Ball set up to a baseball game.