Seeing Other Cyclists On the Road, What are Your Thoughts?
05-22-08, 10:15 PM
#1
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Seeing Other Cyclists On the Road, What are Your Thoughts?
I get certain thoughts when I see others riding on the streets. If I see thinner fitter looking cyclists, I wonder if I'd be able to keep up with them. Sometimes I see guys riding up the hills, maybe not so lite guys. Most of the time I think, "I can keep up with that guy". Doesn't really matter what they wear, I think I judge more by the size. I could be wrong, maybe they would all spank my @$$ riding up Euclid Ave.
Overall my thoughts are on whether I would be able to keep up or not. Other riders I know look at others and make comments like, That dude sucks!". My thoughts aren't along those lines.
I was riding up Euclid the other day wearing an In-N-Out t-shirt. I was stopped at a light, I looked up to see a few drivers looking my way. I began to wonder what their thoughts were. Maybe they were looking at me thinking,"awww, well atleast the poor fat burger guy is trying!" Maybe another thinking ," I'd kick that guy's @$$!".
Maybe some have no thougths at all? Maybe they just check out the bike?
Overall my thoughts are on whether I would be able to keep up or not. Other riders I know look at others and make comments like, That dude sucks!". My thoughts aren't along those lines.
I was riding up Euclid the other day wearing an In-N-Out t-shirt. I was stopped at a light, I looked up to see a few drivers looking my way. I began to wonder what their thoughts were. Maybe they were looking at me thinking,"awww, well atleast the poor fat burger guy is trying!" Maybe another thinking ," I'd kick that guy's @$$!".
Maybe some have no thougths at all? Maybe they just check out the bike?
05-22-08, 10:17 PM
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Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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You'd have to be wearing an Eddie Murphy Klump Family Fat suit to be mistaken for a fat person Beanz. 
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
05-22-08, 10:26 PM
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I... Don't care.
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I'm just glad that people are on the bike at all. I'm starting to see more people on the bike lanes in my neighborhood, and I don't feel so lonely anymore being the only cyclist among drivers.
05-22-08, 10:34 PM
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If they're going opposite direction, I'd think I wish I could ride with them. If they're going the same direction in front of me, I think I will catch them and ride with them. If they're not going very fast, I think I will pass them as safely as possible and maybe just slow enough to say hi. If she's a hottie, I'll take my time passing her and enjoy the ride.
05-22-08, 11:10 PM
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I see riders of all sizes/weights and different levels of fitness. As long as they are having fun, commuting somewhere, or getting some exercise, it's all good.
05-23-08, 12:09 AM
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Mom Watch The Hell Out Theres A Biker On The Road!!!
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05-23-08, 02:45 AM
#11
Has coddling tendencies.
I'm too into myself to consider other riders. Truthfully, I'm happy to see them. Except the dudes pedaling with sandals.
05-23-08, 05:29 AM
#12
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"I wonder if that guy is going to go home and write an introspective post on BikeForums about seeing me on the street?"
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Simplistic Ideologies R Coffins
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05-23-08, 06:50 AM
#13
Lanky Lass
I check out bikes. Especially bikes with friction shifters 
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
05-23-08, 08:23 AM
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Yes, I check out the people on bikes, I check out the bikes they're riding, and sometimes (curious?) their pedal cadence. Not sure why . . .
Like you, Beanz, I equate lean with "Fast" but I've been fooled in both directions, i.e. someone who looked "fat" was actually fast and an excellent climber, whereas another rider who looked lean and mean was actually a bit of a plodder, and I didn't have any trouble riding away from them. So you just never know.
Like George, I check out riders at coffee places, and like 2wheelsonly I check out the "eye-candy" hotties (yeah, even though I'm very happily married!). And, like nikohime, I'm just glad to see so many people riding their bicycles!
Rick / OCRR
Like you, Beanz, I equate lean with "Fast" but I've been fooled in both directions, i.e. someone who looked "fat" was actually fast and an excellent climber, whereas another rider who looked lean and mean was actually a bit of a plodder, and I didn't have any trouble riding away from them. So you just never know.
Like George, I check out riders at coffee places, and like 2wheelsonly I check out the "eye-candy" hotties (yeah, even though I'm very happily married!). And, like nikohime, I'm just glad to see so many people riding their bicycles!
Rick / OCRR
05-23-08, 08:59 AM
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You must be the .01% that may have a clue!
Last edited by Mr. Beanz; 05-23-08 at 09:04 AM.
05-23-08, 09:35 AM
#16
hello
05-23-08, 10:21 AM
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I first look to see if I recognize them, then I make a note of the bike & clothes and file it away. I tend not to make judgements unless I think they are doing something unsafe. If they are traveling in the same direction as me, I will analyze their riding to determine the safest way to pass, and to determine if I need to say anything or not. Usually I'll just check for traffic and go out into the lane to get around, but if its clear that they can hold their line and aren't all of the road, I may slip by more closely without going into the lane.
05-23-08, 10:34 AM
#18
hello
Actually, the very first thing I look at when I see another cyclist is if the bike has a rear derailleur or not. Then I determine whether the cyclist is a he or a she. Then I pass judgement.
05-23-08, 10:44 AM
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i got nothing.
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i tend to judge stuff like, "....wow..that seat is too high...maybe i should say something"
i do judge stupid riding habits, unsafe or too aggresive..stuff like that
there is one thing i have learned about cycling...just cause a guy/gal are large and in charge it doesn't mean they can't haul the mail...i've been dusted by big kids more than once...and i am 5'9" at a slim 160lbs....
just happy to see people out there..
i do judge stupid riding habits, unsafe or too aggresive..stuff like that
there is one thing i have learned about cycling...just cause a guy/gal are large and in charge it doesn't mean they can't haul the mail...i've been dusted by big kids more than once...and i am 5'9" at a slim 160lbs....
just happy to see people out there..
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05-23-08, 10:59 AM
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"And I thought red was a bad color for shorts"
"Whoa, A female!!! Shwing!"
"Nice bike"
"Crappy bike"
"I'm passing him. What a loser"
"He's passing me. He must be doing a shorter ride."
"That helmet doesn't match his bike"
"Jersey doesn't match the shorts"
"Socks don't match the jersey"
"No helmet. Must be a moron"
"Whoa, A female!!! Shwing!"
"Nice bike"
"Crappy bike"
"I'm passing him. What a loser"
"He's passing me. He must be doing a shorter ride."
"That helmet doesn't match his bike"
"Jersey doesn't match the shorts"
"Socks don't match the jersey"
"No helmet. Must be a moron"
05-23-08, 11:18 AM
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I'm trying really hard to be the sheperd...
On the whole, I'm just glad that some amongst us, are out and about, just trying to live.
One or ten. We're all out in the sunshine. Smile, wave, nod, smile, talk, be friendly. And I know Mr. B., that you already are.
The only ones I have angst over are the ones who don't see it. And my efforts are denied. But, I'm not gonna stop trying.
So if we ever cross paths, I will extend my good tidings.
On the whole, I'm just glad that some amongst us, are out and about, just trying to live.
One or ten. We're all out in the sunshine. Smile, wave, nod, smile, talk, be friendly. And I know Mr. B., that you already are.
The only ones I have angst over are the ones who don't see it. And my efforts are denied. But, I'm not gonna stop trying.
So if we ever cross paths, I will extend my good tidings.
05-23-08, 11:29 AM
#24
Whateverthehell
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"That dude looks fast. What a poser."
"That dude looks slow. Poser."
"I better not pass this guy if I want to avoid a pissing contest."
"WTF! How dare you pass me?"
"That's why everyone hates cyclists..."
"Swamis... **** those guys."
"Yikes. Heh. Butterface."
"That dude looks slow. Poser."
"I better not pass this guy if I want to avoid a pissing contest."
"WTF! How dare you pass me?"
"That's why everyone hates cyclists..."
"Swamis... **** those guys."
"Yikes. Heh. Butterface."
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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
05-23-08, 11:34 AM
#25
My bicycle is fixed
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There are two things that ruffle my feathers while riding: unsafe riders and people who do not seem to be enjoying themselves. But in the end, it's my bike ride, which I always enjoy tremendously, and so I usually just let it pass.
roadfix -- since you're the resident poser, let me ask you this: do you find yourself posing while in motion? I think I do this. For example, sometimes when I pass people, I tend to want to slow down a little bit so that they can get a look at my drivetrain. I know: it's ridiculous. But {shrug}.