Help Dealing With Other Riders ;-(

Pardon me but it looks like you are not that welcome in the group. It is okay if the snobbery is an isolated case but when you say generally, en masse, then that means you are an odd man out. Maybe you had been unpopular one time and the group was taking it against you. If I were you, I would find another group to ride with. You know, riding is not only for the physical activity because that would be tedious. You have to enjoy riding so it is also for the mental and emotional health.

I think much of what you are saying can be do to a few things:

1-As a cyclist becomes faster, he often becomes more focused. I'm a pretty polite person in public, but sometimes will be too focused for too much chit chat. Sometimes during rides, especially doing tough hills, I am in the zone and very focused. I like to talk about social things before rides, during rest stops, or after the ride is over.

2-There seems to be an initiation in some groups where you must earn your respect on the bike. I rode on Sunday (did a 63 mile event) and started out with a group far more experienced than myself(5 month noob). No one immediately started talking to me, but when I should I could keep up, I had a few introductions at a rest stop. I could only keep up for the first 25 miles, but after the event a few of those riders complimented me and said I have potential. If you want a more social ride, you'll probably find it with a slower group.

3-Some people are just non talkative and some are snobby. Maybe for the non-talkers, cycling is their way of communicating. For the snobs who will only talk to people of certain speed or bike, screw them.

4- 50 riders?......-Thats a lot of people, I've been riding with a group of 15 or so for a few months and don't remember all of the names. I've actually always been good with remembering faces, but horrible with names...Its not an easy task to keep up with 50+ people.

I'd say, most of it is most likely not on purpose and learn to accept it.

Corzhens said:

Pardon me but it looks like you are not that welcome in the group. It is okay if the snobbery is an isolated case but when you say generally, en masse, then that means you are an odd man out. Maybe you had been unpopular one time and the group was taking it against you. If I were you, I would find another group to ride with. You know, riding is not only for the physical activity because that would be tedious. You have to enjoy riding so it is also for the mental and emotional health.

Thanks for your thoughts. As I put above - it doesn't just happen to me.

Uawadall said:

I think much of what you are saying can be do to a few things:

1-As a cyclist becomes faster, he often becomes more focused. I'm a pretty polite person in public, but sometimes will be too focused for too much chit chat. Sometimes during rides, especially doing tough hills, I am in the zone and very focused. I like to talk about social things before rides, during rest stops, or after the ride is over.

2-There seems to be an initiation in some groups where you must earn your respect on the bike. I rode on Sunday (did a 63 mile event) and started out with a group far more experienced than myself(5 month noob). No one immediately started talking to me, but when I should I could keep up, I had a few introductions at a rest stop. I could only keep up for the first 25 miles, but after the event a few of those riders complimented me and said I have potential. If you want a more social ride, you'll probably find it with a slower group.

3-Some people are just non talkative and some are snobby. Maybe for the non-talkers, cycling is their way of communicating. For the snobs who will only talk to people of certain speed or bike, screw them.

4- 50 riders?......-Thats a lot of people, I've been riding with a group of 15 or so for a few months and don't remember all of the names. I've actually always been good with remembering faces, but horrible with names...Its not an easy task to keep up with 50+ people.

I'd say, most of it is most likely not on purpose and learn to accept it.

Thanks for your thoughts also ;-)
1/ I used to be one of the fastest guys until I broke my vertebra etc 4 years ago and I have cronic insomnia so I’m not fast now. When I rode with the faster guys more years ago they were actually more personable!
I’m still a reasonable rider and do their races, hillclimbs and race with another club too. I sometimes ride my singlespeed and keep up with guys on geared bikes.
Generally when we’re riding its only LT2 – no one is huffing and puffing. Not much talk of any sort goes on during rest stops.
2/ I’ve ridden with the group for 5/6 years. I think the group has only been going a short while before I joined. Hopefully there isn’t some initiating rite I’ve missed!!
I used to do the longer Sunday rides but I don’t need the length for my other club races….I need speed and riding longer with generally unsociable people (apart from their clichés) isn’t something I want to do.
3/ Agreed.
4/ Names – generally I’m good with name. I’ve done years of relief teaching where I had to remember a different a class of students names each day. I only remember some but will ask their name etc and offer mine.

Paul

"I'm finding the people harder to relate to, be friendly to or generally stomach

Cyclists are, as a rule, [censored] morons.

More accurately, they are illogical, retarded, socialist [censored] that have spent their entire lives refining their idiocy to a point that NO ONE on the planet wants to be around them...not just other cyclists.

Cycling 'clubs' are the absolute pinnacle of how much focused asshattery can be collected into one distilled group of jerks that agree to abide by a set of by-laws outside of a mental institution.

Stay away from them. Far away.

Go ride and enjoy life.

It seems like you're riding with a large group of folks. It's quite common for people to associate with others to a lesser degree within larger groups. I recommend that you find a smaller, and friendlier group of riders to cycle with. There's no need to put up with the attitudes that you've described, life's too short for this nonsense. Cycling should be a fun hobby for most of us, let's keep it that way by riding with those that appreciate the company.

It does not sound all that serious. Most folks I ride with are more or less silent during the ride. Most of the chit chat occurs at the beginning or end of the ride or stops in-between. Underway most everyone is focused on riding and conversations are limited to a few words.

CAMPYBOB said:

"I'm finding the people harder to relate to, be friendly to or generally stomach

Cyclists are, as a rule, [censored] morons.

More accurately, they are illogical, retarded, socialist [censored] that have spent their entire lives refining their idiocy to a point that NO ONE on the planet wants to be around them...not just other cyclists.

Cycling 'clubs' are the absolute pinnacle of how much focused asshattery can be collected into one distilled group of jerks that agree to abide by a set of by-laws outside of a mental institution.

Stay away from them. Far away.

Go ride and enjoy life.

Oh how I agree with you – well for the other club I race with.
It’s just about racing (though they did start a weekly training ride this year). I’ve raced with them on and off for about 6 years and NEVER been to the prize giving after the races – what would be the point?! (even though I’ve got a few top 10 places)
One of our cars that I drive to races with looks a bit rough – I’ve had guys in new SUVs park away from it.
Guys make negative comments on my helmet mirror….
I only go there to race.
The other group that I ride with is supposed to be a social, friendly group – they have poker rides, fancy dress TTs etc as well as racing and such.

Enjoy your riding ;-)

If you are racing you are already light years more fit and more skilled than 99.5% of all the cyclists on the planet. And to hell with the remaining .5%.

Oddly, while we all have run into racers with their heads up their asses I have found them to be better at socialization than say...tourons or average Joe bike clubbies.

Sure, there's the competitive side of things and like Maydog said, when the gas is on there is very little idle talk and maybe a bit of [censored] comes through. No biggee as long as it's left out on the road.

And to your beater trash car. Everyone has owned one or twelve of them and I was most proud when one of the guys on a rival team complimented me after a race upon gazing on by filthy, rusted out 4-door Cavalier POS with my Campy-equipped carbon bike in the back seat with a hearty, "Nice bike rack!"...and his hand was extended with a cold brew in it for me.

Roadies love beater trash. Anyone even remotely claiming to be a racer that turns his nose up at a guy's beater trash is a phony and deserving of ridicule and all manner of gay nicknames in the pack.

And let me tell you a story about helmet mirrors...

There was this guy...same age as me and we were good friends and team mates for many years. He had some talent on the bike, but nothing spectacular. We made fun of the helmet mirror he sometimes wore.

One Fall, after a summer of racing, our team had our team championship road race over a rolling 4 or 5 mile circuit. The hills were hard, but not killer.

Well, during a lull in the action with a couple laps to go my buddy doesn't really attack...he just rolls off the front and gets a gap. After some talk we decide to chase. He wasn't much of a threat...right? Every time someone put in an effort...he put one in up front and kept the gap steady to slightly growing it out. We finally started to get organized and got serious about the chase...he got serious about staying away. We chased...he stayed his effort. We sprinted a climb...he was already up and out of the saddle and going hard.

No matter what we did, he kept his gap and won the championship.

After the race he said all he did was keep his eye on his helmet mirror and match our efforts. Boom! Headshot!

I never laughed at his mirror again.

CAMPYBOB said:

I never laughed at his mirror again.

The sunglass or helmet mirror is what the old experienced guys use to keep me at bay -_- . Proper pacing along with knowing exactly where the other guy is goes a long way. I ordered one this week to see if its as effective as it looks.

Is the mirror any good at preventing accidents?

bigsmile said:

Is the mirror any good at preventing accidents?

In my bike club, group leaders and the more cautious often use mirrors so they are more aware of other group members(especially unskilled riders and newbies). It is definitely safer to use mirrors. I purchased one and will try it out this weekend. When I'm riding alone, my eyes and ears are enough. I think in a group it will help with seeing the spacing between me and whoever is behind me. It cost 16 on biketiresdirect, worth trying out.

On ebay, they sell it at less than $4 but ship from Asian countries which takes some time. I bought a sport watch that way which arrived at a reasonable time. I'm still waiting for my bicycle computer.

Seeing how people laugh at it it seems the real "cost" is a little bit of dignity :lol:

Uawadall said:

In my bike club, group leaders and the more cautious often use mirrors so they are more aware of other group members(especially unskilled riders and newbies). It is definitely safer to use mirrors. I purchased one and will try it out this weekend. When I'm riding alone, my eyes and ears are enough. I think in a group it will help with seeing the spacing between me and whoever is behind me. It cost 16 on biketiresdirect, worth trying out.

bigsmile said:

Is the mirror any good at preventing accidents?

Its certainly saved my butt many times in the nearly 20 years I've had them. There have been times when I've literally got off the road when a vehicle would've hit me (usually a truck).

Like campybob says - I have had fun with riders catching me, me seeing them and putting on the power when they get closer to keep them at bay.

A couple of days ago a guy was catching me (I was on my rain bike so pretty slow) and I knew I couldn't get away so I pushed until I got to a side road and headed up there before he got to me!
I have some ego left afterall ^_^

While we're at it this is me doing a hillclimb facebook.com1016558851689771Open ↗

& this is the club. Obviously they have the events and structure'
departmentofcycling.comgeneralOpen ↗

This is Auckland's only 'real' race club;
cmcycling.co.nzcmcycling.co.nzOpen ↗

I've experienced people like this quite a few times in my life and not just from cyclists.

Best thing I can say is cut them out and ride on your own, or find a more friendlier group to ride with. Those guys sound like stuck up superior bellends that you are much better off without.

CAMPYBOB said:

"I'm finding the people harder to relate to, be friendly to or generally stomach

Cyclists are, as a rule, [censored] morons.

More accurately, they are illogical, retarded, socialist [censored] that have spent their entire lives refining their idiocy to a point that NO ONE on the planet wants to be around them...not just other cyclists.

Cycling 'clubs' are the absolute pinnacle of how much focused asshattery can be collected into one distilled group of jerks that agree to abide by a set of by-laws outside of a mental institution.

Stay away from them. Far away.

Go ride and enjoy life.

LOL

As long as they don't give me sh!t about Q factors and air gaps, I can ride with just about any crowd.

Interesting though, I have ridden in several different countries, some for several years and I do find the US a little less social than elsewhere.

Two years ago, I did a three month assignment in Germany, took a bike with and started riding alone. Hooked someones wheel, trying to hang on using bicycle paths, bikes going both directions, jumping curbs etc., once the guy realized he can't shake me he started chatting in broken English and invited me to a 50 plus group ride. First time with the group, they welcomed me, took pictures and everyone was real friendly. They had three groups, Elite, A and B. My German was not the best, so I ended up by mistake in the Elite group. Got dropped once, two guys came back to pull me back into the group.

Use to do club races in Italy, once for three weeks every year, these folks treated me like family.

I can remember riding in California, taking someone's wheel, the guy slowed down and said, "I'd rather you do not ride there!!" First time ever I experienced that from a fellow cyclist.

Over here in NC, we have a club and a bunch of buddies the latter being between Cat 1-3. I use to be a board member of the club, with the objective to get the guys more social, but gave up. They are still fun to ride with though and the last 15 miles is always a race where about 6 of us break away and have fun.

If there is no racing, the Cat 1-3 group is the best medicine for training, as we rotate real well and have marked sections where we sprint for a win to have some fun. It is impossible for me to get that kind of training riding alone. You may know Dave LeDuc, his punishment ends soon and expect to see him back at the races next year, he rarely misses one of our rides. Goes pretty strong for his age and always full of jokes.

I hate riding alone.

Some people just don't like to chat while they're riding...I'm definitely like that. For me it's a combination of trying to focus, and keeping my breath. It could be that for some of them, but honestly it sounds like you just found a group that's not very social. Every group has a different dynamic and it sounds like in this one it's pretty well entrenched.

Could you find other people to ride with? Since you mentioned you're not the only one this is happening to, maybe you could break off with a few of the other people who are trying to be more social and form your own group.

Quote by C60:
"I can remember riding in California, taking someone's wheel, the guy slowed down and said, "I'd rather you do not ride there!!" First time ever I experienced that from a fellow cyclist."

I know of two clubs where that would be the expected behavior. And this is in Ohio...America's 'Heartland'.

Sometimes I go up to the 'big city' to train in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Talk about snobs...I'm thinking a friendly wave or nod might merit the death penalty up there. Castelli clad poseurs in the latest fugly Smith or POC astride some Pinarollo (99.3% [censored] equipped, of course) riding oblivious to all other cycling life forms. Skinnys in local team 'kit' (God, I despise that word!) that would never stoop to talk to the two very fast riders that were killed in the park last week (the second one died of his crash injuries yesterday).

You would think I was living in India and the caste system here is far more palpable.

One long look and a couple of hills and I know 'who' I'm riding with. More often, it only takes 15 seconds to know 'what' I'm riding with.

"You may know Dave Leduc"

Dave kicked my ass more times than I care to remember...with or without ADHD dope and whatever other rocket fuel he did the man is fast. He had us rolling in a parking lot after a race here in Ohio, telling about the fake 'job' he had as a roofer so that he could keep training and racing full time. Sometime, I'll tell you about a crit in WVa where he just rode away from the field like...he had another gear on the rest of us mere mortals. Yeah, getting lapped by Dave was par for the crit course.

His ban is almost over? Damn! He still has time to win another twelve jerseys before he croaks!

I never mind riding alone, but there is safety in numbers (We'll ignore the 8 cyclists that were riding in the CVNP last week when 5 were punted by a pickup truck and 2 ended up dead) and training in a group is fun and gets me a better workout result. I enjoy training with guys that are faster than me. It makes me a better rider.