New Year pedolutionists

coowoowoo said:

I hear ya... bib knicks only is just plain wrong to look at and i dont care how buff the guy is wearing them. Always makes me think that they have walked off the strongman set in the circus. Worse if they have a hairy chest.

But back onto the pedolutionists.. have patience everyone.. the "i got a new bike for christmas brigade" will soon split into two camps. Those that chuck it after a few weeks and those that quickly learn the right road ettiquette as they plod through January and embark on the road to better health.
And if they havent worked out that red means stop and green means go, then i think its open slather on any comments that you feel deserve to be made to them.

I don't think you have to wait for few weeks - the first wet day discourages at least half of them. Of course that _could_ be a few weeks...

Ritch

Zebee Johnstone said:

In aus.bicycle on Fri, 6 Jan 2006 13:17:20 +1100

Peter Signorini said:

Zebee Johnstone said:

If you want to get people into cycling, saying "you have to buy all
this specialist [censored] or you'll get sworn at and called a fool" is
probably not the way to do it.

I think Lotte was having a go at him more for his truly dorky riding
clothes, and self-endangering riding behaviour.

Dorky clothes is just shorthand for "not one of us".

No, dude, seriously, go back to the Lotte's message, ffs. The guy was
wearing bib knicks with no shirt. No cotton t-shirt, no button-up
business shirt, no lycra cycling jersey, no shirt at all. That's not
dorky clothes. It's like going out for dinner and forgetting your
pants/skirt/dress.

Quoted message said:

After all, the lycra loonies are dorkish, it's just that it isn't done
to say so *here* because it marks as "one of us". Everyone else
thinks they look like adults playing dressups. I mean pretending to
be part of a pro team, really! All the stickers and team names and
silly paintjobs and fancy gadgets - trust me, dorky is what the people
who see are thinking.

Really? I thought they were just checking out my [censored]. Just goes to
show.

I don't know any decent riders who think that wearing team gear makes
them cool. In fact I think most cyclists choose gear based on quality
and price, and then just pick the best colours available.

Quoted message said:

The riding behaviour was the point of the thread I thought. To say
"here are these people who need help to keep riding". Saying "you
have to reach my standards before I will treat you decently" is not
going to help is it!

<snip the rest>

Are you not familiar with Ipswich Rd? 80km/h and full of traffic
including lots of trucks? That guy did need help to keep riding.
Wobbling on Ipswich Rd, not paying attention to where he's going,
sitting in the gutter - all he's lacking is a sign that says "I am a
[censored], please run me over."

Go on, 'fess up - you went riding in bib knicks without a shirt, didn't
you 😉

Oh and FYI, I don't think there's anyone out there who is more helpful
with gumbies than Lotte. She's been a huge influence on my cycling, and
if you diss her opinion again, I might have to flex my biceps :P

Tam

Zebee Johnstone said:

After all, the lycra loonies are dorkish, it's just that it isn't done
to say so *here* because it marks as "one of us". Everyone else
thinks they look like adults playing dressups. I mean pretending to
be part of a pro team, really! All the stickers and team names and
silly paintjobs and fancy gadgets - trust me, dorky is what the people
who see are thinking.

The "pro team" outfits are popular mostly because they get flogged off
cheap when they're outdated, I think, even though they're generally not
as good as the stuff sold purely on the strength of its brand name.

I picked up Phonak bib shorts and jersey very cheap recently, possible
because Tyler Hamilton's name has centre stage on the back :-)

Quoted message said:

It isn't a sign of someone who needs to be insulted and ignored and
told he's a fool.

The only things I ever suggest to other cyclists are that they oil their
chain or get some lights, and often get a mouthful in return anyway.
Obviously they can't tolerate roadie snobbery either.

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw

Zebee Johnstone said:

Dorky clothes is just shorthand for "not one of us".

Quoted message said:

Indeed it seems to me they are people who need an experienced rider to
make friends with them and give them tips about inexpensive and easy
ways to have more fun. Who doesn't start from "look you lower life
form, learn How We Do It or sell the thing"

<thunderous applause> Well said Zebee, what matters is that they got on a
bike.

Theo

Quoted message said:

'Cause its soooo embarrassing to get passed on you carbon latte racer by the guy with muddy shoes, coloured socks and helmet visor
on the mountain bike with big DJ forks running 2.5" tyres at 20psi and a big smile on his face ;-)

Parbs

haha... Precisely ;-)

Tamyka Bell said:

Zebee Johnstone wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Dorky clothes is just shorthand for "not one of us".

Quoted message said:

Really? I thought they were just checking out my [censored]. Just goes to
show.

We're going to need a gif tojudge that Tam.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The riding behaviour was the point of the thread I thought. To say
"here are these people who need help to keep riding". Saying "you
have to reach my standards before I will treat you decently" is not
going to help is it!

<snip the rest>

Quoted message said:

Are you not familiar with Ipswich Rd? 80km/h and full of traffic
including lots of trucks? That guy did need help to keep riding.
Wobbling on Ipswich Rd, not paying attention to where he's going,
sitting in the gutter - all he's lacking is a sign that says "I am a
[censored], please run me over."

Get real. Only good fast riders allowed on that road?

Quoted message said:

Go on, 'fess up - you went riding in bib knicks without a shirt,
didn't you 😉

That would be interesting to see. :-) Send me a photo of that please Zebee.

Theo

Jules said:

Quoted message said:

'Cause its soooo embarrassing to get passed on you carbon latte racer by the guy with muddy shoes, coloured socks and helmet visor
on the mountain bike with big DJ forks running 2.5" tyres at 20psi and a big smile on his face ;-)

Parbs

haha... Precisely ;-)

I suppose if I ever bought a carbon latte racer, I'd have a chance of
finding out. But I wouldn't be taking it offroad. 😉

Tam

Theo Bekkers said:

Tamyka Bell said:

Zebee Johnstone wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Dorky clothes is just shorthand for "not one of us".

Quoted message said:

Really? I thought they were just checking out my [censored]. Just goes to
show.

We're going to need a gif tojudge that Tam.

There have been jpegs, but it's all been done before.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The riding behaviour was the point of the thread I thought. To say
"here are these people who need help to keep riding". Saying "you
have to reach my standards before I will treat you decently" is not
going to help is it!

<snip the rest>

Quoted message said:

Are you not familiar with Ipswich Rd? 80km/h and full of traffic
including lots of trucks? That guy did need help to keep riding.
Wobbling on Ipswich Rd, not paying attention to where he's going,
sitting in the gutter - all he's lacking is a sign that says "I am a
[censored], please run me over."

Get real. Only good fast riders allowed on that road?

No, but I have a sneaking suspicion only switched-on cyclists manage it.
I rode Ipswich Rd once and it scared the [censored] out of me, and it takes a
lot (on road, anyway) to scare the [censored] out of me.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Go on, 'fess up - you went riding in bib knicks without a shirt,
didn't you 😉

That would be interesting to see. :-) Send me a photo of that please Zebee.

You better share that one, Theo 😉

In aus.bicycle on Fri, 06 Jan 2006 13:05:01 +1000

Tamyka Bell said:

Zebee Johnstone said:

Dorky clothes is just shorthand for "not one of us".

No, dude, seriously, go back to the Lotte's message, ffs. The guy was
wearing bib knicks with no shirt. No cotton t-shirt, no button-up
business shirt, no lycra cycling jersey, no shirt at all. That's not
dorky clothes. It's like going out for dinner and forgetting your
pants/skirt/dress.

Really?

Doesn't look like it to me.

LOoks just as dorkish as any other lycra.

It only looks like it to you because he's not displaying the right
markers.

To other people who don't know the markers some cyclists see as dork
and not dork it's *all* dork.

Shirt or no.

Quoted message said:

I don't know any decent riders who think that wearing team gear makes
them cool. In fact I think most cyclists choose gear based on quality
and price, and then just pick the best colours available.

So? It's still playing dressups as far as non-cyclists are concerned.

Dork is in the eye of the beholder.

Quoted message said:

Go on, 'fess up - you went riding in bib knicks without a shirt, didn't
you 😉

I'd be arrested 🙂

Quoted message said:

Oh and FYI, I don't think there's anyone out there who is more helpful
with gumbies than Lotte. She's been a huge influence on my cycling, and
if you diss her opinion again, I might have to flex my biceps :P

Flex away. If she calls someone a dork for wearing clothing as dorky
as everyone else, I'll just bring a measure tape!

Zebee

In aus.bicycle on Fri, 6 Jan 2006 10:50:19 +0800

Theo Bekkers said:

Zebee Johnstone said:

slow and wide?

percentage wise, they are negligibly wider than roadbikes as far as
your average car is concerned.

Slow is only a problem for other cyclists. Who are snobbish [censored]
it seems...

First RAV4s are too high, now MTBs are too wide. I'm sure some would be
happier on the bus! (A small bus for off-peak).

If an MTB is too wide, then what would they think of Guzzis!

Yeah, I know, they are a small bus...

Zebee
- who is arranging to go to Canberra to check out greenspeeds. You
want wide?

daveL said:

Hey,

I've been lurking here for a little while now but this is my first post,
so hi all.

[chomp]

Quoted message said:

So what exactly is wrong about me commuting on my MTB? I really enjoy my
daily rides and would hate to think that the people passing me (nearly
every one 🙂 had a problem.

Absolutely nothing. Keep on riding 🙂

Zebee Johnstone said:

In aus.bicycle on Fri, 6 Jan 2006 12:34:31 +1030

Michael Warner said:

daveL said:

I'm not entirely sure what this comment is getting at though.

Ok, I'll spell it out - the problem is that MTBs are slow and wide,
and trying to pass them safely is often a bit of a worry in busy traffic.
Many are also ridden rather erratically, although that's not the bike's
fault.

slow and wide?

percentage wise, they are negligibly wider than roadbikes as far as
your average car is concerned.

Slow is only a problem for other cyclists. Who are snobbish [censored]
it seems...

Cyclists are just like everyone else. Hold the front page!

Zebee Johnstone said:

In aus.bicycle on Fri, 06 Jan 2006 13:05:01 +1000

Tamyka Bell said:

Zebee Johnstone said:

Dorky clothes is just shorthand for "not one of us".

No, dude, seriously, go back to the Lotte's message, ffs. The guy was
wearing bib knicks with no shirt. No cotton t-shirt, no button-up
business shirt, no lycra cycling jersey, no shirt at all. That's not
dorky clothes. It's like going out for dinner and forgetting your
pants/skirt/dress.

Really?

Doesn't look like it to me.

LOoks just as dorkish as any other lycra.

Well I suppose in a small African nation, people might think that your
lack of pants/skirt/dress looks pretty normal too. Doesn't mean you
shouldn't get arrested here.

Quoted message said:

It only looks like it to you because he's not displaying the right
markers.

To other people who don't know the markers some cyclists see as dork
and not dork it's *all* dork.

Shirt or no.

Nah, it's like running through Brisbane CBD with no shirt on. It's dork.
You can only do it with a support crew of others dressed the same.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I don't know any decent riders who think that wearing team gear makes
them cool. In fact I think most cyclists choose gear based on quality
and price, and then just pick the best colours available.

So? It's still playing dressups as far as non-cyclists are concerned.

But since when do the opinions of non-cyclists matter?

Quoted message said:

Dork is in the eye of the beholder.

Not beholding any?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Go on, 'fess up - you went riding in bib knicks without a shirt, didn't
you 😉

I'd be arrested 🙂

Ahem. I didn't say nothing on your top half. I said no shirt. Crop tops
allowed. (As I argued with the boys on the bibknicks ride)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Oh and FYI, I don't think there's anyone out there who is more helpful
with gumbies than Lotte. She's been a huge influence on my cycling, and
if you diss her opinion again, I might have to flex my biceps :P

Flex away. If she calls someone a dork for wearing clothing as dorky
as everyone else, I'll just bring a measure tape!

Make sure it's a long one 😉

Tam

Zebee Johnstone said:

Zebee
- who is arranging to go to Canberra to check out greenspeeds. You
want wide?

why would you go to Canberra? They're made in Melbourne. A good mate
of mine works there 🙂

Tamyka Bell said:

I suppose if I ever bought a carbon latte racer, I'd have a chance of
finding out. But I wouldn't be taking it offroad. 😉

What is it about lattes? I'll have to take note of who orders them after
rides, and see whether there are any common character traits.

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw

"Tamyka Bell" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

I suppose if I ever bought a carbon latte racer, I'd have a chance of
finding out. But I wouldn't be taking it offroad. 😉

Why not?

http://singlespeed.smugmug.com/photos/36788449-M.jpg

OK, so it's not really a road bike and the frame is aluminium - the forks are carbon.

Parbs

"Michael Warner" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

What is it about lattes? I'll have to take note of who orders them after
rides, and see whether there are any common character traits.

I'll have a flat white thanks with one sugar or a Coopers Sparkling Ale

Parbs

Parbs said:

"Michael Warner" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

What is it about lattes? I'll have to take note of who orders them after
rides, and see whether there are any common character traits.

I'll have a flat white thanks with one sugar or a Coopers Sparkling Ale

Parbs

While you're at it, can you get me a flat white or a pint of Guinness?

Tam

"Michael Warner" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Zebee Johnstone said:

percentage wise, they are negligibly wider than roadbikes as far as
your average car is concerned.

What is the relevance of the width of a car? The point is that I have
to give them a significantly wider berth than road bikes.

My off-road MTB has bars that are 64 cms wide, as opposed to the average
road bar at around 40 cms (they should be abbout the width of your
shoulders) so there's 24 cms difference. But wait, it's only the right side
of the bar that matters when passing, so it's 12 cms wider that you are
forced to ride.

So because of a 12 cm passing difficulty you're proposing to relegate all
MTB riders to a lesser road system.?

Stop being a pompous [censored]!

Peter

"Theo Bekkers" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Peter Signorini said:

"Zebee Johnstone" wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Clipless pedals aren't needed to ride a pushbike. Hell, tying your
feet to the bike isn't needed.

Quoted message said:

Not needed, but if you ride a lot, for longish distances, climb hills
or ride a MTB on forest tracks, they do make your riding an awful lot
better. Your choice, ignore those with experience if you like.

Sounds like an argument for having a 4WD.

Yep, interesting concept. But my clipless pedals dont chew up megalitres of
fossil fuels. Using that argument maybe you should throw away the chain and
go back to a direct-drive penny farthing? Or just run.

Cheers
Peter