Stereotypes?

Ilanshanon said:

This is my first post, since so far I haven't felt I had anything of value to add to this highly esteemed crowd. But don't you all think a little these (and most other) people deserve a bit of compassion? I think that those of us with our fancy bikes and pretty outfits who put down less fortunate people do more harm to the reputation of bikers than those who ride bikes without the proper attire or posture. Hey, I'm also a Harley rider, but I always wave to any biker because we share a common thrill.

Ilan.

AAAHHHHahahahaha! That is funny, I agree totally to the post below yours, it sucks but it's true.....😄

Ilanshanon said:

This is my first post, since so far I haven't felt I had anything of value to add to this highly esteemed crowd. But don't you all think a little these (and most other) people deserve a bit of compassion? I think that those of us with our fancy bikes and pretty outfits who put down less fortunate people do more harm to the reputation of bikers than those who ride bikes without the proper attire or posture. Hey, I'm also a Harley rider, but I always wave to any biker because we share a common thrill.

Ilan.

R U 4 REAL?

Ilanshanon said:

This is my first post, since so far I haven't felt I had anything of value to add to this highly esteemed crowd. But don't you all think a little these (and most other) people deserve a bit of compassion? I think that those of us with our fancy bikes and pretty outfits who put down less fortunate people do more harm to the reputation of bikers than those who ride bikes without the proper attire or posture. Hey, I'm also a Harley rider, but I always wave to any biker because we share a common thrill.

Ilan.

everyone deserves compassion.... but the posts below yours are all correct.

We are making fun os someone because of the choices they made, not because they have been forced into such a position. If someone is legitimately learning the cycling sport and all they have is [censored] bikes and thrift store clothes then more power to them, we are here to help and encourage.

The people we are speaking of have no care for cycling and again only use a bike to get around.... I would be willing to bet that they dont even know what the gear shift does.

It depends...some of these people are biking because they are drunks.Of course they deserve what they get. Of course, like they say, alcholism is a addiction where you have to hit rock-bottom before you can recover (or die). Its sad but unavoidable.

Now, the others that are biking are doing so because they are too poor to afford car/gas/insurance. I've come up from poverty myself, and the snobby attitude I see from roadies really ticks me off. When I first started cycling, I swore I'd never ride a road bike. Eventually I realized a greater justice....get as good a road bike as I can afford and do my best to make them and their 5000$ bikes eat my dust and choke on it.

And yeah, I do sympathize with my lower-class brethern whom I've left behind. I grew up in projects and trailer parks, I've seen the best and worst of it. I was fortunate enough to have family members who are middle-class, and everyone around me encouraged me to make something out of myself. So now, I go to college to eventually major in Computer Engineering. Thats coming a long way from life in a trailer park.

I know most people can't do what I've done; they just can't, their world just drags them down too much. Your friends get jealous..your co-workers sneer down at you..life gets in your way at every step...hormones are telling you to have a baby at 20...the drugs that ease the pain of life eat away at your brain...Yeah...I understand. 🙁 I've eschewed having friends, alcohol and drugs, having a girlfriend, and generally having a social life..so that I can become successfull. I guess, while I sympathize and feel pity, I know there is little that can be done. Few people want to make those kinds of sacrifices..I just bless and thank god and my family that I don't have to always be one of them(the poor) as I pass them on the road.

mastronaut said:

I hate to stereotype people, but what are the chances that an over 40 year old riding a bike too small for him with a Mountain Dew in one hand and talking on a cell phone lost his drivers license? Just curious, he was wobbling over a skinny two lane bridge clueless to any traffic around him. Kinda give bicyclists a bad reputation, what's your thought? :eek:

Yikes ! You've found my uncle Don.

Don't tell him where I live. Okay?

I wonder who's bike he has stolen this time.

lw

Ride and let Ride, if he wants to fit the stereotype that's fine, but he was still a safety issue on the bike talking on a cellphone with one hand whilst holding a Dew with the other. Can you say oblivious? :eek:

Hmmm. I'm new to riding my roadbike. Doing it for fitness. I also believe that by taking care of myself physically, I'll nourish my spiritual side. But based on the responses above, I'm beginning to wonder whether cycling causes a hormonal effect which degrades one's heart and sole. Especially after another cyclist almost ran me off the road yesterday as he passed by without warning, and then rode through a red stoplight dodging traffic in the 4-lane intersection as though he had a right because of his power and speed. Talk about "stereotyping" 😕

Anyone can ride a bike, and some cyclists project a bad image. Also some people like to poke fun at the socially disadvantaged or other easy targets. There's plenty of "robust" humour to be found here but I'm sure that's not why you logged on to this forum site.

have a little fun and all of a sudden the morally perfect start preaching...

so you guys are telling me you NEVER poke a little fun at a stereotype of any kind EVER?

We are not making fun of a specific person... we used someone that fits a stereotype as an example and then began making fun of and exxagerating that sterotype..

relax, and have a little fun... you guys could take a lesson from Carlos Mencia