Hobby cyclists (long)

Had an interesting commute home Friday afternoon. Being the last day of
exams in this college town, the ride was quieter than usual (fewer than
normal beachbound partygoers). It was nice. The ride home (about 10 miles)
is along and then off of a dead end road to a lake. About halfway home I
heard another cyclist coming up behind me. I moved over to let them pass
(it is a popular route for area cyclists). The fellow moved up alongside
asking my name, and then proceeded with a string of questions; where do I
live, do I like Kelme? , etc. Most of the questions came off with an
condescending attitude behind them. "Oh, so you're _just_ commuting?" and
when asking where I lived in relation to town, "I guess thats a nice
_little_ ride". There were other comments and glances at my late 80's
Peugeot that made me feel sorry for the fellow if he was that shallow and
such a poor representative of the sport. He had the full setup that looked
nice but kind of showy (bike and clothes).

I tried to be polite but curt with my answers as I just wanted to enjoy what
was left of the ride home (alone) and he'd already hung around too long.
Finally getting a clue, he started sprinting off and made a final comment
"Well, bud, I hope you don't have a wreck" (emphasis on bud). I knew where
this was going but feigned ignorance and let it play out. He quickly added
a sarcastic "Without a helmet, a wreck could be ugly." I told him with a
smile "With a helmet, a wreck could be ugly too!" It was as true as his
statement.

He made an attempt at leaving me behind but never got very far ahead. It
was kind of amusing considering what I was carrying and his setup. Then, to
top it all off, he met 2 other cyclists and a pickup carrying a bike coming
the opposite direction in the intersection of my road; proceeding to chat
and take up the entire intersection, so much so that myself and then a car
behind me had to come to a near stop and go around them in the grass. I
just shook my head and it occurred to me that I never had this kind of
experience in 25 years as a runner with fellow runners, but more than a few
similar experiences cycling. I did an 8 mile run when I got home down to
the wildlife refuge for some peace and quiet.

"Dukester" wrote in message
...

(long snip)

Sounds like you're the one who had an attitude and a high-and-mighty opinion
of yourself. Seemed to me that he just wanted to be friendly and you put up
a wall.

It also sounds like you're defensive about whatever it is you've done to
convince yourself you wouldn't be better off wearing a helmet.

Try lightening up.
--
Bob C.

"Of course it hurts. The trick is not minding that it hurts."
T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)

I agree with the OP. There is a lot of snobbery in the sport. I just
picked it up last year. I've noticed that it's analagous to B-ball
players talking about their skills, but bicyclists (if snobby) tend to
boast about equipment.

The nail in the coffin?

"Bud."

IMHO, the word "Bud" is like a finger in my chest. I ain't your bud.

bryanska wrote:
I agree with the OP. There is a lot of snobbery in the sport. I just
picked it up last year. I've noticed that it's analagous to B-ball
players talking about their skills, but bicyclists (if snobby) tend to
boast about equipment.

The nail in the coffin?

"Bud."

IMHO, the word "Bud" is like a finger in my chest. I ain't your bud.

But...but...Fabrizio would never even GLANCE at the OP! Something is
inconsistent here, Bud.

:-D

LOL... "Fabrizio"

I'm makin' that my word of the day.

psycholist wrote:
"Dukester" wrote in message
...

(long snip)

Sounds like you're the one who had an attitude and a high-and-mighty
opinion of yourself. Seemed to me that he just wanted to be friendly
and you put up a wall.

It also sounds like you're defensive about whatever it is you've done
to convince yourself you wouldn't be better off wearing a helmet.

Try lightening up.

OK, your reply got me to read the OP (I must have missed or ignored it). I
agree with Bob; something doesn't add up.

If the other guy was truly a snooty, elitist cyclist, he wouldn't have even
acknowledged The Dukester's (lol) existence. Sounds like he was just trying
to be friendly. (Although I DO agree that unsolicited "helmet preaching" is
uncalled for. Maybe it resulted FROM the OP's cold shoulder attitude?)

Apparently the ol' Dukester is happier on his solo 8-mile runs than chatting
with a fellow cyclist for a few minutes.

Whatever.

Bill S.

"Bill Sornson" wrote in message
...
If the other guy was truly a snooty, elitist cyclist, he wouldn't have
even
acknowledged The Dukester's (lol) existence. Sounds like he was just
trying
to be friendly. (Although I DO agree that unsolicited "helmet preaching"
is
uncalled for. Maybe it resulted FROM the OP's cold shoulder attitude?)

Apparently the ol' Dukester is happier on his solo 8-mile runs than
chatting
with a fellow cyclist for a few minutes.

Well, yes, I am happier on those runs if your definition of chatting to be
him giving the once over type look while making remarks like it was cute
that I rode to work. I stand by the assertion that they were made
condescendingly, and it wouldn't have taken a genius in human behavior to
figure that out at the time. The fact that him and his "buds" didn't mind
blocking an intersection while they were chatting should speak for itself.

Cheers!
Duke

Dukester wrote:
:: "Bill Sornson" wrote in message
:: ...
::: If the other guy was truly a snooty, elitist cyclist, he wouldn't
::: have even acknowledged The Dukester's (lol) existence. Sounds like
::: he was just trying to be friendly. (Although I DO agree that
::: unsolicited "helmet preaching" is uncalled for. Maybe it resulted
::: FROM the OP's cold shoulder attitude?)
:::
::: Apparently the ol' Dukester is happier on his solo 8-mile runs than
::: chatting with a fellow cyclist for a few minutes.
::
:: Well, yes, I am happier on those runs if your definition of chatting
:: to be him giving the once over type look while making remarks like
:: it was cute that I rode to work. I stand by the assertion that they
:: were made condescendingly, and it wouldn't have taken a genius in
:: human behavior to figure that out at the time. The fact that him
:: and his "buds" didn't mind blocking an intersection while they were
:: chatting should speak for itself.
::
:: Cheers!
:: Duke

Perhaps you need to chat with Scott en Aztlan....

Dukester wrote:

Well, yes, I am happier on those runs if your definition of chatting
to be
him giving the once over type look while making remarks like it was
cute
that I rode to work.

I see this sort of thing all the time. People look first to see what
brand of bike you are on. Last week I was riding to work (16 miles
each way, but who's counting?), and I had stopped for a light. A guy
at the nearby filling station was just finishing fueling up his Volvo
wagon as I rode up. He had an empty bike rack on his car, so as I
pulled to a stop I said "good morning!" He didn't even look at me.
Instead, he tilted his head to get a good read of my down tube and
then, presumably because my bike wasn't worthy of a conversation, he
just got into his car.

"jhas" wrote in message
I see this sort of thing all the time. People look first to see what
brand of bike you are on.

That's correct.

If you don't make the effort why should someone like
me be bothered with your type?