ColtJ

Hello,

I've got a few questions/observations during my short time cycling (or attempting to anyway). I am asking here in the fixed gear section as they are related to fixed gear/single speed bikes given i ride a fixed gear.

Started riding in December 2012 (think i posted here before i even purchased a bike). I've already gone on a century here in flat florida and am really enjoying it overall. Everything about it, even the leg pain as it makes me feel like im doing something.

Growing up i was raised to always acknowledge someone if you cross paths/make eye contact. Lately I try to ride a fairly popular 4 mile loop around a local gold course. Its safer than most places and you dont have to stop unless you want to (all right turns).

What is it with the fully kitted road bike guys?
I say hello, nod, etc... and you'd think i've insulted them... Then they almost lose it when i pass them...
** i would like to note that i try to maintain a consistent speed regardless of conditions and i would not assume im faster than anyone as i dont know how many laps they done or if they're warming up, etc...**

I've passed a few guys and they just gear up and attack, it's almost funny as they eventually blow out and ill eventually catch up again and the process repeats itself. I'm all for competition and actually enjoy it as i'll try to put space between us as much as i can. It seems those guys only go fast with a tail wind and crawl in the head wind, i have no options so i just ride.

** ive seen a few fast guys just fly around the loop but im not referring to them.**

I enjoy the competition but i just dont get the ego/attitude, its as if i've insulted them in the worst way...

Another question for the members that ride a lot during the week.
**I've commuted to work a few times but have decided to just wake up earlier and get the miles in before work.**
Do you guys were a jersey and cycling shorts/bibs all the time? I've recently ordered a few jerseys and bottoms but do you guys always go full kit?

Sorry for the long read and extra notes.

Spoonrobot 

I'm not out there to make friends.

Oh, sorry.

**I'm not out there to make friends. But if I was I'd understand that part of being friendly is not giving a **** about other people's lack of/negative reactions to friendly gestures.

Piss on those bros. Any sport is going to have it's dicks, cycling a little moreso because it allows the participants the illusion of relevance long after most sports.

ColtJ

Haha. Guess i asked for that and maybe i came off weird or as if im looking for a friend, im not.

I just dont get the stare downs and ego trips.

For example, I've watched a guy draft someone through the wind, fly past them with the tail wind and then make a u turn as they were about to head back into the wind. I assumed they were leaving but instead they just repeated the trend a few times. I dont get it.

Understood, in regards to every sport having its fair share of d-bags.

Leukybear 

Well roadies treat "kids on fixies" with an inferiority complex. This can be partly explained by money put into the sport being correlated to your dedication. Road cycling is expensive, that's for sure when put it in comparison to fixed gear. Most likely your ride is much cheaper than theirs is and probably just their clipless shoes were more expensive than your entire bike, clothes on your back, and whatever is in your pocket/wallet.
And basically their chamois (it's the supportive padding on the bottom of cycling bibs/shorts that supports you) all of a sudden turns very uncomfortable when one of us pass them and stays that way for the rest of their day unless they over take you.

I frequent a full kit whenever I go riding longer distances/ for fun considering I am a roadie to begin with. Otherwise for commuting to work and running errands I just wear casual clothes.
As for me, if someone passes me I don't mind but it does tick me off a little when they, as you describe, momentarily speed up to overtake and then slow down, resulting in leap frogging. I usually end up half wheeling them and not saying a thing to rub it in and add to their awkwardness to make them feel bad until they finally can't take it anymore and take a turn.

Anyhow, don't let them bring you down. Haters are going to hate no matter what. Just keep riding and if they have the have a problem, that let your legs do the talking.

ColtJ

I'm noticing how expensive it is/can be as my goal is to get into a road bike and participate in events, etc...

Thanks on answering the gear question as i'm looking forward to getting a few kits while i step it ups in regards to mileage/speed.

They dont get me down; i just dont get the overall attitude, im actually thankful for the occasional competition as im sure i'll benefit from it.

Thanks again.

IthaDan 

Stop riding on MUPs. You'll be amazed how much that alone will change your interactions.

hairnet

These would be called Freds. Non racers that think they are racers. It's not the lycra, lots of us here wear lycra, it's just a bad attitude. I passed a guy today on my fat tire touring bike with panniers and the guy had to pass me just so I could pass him later as he tired out.

Full kit is just for when I intend to be on the bike without stopping to go anywhere

c0urt

just be nice to people, and treat them like you would like to be treated, makes life a little easier.

help people who are stopped and broken, and give up your spares. it pays off in the long run

Mumonkan

it amazes me how often i give a wave or a nod to a fellow rider, and they just look at me or just look away with nothing in response

come to think of it i dont think ive come across a rider with whom ive had a polite exchange with outside of a nod

noone ever says hi or good morning or anything, whether im wearing jeans and a sleeveless shirt or full kit

ive heard i look like an a-hole though

Scrodzilla

Who gives a rat's ass? Just ride your bike.

c0urt

+1 pretty much doesn't matter let it slide.

DanBell

I saved myself from a whole lot of stress when I stopped trying to figure out other riders' motives. Enjoy riding your bike, treat others the way you want to be treated on the road, and know that nine times of ten, another rider's behavior actually has nothing at all to do with you, despite how it may look.

ColtJ

The funny thing is when i see guys on the road, some that seem to be flying, they've always been very polite. Same for guys on other types of bikes and senior riders.

In regards to "fully kitted" i meant the guys in the replica sponsor jerseys not cyclists in shorts/bib and cycling jersey.

These interactions do not bother me and as mentioned i enjoy the occasional weird silent race from some random guy that just flipped his lid over me concentrating on my goals.

It is more of a curiosity thing to see if there is/was some sort of history or reason i am not aware of... With that being said, i apologize if this topic came as a waste of reading to anyone.

Thanks for the replies.

rebel1916

It could be because they can just tell, that you are the kind of guy to go complain on the interwebz about getting your feelings hurt, on the MUP. People who do that are always shunned in bike culture.

sinikl

i wave to or nod at everyone i see on a bike. i haven't really gotten "vibed" by anyone, but i don't really get a response, either. i think this is different than motorized 2 wheels, where pretty much anyone except "outlaw lawyers" on checkbook harleys will wave at another motorcyclist. most people just seem like "why's he waving?" i do get some puzzled looks, probably because fat guy on fixed bike slathered with gold anodized parts. one guy i've seen commuting on a road bike much faster than me (we go in opposite directions) started off laughing openly and now i think is "laughing with me" (grin, nod) since i'm still at it and getting slowwwwly faster.

another weird thing that probably only i do is salute drivers of cars who resist the urge to turn left in front of me because they can tell i'd have to check up, if they did. not sure that makes sense to any of them either.

Dannihilator

I'm usually in a zone.

caloso

I'm usually in my team kit whether I'm on my FG or road bike and I try to be friendly to all my fellow cyclists. Unless they're doing something stupid or dangerous. And sometimes I may be doing intervals on a training ride and am too fixated on the effort to wave. nothing personal.

sheepdog84

OP, I've had similar experiences and I didn't particularly understand it either...

We are riding bicycles after all- not solving world hunger, the energy crisis, or repaying the nation's tremendous debt.

The Bike Snob NYC has some pretty hilarious and thought provoking commentary and dialogue about "cycling culture" in general on his blog... I finished reading his first book recently. highly recommended.

dookie

This.

Hit the road with a friend or two and just cruise. Or find the local shop group ride and join them (please, don't show up brakeless, and do know how far/fast you can ride). Greenways pretty much always suck, and 20mph on a sidewalk full of retirees & toddlers (& wannabes, apparently) just isn't safe anyway.

c0urt

I will actually wave or nod unless climbing a hill, I am on a single speed or fixed gear after all, and it does take effort. in some cases around here I am trying not to **** myself. so waving takes the back page.

caloso

It's been my observation that the worst offenders are the fair weather Saturday MUP warriors. They turn a ride on the path into a race and act like they have to give you The Look when pulling through. But folks who ride every day, whether they're commuters or racers or randonneurs or messengers, they tend to be a lot friendlier. Especially when you're out on a deserted country road in February, you'll usually get some acknowledgement, even if it's just a subtle nod or finger wave.

seau grateau

Cyclists are dicks.

TMonk

yep

yep

personally i wave to everyone I see unless it's dangerous to take my hands off the bars at the moment.
when i am out on a solo ride i almost invariably have a pace that I am trying to maintain (heart rate) and so I just let myself pass people and get passed by others indiscriminately.
group rides are different ofc.

EnzoRWD

don't worry about it. I get the icy stare from fully kitted roadies all the time. the more roadie I look, the more piercing the stare. the only antidote is riding the tandem. pretty much guaranteed a head nod at least.

my hypothesis: the less serious you look, the greater the chances of friendly responses. I should get a pennyfarthing.

lubes17319

Mtb = fun