RVARider

I keep hearing all these "rules" in order to be a proper road biker:

1) No CamelBak - what is the benefit in covering my bike in bottle cages when I can carry a gallon on my back?
2) Bike Outfit - I am fat, no one wants to see me wrapped in sausage casing - I wear yellow basketball shorts, yellow wicking shirt, and old sneakers - I look like a highlighter, but I am comfortable and stand out to cars
3) No mirror on a road bike - I prefer to know when someone is behind me, particulary if I need to take the lane to avoid potholes
4) Clipping in - I don't want to, I prefer to be able to dismount quickly and I am not going for the kind of speed that requires power applied throughout the rotation

I don't plan to change any of the above, just wondering who comes up with these "rules"

Oh - one more thing - On friday someone posted about an Android app that sends a message when you start and stop your ride and lets your spouse track it from GPS - the search function is returning an "oops" error - does anyone know the app? I thought it was something like iRide.

Thanks!

therhodeo

A+ thread. Would read again. See everyone on page 10.

danmc

You forgot the rule about no CF bikes because they asplode.

bt

great first post...

Kopsis

Your infractions have been reported to the Velominati. I'm sure your questions will be fully "addressed" during the interrogation.

kc0bbq

I'm lost in a world of Poe's Law right now...

Trsnrtr

Does not compute. What is this thread about?

rms13

Answer: you belong in the commuter forum

JerrySTL

Arbitrary rules are made by fools. Just ride and enjoy it.

Psimet2001 

Wheever

Don't pay any attention...but also don't be hurt when us real road bikers avert their gaze as you go flapping by in your loose fitting clothes and water backpack.

bt

what is your other user name?

RJM

The better trolls aren't so obvious.

either get better at trolling, op, or don't do it.

thump55

Riding a bike is a lot like the head coaching job of the Patriots...you can wear whatever loungewear you want.

RVARider

That's what got me thinking about all this - when I MTB everyone is friendly - on the road, I am ignored probably about 75% of the time - I sense disdain

RVARider

Not a troll, I really did just register to ask the question and also find out what the app name is

WarrenR

I just got a new Samsung and I remember seeing that when setting up for my first ride. I believe it's in MapMyRide.

Rules are suggestions set by the people you choose to ride with, probably why so many ride solo. There are no rules, just get out and ride and let the smile (or grimace) speak for you.

rpenmanparker 

Camelbacks are hot and uncomfortable. Bottle cages, not so much.

Spandex bike shorts are more valuable for the included seat pad, not the compression or streamlining, though that has value too. If you get some padded undershorts for cycling to wear under your basketball shorts, you will appreciate the added comfort on long rides.

Mirrors on the bike look dorky. Helmet and eyeglass mounted mirrors are much better looking, very functional, and more acceptable to the powers that be. A mirror is an important safety item, just don't go over the edge with the bar mounted type.

Attaching the foot to the pedal has absolutely no effect on the speed of dismounting providing you aren't a total klutz. It does guarantee the foot stays in the optimum position for efficient pedaling.

As for the last question, what's an android?

All the rules are overdone, but they all have a basis in cycling efficiency, comfort, and/or style. Come to the dark side, or to use a different movie reference, resistance is futile.

RVARider

Thanks for the reply - I actually do wear padded shorts under my basketball shorts. I still have to go with the mirror on the drop bar - the helmet ones are too small for me and actually made me nauseous when I tried one....now I use it on my monitor to see people behind me

Android is a phone OS - like Samsung Galaxy, HTC, etc.

Well at least the rules are based on something (except the one based on looking dorky) I was beginning to think it really was just an elitest thing (like a secret club handshake)

RVARider

awesome - that is not the app I saw, but I currently use MapMyRide so this is perfect - just need to upgrade to a MVP membership - thanks!

therhodeo

In all honesty it is somewhat. If a guy shows up in a paceline near me looking like a fred likely I'm going to give him a wide berth. There is a feeling that someone who takes cycling seriously is going to look the part. Also not going to be too self conscious to put on tight shorts.

Similarly if someone shows up in a paceline looking like a triathlete I'm going to just stay the hell away from them.

Wheever

Ha ha ha! What an idea! A secret club handshake! There's no such thing! No! I tell you! No! NO SECRET CLUB HANDSHAKE.

Cyclosaurus

And when, and only when, you do everything just right, the other roadies will wave at you! They don't wave to just anyone, you know. But that's how you will know for sure that you've truly arrived...

Wheever

MTB people are a bunch of hippies, stoned all the time. Of course they're friendly. Road bikers are serious. We don't have time to say hi to people moseying along in flappy clothes, we're trying to KOM on a Strava segment.

Seattle Forrest

You don't need a gallon of water to ride a bike for an hour. A gallon of water weighs 8 and 1/3 pounds. Riding a bike usually involves some time going up hill, against gravity, where that extra weight isn't going to help you.

A backpack makes you hot and sweaty. It keeps your back from ventilating because instead of air, it has a heavy fabric pressed up against it. You said you like to ride in a wicking shirt so you understand.

When you run out of water in your bottles and cages, you stop for more. Maybe at a water fountain, maybe a store, maybe a creek.