Roadie "Attitude?"

[Sharon1958]

Today I went on a road ride (w/my MTB, because I don't own a road bike). It was a little over 35 miles, with some difficult climbs, and I enjoyed it. I love riding on both the roads and the trails.

In any case, I certainly don't expect roadies to wait up for someone on an MTB, but I am pretty sure I detected a snooty attitude from the roadies. (Thank God I had a cue sheet, because I'd still be out there trying to find my way back.) Do they consider themselves cycling purists, compared to MTBers who don't share the "finesse" of the roadies? ???

It may be my imagination, but has anyone else ever had a similar experience?

[MTBME]

Theres a lot of angles here. Did you show up for an advertise road ride with a mtb? Were they waiting for you a lot? Did you know the group you were riding with? How did you hear about the ride? I've been on road rides where if someone is having a lot of problems the group will wait a few times but then its up to the rider having difficulty to break off and call it a day. If it was a low key ride with people you know then it shouldn't have been a problem.

[Sharon1958]

Theres a lot of angles here. Did you show up for an advertise road ride with a mtb? Were they waiting for you a lot? Did you know the group you were riding with? How did you hear about the ride? I've been on road rides where if someone is having a lot of problems the group will wait a few times but then its up to the rider having difficulty to break off and call it a day. If it was a low key ride with people you know then it shouldn't have been a problem.

I e-mailed the ride leader and asked her if riding an MTB would be a problem, and she said no. No, they didn't wait for me at all. I read about the ride on the group's site. I just think they should have been civil and said hello!

[Quo Fan]

I have found that roadies will give you absolutely no respect unless and untill you can drop them on a ride. I think that is totally un-cool. I like the MTB crowd, who says hi to everyone, and will talk to anyone about anything.

Just my $.02

[Superb Man]

Theres a lot of angles here. Did you show up for an advertise road ride with a mtb? Were they waiting for you a lot? Did you know the group you were riding with? How did you hear about the ride? I've been on road rides where if someone is having a lot of problems the group will wait a few times but then its up to the rider having difficulty to break off and call it a day. If it was a low key ride with people you know then it shouldn't have been a problem.

I e-mailed the ride leader and asked her if riding an MTB would be a problem, and she said no. No, they didn't wait for me at all. I read about the ride on the group's site. I just think they should have been civil and said hello!


Something doesn't jive there you say you didn't have any trouble keeping up...yet in your first post you thank God that you had a cue sheet or you'd still be out there fining your wway back...which sounds to me like you dragged a little.

I'm new to road biking (long time mountain biker)--everyone has been about the same so far...group rides do require a systematic etiquette to make them flow really nicely...different from a mountain group ride, more orderly and formal but not snooty.

Also-you say you detected an air of superiority....did someone say anything specific, or were you a little sensitive (afterall, bringing a mountain bike to a road ride with people you don't know is a little "surprising" No?)?

[Sharon1958]

Something doesn't jive there you say you didn't have any trouble keeping up...yet in your first post you thank God that you had a cue sheet or you'd still be out there fining your wway back...which sounds to me like you dragged a little.

I'm new to road biking (long time mountain biker)--everyone has been about the same so far...group rides do require a systematic etiquette to make them flow really nicely...different from a mountain group ride, more orderly and formal but not snooty.

Also-you say you detected an air of superiority....did someone say anything specific, or were you a little sensitive (afterall, bringing a mountain bike to a road ride with people you don't know is a little "surprising" No?)?


I didn't say "I didn't have any trouble keeping up." Of course I had trouble keeping up and, as I mentioned, I certainly didn't expect them to wait up for me.

And yes, perhaps bringing a mountain bike to a road ride with people you don't know is a little "surprising," but the ride leader says it was fine.

I just think it is very bad form not to greet a newcomer before the ride even starts. I cannot possibly find any justification for bad manners.

[jerseygirl]

I have found that roadies will give you absolutely no respect unless and untill you can drop them on a ride. I think that is totally un-cool. I like the MTB crowd, who says hi to everyone, and will talk to anyone about anything.

Just my $.02


Sweeping generalizations serve no purpose but to promote prejudice. As has been my experience, there are a**holes with attitude in any sport.

Newfie, finding a supportive group of similar ability -- or more ability with patience -- is key. I have been fortunate in that regard. You'll find it -- just don't let negative attitudes ruin the sport for you.

I road bike with a friend and she understands if I take off on a hill. I'm not putting her down by passing her, I just like to ride at a certain pace. We respect each other's comfort levels and the bottom line is we motivate each other to get out and enjoy the ride. Conversely, if one of my buds blows by me I don't take it personally.

Happy trails.

[Quo Fan]

I'm not making sweeping generalizations, I'm just stating what has been my experience with roadies. I know some roadies that are totally cool about not dropping anyone, but I also know roadies that won't even talk to you unless and until you drop them on a ride.

[jerseygirl]

And so, your point with your previous post, was what?

Do you ever injure yourself "backpedalling?"

[slapheadmofo]

There's definitely a certain attititude among a lot of roadies - many seem to take themselves WAYY to seriously. Seems to prevent them from having the courtesy to acknowledge other riders and from having the common sense not to ride along two abreast on a narrow road. God forbid they stop chatting to let traffic pass safely. (We were invaded by them around here a few weeks back for the Longsjo race)

[jerseygirl]

I don't know Slaphead -- roadies "taking themselves too seriously" doesn't go with "roadies riding side by side chatting." I find serious roadies to be too focused and "in the zone" to be chatting. That's sounds more like the people in the back of spin class yakking away without breaking a sweat.

[slapheadmofo]

Maybe the weren't chatting then, but I couldn't figure out another reason they felt the need to ride next to each other blocking traffic.

[jaime]

I've been snubbed by riders on both types of bikes. For some roadies, my aluminium Trek road bike isn't chic enough (no carbon or ti). For some mtb'ers my Fisher hardtail or rigid steel SS aren't freeride enough (or whatever). Patrick O'Grady wrote a funny essay on the topic titled "Wave Dynamics Theory In Cycling" or something like that. Look for it in the archives at his webpage maddogmedia.com. All of his stuff is pretty amusing, in a George-Carlin-as-cycling-commentator way. Beware his left-leaning poloitical view, those of you who aren't into that kind of thing....

Anywho, I don't want to defend snobbery (except for beverage snobbery, which I fully support), but I would like to offer a possible explanation for the unwelcome vibe you picked up from those roadies. Road biking requires a different skill set than mountain biking, especially regarding paceline riding and riding at (relatively) fast speeds in tight groups. There's also certain conventions (or etiquette, as a previous poster noted) to group road rides that provide at least a small amount of guidelines of how to handle different situations. A rider without good bike handling skills or who hasn't become familiar with the conventions has a tendancy to introduce unpredicatbility into the group dynamic, which can be a leading cause of road rash. It could be that they interpreted your mtb as a sign of inexperience that would pose a risk to them, so they didn't want to be too near you out on the road.

As an example, I personally avoid (some of) the triathletes on the Harpoon Brewery to Brewery ride, because while they're uber-strong, they also tend to be poor at pacelining due to the rules of triathlons, which forbid drafting. Most of them are great riders, but it's easy to pick out the one or two who only ride for their triathlon events. They're the ones who'll be committing those little no-no's of paceline riding: using aero bars when not at the front, twitching the bike left and right without warning, neglecting to call out potholes & other obstacles. It's not that they're trying to be a jerk,they're just not used to it, but it puts me at risk, so I won't ride their wheel and I won't let them ride mine.

Or maybe the snubbers were just fashion queens who like to feel superior. I'm guessing that at least a few of those guys have mtb's and they'd treat you the same way on a trail ride. To those folks I just say "whatever." ::) ;D

[Sharon1958]

I think it might be like SlapHead says, that they seemed to take themselves very seriously. It might have been just this group, but everyone was extremely serious, as if they were about to ride the race of their lives.

I used to play competitive squash and I figure skated for years. For me, at least, it takes the fun out of any leisure time activity (sport or not) when people get overly intense. Actually, this is nothing compared to competitive Scrabble players. Talk about attitudes! ::)

[pk]

Hey Newfie

Sounds like you need to hook up with a recreational riding club, like the Charles River Wheelmen, Naragansett Wheelmen, Granite State Wheelmen, etc.

Many road cycling clubs are race development clubs, and so their goals and motives tend toward training and racing performance.

pk

[bdee]

This whole thread reminds me of why I generally road ride alone and ride MTB with others ;D. Actually my road rides are usually solo because I'm cramming them in before or after work, I'm commuting, or I'm riding in the dark (on well lit streets with lights of course). I do wish larger groups on the road would be more careful of riding single file as opposed to 2 or 3 abreast (would it kill 'em to break into smaller groups?). Nothing breeds animosity toward all cyclists faster than bad road manners and attitude. I try to acknowledge all cyclists on the road and on the trails, some say hi back and some ignore me. It's just the way it is I wouldn't take it too personally.

[ArmOnFire]

I think Jamie's explanation is the best.

Find a group that maybe likes to ride their MTB's on the road, or a beginner group of roadies.

-dan

[Kilroy]

I have had the oppositte experience, For the first month and a half or so I was trapped on my mtn bike with skinnier tires due to an ankle injury.

I made the best of it and got a bunch of road riding in. During this time I met many road riders, I only met up for one group ride around the reservoir. While I have to say I got some odd looks , as they saw my p.o.s Raleigh with almost fire road tires....I never had a bad experience with any of them.

I actually have had more problems with Nemba group rides mtn biking then meeting up/riding with roadies.

I do feel that honesty is the best policy when it comes to group rides, be honest and open with those who you want to ride with and if you are leading a ride be honest and "listen" to those who ride with you.

i.e no false advertising..

well my two cents, not going to rant about my bad experiences as I consider them great learnig experiences for the rides that I lead.

Kilroy

One rant I do have for everyone on this board, WHY IS THERE NOT A TOUR d LANCE posting :)

[wannabee]

UGH!!!!
Roadie GROUP attitude would be a better rank subject.
The local 'club' that I used to ride with is one of those 'racer/racing preparation' groups. They have the 'racers'. They have 'tri' group. They have the 'pleasure riders. Then they have the 'others'.
Well, I'm one of the 'others'. And I'm PROUD to say that. Why? The 'others' tend to me more social oriented. If one rider has a flat, the whole group stops to help out. If one crashes, many hands help out. No one is left behind!
'Racers' don't care who gets a flat, they can fix it. The 'tri' folks want to get there first, at any cost.
At the 'local club' rides, each group is let go at specific times, ie 'others' go last, 'racers' first, 'tri' next, etc. They even have a 'sweep' team to look for stragglers. So, YOU are never LAST. You are never the last to leave the parking lot.
Most of their rides are either arrowed, qued, or both. And usually, they have two different distances.
It is the ride leaders job, no THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, to make sure everyone starts, rides, ends, and has a good time. If they know before hand that they may have a new rider, or one that doesn't know anybody in the group, they should make sure that that person is introduced around, and paired up with someone of similiar abilities.
Don't be bullied by the 'first' ride. Keep going back, again, and again, and again. I'll be in the 'back of the pack', too, struggling, just like you, on my MTB.

[Sharon1958]

UGH!!!!
Roadie GROUP attitude would be a better rank subject.
The local 'club' that I used to ride with is one of those 'racer/racing preparation' groups. They have the 'racers'. They have 'tri' group. They have the 'pleasure riders. Then they have the 'others'.
Well, I'm one of the 'others'. And I'm PROUD to say that. Why? The 'others' tend to me more social oriented. If one rider has a flat, the whole group stops to help out. If one crashes, many hands help out. No one is left behind!
'Racers' don't care who gets a flat, they can fix it. The 'tri' folks want to get there first, at any cost.
At the 'local club' rides, each group is let go at specific times, ie 'others' go last, 'racers' first, 'tri' next, etc. They even have a 'sweep' team to look for stragglers. So, YOU are never LAST. You are never the last to leave the parking lot.
Most of their rides are either arrowed, qued, or both. And usually, they have two different distances.
It is the ride leaders job, no THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, to make sure everyone starts, rides, ends, and has a good time. If they know before hand that they may have a new rider, or one that doesn't know anybody in the group, they should make sure that that person is introduced around, and paired up with someone of similiar abilities.
Don't be bullied by the 'first' ride. Keep going back, again, and again, and again. I'll be in the 'back of the pack', too, struggling, just like you, on my MTB.

Really? You go on road rides on your MTB?

I'm going again tomorrow, because my finger is still broken and I don't want to risk falling on the hand when I crash on the trails. I'm going to go alone, because I actually enjoy the solitude and the scenery.

Tomorrow we'll have nice weather, and I'm really looking forward to it. I like the cue sheets from the CRW - nice routes!

I figure if I wear out the MTB tires, which I now doubt, I'll just buy new tires when necessary. Just being outside makes the workout so much more fun!

[imploded]

Caveat: I have just about 100 miles on the road on my road bike (since getting it in mid October).

There is a tri guy who comes by my house about once every other week, on a sweet Cervelo Soloist Carbon. He has come past me with a "Rider behind, passing left!", each time I say hello and he says hello back.

There is another guy on an IF of some sort who crosses Main Street in Whitinsville near 146. Always waves, big smile, nice guy.

I ran across a group, in similar jersey's, on my second ride ever. They had a paceline going up West Hartford Ave, were all completely focused, but I was also completely gassed and barely waved. Didn't even get acknoweldged.

Cheers,

-Andrew