The foolish cyclist...

SpinningJenny

So, this morning, in the rain, what do I see?

An idiot of a cyclist, in all the road gear, on his undoubtedly expensive Bianchi road bike, trolling down the road, one hand in his pocket, the other on the hoods. I watched him for at least 30 seconds, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he was getting something out of his pocket.

Nope. He continued on, hand in pocket, until he came up to a side road.

Then he stuck out his left arm to indicate, right hand still in pocket.

Did he look in control? Nope.

Did he look like an idiot? Yep.

Did I want to throw something at him to stop him giving us cyclists a bad name? Oh yes.

The fact that he nearly took out two pedestrians who were already crossing (safely) whilst turning off kind of didn't help matters either.

Rant over. Feel better now. And if you are reading this and happen to be that idiot - it's not big and it's not clever.

sicknote

I know how you feel as I saw someone on his bike a few nights ago on his nice road bike ( not sure what it was) but had on light at all and a small reflector, plus dark clothing.
When I said it might be a good idea to get a light as I was finding it hard to see him ( driving at the time ).
He talks to me like I am taking the the pea :shock: :roll:

cant help some can you.

Anonymous

SpinningJenny wrote:

So, this morning, in the rain, what do I see?

An idiot of a cyclist, in all the road gear, on his undoubtedly expensive Bianchi road bike, trolling down the road, one hand in his pocket, the other on the hoods. I watched him for at least 30 seconds, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he was getting something out of his pocket.

Nope. He continued on, hand in pocket, until he came up to a side road.

Then he stuck out his left arm to indicate, right hand still in pocket.

Did he look in control? Nope.

Did he look like an idiot? Yep.

Did I want to throw something at him to stop him giving us cyclists a bad name? Oh yes.

The fact that he nearly took out two pedestrians who were already crossing (safely) whilst turning off kind of didn't help matters either.

Rant over. Feel better now. And if you are reading this and happen to be that idiot - it's not big and it's not clever.

Was it Brad?

Blonde

He was keeping his nuts warm. Either that or he had superglued his hand inside his pocket to stop it falling out (his hand, not "it").

SpinningJenny

Or, maybe he'd superglued his hands to his nuts :shock:

He must have, coz I saw him doing almost exactly the same thig this morning!

It wasn't Brad - shame! At least if it had been he'd have been some heart-warming eye-candy for me!

iainment

SpinningJenny wrote:

So, this morning, in the rain, what do I see?

An idiot of a cyclist, in all the road gear, on his undoubtedly expensive Bianchi road bike, trolling down the road, one hand in his pocket, the other on the hoods. I watched him for at least 30 seconds, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he was getting something out of his pocket.

Nope. He continued on, hand in pocket, until he came up to a side road.

Then he stuck out his left arm to indicate, right hand still in pocket.

Did he look in control? Nope.

Did he look like an idiot? Yep.

Did I want to throw something at him to stop him giving us cyclists a bad name? Oh yes.

The fact that he nearly took out two pedestrians who were already crossing (safely) whilst turning off kind of didn't help matters either.

Rant over. Feel better now. And if you are reading this and happen to be that idiot - it's not big and it's not clever.

And thus give pedestrians/motorists/cyclists a bad name depending on your circumstances at the time.

Why, oh why do pompous cyclists feel that somehow 'bad' cyclists have any bearing on how people see them.

alfablue

iainment wrote:

And thus give pedestrians/motorists/cyclists a bad name depending on your circumstances at the time.

Why, oh why do pompous cyclists feel that somehow 'bad' cyclists have any bearing on how people see them.

Does that make you pompous too? Seems like you made the same assertion.

I think both pompous and non-pompous cyclists (well, many of them) think a bad cyclist gives them a bad name because they ain't stupid. People love to generalise about people they don't like based on the misdemeanours of a few - it ain't rocket science!

Why not just come out with it and get it back on to "why I should be able to RLJ without it upsetting anyone" ?

SpinningJenny

Oh.

iainment, are you saying I'm a pompous cyclist?

Coz I'm not.

Would I have thrown something at him? Nope, course not. Doesn't stop me thinking it, though.

And you know that groups of people (for example, taxi drivers, hairdressers, cyclists) do get tarred with the same brush, just through the behaviour of a minority.

Goodness me.

iainment

alfablue wrote:

iainment wrote:

And thus give pedestrians/motorists/cyclists a bad name depending on your circumstances at the time.

Why, oh why do pompous cyclists feel that somehow 'bad' cyclists have any bearing on how people see them.

Does that make you pompous too? Seems like you made the same assertion.

I think both pompous and non-pompous cyclists (well, many of them) think a bad cyclist gives them a bad name because they ain't stupid. People love to generalise about people they don't like based on the misdemeanours of a few - it ain't rocket science!

Why not just come out with it and get it back on to "why I should be able to RLJ without it upsetting anyone" ?

I was being ironic. Re RLJ, a slightly different debate methinks.

iainment

SpinningJenny wrote:

Oh.

iainment, are you saying I'm a pompous cyclist?

Coz I'm not.

Would I have thrown something at him? Nope, course not. Doesn't stop me thinking it, though.

And you know that groups of people (for example, taxi drivers, hairdressers, cyclists) do get tarred with the same brush, just through the behaviour of a minority.

Goodness me.

Well perception and perspective can give different opinions about something can't they?

SpinningJenny

OK. It seems as if i have upset you iainment, although goodness knows how.

For the record:

I am not an expert cyclist by any stretch of the imagination. I've got into it through signing up for a 60 mile charity bike ride, which I'll be doing to enjoy it, raise money for a whole bunch of people and also for the challenge to me.

Unitl last year, I am sure I was of just below average fitness. But I've put the work in and become stronger and much fitter than many other people I know - and I'm bloody proud of myself.

It just so happens that I joined this board to get some advice from people who know more about bikes and cycling than I do. I'm in the market for a new bike to ugrade from my current hybrid. Perhaps a road/cyclocross/audax - I haven't yet decided. I didn't realise i was also signing up to take flak too. Joking yes, unwarranted acidity - no thanks.

If I've unwittingly created some kind of upset (it seems I've got in the middle of an existing 'who rules the road' type discussion), then don't take it out on me.

And for my twopennorth - everyone has the responsibility to act responsibility - pedestrians, car drivers, van drivers, bus drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists. I just thought the cyclist I saw was acting irresponsibly and was amazed - to be honest.

Have a lovely day, won't you? Once you've removed that chip from your shoulder.

iainment

SpinningJenny wrote:

OK. It seems as if i have upset you iainment, although goodness knows how.

For the record:

I am not an expert cyclist by any stretch of the imagination. I've got into it through signing up for a 60 mile charity bike ride, which I'll be doing to enjoy it, raise money for a whole bunch of people and also for the challenge to me.

Unitl last year, I am sure I was of just below average fitness. But I've put the work in and become stronger and much fitter than many other people I know - and I'm bloody proud of myself.

It just so happens that I joined this board to get some advice from people who know more about bikes and cycling than I do. I'm in the market for a new bike to ugrade from my current hybrid. Perhaps a road/cyclocross/audax - I haven't yet decided. I didn't realise i was also signing up to take flak too. Joking yes, unwarranted acidity - no thanks.

If I've unwittingly created some kind of upset (it seems I've got in the middle of an existing 'who rules the road' type discussion), then don't take it out on me.

And for my twopennorth - everyone has the responsibility to act responsibility - pedestrians, car drivers, van drivers, bus drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists. I just thought the cyclist I saw was acting irresponsibly and was amazed - to be honest.

Have a lovely day, won't you? Once you've removed that chip from your shoulder.

Of course I'll have a lovely day. For the record the more cyclists the better and I am sure you will carry on enjoying this wonderful pursuit and rightly have pride in yourself.

However, there's always a however isn't there, there is a group in cycling who delight in policing the behaviour of other cyclists and airing criticism of them. They believe, and I don't, that whatever another cyclist does that is wrong will directly effect them. To me their attitude is pompous, that's all. If I offended you I apologise.

HonestAl

Isn't a pompous one of those things a cheerleader uses? :?

chuckcork

HonestAl wrote:

Isn't a pompous one of those things a cheerleader uses? :?

Only the more officious ones....

GavH

Damn Bianchi riders, giving us all a bad name. I am now going to bin my new Bianchi now that clearly everyone on the road (pedestrians, motorists, other cyclists alike) will think I am capable of riding along without holding onto the bars. :roll:

SpinningJenny

GavH - I shall fully expect you to post a video on here of you doing just that!

guilliano

Maybe the guy with his hand in his pocket has a broken hand and can't use it?

Maybe he just has to knock one out on the way to work cos he doesn't have time at home

Either way, he's the one who risks losing control and being hit by a car, leaving one very guilty and upset driver, not you. Ignore him as he's an eejit.


By the way.... I can ride a bike with no handlebars...... no handlebars....... no handlebars

Anonymous

SpinningJenny
Its tough when you put on a post and people jump all over you, keep posting.

airborne_warrior

dmclite wrote:

SpinningJenny
Its tough when you put on a post and people jump all over you, keep posting.

You must have quite an easy life if you consider that tough!

HonestAl

I wonder what this miscreant who's the source of all our ire and amusement would think if he knew he was so "popular"? Wonder if his ears are burning?

SpinningJenny

dmclite wrote:

SpinningJenny
Its tough when you put on a post and people jump all over you, keep posting.

Thanks dmclite - well, I can give as good as I get, but decided to reign myself in, being a newbie on here and all that!

Having thought about the chap on the bike, I reckon natural selection will sort him out in the end. Perhaps we should get rid of health & safety laws (and those who implement them!) so that those with no common sense die out as a species in the end...?

Remember - an anagram of garden is danger

whydoesitalwaysrainonme

im not getting why having a hand in his pocket gives cyclists a bad name? personally i wouldnt keep my hand in my pocket but heyhey.

Jay dubbleU

SpinningJenny wrote:

dmclite wrote:

SpinningJenny
Its tough when you put on a post and people jump all over you, keep posting.

Thanks dmclite - well, I can give as good as I get, but decided to reign myself in, being a newbie on here and all that!

Having thought about the chap on the bike, I reckon natural selection will sort him out in the end. Perhaps we should get rid of health & safety laws (and those who implement them!) so that those with no common sense die out as a species in the end...?

Remember - an anagram of garden is danger

He is what is known technically as road-kill :twisted: