Richmond Park

Steve_b77

Today I had a day off from work after being in all weekend. Too far for me to go home (cheshire) for one day, so i thought I'd ride over to Richmond Park and do a few laps.

Now the only bike I have down here is my commuter hipster wagon


It wasn't exactly busy being a Monday lunch time, but what a bunch of miserable so and so's the other road bike riding cyclists were, out of the 10 or so that I saw only one returned my hello/nod of the head/small wave.

Is it the bike, or the fact that I had a peak on my helmet?

Saying that, one guy riding a very nice Colnago, rode past me on the flat slip streaming a scooter at bang on 20mph (I pootle at about 17-18mph on above bike - 42:16 gearing) but he slowed a bit on the biggest hill, so having no option other than to go past him I did, mentioning how gears would be handy on the flat bits in a jovial manner.

Subsequently we rode together for the next 1/2 lap or so until I stopped for a drink, and even he said how in general the other riders are a bunch of miserable so and so's.

What is their problem I ask you?

poacherjake

I've never really tried to engage anyone, as am normally blowing snot all over the place / wondering whether I'm about to blow up.

But it wouldn't surprise me if you're right - it's a 'London thing'.

Pross

Oh god the "roadies are so miserable" thread. Haven't had one for at least a week now

NWLondoner

God forbid you ever get in the way of a TT rider :roll:

owenlars

Very seldom talk to anyone in RP as I am usually concentrating on the job in hand, i.e. getting round as quickly as possible. The other factor is that there are usually hundreds of bikes there so if you said hello to everyone you'd never get anywhere.

Steve_b77

There's no getting in the way of anyone.

Is there really any need to be so damm grumpy and anit-social. It's a frikkin park in London on a Monday lunch time not a criterium race.

Not bashing roadies in any way shape or form, just miserable feckers who happen to be riding road bikes

rick_chasey

The reason they're out on a Monday lunch is probably to get away from people, not meet some guy with garishly green wheels.

I used to go out on my bike to get away from people for a bit because I was very unhappy and figured taking it out on my pedals was a better way than shouting at someone - only once for some cheery bloke who I passed to make some cheery comment and wheelsuck, and then make some sarky comment when I didn't reciprocate the love.

Suffice to say, the warm July air turned blue for a bit.

Steve_b77

I knew it was the bike

alan_sherman

I saw you today (I recognise the bike at least). I may have nodded or smiled, but as going in the opposite direction it gets a bit repetitive for those twice a lap crossovers. I usually make the effort for people I recognise from going there a fair bit.

PS - I was the Kingston Wheeler

jibberjim

alan sherman wrote:

I saw you today (I recognise the bike at least).

Cheeky midweek training!

alan_sherman

Cheeky I've quit my job training...... Good enough reason to avoid stooping and shaking random strangers hands that may happen to be riding in the same square km as I am?

guinea

When you to 20+ laps a week in Richmond Park you zone out.

The first few visits it's cool to see all the other riders, cool bikes and deer.

Then you get bored and concentrate on nothing but the ride. I know every pot hole, patch, bend and stone in there. I know what time and wattage I should be doing at every point.

I'm thinking about training, work, my upcomming wedding and whatever else akes my fancy. If I'm on a hot lap I can't even see straight never mind chat on the way round.

However, when I'm out for a gentle recovery ride I'm nodding like the Churchill dog. After a while you'll end up nodding to the same person every ten minutes and it gets tedious again.

Steve_b77

Thanks for the explanation guys

Ben6899

I was out yesterday going slightly up hill and into a headwind... fellow roadie goes by in opposite direction, sat up and hands on the tops and looks straight through me and the bike without a word as I give a "Morning"!

Cheeky cunt.

2Phat4Rapha

That's funny, loads of roadies out yesterday between Shepperton and Windsor and after a while I couldn't helping thinking that blimey everyone's friendly this morning. Loads of seriously road-like groups and plenty of good mornings, not just casual nods. And I'm a fattie on a flattie too!

Anonymous

It's a London thing mainly, that and if you waved/nodded at every cyclist on a busy day you'd hardly have time to cycle.

That aside if there is a more concrete reason for interaction than just passing people are normally quite friendly. I was riding round once and my crank arm fell off, a couple of people stopped to help.

shmo

Probably out for a ride, rather than a pose. Not that there's anything wrong with posing, but it's not conducive to training. Best to go with a group if you want a social outing.