Silly commuting road rage

tgotb

Seems to be an awful lot of cyclist road rage at the moment. Couple of days ago I saw two guys collide on multiple occasions as they tried to push each other out of gaps they deemed to be "theirs". Then, last night, I witnessed an argument between two guys, which ended up with one stopping at the side of the road and then trying to jump in front of the other as he came past. The gist of this argument started along the lines of "I may be breaking the law, but you're breaking it more than me" and moved onto "why are you riding a single speed, real men ride fixed". After their routes diverged, the remaining one (fixed) started shouting at me (I suspect my crime was slow filtering).

Seems like I'm seeing this sort of thing everywhere at the moment. Has the increasing number of cyclists activated everyone's anger genes, or do fair weather riders lack the zen of year-round commuters?

rick_chasey

Ha! That sounds hilarious!

Haven't seen much road rage at all recently.

Green Brompton

After a while you learn to accept things won't happen the way you'd like them to on the roads, so I'd suspect it's fair weather cyclists.

cyclingprop

Maybe it's a Richmond thing?

UndercoverElephant

You London types are a funny bunch.

xscreamsuk

Very glad I rarely see another cyclist on my 15 mile commute, certainly never any of this shenanigans when there is another rider.

iPete

This is why I've developed the skill of effortlessly accelerating to 20 from every set of lights quicker than any nodder could dream!

jonomc4

If I get in the way of another cyclist - I say sorry (even if I am right) - they follow up with "no problem".

If a car driver looks at me in a funny way - I am offering him "out" in milliseconds

raymondo60

My commute is never anything but an extremely enjoyable and friendly banter-filled ride.

Honest!

If you don't believe me you can f*** off you st**id b************ c****!!! Come over 'ere & say that!!

thiscocks

TGOTB wrote:

fair weather riders

Theres the issue. Tits.

jds_1981

TGOTB wrote:

"why are you riding a single speed, real men ride fixed".

TBH, that's what I think when I see people riding ss..

SimonAH

jds_1981 wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

"why are you riding a single speed, real men ride fixed".

TBH, that's what I think when I see people riding ss..

I ride fixed when it's a tarmac city ride, and revel in the manliness of it all, but have to admit I pinched MrsAH's singlespeed Felt T'other day and, well, f*ck me but It's fast.

I mean PROPERLY fast. You forget how much we trade the clean and connected for the ability to rest for 30 seconds and descend at 40 plus.

Not flipping anytime soon though. Be like wearing lipstick.

greg66_tri_v2.0

TGOTB wrote:

"why are you riding a single speed, real men ride fixed".

That sounds like two transvestites arguing over who looks most like a woman.

mrtuk

thiscocks wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

fair weather riders

Theres the issue. Tits.

Are you equating fair weather riders to novices??? I'm a fair weather rider in that I'll check the forecast before deciding whether to cycle (I pick my days as not fit enough to do every day). Does this somehow make me an 'issue' - even though i've been commuting between 30 and 100 miles a week, depending on weather, for many years.

What is the 'issue' with fair weather riders??

First.Aspect

mrtuk wrote:

thiscocks wrote:

TGOTB wrote:

fair weather riders

Theres the issue. Tits.

Are you equating fair weather riders to novices??? I'm a fair weather rider in that I'll check the forecast before deciding whether to cycle (I pick my days as not fit enough to do every day). Does this somehow make me an 'issue' - even though i've been commuting between 30 and 100 miles a week, depending on weather, for many years.

What is the 'issue' with fair weather riders??

You suck?

I think "fair weather rider" refers either to the types who brink out the B.S.O. only when the weather forecasts conclude with pictures of strawberries or grass tennis courts and will kill either themselves or you as a result of really having no clue whatsoever, or to the types who normally only bang chests with other members of the chain gang in a 40 mile ride at the weekend (in a giant pack) and bring out the best bike and the castelli for about 2 weeks a year and treat everyone else, including cars, as part of a chain gang on their 6 mile commute.

Cold weather is not fair weather. Therefore, if you ride in temperatures below about 5degC (even if its dry), rather than opting to bang chests with the chain gang at the spinning class (where you bring your own pedals), then you don't suck all that much.

tallmansix

I must say it is funny to read and even funnier that we have created an argument on the thread about what type of cyclist is at fault without knowing the circumstance.

It is not necessarily fair weather cyclist nor inexperienced that were arguing, not that either deserve any abuse for their tag.

Come to Manchester where the daily commute is shared with pleasant well mannered cyclists that smile, nod and say sorry.

byke68

It must be a London thing, all that stress and life going at 100mph. Just chill, maaaan. 8)

SimonAH

tallmansix wrote:

ICome to Manchester where the daily commute is shared with pleasant well mannered cyclists that smile, nod and say sorry.

....and slap each other's a*rses, don't forget the a*rse slapping man!

redvee

SimonAH wrote:

tallmansix wrote:

ICome to Manchester where the daily commute is shared with pleasant well mannered cyclists that smile, nod and say sorry.

....and slap each other's a*rses, don't forget the a*rse slapping man!

Was it a slap or a failed attempt at a grope?

Ben6899

mrtuk wrote:

Are you equating fair weather riders to novices??? I'm a fair weather rider in that I'll check the forecast before deciding whether to cycle (I pick my days as not fit enough to do every day). Does this somehow make me an 'issue' - even though i've been commuting between 30 and 100 miles a week, depending on weather, for many years.

What is the 'issue' with fair weather riders??

I find that fair weather riders are touchy little bitches who get offended easily. That's the issue as far as I am concerned.

jds_1981

tallmansix wrote:

Come to Manchester where the daily commute is shared with pleasant well mannered cyclists that smile, nod and say sorry.

I used to commute in Manchester, not many would describe me as pleasant or well mannered yah git

notsoblue

Ben6899 wrote:

I find that fair weather riders are touchy little bitches who get offended easily. That's the issue as far as I am concerned.

I think they just get spooked by the traffic. Mixing it up with cars, vans and lorries in heavy traffic can be pretty stressful if you're not used to it.

msmancunia

SimonAH wrote:

tallmansix wrote:

ICome to Manchester where the daily commute is shared with pleasant well mannered cyclists that smile, nod and say sorry.

....and slap each other's a*rses, don't forget the a*rse slapping man!

My thoughts exactly! Tallmansix obviously comes from somewhere south of the Mancunian Way. I don't share my daily commute with any cyclists, let alone ones that smile, nod and say sorry.

tallmansix

Haha yes I am south of the Mancunian way and maybe I'm exaggerating the friendliness a bit.

I did get told off by a shaved roadie once, he fluffed his start from the lights so I passed him on the inside which he didn't like but just told me not to do it. I often get inconsiderate cyclists misusing the cycle ways in Manc which annoys me a little but I never say anything.

I save all that rage for drivers that p me off. The other day one passed me so close at a junction he was 2" from me so I banged on the car window which did the trick.

Ben6899

notsoblue wrote:

Ben6899 wrote:

I find that fair weather riders are touchy little bitches who get offended easily. That's the issue as far as I am concerned.

I think they just get spooked by the traffic. Mixing it up with cars, vans and lorries in heavy traffic can be pretty stressful if you're not used to it.

Agreed. My previous post was a little friendly jab at the other poster.