Cycling in a group doesn't appeal at all
Comments
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But thirdly and possibly most relevant, I've noticed that cyclists in groups tend to behave much less considerately towards other road users than people out in ones or twos.
This is true.
The more the numbers the more chance this applies and who wants to associate with and be part of that?
If you're racing of course you have to get completely used to riding in a group. There's not much reason to otherwise as most cyclists are people you wouldn't even bother spending any time with at all unless you were cycling together. That said, if you don't subscribe to that way of thinking you probably like the idea of sportives and like anyone who likes cycling that will talk to you.0 -
What a depressing sentiment. Have you considered the less misanthropic side of the same coin, i.e. that cycling is good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations, but with a shared interest that brings them together? In other words, that you may have a shared humanity, FFS?
If you're racing of course you have to get completely used to riding in a group. There's not much reason to otherwise as most cyclists are people you wouldn't even bother spending any time with at all unless you were cycling together. That said, if you don't subscribe to that way of thinking you probably like the idea of sportives and like anyone who likes cycling that will talk to you.
My apologies if you were being (extremely) dryly ironic. But you should watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPkT0paGEnQ0 -
But nothing wrong with also enjoying solo riding of course. Different beast.0
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....Have you considered the less misanthropic side of the same coin, i.e. that cycling is good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations, but with a shared interest that brings them together? In other words, that you may have a shared humanity, FFS?
No I haven't, because I don't need to go cycling to meet people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations. I can do that anywhere and anytime. A lot of cyclists are pretty dull people, you'll get a wider cross section of people in a pub for instance giving you way more chance of meeting interesting dyamic people.
Of course, some people will meet interesting people when cycling in a group, especially if you're a dull person because more people of the others are likely to seem interesting to you. But, I think cycling in a group is not a good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, because they are mostly boring people not worth bothering with.0 -
I dont mind riding on my own, But every couple of weeks me & my 2 brothers go out on the road trying different routes & its nice to have someone to chat to sometimes
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I struggle with these types of thread.
If you want to ride alone.... ride alone.
If you want to ride with a couple of mates ... ride with a couple of mates
If you want to ride with a club... ride with a club
If you want to ride in a chaingang... ride with a chaingang
Or mix and match
What's to debate... do what you (personally) want. No ones business but your own.“You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut0 -
mfin wrote:[url=<span class= wrote:neeb[/url]"]
....Have you considered the less misanthropic side of the same coin, i.e. that cycling is good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations, but with a shared interest that brings them together? In other words, that you may have a shared humanity, FFS?
No I haven't, because I don't need to go cycling to meet people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations. I can do that anywhere and anytime. A lot of cyclists are pretty dull people, you'll get a wider cross section of people in a pub for instance giving you way more chance of meeting interesting dyamic people.
Of course, some people will meet interesting people when cycling in a group, especially if you're a dull person because more people of the others are likely to seem interesting to you. But, I think cycling in a group is not a good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, because they are mostly boring people not worth bothering with.
You might get a wider cross-section of people IN a pub, but you're not going to be wandering around talking to them, you'll be sat at a table with your friends all night. Unless it's a nightclub / drunk Friday night environment, in which case you are definitely not looking at a wide selection of interesting and dynamic people but more likely a self-selected bunch of binge drinkers from a very narrow age/social range.
If you can meet people from a wide range of different backgrounds anywhere and any time, you must either be lucky in terms of the job that you do or else have a lot of time on your hands.
But you're missing the point - the role cycling has is that it creates something in common between people who might otherwise not obviously have anything in common. So it's a way of maybe discovering that people who are different from you and who you might classify as "boring and not worth bothering with" are only like that because you haven't yet had the opportunity and/or the imagination to see any further than your own stereotypes.0 -
You might get a wider cross-section of people IN a pub, but you're not going to be wandering around talking to them, you'll be sat at a table with your friends all night. Unless it's a nightclub / drunk Friday night environment, in which case you are definitely not looking at a wide selection of interesting and dynamic people but more likely a self-selected bunch of binge drinkers from a very narrow age/social range.
If you can meet people from a wide range of different backgrounds anywhere and any time, you must either be lucky in terms of the job that you do or else have a lot of time on your hands.
But you're missing the point - the role cycling has is that it creates something in common between people who might otherwise not obviously have anything in common. So it's a way of maybe discovering that people who are different from you and who you might classify as "boring and not worth bothering with" are only like that because you haven't yet had the opportunity and/or the imagination to see any further than your own stereotypes.
A pub is just one example. Yes, I have plenty of time to meet all sorts of people without needing to meet people through cycling, you meet people every day.
Also, people I know who also cycle but that I have nothing else in common with are the last people I'd want to hang around with let alone cycle with as it spoils it.0 -
If you're riding slower in a group you're either riding in the wrong group or are simply sitting on and not doing your turn.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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An interesting perspective. I'm not sure whether the fact that I sometimes like to ride with the club and chat to people means that I'm dull, or whether I should mention while I chat to the other riders that actually they are boring people not worth bothering with, because I'm actually quite interesting compared with them. Quite a dilemma.Of course, some people will meet interesting people when cycling in a group, especially if you're a dull person because more people of the others are likely to seem interesting to you. But, I think cycling in a group is not a good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, because they are mostly boring people not worth bothering with.0 -
I've met some interesting people on sportives and some not interesting ones - basically just like the rest of life (including the pub).
But the Sunday club ride is mostly just socialising with a bunch of middle aged men on overly expensive bikes, which isn't exactly stimulating (I meet plenty of middle aged engineers at work already
). The chaingang attracts a younger crowd but you can't really hold a conversation during that (unless you're doing it wrong).
This is a bit of a dumb thread really, I'd say probably 50% of my riding is with at least one other person but I don't see how you can just pigeonhole "all group riding" because it covers a massive range. I go out with one guy midweek and we pretty much just do flat out 2-up the whole time, which is both fun and good training. I also often do a café ride with my girlfriend and/or a few other friends on a Sunday. These are completely different to each other.
Variety is the spice of life and all that.0 -
I like being part of a cycling club, I like wearing the club jersey, I like the craic on facebook and Strava, I go to the christmas lunches and sometimes the meetings. I don't usually go on the club runs unless they are specific beginners rides, because hammering around at top speed doesn't appeal. Everyone takes from it what they want.0
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The sooner someone invents cyclodogging the better.0
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I like being part of a cycling club, I like wearing the club jersey, I like the craic on facebook and Strava, I go to the christmas lunches and sometimes the meetings. I don't usually go on the club runs unless they are specific beginners rides, because hammering around at top speed doesn't appeal. Everyone takes from it what they want.
Why dont you sort out a Sunday social ride then.. or mid week potter .? surely your club has members who also dont want to bust a gut all the time... albeit you sound like you have ended up in a 'race' focussed club???0 -
I like being part of a cycling club, I like wearing the club jersey, I like the craic on facebook and Strava, I go to the christmas lunches and sometimes the meetings. I don't usually go on the club runs unless they are specific beginners rides, because hammering around at top speed doesn't appeal. Everyone takes from it what they want.
Most clubs run a selection of rides to cater for all abilities, if your club only has the one ride going out, it may be time to switch clubs to one that offers what you are looking for on a weekly basis.0 -
I prefer training on my own, unless its a training loop with clubmates, but really enjoy social rides at any pace. whether they be 15 mph potters around a scenic route or a 17 mph potter around a scenic route its all good.0
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I have no desire to race, and genrally don't like big groups cycling. Though cycling with a few others is great fun.
And equally some of the charity/sportives with folks has been lovely.
But strava says I'm 96% a lone wolf http://labs.strava.com/roster/
I commute early/late so not terribly surprising really.0 -
Cool! I'm 49% with others:51% alone, so my 50:50 guess was pretty accurate 0 -
I think you should clarify what sort of ride you mean here, especially considering you prefer cycling alone.@ OP
Do you prefer sex on your own?
Bodily fluids, smells, having to engage with another person....
Fancy meeting up for a ride?
You sound like right laugh0 -
I think you should clarify what sort of ride you mean here, especially considering you prefer cycling alone.@ OP
Do you prefer sex on your own?
Bodily fluids, smells, having to engage with another person....
Fancy meeting up for a ride?
You sound like right laugh
maybe we are now a dating website! Diversifying the portfolio n all that0 -
Riders with red bikes are the biggest problem, they should be banned from the group.
Think back to group riding disasters and i will bet that the problem was caused by a red bike rider.
RBRs should stick to their turbo trainers and never be allowed outside.
:roll:0 -
Maybe i'm a bit unsociable but when i ride i just want to get my head down, cycle at my own pace, go where i want to go, sometimes listen to some music and not have to talk to anyone.
Get away from it all.
Cycling in a group just looks proper s@#t
Thoughts?
Don't worry. You'll not be on this mortal coil for long to worry about group riding anyway0 -
Try riding down a hill in Mallorca in February and suddenly find youself in the middle of the Shimano team on a practise run. Talk about riding close! One on your front wheel one on your back, one to the side of you amongst a group of about twenty plus a team car at the back. Thought I was going to die!I've had more than a few macho, testosterone-driven groups swarm past me close at high speed, leaving no more than an inch or two's clearance.
Nothing to prove. http://adenough1.blogspot.co.uk/0 -
You're a Lone Wolf and have matched with 76 Strava Athletes
6 days with others (34%)
I guess I like riding alone, or nobody likes me
Advocate of disc brakes.0 -
....Have you considered the less misanthropic side of the same coin, i.e. that cycling is good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations, but with a shared interest that brings them together? In other words, that you may have a shared humanity, FFS?
No I haven't, because I don't need to go cycling to meet people of different backgrounds, ages and occupations. I can do that anywhere and anytime. A lot of cyclists are pretty dull people, you'll get a wider cross section of people in a pub for instance giving you way more chance of meeting interesting dyamic people.
Of course, some people will meet interesting people when cycling in a group, especially if you're a dull person because more people of the others are likely to seem interesting to you. But, I think cycling in a group is not a good excuse to meet and talk to people you wouldn't otherwise interact with, because they are mostly boring people not worth bothering with.
Yes I think you represent the 'boring people not worth bothering with' rather well0 -
Maybe i'm a bit unsociable but when i ride i just want to get my head down, cycle at my own pace, go where i want to go, sometimes listen to some music and not have to talk to anyone.
Get away from it all.
Cycling in a group just looks proper s@#t
Thoughts?
Don't worry. You'll not be on this mortal coil for long to worry about group riding anyway
PTT: are you in a club?Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am
De Sisti wrote:
This is one of the silliest threads I've come across.
Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honoursmithy21 wrote:
He's right you know.0 -
I'm boring but it's because I spend so much time on the bike alone...honest guv0
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I sometimes ride on my own, i sometimes ride with one or two mates and I sometimes ride in a larger group on a club ride. The group rides vary from a gently Harry to a full effort blast - but it keeps the variety.
We're all different, but we all find ways to enjoy being out on our bikes.0 -
Maybe i'm a bit unsociable but when i ride i just want to get my head down, cycle at my own pace, go where i want to go, sometimes listen to some music and not have to talk to anyone.
Get away from it all.
Cycling in a group just looks proper s@#t
Thoughts?
Don't worry. You'll not be on this mortal coil for long to worry about group riding anyway
PTT: are you in a club?
Yes why?0
