Friends,
There may be some simpler and (mostly) less sinister reasons for the lack of friendliness among some cyclists these days, as has been noted. I think the following reasons play a part:
1. The rise in triathlons and other solo-training/solo-competitor sports involving cycling. (When you ride by yourself and not in a larger group, you do not learn the simple rules of "club riding etiquette" that are passed on naturally within bike clubs, racing teams, etc.: calling out "on your left," "stopping," "bump," etc., and learning about waving and other social aspects are just not learned.
2. The spread of personal stereo devices, ipods, etc. These further encourage living in one's own personal world, unaware of other outside sounds, persons, etc.
3. Today's more frenetic pace of life, work, and workouts leaves less time to participate in social outings or workouts (rides) with others. (See #1.)
4. The general increase in fear and alienation, begun during the Protestant Reformation with its emphasis on an individual's personal (not communal) relationship to God and his/her individual responsibility for her/his own (private) salvation. (Trust me on this one. I studied it in college.) This trend has been seriously manipulated by certain political figures since 2001 as they have capitalized on crime, the "war on terror," and "child safety" for their own political gain. (Sorry for the foray into politics, but this fear-mongering has been widely documented.)
Yours for friendlier cycling,
Jon Spangler (who is an avowed and long-time liberal Episcopalian with his own FBI file someplace in Washington, DC) Alameda, CA USA
responding to Jerry Moos, who wrote:
As to snobbishness among fellow cyclists, I too have encountered this, and agree it is greater among those with the latest carbon wonders. It's not the bikes per se, I think, but rather that there is an image obsessed subgroup within the cycling community, who seem more concerned with their own inflated egos than with the actual virtues of cycling. These guys of course have to have the lastest and most prestigeous equipment, which at the moment usually includes carbon frames. So while a guy who rides a carbon frame because he has found it has adavantages after experiencing the other materials will usually greet a fellow cyclist, the guy who bought it just because it is the "in" thing will usually be to self absorbed to acknowledge the presence of another human being. I think one clearly sees this in almost any large cycle club, and I certainly did in the one I belonged to in Houston. There is a certan group that alway have to ride in the group with the highest pace at every weekend ride on the latest carbon frame with all sorts of other gratuitous carbon bits. I think this satisfies some sort of self-image of themselves as "competitive". Personally, I've always considered these guys as laughable, if not pathetic. I mean, if you want to be "competitive" join the USCF, or whatever they call themselves these days, and do some real racing. I did that a bit in the past, although not very successfully. Club rides and centuries, IMHO, are not the place for indulging one's competitive instincts, but an opportunity to enjoy the company of one's fellow cyclists. Fortunately, along with the snobs and poseurs, most large cycle clubs also have several strong and experienced cyclist who will usually make a point of riding the shorter, slower rides with the beginning cyclists, both to assist them if needed and to make them feel welcome.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA