Didn't know if anyone pointed this out on the list yet. Speaking of friendl
y cyclists on classic bikes, check out the Free Credit Report commercial
on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/
Rick Peoples
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> From: hudsonspangler@earthlink.net
> Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:37:48 -0700
> Subject: [CR]Greeting cyclists on the road
>
> 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