Cyclist and the demise of brotherhood/friendship.

[roadking]

Not a rant but an observation containing a question.

I founded a section of the V-CC, and my section in the main ride lightweights of all ages from the 1930s to the 1980s. We were out on Saturday, stunning Lincolnshire Wolds weather and quiet lanes, always see a few cyclists.

We covered 20 miles and encountered three cars, and five cyclists. The observation - only one of the cyclists, a rider on his own said hello (steel framed machine), the other four (two separate couples) didn't even look at us !

Same happened on Sunday, I was outside doing the hedges at Roadking Towers and again of all the cyclists that rode by only the lone one on a steel framed tourer said hello, the others (x 7) all on cheap carbon and wearing various team kit just rode by.

Question, is this a phenomenon, a case of tribalism or what, is the brotherhood of cyclists no more ?

Rk.

N.B edited once for typo in para 2 that someone (obviously not a a member of the brotherhood) found amusing !

 

[legrandefromage]

Re: Cyclist and the lack of camaraderie or brotherhood.

We have our differences but I do agree with what you say. I'm further down the country and out and around the Fens its the solo who says hello but groups tend to barely nod.

Recently myself and danson67 were at our local with some nice cold bitter shandies, Dan on his steel/ carbon Danson with my Caygill in all its pink tyred glory. A small group rocked up in all the Team Sky kit, bandannas, Garmins - not a word, not a smile, not even an acknowledgement of our existence.

Then theres the angry local soloist who charges by, carbon rims on fire seemingly grumpy that we dare to venture out on 'his' roads. I've encountered him a few times and am planning to follow him one day.

But, then there was a large peleton, I tagged along at the back drafting a bit as I was at the end of my ride and on the way home, a few turns of the head rippled along the lines and I was asked if I wanted to join them for the rest of their route. I politely declined as I was a bit sweaty.

We're not casual cyclists either. We're starting to get the short 15.9 mile route down to less than 46 minutes with the longer hillier 20.9 mile route down to around 1 hour 7 minutes.

But we're not of the body. no team kit, no recognisable bike brands

I dont know any more!

 

[tintin40]

i will say 'hi' if they say first. Otherwise i was told don't talk to strangers. And non stranger than me BITD i talked first and most times met with silence. So now just do my own thing. I'm certain its silence now as i don't have a crash hat on. And that's a No No. Do i care

 

[LongboardSi]

I blame all these Nu-cyclists... they say cycling is the new golf - nuff said really.

 

[M-Power]

I blame all these Nu-cyclists... they say cycling is the new golf - nuff said really.

Apparently so but still plenty of Mamil types on the golf course ! I always say hi to every fellow cyclist, dog walker, hikers etc and encorage my kid to do the same. Its very rare its not reciprocated and that's mostly cos they have ear phones or they are antisocial shifty types

My daughter and I were sitting outside Bucks yesterday when this dad came by on his Bikefiets. Seen him around Hitchin a few times. I stopped him for a chat about his cool bike. His kids were adorable, excitedly telling us how dad puts another ‘plank in’ so he can take their friends out for a ride too. Dad told how he puts another two on the back and a tag along !!! :shock: Another woman came by on her mobility chair. I sparked a convo with her too about her spooky silver skull handle. She rotated towards us and showed my kid how the skull eyes lit up. My kid loved it and had a go

Humans are naturally social animals. Its good to talk. Everybody has a story to tell. Far too much self isolation going on these days. I see it all the time in my biz with flatmates who no longer socialise with each other, preferring to play video games or use SM. It doesn't take long before mental gremlins kick in and they start ‘theorising’ about other people’s ‘issues’, as they perceive it.

Its good to talk...

 

[onegoodbike]

Re:

Perhaps I am just in a fortunate location, but I find most cyclists whether singly or in groups will acknowledge a friendly hello. Yesterday I did a 26 mile local loop and passed 3 cyclists all riding solo, we all exchanged pleasantries.


Matt

 

[The History Man]

I talk to anybody. It's helping with my re-integration.

On the bike I usually smile and say hello. There are lots of charity rides at this time of year with lots of happy smiling groups and families. All very pleasant. It's the 'serious' ones that seem aloof, behind their dark glasses and matching kit, white ear buds preventing the world getting too close.

 

[mrkawasaki]

Of course it is tribalism and the need for identity - man cannot seem to exist without it, despite the endless trouble it causes. And yet are we not, the 'enlightened' yet ill-defined RB contingent, doing the same? Why does it hurt to be ignored by other cycling tribes that we don't fit into or have trouble 'respecting' ourselves? I acknowledge nearly all fellow cyclists on the basis that we at least share the dangers of today's roads and are in many ways 'social mavericks', increasingly outcast and at risk from the Daily Mail motorists. I don't expect any cycling types to chat or have anything else in common with my peculiar take on cycling - that realisation has taken some time to acquire, mind... ;-)

 

[focomat 1c]

Re: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=386162

Congratulations 'roadking' another word enters the English language !

obeservation or obeservations ( plural ) the observation of an obese person ( or persons ) in the act of taking
exercise on a steel framed bicycle ( other frame materials are available )

I think that in general people lead increasingly insular/isolated lives and that the mere
fact that some of them choose to place their posteriors on a leather bike saddle
( other materials are available ) will not suddenly change them into happy extroverts

 

[Woz]

Re:

...must be some sort of health and safety warning paragraph in the carbon frame user manual about talking and riding at the same time could lead to loss of control blah blah.