What is it with, "Roadies?"

TriChick

TriChick

Active Member
I consider myself a triathlete first...however, I'm also a mountain bike racer, cyclocross racer, time trialist, adventure racer, road racer and crit racer. It's not that I'm particularly good at any of these events, but I have trained and raced all over the area and I just don't understand "Roadies."

Why are you all in such a bad mood? Aren't you having fun riding your bike? It certainly doesn't look that way to me... if your saddle is uncomfortable, just change it, don't take it out on everyone else.

If I pass you on the road and say, "Hi, good morning," why do you scowl at me like I just told you that your pants are too tight? Are we not allowed to offer greetings and smile out on the road?

If someone is sitting on the side of the road with their bike, does it REALLY take that much energy for you to ask, "HEY, are you OK...do you need anything?" Instead, you try to speed by, just to show that person how fast you can ride!

Is it really necessary for you to blow through STOP signs and traffic lights, giving all of us out on the road a bad reputation?

Maybe it's just me, but the people I encounter around road racing/riding are just a different breed and much less friendly (in my opinion). Relax, enjoy, have some fun....AND for God's sake, just be nice to each other!!!!

TC
 
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Sometimes roadies give the "single finger flick". Its not a f' you flip, but a raise of a finger or two from the brake hoods. You may be missing it on the occasional pass. I think it was Ben who pointed it out to me.

Otherwise, dont sweat it. In the end, who cares. Dont let it get to you, its trivial in the big picture anyway. Just be happy being you! 😀

If I have to wave to everyone who drives a car when I'm driving, its all over....... 🙂
 
Hey TriChick, you're just riding around the wrong roadies!
I don't take any of them seriously. I laugh at them if they're so full of themselves that they can't say hello, give a nod or a two finger salute. It's most fun if you just give 'em a little lead and then blow past them.

Or just come ride with me!😀
 
When I flatted down in The Great Swamp area with no pump or tube, I had two "roadies" just look over for a second and then made like I wasnt there. The first one I just thought he had headphones on or something so I made sure I tried to wave down the next guy and he did the same thing. I chauked it down to the MTBNJ jersey I had on and figured they have resentments against MTBers or stupid assed that dont carry spare tubes or co2s.

I've also had girls screaming at me at the crits I do at Skylands for what, I do not know. But one did approach me after and told me to take my damn seat bag off. My bad
 
Hey TC!
I'm a tri girl too and I definitely understand where you're coming from. I went on a group ride a few weeks ago with a bike shop down here. There wasn't a many of us so they decided not to split the group up (labeled B/C rides), just had one pace. The pace was insanely fast and I had trouble keeping up, which I felt terrible about. They just weren't very friendly. I know they needed to get a workout in, but I'm just trying to get better myself.

On the other hand, my first group ride at Jorbafest was so patient and helpful (thanks again Ron!) I do think it's a bit of a generalization since I've met some really nice roadies, but for the most part they haven't proven that wrong to me yet.
 
After all these years I think I have it figured out as I am up in Bergen county as well. Here is my summation: I used to think that it was only the rare times that I am doodling around locally on my mountain bike (as no real roadie would give the time of day to a mtn bike rider), however surprisingly on some occasions I did get nod back. Then I noticed that there were times when I was cranking on my road bike and even then sometimes no response. Recently I put it all together...if your shorts/bib do not match your jersey and if the kit does not have something to do with a shop or team you don't get a nod. Livestrong stuff does not count as that is somehow considered like wearing a McDonald's kit. (Despite all the great work the foundation does). I'm telling you, try it out.
Now the surprising factor for me is that you are a woman and having issues getting guys to wave back...that I can't test to my theory unless I go out in drag. ACtually we wear the same stuff, I guess a wig.
 
I ride a 29er HT mountain bike on the road while wearing a camelback and baggy shorts...all I ever get from roadies is a middle finger 🙂
 
Chris26er said:
I chauked it down to the MTBNJ jersey I had on and figured they have resentments against MTBers or stupid assed that dont carry spare tubes or co2s.
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If you're dumb enough not to carry spares I'd ride right by you too, only I'll more than likely point and laugh while I do. You'll have your entire walk home to think about what you did wrong😀

The area I ride in generally has nice people out there, so I wave, they wave back, even when I'm on the SuperFly.

-Jim.
 
Sometimes people wave, sometimes not. There are days I literally pass 200 riders. I can understand why some people have sworn off waving.
 
Trichick I live in Bergen county also and its much different out here. This is racer central and a majority of the riders are probably in the middle of a work out. Also, I'm not sure where you were ridding but let's say it was up on 9w, there would be no way I would wave at everyone, my arm would fall off by the time I hit Piermont. I do the finger wave or nod myself, getting up out of the drops every time to wave would be annoying.
 
Yeah I agree with that, the only difference that I have noticed up here is I ride a lot at the crack of dawn and then everyone says hi, people walking dogs, joggers...I think there is a sort of "club" for early risers regardless of whatever you are doing.
 
dont sweat it...I used to think that too, now I dont care. I wave at everyone (the one finger or multi finger, i smile too) joggers, walkers, roadies. There are some joggers and walkers that dont wave back. I like to think sometimes I miss the wave or the wink or the smile, it all happens too fast, so I give them the benefit of the doubt.

BTW, not all mountain bikers are friendly, I have ran to some on the trail that dont exchange pleasantries either.

On the same note....I say good morning to every one in the office and some people dont reply....there are A$$holes everywhere....
 
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road biking is all about subtly.
everything movement on a road bike should be minimal and smooth...including the greeting if one is necessary.
dont mistake focus for anti-social behavior.
Also
when road riding i dont like to spook the roadie in front of me when i pass him with a HELLO, i just give the finger lift off the hood and a head nod as i pass if i feel like it.
 
I agree with marky.

I also don't wave at people without helmets or with seats that are set way too low. That's just me.

But I don't remember a time when I at least didn't get a finger waive, and I always waive back.
 
TriChick said:
If I pass you on the road and say, "Hi, good morning," why do you scowl at me like I just told you that your pants are too tight? Are we not allowed to offer greetings and smile out on the road?
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I think the problem is that you just passed them...:hmmm:😀

I live in Bergen County and ride on 9W and surrounding roads every weekend. Definitely make an effort to acknowledge other riders with a wave or a "good morning" and haven't noticed any particular grumbling or such...
 
Yo Eddy said:
I think the problem is that you just passed them...:hmmm:😀

THAT may be the problem. I don't expect HUNDREDS of people on 9W to offer greetings and salutations. However, when I come up to someone and pass them, I generally give a nice little, "Good Morning."

I know that they are just jealous of my super hot tri bike...lol

Next time I will indeed give a little giggle as I pass... THAT will probably start them thinking...."what is that crazy chick giggling about?"

Just had to vent about it since it was bugging me. I took a bunch of deep breaths, read all of your wonderful posts and I think I'm over it. YES, I'm totally over it.

🙂
TC
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