Sometimes I hate being called a cyclist.

[Mr Cabletwitch]

On my way to a mtb ride I come upon a group of riders taking up both lanes. I beep my horn and when I pass I'm met with middle fingers and FUs. A bunch of tough guys until I pulled ahead and got out of my truck. The idea is to share the road not take it over!


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[skijoring]

Dude, just become a bike rider.

[MattTuck]

Yeah, I generally avoid group rides for this reason. So many cyclists are hypocrites when it comes to this issue. I'm not sure if it is pack mentality or something else, but it is a huge turn-off to me.

[RAS72]

Felt this way for years. But recently went on a group ride. Was quickly reminded why I stay away.
And don't get me started about the cats that can ride fast but can't ride a bike.

[Tony T]

[Climb01742]

We are our own worst enemies sometimes. And the knuckleheads tempt many drivers to think we're all @holes. Can't count the number of conversations I've had with people trying to convince them of two things: not all cyclists ride in large, unruly, selfish packs and they should see some of the crap cars do to us. Oy.

[Anarchist]

Twice this weekend while driving my daughter to work I came across the local "group rides"

Large packs of self entitled assholes strung out completely across the road and refusing to budge one inch to allow cars or trucks to pass.

I recognized many of them.

Inexcusable.

[rain dogs]

How many lanes was the road? in each direction?

Why did you stop and get out of your truck?

[brando]

You got out of your vehicle?

[bikinchris]

I often hear about attempts to legislate the problem away. In two different attempts in Louisiana and one in Texas that I know of, the state legislature tried to make it illegal to ride bicycles on state or local highways. The state highways law attempt was in LA.
If riders don't get their act together, one of these attempts is going to work.

The League of American Bicyclists took many decades to get laws in every state making bicycles legal vehicles that allow us to use the roads. That CAN be reversed.

[pbarry]

I LOVE group rides that keep to the shoulder, even riding two abreast with the inner rider at great risk for a goat head flat. If I'm driving, I pass, give two short toots of the horn, and wave. If I'm riding, I'll tell them they are a great example.

[pbarry]

Tony T, awesome post.

[jimoots]

Post removed. But basically I think the tendency of motorists to beep their horn at anything has kinda morphed into a pretty aggressive gesture. So you can hardly complain when you receive an aggressive gesture back, particularly when you're in control of 2 tonnes of metal vs a 7kg bike and some polyester and the person you're beeping at - for all intents and purposes - is doing something perfectly legal.

I also don't think that cyclists actions can ever help or not help themselves either, motorists and driving culture is inherently selfish and motorists will find reasons to justify hating anyone or anything that moves slower than the speed they want to travel at.

Yes, I ride a lot. Yes, I drive regularly.

[rustychisel]

It seems inexcusable, but I have to admit I'm quick to respond with the finger to a rude toot. Anyway, I wasn't there, don't know all circumstances.

BTW 'flack' = 'flak' = from the German, flieger abwehr kanone, or anti-aircraft gun. Just thought you'd like to know.

[Gummee]

So. OP. Let me get this straight. You do to others exactly what you've probably kvetched about (honking, threatening with your car) and you wonder that you're getting anything *other* than what you got?

...and that makes sense?!

The 'getting out of your truck' thing really adds icing on the cake.

Lots of fail all the way round in this one.

M