The Cycling Chat Thread
- Thread starter ChrisFilter
- Start date
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Gravel bikes.
This is the second Sunday in a row that I have witnessed piss-poor behaviour from gravel bikers. Last Sunday I was at the top of a valley and stopped for some water, gravel biker came past and shouted, "coming through!", he bombed down the hill which was a bridle path, not slowing for two dog walkers on the path, at the bottom you can go left on a bridle path or right on a footpath, the footpath goes to Hydons Ball and is as wide as a bridle path, so riding up it is fine, by now I have caught up with the bearded twat who's huffing and puffing up the steep hill cos he didn't come with the right tool for the job, an e-bike. Anyway I tuck in behind him as I feel it's crass to overtake one handed on a steep incline, there's a family walking down the footpath, the dad didn't see us, gravel bike prick crashes in to him, cutting his shin with his pedal. This cunt doesn't stop or say a word, just pushes on. I jump off and ask after the injured man and apologise for the actions of a stranger as I too am a cyclist.
Today I was about 15 miles in to a lovey ride, beautiful weather for it and heading up a narrow trail, three bearded wankers come hurtling towards me on their drops shouting, "Out the way!"
Obviously #notallgravelbikers, eh, Cid, but what's the problem here?
Is it that gravel bikers are mainly road riders who have discovered a way of riding on dirt and have brought a fuck you attitude that comes with dealing with cars and peds on roads?
The country code is peds have right of way, always. Horses next. Then bikes. That works. Why no bells on gravel bikes? See some peds and give 'em a ding-ding. In the Surrey Hills there are signs up for horse riders and bikers, "Be nice, say hi" and the message has got through, horse riders, cyclists and walkers are in the main friendly towards each other and the natural hesitancy to interact that existed has largely gone. Now this bunch of beard-oil bastards has shown up with zero manners and are giving us all a bad name.
Did I mention they are beardy, hipster twats?
Exhibits A & B, Canyon's analogue and e gravel bike adverts:
They know their market.
This is the second Sunday in a row that I have witnessed piss-poor behaviour from gravel bikers. Last Sunday I was at the top of a valley and stopped for some water, gravel biker came past and shouted, "coming through!", he bombed down the hill which was a bridle path, not slowing for two dog walkers on the path, at the bottom you can go left on a bridle path or right on a footpath, the footpath goes to Hydons Ball and is as wide as a bridle path, so riding up it is fine, by now I have caught up with the bearded twat who's huffing and puffing up the steep hill cos he didn't come with the right tool for the job, an e-bike. Anyway I tuck in behind him as I feel it's crass to overtake one handed on a steep incline, there's a family walking down the footpath, the dad didn't see us, gravel bike prick crashes in to him, cutting his shin with his pedal. This cunt doesn't stop or say a word, just pushes on. I jump off and ask after the injured man and apologise for the actions of a stranger as I too am a cyclist.
Today I was about 15 miles in to a lovey ride, beautiful weather for it and heading up a narrow trail, three bearded wankers come hurtling towards me on their drops shouting, "Out the way!"
Obviously #notallgravelbikers, eh, Cid, but what's the problem here?
Is it that gravel bikers are mainly road riders who have discovered a way of riding on dirt and have brought a fuck you attitude that comes with dealing with cars and peds on roads?
The country code is peds have right of way, always. Horses next. Then bikes. That works. Why no bells on gravel bikes? See some peds and give 'em a ding-ding. In the Surrey Hills there are signs up for horse riders and bikers, "Be nice, say hi" and the message has got through, horse riders, cyclists and walkers are in the main friendly towards each other and the natural hesitancy to interact that existed has largely gone. Now this bunch of beard-oil bastards has shown up with zero manners and are giving us all a bad name.
Did I mention they are beardy, hipster twats?
Exhibits A & B, Canyon's analogue and e gravel bike adverts:
They know their market.
weepiper
I fix the machines that fight climate change
Bahnhof Strasse they're the doctor and lawyer set. Gravel bikes are squarely aimed at and largely bought by rich entitled cunts.
Cid
Proper break this time
I've no idea why gravel bikers in the wealthiest non-London county in the UK might behave like entitled wankers.
I'd guess more use of mixed trails is part of it... Their design is focused around the bits of the US they come from, where there are just a lot of long, empty gravel trails. In the UK - especially more populated bits - quite often those are actually going to be the places where dog walkers etc tend to end up. Mountain bikers, particularly with the capabilities of modern mountain bikes, are more likely to be found on dedicated trails, or more out-of-the-way places where they know they can open up a bit more safely.
I'd guess more use of mixed trails is part of it... Their design is focused around the bits of the US they come from, where there are just a lot of long, empty gravel trails. In the UK - especially more populated bits - quite often those are actually going to be the places where dog walkers etc tend to end up. Mountain bikers, particularly with the capabilities of modern mountain bikes, are more likely to be found on dedicated trails, or more out-of-the-way places where they know they can open up a bit more safely.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
They make excellent commuting bikes though...
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Cid
Proper break this time
This specific bit by the way I think you'd be better off just overtaking... No-one is that fussed about getting overtaken (well, maybe that specific guy), but it is pretty unpleasant having someone kind of impatiently sat behind you when you're struggling up a climb. Sounds like it wouldn't have been safe in context mind you.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Leafster
.
I don't know the etiquette either but I just expect e-bikes to come past me on the steep bits and for me to sometimes go past them on the flat or downhill.
It's usually, they come past me and I never see them again though!
ETA: If the track is narrow, as so many of them seem to be around here, I might pull to one side and let them through if it's up hill (e-bike or not). If it's flat or downhill (and narrow) I just tend to stick behind them unless they pull over.
Last edited:
Cid
Proper break this time
If it were me I'd probably overtake with some awkward mumbling along the lines of 'terribly sorry, too easy on an ebike'. I think with etiquette you can work from the base principle of giving people the space to do their thing.
Cid
Proper break this time
I've been accused of being a rude gravel biker incidentally. Going round Ladybower reservoir I passed another group of cyclists who'd stopped for lunch and gave them a friendly wave. Apparently, for a bloke called Simon, I was too close though as he yelled 'steady on' (I was probably at least 6 feet away and going about 12mph). I encountered them again later (because I went back the other way, thus demonstrating the incredible aerodynamic advantages of a well-oiled beard), he said something again and his very embarrassed mate mumbled 'take it easy Simon, there's plenty of space'.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
weepiper
I fix the machines that fight climate change
Except for the 1x11 drivetrains that are excruciatingly expensive to replace when you inevitably wear out the three smallest sprockets, yeah.
Cid
Proper break this time
Nope, but I don't actually cycle on shared use paths that often. I think the problem with them on gravel bikes (and road bikes in general) is that you don't have a lot of bar real-estate. So computer and a couple of light mounts is all you'll get in between the grip-tape. My approach is generally to slow right down and politely ask if I can pass. It doesn't happen very often though. I guess I'd use one if I did stuff like Ladybower more often.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Mine doesn’t take up much space...
But even shouting ding-ding would do. When walking I get lost in a world of my own, a bike whizzing past with no warning often freaks the shit out of me. “Coming through” or “Out the way” is just shit.
But even shouting ding-ding would do. When walking I get lost in a world of my own, a bike whizzing past with no warning often freaks the shit out of me. “Coming through” or “Out the way” is just shit.
Leafster
.
I find a lot of walkers around here seem to be wearing airpods which I don't really notice until I'm close up to them. There was one on a narrow shared path last Sunday so I even though I did a little "ding" on the bell she didn't hear it. I ended up cycling at her walking pace until it opened out a bit and I could give her a wide berth and pass her. I'm not keen on calling out "coming through", "passing on your right" or whatever.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Exactly the same, pedestrians have right of way, even when they have headphones one. And I’m often happy to have a breather too
sleaterkinney
Well-Known Member
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Yeah, I’ve got GRX 2x on mine. 46/30 and 11/34. Silly low gear for when it gets steep and (just) enough at the top end for going downhill on a fast road. While they make sense for MTB’s I still don’t really get the point of 1x on anything resembling a road bike.
Cid
Proper break this time
Depends how you use it really. Coming from an XC background I still like to do the odd bit of more technical stuff on the gravel bike, and not having to think about a front mech is great in that context. Also I have always absolutely hated front mechs, just annoying things to adjust... Probably much better these days though, I need a new drivetrain on my turbo trainer bike, so suppose I'll find out when I get round to that.
In my case the actual decision just came down to cost. But when I next get a 2x bike I will undoubtedly miss the simplicity of 1x.
Also ironically my actual XC bike still has a triple chainset.
DJWrongspeed
radio eros
That's terrible, poor guy , now all cyclists are cunts in his eyes. When the Ride100 cycle event was cancelled there was much wrath about cyclists. This was about behaviour generally not connected with the event e.g. aggression and littering. This was in turn fed back to Surrey county Councillors where they voted against allowing the event to continue. The cycling community do just need to get along with the rest of the public and stop causing aggro where they go.
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
Yeah, I stopped and checked on him and found myself apologising on the arsehole’s behalf. The Ride London/100 thing doesn’t come in to my part of the county, but I understand it is not very popular with those who live in the east of the county, not just cos of the day but because of the numbers of riders out on the route all year round, most of whom are lovely, but a significant number imagine they are pro-racers/obsess about Strava, that anything that impedes their progress is met with aggression. I have come across mountain bikers like that on Holmbury Hill too, but I was walking on trails that are dedicated to them, although not marked at every crossing so easy enough to mooch onto. People need to chill the fuck out and appreciate that they’re out in nature and things don’t need to be a competition. Man.
Cid
Proper break this time
I think the problem is that any community will have a number of total cunts in it, cyclists just tend to be more noticeable. I mean we've all walked past another walker, offered a cheery greeting and got nothing in reply. Or been jostled by a jogger. But a bike is inherently just a more intimidating thing to have bearing down on you at speed than your local Tory councillor out for his morning stroll. I don't really see any way you can change that... More dedicated cycle paths, covering a greater variety of terrain would be nice though.
mauvais
on reddit or something
IMO you should generally only call out "on your right" or whatever before passing other cyclists on trails, to avoid them being surprised and colliding with you. It's harder for them to hear you over the sound of their own bike. Pedestrians are different, you just need to slow down and wait for a clear space. With horses it's another thing again, you hold a long way back, announce yourself if unnoticed, and get permission to pass.
There have always been twats but generally I find mountain bikers and walkers etc get on well. I worry a bit that there are certain developments - maybe unfair but e-bikes in particular - that give people immediate access to these spaces without getting a feel for that, and they get into conflict. There are also lots of people bombing around on bikes, especially near urban areas, that aren't mountain bikers or any particular 'cyclist' thing.
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
I tend to find the bigger the group no matter how they are moving the more the odds they'll be disrespectful or just plain oblivious to surroundings. Cyclist groups going by 2 abreast or bombing past, groups of walkers strung across a path, that sort of thing.
Aside from joggers, just need one of those.
Dogsauce
I’ve got Skol but I’m not a Scholar
my old touring bike just didn’t have a front mech, it was put together by a mate who would rescue bikes from bin yards when the students moved out and build them up from available parts, obviously he didn’t have the right bit for this one. To change front cog I’d have to stop and poke it with a stick, which would cause amusement when going on group rides with the serious cycling club. It would actually drop onto the smaller cog by itself if I changed right down on the rear, but wouldn’t be able to get it back up again. I’d have an old lolly stick tied to the handle bars with an elastic band just for the job, although at some point I just about mastered doing it with the toe of my cycling shoes. Less is more and all that.
rubbershoes
not the only raver in the village
My cycling group includes both doctors and lawyers and none of us ride like wankers.
But we're purely on road not on trails
Smokeandsteam
Working Class First
This thread has been illuminating. Firstly, my wife has twice raised with me the fact that she thinks gravel bikes are cool. I'll be showing her this thread.
Second, and more seriously, in addition to the country experiences of Bahnhof Strasse and others I've noticed a significant increase of cyclist bell end behaviour in urban areas and on the West Midlands canal network in particular of late.
The paths are much busier, lockdown means its one of the few places where newbie cyclists and walkers can go outside of the urban sprawl. But, there also does appear to be a new breed of cyclist, who instead of showing some consideration and understanding of living in an area of over 2 million people all locked down and looking to get out for a bit, have decided that more aggressive riding is the answer. On Saturday we were out by Brierley Hill and had tucked in behind a (very slow) mom, dad and two kids. Clearly the one kid hadn't ridden on the canals before and was being coached/cajoled a bit by his folks. We were more than happy to dawdle behind until we could safely pass. But from behind came (a non Brum/Black Country accent) "on your left" shout as three wankers came flying past. Not only had they trashed the etiquette of overtaking on the right and by pushing us and the family to the right pushed us towards the water (and anyone who has ever fell in a canal in Birmingham will tell you why that's bad) but I could also see the young lad was rattled by the experience.
Without wishing to be too stereotypical my experience of these types of rider is that they are of a type: age, class, gear.
I've started to find that instead of relaxing during cycling (which is why I got into it in the first place) during lockdown it's starting to make me aggressive and
confrontational (which cycling was meant to prevent me becoming). As I say it is a minority, but the explosion of use of e-bikes and a emergence of a particular type of rider has definitely become more noticeable. There has always been the odd twat but these are a different and more prevalent type of twat.
Second, and more seriously, in addition to the country experiences of Bahnhof Strasse and others I've noticed a significant increase of cyclist bell end behaviour in urban areas and on the West Midlands canal network in particular of late.
The paths are much busier, lockdown means its one of the few places where newbie cyclists and walkers can go outside of the urban sprawl. But, there also does appear to be a new breed of cyclist, who instead of showing some consideration and understanding of living in an area of over 2 million people all locked down and looking to get out for a bit, have decided that more aggressive riding is the answer. On Saturday we were out by Brierley Hill and had tucked in behind a (very slow) mom, dad and two kids. Clearly the one kid hadn't ridden on the canals before and was being coached/cajoled a bit by his folks. We were more than happy to dawdle behind until we could safely pass. But from behind came (a non Brum/Black Country accent) "on your left" shout as three wankers came flying past. Not only had they trashed the etiquette of overtaking on the right and by pushing us and the family to the right pushed us towards the water (and anyone who has ever fell in a canal in Birmingham will tell you why that's bad) but I could also see the young lad was rattled by the experience.
Without wishing to be too stereotypical my experience of these types of rider is that they are of a type: age, class, gear.
I've started to find that instead of relaxing during cycling (which is why I got into it in the first place) during lockdown it's starting to make me aggressive and
confrontational (which cycling was meant to prevent me becoming). As I say it is a minority, but the explosion of use of e-bikes and a emergence of a particular type of rider has definitely become more noticeable. There has always been the odd twat but these are a different and more prevalent type of twat.
Last edited:
