DBA #3 (I think)

Deconstructing the Roadie:

I like road biking.  I have a roadie friend or two.  I think they are all too often misunderstood and consequently, stereotyped.  We have all heard the stereotypes.  They never waive or say hi, they always look angry, they are clicky and usually try to drop outsiders to show their superiority. Oh, and they wear too much Lycra.

Most roadies are nice. The assessments above are often not true, but we have all encountered the roadie who embodies most or all of these traits and bolsters the stereotype.  During one of my euphoric states (a.k.a. good ride) I realized why there are some roadies who fit the stereotype. 

On the road, there is bliss.  The sound of the tires against good pavement, a perfectly silent bike, the rhythm that can be found on long grueling climbs and the calm of achieving and maintaining the perfect cadence on a flat or rolling road.  Great conversation can be had on group rides as well.  This is the positive side that keeps roadies coming back. What is missing from this description is what I like to call, “the missing link”.  It is the reason why some roadies seem to hate biking, and more importantly, why many don’t waive.  The mini-van full of screaming kids, or pickup truck with a 10 inch lift and 44 inch tires that are taller that you, that comes within an inch of your elbow or actually clips you and sends you flying. Motorists who yell, spit, honk, or throw "Big Gulps" at you while riding.  Roads without bike lanes or even a shoulder for that matter.  Roads with bike lanes full of green and brown glass shards. Loose dogs, stumbling drunks, deer,  the list of variables goes on and on.  The one thing they all have in common is they rip a cyclist out of the euphoric state of joy like being abruptly awoken from a perfect bike dream.  The response in both of the above is to be grumpy and resentful of what has been taken from you.  Just like the state of bliss achieved from perfect conditions, the resentment and anger from terrible conditions can linger for hours or days.  During that time it is perfectly understandable that the roadie described above doesn’t want to waive, smile or chat.  They are grieving over the loss of bliss. The one thing we must all remember is that deep down, they still appreciate the waive or word from a fellow cyclist, even if they don’t respond to it.