Experiences with Colorado Cyclists (Denver, Colorado Springs: home, neighborhood, college)

[mcb1025]

Is it just me, or does it seem to the rest of you that Colorado cyclists are arrogant snobs?

I moved here last year from Michigan and I loved the prospect of being able to ride the diverse terrain of Colorado. Though I am growing more enthusiastic about cycling, I am by no means an expert or a pro. By that, I mean that when I go out, I go out for leisure (to relax, burn off stress, soak in the sun and the atmosphere). Until my bike was stolen last summer, I was riding a $250 bike I picked up at a sporting goods store. I recently invested about $600 in a basic hard-tail Specialized bike. This is still rather meager considering that some of the more avid cyclists have bikes that run between $5000-$10,000.

Anyways, I try to go out riding as often as I can. I've noticed that many of the cyclists out on the trails tend to be pretty intense (head down, breathing hard, eyes on the prize look on their face). They're usually in the zone, riding at a consistent 15 mph or faster. If you happen to get in their way or are going too slow for them, they make sure to let you know it. Just the other night, I was out riding along the Cherry Creek trail and I was crossing a pretty narrow bride. When I approached the bridge, there was a woman walking her dog that I attempted to pass. Since I was paying close attention to her, I didn't notice that there was a cyclist coming from the opposite direction towards me. Now, it wasn't as if I cut him off or pulled out at the last second. We both had plenty of time to get out of each other's way. Anyways, as I pulled around the woman and passed the other cyclist, he literally spit in my face. At first, I thought maybe he was spitting and the wind blew it in my direction. But it was a direct hit, so I figured it was intentional; his pleasant way of saying 'stay the F outta my way'. I attempted to follow the guy so that I could confront him, , but ended up losing him eventually as it wasn't that important to me to start a fight with some moron.

Now my question to you other casual riders out there is this: have you experienced a similar brand of hospitality from these cycling enthusiasts? Is it just me, or do they take themselves too seriously? I mean, it seems that they've turned a leisurely activity into a life or death scenario (don't stop pedaling or I'll die). Do they all aspire to be the next Lance Armstrong or something? Nonetheless, I don't believe that it excuses this type of behavior. My word of advice to them: Grow up, relax, it's just for fun!

What are your thoughts on this?

[McGowdog]

My first thought is to ask why you didn't dump this in the Denver sub forum instead of the general Colorado thread. You guys have an amazing trail system in the Denver Metro!

My next thought is to find out whether you're talking about road-biking or single bike path mountain biking.

Someone spit on you? That's just disgusting! I'd have had that rider and his bike in the ditch and his first thought would have been, "I think I need a new helmet because this one is cracked now".

I'm a mountain biker, so I have a way different mentality than the road biker. I would stay out of their way whenever you get the chance, btw. When I learned to mountain bike, I was taught a bit of etiquette that I use to this day;

• Stay out of the road. I avoid having to ride in traffic with other cars. I like paths designated for bikes, joggers, etc. where I know there'll be no motorized traffic
• Find a cadence and keep it regardless of what gear I'm in- about 70 cycles/minute
• People on horseback have #1 right of way as that big animal is unpredictable
• People with small kids and/or dogs have #2 right of way because there again, the unpredictability thing
• People on foot, rollerblades, etc. #3 right of way
• People on bikes are last, but whomever is going faster, just yield to them because they're in a hurry and you're not. So if you want courtesy, give courtesy. Maybe someone else will return the favor down the road. Golden Rule stuff, right?
• Whenever I'm about to pass someone or group of people, I always say, "On the left."
• Single file! When you're going along and you're side by side with your buddy talkin' that's great, but once traffic comes from behind or ahead, single-file-it!

Always bring an apple and maybe a granola bar with you and water obviously. You never know when you're gonna need the extra energy. I like to bring a spare tube with me to give to the next guy who has a flat, and one for myself. There again, the Golden Rule thing.

[reginhild]

Wow, never heard of a biker spitting on another on purpose! The only snobbism I've seen is a road biker not giving a friendly wave back to us mountain bike guys who happened to be on the road. He did have a fancy road bike but he wasn't really pushing at the time.

McGowdog's etiquette tips are right on the mark. Most bikers follow those basic rules or something similar. Yep, I call out "on the left" and never try to pass on the right.

[nelumbo]

I walk home about two miles from work on most days, and have done so for the 3+ years that I have lived in Boulder. I've been passed by thousands of bicyclists, and am keeping count of how many ring a bell or call out before they pass me. The total so far: 12. I now avoid the multi-use paths because I have had too many near death experiences being buzzed by cyclists going 20+ mph. Presumably this lack of courtesy is a Boulder thing....

[McGowdog]

Yes Reg, I owe what I know about it to some friends I had in Denver. They got me involved with volleyball, White-Water River Rafting, then biking. I've skiied with them at Mary Jane too.

They are the kind of people who own neither a television set nor a couch in their home. They work M-F out of necessity and on the weekend, they go play.

They were married on the Ski-slopes of Colorado and spend all the time they can get either skiing the Colorado Mountains or rafting... now just kayaking Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, etc., or they play V-ball or mountain bike.

You're much more likely to see them grinding up Mt. Falcon than riding up and down Flagstaff, Deer Creek Canyon, Mt. Evans, etc. It's too bad people don't follow the basic etiquette because of ego and stuff like that. I'd say a good lip-skid would pretty much temporarily wipe a day's worth of ego off an enthusiastic road-biker, but that's just me.

[HighlandsGal]

Yes, I think the bikers are arrogant. I jog along the Platte River, sometimes with my dog, sometimes by myself and they think they rule the path. Very annoying.

[wanneroo]

Oh I used to hate it in summer in Vail with bikers weaving all over the road, despite the fact a separate paved bike trail runs the length of the valley.

They act totally obvious to traffic and jam up cars behind them. I hate them all.

[jkcoop]

I wish more of them followed the single file rule, but they don't. At least not out this way. Out towards Hygene, Lyons, going up to Estes Park, going up Left Hand Canyon, along the Peak to Peak.....

Last summer my hubby and I were on the Peak to Peak. We were in his Lotus. We came around a corner and a group of about 25 bikers was trying to decide what they were going to do - in the middle of the road and at stop sign they had. Some were coming towards us on OUR SIDE of the road, some were crossing, etc. They should be glad our car had good brakes. It was unbelievable. I won't repeat what my husband yelled.

On the bike path that I run on, guess who is the most curious and uses their bell or says, "on your left"? The kids. Adults never do.

[jkcoop]

I would also like to add, that we've found mountain bikers to, in general, be very polite. When we are hiking on a multi use path we always try and get out of their way and pull over so they don't have to slow down, etc. It's always appreciated when they acknowledge that. And as hard as it looks to do what they are doing, they usually always say hello.

[reginhild]

Originally Posted by jkcoop

I would also like to add, that we've found mountain bikers to, in general, be very polite. When we are hiking on a multi use path we always try and get out of their way and pull over so they don't have to slow down, etc. It's always appreciated when they acknowledge that. And as hard as it looks to do what they are doing, they usually always say hello.

I wonder if road bikers can have temporary bad attitudes due to the difficulties they run into with cars not noticing them? I try and stay off the roads due to the risk of drivers. However, I'm willing to take the risk of a tough trail myself.

I also wonder if there are large differences in areas in Colorado. Boulder = lots of college kids some from out of state. Denver = large metro with more neighborhood like trails. Colorado Springs = lots of mountain bike trails with hikers and horse riders sharing. Breckenridge = out of town tourists.