it's NOT a fucking race

anonymous said: I don't think God had anything to do with this one, it was probably just plain ol' karma coming back to get you for being a dick to the tri-folks this summer on the TNWCS ride.
Sat Jan 12, 06:23:00 AM CST

the mostly reverend said: get over it, dude. you were riding like a cat 5 that night, and you're acting like a fucking baby now.
if you want to train with roadies--these roadies, you MUST do one of the following:
1--learn to RIDE like them; 2--stay at the back; or 3--STAY THE FUCK HOME.
and that means stay out of the clip-on bars. i don't care if you're nick frey, jj bailey, lou waugaman, cam kirkpatrick, tony muse, or the mostly reverend. the safety of the group should be paramount in the minds of ALL the folks who take part in a group ride. i don't care WHAT fucking night of the week it is. that's the problem with the whole notion of "TNWC." if you want to race with roadies, get a license from usa cycling, and go to a goddamned race, pay your entry fee, strap on your beloved helmet, and race.

you know what rick paulos, dirty dick, mark guthart or some other person in blue with a whistle will tell you? "no fucking clip-ons, fool." why do suppose that is? and what is your reaction going to be? to give them some smart-assed reply and keep riding? i don't think so. not only do they know more about racing than you do, they are also enforcing rules which are in place for the safety of the participants. these officials have been charged with maintaining the safety of those who have entered their race.

in a group ride, under ideal circumstances, each rider should assume that responsibility. but that isn't the case. and since i've been around the race scene for longer than most, i--along with a few other more mature and experienced riders--have undertaken that responsibility; to wit, maintaining the safety of the group. that includes giving suggestions for learning the art of integrating into the group rotation, learning proper placement within the group, dealing with winds, road hazards, and traffic, and all other sorts of components that enter into becoming a better bike rider, and ultimately a better racer. but we ad hoc safety monitors can only go so far, and do so much. obvious examples are yellow line danger recognition, cornering skills and etiquette,and the more obvious stop light and stop sign compliance issues.

it's a situation akin to the old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."
only in your case, it's "you can tell a tri-idiot how [or where] not to ride a bike, but you can't make him stop acting like an asshole."

but i certainly CAN point out that he is endangering the general safety of the group--and i WILL. how you and your friends choose to respond is beyond me. it is my sincere hope that these riders will learn how to ride in a safe manner with our group, and continue riding with us. that creates the "win-win" situation wherein we ALL get better, faster, safer and stronger, while building better relations between and among cyclists of all stripes.

however, i will continue to tell folks who are riding dangerously and foolishly that they are doing so. lest you think that i am just some loose cannon spouting off, be mindful that i speak on behalf of the overwhelming majority of riders who support my actions, who have repeatedly told me so over the years, and who have deferred to my demonstrated willingness to assume that role.

and you know what? if i come to your group ride, or run, or swim, and you don't like how i'm doing something--including not wearing a helmet--you can tell me. and i assure you that i will NOT react like the asshole that i encountered that tuesday last summer.

so grow up, get over it, and either get a road bike, switch out your handlebars or stay out of your aeros, and come back and ride with us. we'll all get stronger.