// “Etiquette”
Posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
I’ve already written a little bit about different types (maybe mindsets is a better word) of cyclists , but a recent event has spurred me to further discuss the so-called “rules” of road riding.
Now, obviously there’s basic rules, like stopping for red lights. But there are also those other rules–rules that new riders don’t know. They’re rules that are often unspoken, and are (at least in many cases) old traditions more than they are hard and fast rules with a reason behind them. In fact, to distinguish them from the regular ol’ safety rules, I’m going to call them “traditions” for the rest of this post. These traditions amount to some kind of etiquette that many believe all cyclists must know and adhere to. If they don’t, it will be obvious that they’re Freds.
First: it’s fair to note that unless you know some of these traditions, you won’t know why I called them Freds. Because using the word Fred is one of those stupid “traditions.” Truthfully, I don’t even know why new or green riders are called Freds. No idea. My guess is some guy named Fred many years ago was a particularly awkward cyclist. But what matters is that I know the definition. A Fred is a new guy–the guy who doesn’t know how to ride in a group and doesn’t know that you’re not supposed to wear underwear under those spandex shorts. Fred’s are made fun of, talked about behind their backs, and often intentionally dropped from rides.
I despise the term Fred. After all, weren’t we all “Freds” at some point? We all had to learn when we started riding. I might even still be a “Fred” by some riders standards. But why make fun of people who are just trying to appreciate a sport that you appreciate too? Why tell all your friends about how so-and-so just doesn’t know how to take a downhill corner well? Why call people out on their mistakes in front of others, when you could simply tell them to their face? Perhaps worse is when no one calls out the Freds at all. Instead they leave them to repeat their mistakes, and they simply complain or laugh behind the backs of these Freds.
My anger about the whole subject was re-ignited when the Trusty Boyfriend (who is an amazing, fast, and strong rider) got called out on some “mistakes” he made on a group ride that violated some of the “traditions” that make up “Roadie Etiquette.” He was called on his mistakes by the riders while he was on the ride. Then they sent an email to a group email list calling him out by describing his outfit and mistakes in detail (though they didn’t mention his name). The problem with this, of course, is that he’s new to the area, and isn’t on the email list yet. He got the email forwarded to him by someone who was not complaining about his “Fredness.”
Now he’s embarrassed because the whole email list knows of his mistakes. Because no one stood up for him. Because he doesn’t even get a chance to defend himself since he’s not on the list. Because his mistakes weren’t that egregious. Because the mistakes didn’t really even violate rules, but only “traditions.”
Want to judge the “mistakes” for yourself? Here they are:
1. An energy bar fell out of his pocket. He slowed, pulled over, and picked it up. He thought it might have been his cell phone (a flip phone that’s about the same size and shape as an energy bar)
2. Approaching an intersection that some on the ride thought was safe to go through, he saw a car and braked somewhat suddenly.
3. Five miles from home (on a 90 mile ride) he developed a slow leak in his tire. He pumped it up, and had to take it a little slow on the way home.
What the other cyclists said he should have done:
1. Leave the energy bar–he could borrow food from someone else, or buy something at a stop on the ride. It was too dangerous/rude for him to slow down while in a group.
2. Go through the intersection–they thought they could make it, no one else slowed down, and in a group they probably could have gone through safely. It is annoying to stop unnecessarily.
3. Known that his tire was likely to develop a slow leak because it was bordering on being worn out. He should have bought new tires the day before the ride. Making everyone else wait while he pumped his tire and then ride the last five miles a little more slowly is rude.
What I think he should have done:
1. Announced his pulling over, slowed down more, and politely thanked the other riders for waiting for him. He honestly didn’t know it wasn’t something important.
2. Announced his stopping. I will never, never, never criticize someone for stopping if, in their judgment, an intersection is not safe. If it was obvious afterwards that they could have made the crossing, he should noted that he was wrong, but that his stop was in the interest of safety.
3. Do exactly what he did. His tires weren’t ruined. They were ride-able. He’s a poor recent college grad, who can’t afford to replace his tires too frequently. With a new tube in place, those tires are still usable. And it was SO close to the end of the ride.
Now, I understand it might not be safe to slow down in a group if the other riders aren’t expecting it. I mean, cyclists don’t exactly have brake lights! But having said that, I think it’s ok to slow down if you drop something, or are afraid of being killed by a car. Just announce your plans. Yell out “I’m slowing…I have to stop.” Or “Stop! Car!” Let people know what’s going on, and respect their safety. That’s the number one rule. I don’t care about the other traditions. I don’t care if you shave your legs or not, if you want to wear 7 pairs of underwear under your shorts, if you take a corner a little wide because you’re not sure you can safely take it any tighter. I don’t care. Just be safe, and consider the safety of those around you.
I think the Trusty Boyfriend should have tweaked his behavior a little. Like I said, more advanced warning to his fellow riders would be nice. But in general, I think these things can be dealt with face to face in a non-malicious manner. It’s not nice to call someone a Fred, or to talk about him behind his back because of “traditions.” Especially if a violation of those “traditions” causes no harm.
But that’s just my two cents. I expect lots of others feel differently. I look forward to any comments from them.
Dear Ms. Boulevard,
I’m sorry to hear about the hard time your Trusty Boyfriend is having at the hands of the peloton. I’m 52 years of age and have been riding on and off competitively since I was 13. I’ve ridden inches off the rear wheel of a lot of good riders and a lot of bad and I’ve learned one thing in all these years about the roadie mindset.
There are only two ways to figure out the roadie and nobody knows either one of them.
Who are these people? First off, is it a get dropped or not dropped ride? You see, where I come from it’s like this. If the ride is ride where you get dropped well then when you stop or pull over for whatever reason everyone just swings around and just takes no notice and keeps on rolling. You’re on your own.
Now if it’s a ride where no one gets dropped, then there is a designated rider at the back that will pull over and wait with the rider that pulls over for whatever reason to help out and help bring them back to the group. That’s the way it is. That’s the way it’s been with real roadies for 40 years.
Now, I’m not real happy with the shaming him for the easing up through the intersection. That was looking after his own skin. After all, they were all doing something illegal and we all know the war that is going on between cagers and cyclist down there. No wonder people are slamming on brakes and putting people through back windows when just because some feel that because they are in a group and cool and rolling that they can break laws…
It’s hard enough to be a cyclist on the roads right now without us eating each other.
-B
Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
The ride was no-drop, and I *think* it was only a group of 4 or 6 riders total, so to the extent that it’s less rude to make one or two people stop as opposed to twenty, his mistakes might be somewhat mitigated.
I think generally drawing attention to this type of conflict is important so that there can be better communication. And I also agree with you that no one should call someone out if they’re trying to protect their own skin in a car vs. bike situation.
I love your point about not making drivers angry. They might not always be right, but they are bigger, heavier, and capable of killing a cyclist. Best to treat them with respect.
Thanks again for your opinion!
Plus here is the kicker… the female version of a Fred is called a Doris.
just sayin…
-B