Is It Time To Become A Bad Cyclist?

Should I just give up now; acquiesce; join the flow?

I'm not going to beat about the bush here. I'm quite a competent cyclist, and try to remain reflective in my attitude. This belief has been supported by others - my riding has been peer reviewed, so to speak.

But what's the fucking point? Can I not be part of the masses in behaviour and mindset for just once in my fucking life? Who really gives a shit if I ride like a dick. I mean, does anyone really gives a shit if I don't? I'm a lover not a fighter (like I think I told Paul), so why risk getting embroiled in fighting a losing battle?

As mentioned to an esteemed forumenger via PM, nobody really seemed prepared for, or capable of adapting to the sudden increased density of cyclists - density in both senses of the word. Righteous riding is hidden away, lost within the wobbling impatient hordes of the cycling dead.

Here I find myself in supplication at the cusp of zombiedom. Bite me and set me free.

Just get on with doing it properly.

Behaviour breeds behaviour BMMF
If you can tell me that riding like a Dick makes your journeys on road better, more enjoyable, relaxed then do it.

Do you really want to sink to the lowest common standard? Or lead by example...

But I doubt it, remember everything is socially constructed,*on the roads, what you do literally makes our reality
*according to sociologists

Ride how you want. If you want to be a good cyclist, be one. If you want to ride like a dick, do so. You're probably not going to get recognition for either. Riding well doesn't guarantee you stay alive and have an incident free lifetime in the saddle, just as riding like a twat doesn't guarantee you come to a nasty end or have a narrow escape that teaches you the error of your ways. There is no justice here.

I carry on my own way, just getting from A to B, hopefully in one piece and without causing an incident for someone else. I hold my tongue when someone pulls a dick move because they probably won't be receptive to my observation. I get cut up, undertaken and barged and I just get on with it.

If you ride well, you will have my silent respect as a conscientious road user. And I hope that other people feel the same about me. That for me is enough to make me feel like there are people making a difference even in the face of the 'the wobbling impatient hordes'.

Would it help if I was more vocal in my respect? Maybe we should call out good riders?

^ Christ. That makes me sound like I'm narrating some twat documentary :) I was trying to be sincere.

I think you nailed it.

Much more eloquent then my effort.

^ & ^^ Couldn't agree more. Easy for me to pretend to be righteous - as the only cyclist in the village I only have to compete with tractors and horses. However, both leave copious quantities of shit on the road. Different problem, same attitude...

I suspect that by even asking the question you already know the answer

Ride as you would wish others to.

Ride as you would wish others to.

+1

ride it like you stole it

Righteous riding is hidden away, lost within the wobbling impatient hordes of the cycling dead

I don't agree with this.

Whenever the subject of cycling comes up with my mates, many of whom drive for a living, after the standard road tax nonsense dies down they usually acknowledge that there are two types of cyclist. This isn't something I've put into their heads, they've all reached this conclusion independently during the countless hours they spend driving their bus or van for a living.

They hate the wobbling zombies and wannabe skidders that ignore the rules of the road. Conversely, they acknowledge that there are cyclists who act in a predictable manner and don't add stress to their already hellish jobs (I cant imagine driving for a living, they all hate it).

Keep riding well, you won't be acknowledged for doing this but the cabbies, couriers and bus drivers* will quietly respect you for holding your line, not filtering up their left side and not RLJing.

*there are of course exceptions, some people are just cunts.

ride it like you stole it

+1

And yes, riding well (or badly) is a social construction... break away from the herd. Ride inconsistently

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm regularly acknowledged by cabbies, bus drivers, lorry drivers and even WVM for not riding like an impatient, unpredictable twat. It's nice. I definitely prefer it to making people angry.

As mentioned to an esteemed forumenger via PM, nobody really seemed prepared for, or capable of adapting to the sudden increased density of cyclists - density in both senses of the word. Righteous riding is hidden away, lost within the wobbling impatient hordes of the cycling dead.

Here I find myself in supplication at the cusp of zombiedom. Bite me and set me free.

Brilliant!

Just do it, join us. You know the zombies always win in the end.

Personally I ride like I do as I feel that not undertaking, squeezing down the side of left-indicating cars, through gaps between buses and trucks and the rest is going to lessen my chance of being involved in an accident.

If by doing so I'm setting a good example to others or whatever then that's a bonus but my main reason is self-preservation.

Read the chapter "Feral Cycling and the Serious Men" by Bella Bathurst (Chpt 3 in The Bicycle Book), contains a useful reminder on city cycling technique.

Get 6pt to open the HOP thread again, I never got the chance to vent.

Sounds like you're keeping your eye on the road too much, so have become predictable. Glance to your left and right while City Riding - what do you see? An abundance of shop windows. Admire your form as you pass. You are resplendent.

Everyone else is watching you, so don't be above appreciating your own work. Liberation is what you seek. Other vehicles are portable mirrors to enable the flourishing of your vanity. Direct your attention to self-admiration. Style should be your guide.

Have you considered becoming a horoscope writer?

No, too busy with my own infatuation.

You're a Leo, right?

No, they're all shit. Aquarius.

Criticism is like water off a duck's back for you.