Bad Attitude MTB ers

[Vetseun]

The last while I have noticed a difference in a lot of mountain bikers. Where you would always see other guys on the dirt roads, you would stop and have a chat. Lately I see strangers, greet them in a friendly manner. Some will give you a roadie flick of the head response and others nothing at all. Now I dont know if these are new riders or are they converted roadies that still feel that they are grander than thou.

 

I was a hard core roadie. I rode at provincial level for years. My talent ended there. Could never make it any better that provincial level. So I really understand the mentality of many roadies. What attracted me to mtb was the friendly cool people. Always time to help.

 

Last year at the Baviaans I wiped out on a downhill section on about 180km. I cant tell you how many guys stopped to help are at least ask if I was ok. Stopping on a downhill with 180km in the legs is a sacrifice I think, not to mention the time lost due to helping a stranger.

 

A week ago I was riding at seven dams outside Bloem. I tried tried to be clever on a little climb and my bikes chain snapped. I didnt have a quick link with me also no cell phone so I had to push the bike out of the seven dams area and then to a friends house who could help.Eight mtb ers passed me while I was pushing my bike the 5km to the gate. Six ignored me totally and two gave the roadie head flick. Not one asked if I was ok or if they cound help me out.

 

I have helped many people next to the road with a co2 bomb or a link or a tyre plug.

 

Cmon you new Mountain Bike Breed of snobs. Get into the spirit of mountain biking. Dont hurt the sport with a bad attitude

Edited November 19, 2012 by THE BLOODY AGENT

[Smolly]

Seen a few of that type too, and they seen to be multiplying

[Let's Ride]

Not necessarily a roadie.

 

Loads of new cyclists joining the sport.

 

It's the new golf.

[BrianMTB]

Agreed, I've also seen a shift in MTBer attitudes in the last couple of years. Probably related to the popularity of the sport nowadays. Lots of people joining in who haven't yet picked up on the "code".

 

Help others on the trail - one day when you need it, you'll appreciate it.

[jules1976]

Come decency and concern goes a long way ..... one never knows when u will need assistance from your fellow rider.

 

Bunch of chops for not helping and at least asking if you require any assistance.

[dirtrider]

Very sad .

[mr_stig]

I think you'll find the problem isn't so much a "roadie" or "mountain biker" attitude. The problem is people. If there are those who can happily bomb other nations or kill defenseless animals, what makes you think many would care about your broken chain?

[Wyatt Earp]

It's sad, but it is not the mountain bikers that are to blame.

South Africans are to blame, we are becoming a selfish nation.

[rouxtjie]

It's sad, but it is not the mountain bikers that are to blame.

South Africans are to blame, we are becoming a selfish nation.

True...nobody "guns" anyone anything. If anything people enjoy putting others down. Sad but true

[alsoran]

 

South Africans are to blame, we are becoming have become a selfish nation.

 

Fixed

[Stretch]

It's sad, but it is not the mountain bikers that are to blame.

South Africans are to blame, we are becoming have become a selfish nation.

more like

 

edit...alsoran and I had the exact same idea!

Edited November 19, 2012 by Stretch

[patches]

Greeting, schmeeting!

 

Sure, if you greet them and they don't greet back, that is just plain rude. (provided they did actually see you greeting in the first place. Daft vader has ridden past me a few times without seeing that I'm there... cos he's in "the zone").

 

But with MTB being the new golf (as was mentioned), and with the masses that move through certain trails, greeting everyone would be like greeting every person in highway traffic that drives the same car as you (when you drive a polo).

 

Greeting just because ones mode of transport is tha same sounds kinda silly.

 

In alpine villages (during summer when they're flooded with MTBers) no ne greets one another, unless it's a head nod for "cool bike". So it's not just a South African thing.

 

BUT... as for the no offers of help when suffering a technical... that is pretty priest/levite!

[kosmonooit]

Maybe that's isolated, at events you always get people helping each other.

 

Perhaps the best way to improve the situation is to set an example. See someone pushing or stranded, simple enough to ask 'Okay?' as you pass.

 

Yesterday after the end of the 94.07 I had to cycle back uphill to the other side Woodmead, I paused under the N1 bridge to drink a coke that was getting warm in my back pocket. two roadies who came past asked if i was okay.

[Grebel]

Buy a downhill bike....

[RexFuzzle]

I've found it depends a lot on where in the field you are in a race... At the frontish nobody stops much unless somebody fell their face off but at the back it is much more relaxed... This has led me to not stopping when I'm trying to go fast but when I'm riding with someone at the back then its a different story...

[GLuvsMtb]

I've stopped greeting strangers on the trail a long time ago (I do the roadie head tilt thing). If I greet every rider I come across I would never get to do any riding.

Its almost like the old Landy tradition of flashing your lights at another Landy. If you do it these days you might as well drive with your brights on all day.