Western Cape has worst cyclists by far

[DJR]

Don't ask...

in that case I'm enquiring

...what?

 

Now I want to know too

[Jewbacca]

I think there are bad eggs where ever you go.

 

I rode the other day and was greeted and chatted to a few guys and groups and was also blatantly ignored by others.

 

I do think there are some wonderful people riding and enjoying our sport, but there are also those who ruin it for everyone.

A good example of this is novice riders meeting experienced riders.... Slow guys on the single track meet fast guys on the single track. Instead of saying hey, have fun and smiling and riding on after passing safely and considerately, I see a LOT of people swearing and gaaning aan at the new people making them feel silly and losing what little confidence they had.

 

It is a sad state of affairs and it is unfortunately carried across into an attitude while driving, while waiting (or NOT waiting) in traffic or lines, as well as being just plain rude!

 

Some of us are not like that however, so next time you come down to the cape, let us know. We will take you on some fun rides and give you some hope that not all Capetonians are secular clique snobs.....

[Agteros]

Even some try-ath-elites greeted me this morning up norff in the Cradle

[andydude]

Now I want to know too

 

I couldn't post the photo without writing something so I just wrote the first thing that came into my head. Don't ask...

[Bloukrans]

To the OP: Hi Jaco

[DACoetzee]

I must say, in Gauteng everyone greets each other... You get that occasional asshole with his Epic that sees you and just ignores it... Those guys are generally greeted again with 'n "Jou ma se P&%$ ook"

[arendoog]

You get these competitive assholes everywhere .They are so proud of their 76th place at the last trail seeker they can't be bothered to acknowledge anyone .They sommer shave their heads and legs twice next time they race .At some point one of us will need the other,s help and that is why I always acknowledge or greet back

[ahmedbadat]

triathletes are the worst, they don't even greet each other in their own riding group, they just nod to each other in the parking lot and go.

[wiledog_x]

Returned from a 2 week holiday in the Cape recently. Did road and mtb riding...

 

Found cyclists in both diciplines very unfriendly and unwilling to even acknowledge you after greeting them. Even on a jeep track riding in opposite directions....

 

i do find the same attitude here in Gauteng as well... a mtbiker from KZN told me the other day, "why are you Gauteng okes so SERIOUS out on the trails? No one greets anyone!"

 

on a whole, i find it's a 50/50 thing - some do, some don't....

[Skubarra]

Can't understand this desire to be acknowledged and acknowledge .Hold hands and sing songs around the campfire bit....

 

Agree, I really don't get this thread, most people greet, some don't. I usually greet, sometimes I don't.

 

Why all the anxiety over something so trivial?

[HappyMartin]

Spent a week in Pringle bay in December. Rode to Gordon's bay and back. Really beautifull. Loads of cyclists.

 

I greeted as I usually do and most people seemed friendly and greeted back. Some didn't. I don't care if people don't greet back. If they aren't friendly that there issue not mine.

 

Surprised out how many people ride MTB on the road in Capetown. I use my MTB off road and my road bike on road. That's correct isn't it? Also noticed the roadies seemed a little more friendly. Perhaps the real MTB guys are all off road and more friendly.

[Patchelicious]

Agree, I really don't get this thread, most people greet, some don't. I usually greet, sometimes I don't.

 

Why all the anxiety over something so trivial?

 

I must sort of agree. I think that because cyclist share a common interest they feel obligated to greet each other. If we apply this logic to a shopping mall, we should greet each and every person you walk past, after all, we are all there with a common goal.

 

It is about situation, if you are on a long and lonely road and you come up to another lone cyclist, you will more than likely not only greet them, but probably chat too. Saturday mornings in the cradle? Ja, you try and smile and greet several hundred cyclists without missing one, and potentially pissing them off and suffering a hub rant.

 

Having said that, if I greet another cyclist, as I usually do, and they dont greet back, I automatically think he is a ****. Go figure.

[DACoetzee]

Wait, am I not allowed to ride my MTB on the road? But how am I supposed to pass the roadies I'm chasing??

[Patchelicious]

Spent a week in Pringle bay in December. Rode to Gordon's bay and back. Really beautifull. Loads of cyclists.

 

I greeted as I usually do and most people seemed friendly and greeted back.

 

That is because that road is mostly used by "non-capetonian" tourist cyclist, just like me. But wow that road is BEAUTIFUL!

[Cassie]

At OP...dude..it was hollidays!! All the locals were riding elsewhere... you just saw Vaalies...

[Underachiever]

After a long holiday in Cape Town and its surroundings, I can only say that I'm very ashamed to be called a cyclist when riding there! I have always been friendly to those that share my passion for sport, whether it be swimming, walking your dog, cycling or running. I am also one that greets my fellow cyclists and runners as this is not only friendly, but also creates a great atmosphere under each other. All I can say is that I'm shocked! Cape town has these great cycling friendly roads like no other city in SA and every cyclist I greeted gave me a bad look and just went on further. This not only happened once or twice, but more than 50 times during my 4 week stay in the Cape. I asked a fellow hubber Dealer01 when I collected my cassette from him and he says this has been going on for quite a while. How can one blame road rage against cyclists if they ride two or even 3 abreast, can't greet back or say thanks to vehicles that go out of their way to ride around these riders that ride next to each other? They have absolutely no respect for other cyclists or cars on the road for that matter. I am truely ashamed

 

Funny that you mention this. I (an ex Capie) experienced the same thing in the Durbanville/Bottelary area in Dec. The MTB crowd are happy to wave (I was on my MTB), but the roadies (looks like the more serious riders), just clapped me a big fat ignore.