Somerset West : "Development Riders"

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

Its a shame' date=' for all the amount of assistance they receive, or have received, makes one wonder when they will learn.... I know that I have given up trying....

It is a pity, coz there is so much help out there for them.

Hopefully they ride safe when necessary.

[/quote']

 

Thats the sad truth and the reason why these little pricks just don't care. They don't even have to pay for their socks, everything gets given to them. People assisting development riders only spoil them.

 

These guys are ungrateful and they prove it. You must see how reckless and windgat they are on Baden Powell. No amount of passion for your sport can justify your prick attitude.

 

For me, I will rather donate my spares, advice and time to hard working folk who need it. I see them every morning on my commute.

 

They cherish their Dunlops and Game specials. Pedals may be broken but they still care for them. They worked hard for their wheels even though we would never be seen dead on one.

 

These are the guys that deserve a helping hand.

 

[porky]

Its a shame' date=' for all the amount of assistance they receive, or have received, makes one wonder when they will learn.... I know that I have given up trying....

It is a pity, coz there is so much help out there for them.

Hopefully they ride safe when necessary.

[/quote']

Thats the sad truth and the reason why these little pricks just don't care. They don't even have to pay for their socks, everything gets given to them. People assisting development riders only spoil them.

These guys are ungrateful and they prove it. You must see how reckless and windgat they are on Baden Powell. No amount of passion for your sport can justify your prick attitude.

For me, I will rather donate my spares, advice and time to hard working folk who need it. I see them every morning on my commute.

They cherish their Dunlops and Game specials. Pedals may be broken but they still care for them. They worked hard for their wheels even though we would never be seen dead on one.

These are the guys that deserve a helping hand.

 

I have absolutely no idea who these "development riders" are, but I like your way of thinking cbrundson. Generally you are 100% right, when you get everything for nothing you have no respect for what you have.

 

Working for something puts an entirely new slant on its value.!

 

[TYGA]

Who is in charge of these guys, who finances their gear and coordinates their training?

 

 

[Slowbee]

Its a shame' date=' for all the amount of assistance they receive, or have received, makes one wonder when they will learn.... I know that I have given up trying....

It is a pity, coz there is so much help out there for them.

Hopefully they ride safe when necessary.

[/quote']

Thats the sad truth and the reason why these little pricks just don't care. They don't even have to pay for their socks, everything gets given to them. People assisting development riders only spoil them.

These guys are ungrateful and they prove it. You must see how reckless and windgat they are on Baden Powell. No amount of passion for your sport can justify your prick attitude.

For me, I will rather donate my spares, advice and time to hard working folk who need it. I see them every morning on my commute.

They cherish their Dunlops and Game specials. Pedals may be broken but they still care for them. They worked hard for their wheels even though we would never be seen dead on one.

These are the guys that deserve a helping hand.

 

Chris I am very suprised at your response, and I have taken a day or two to think about how I want to respond.

 

What I cant figure out is why you are upset with the development riders. I cant help but feel there is more to your post.  If your anger is pointed at them for riding their bikes badly rather help them get better. We were all kids once (and some of us still are) and when I was riding around with friends we rode all over the road. From your above post it seems like you are angry because they got given their kit - well they are kids. You show me one other kid that is racing at junior level with a bike that was not bought with Mom and Dad's money? All (ok most) kids have their bikes bought with parents money - and even they dont look after their bikes - Dad does or the shop does. These guys are no different.

 

Just explain to me what you know about their attitiude? How do you know they dont care? Have you ever stoped them and had a discussion ? Have you ever ridden with them and chatted about stuff? Have you ever tried to show them about riding in a bunch ? They lap stuff up when you are out on the road with them. If not, I will arrange for us to have a Saturday ride with them and then you can talk about attitude. As kids they love their sport, but as with all kids they need coaching and guidance.

 

Oh yes, and when you ride with them, you will see that some of them ride mountain bikes that make Dunlop proud. Some have takkies. Some have helmets that are to small, or to big.

 

And please lets stop calling them development riders. They are kids on bikes having the time of their lives acting no different to some of the adults they see on bikes. Hold the adults accountable first.

[The Doctor]

Perhaps they are inspired by all the "non-developement" riders out there that ride 4 abreast along all our major roads.

 

Last Saturday I saw at least 10 groups of 20 riders or more, all over the road.

 

I guess they are o.k. but not those damn development riders!

[Slowbee]

Perhaps they are inspired by all the "non-developement" riders out there that ride 4 abreast along all our major roads.

 

Last Saturday I saw at least 10 groups of 20 riders or more' date=' all over the road.

 

I guess they are o.k. but not those damn development riders!

[/quote']

and thats exactly why perceptions need to be changed that they are riders - just like every other kid on a bicycle.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

 

Its a shame' date=' for all the amount of assistance they receive, or have received, makes one wonder when they will learn.... I know that I have given up trying....

It is a pity, coz there is so much help out there for them.

Hopefully they ride safe when necessary.

[/quote']

 

Thats the sad truth and the reason why these little pricks just don't care. They don't even have to pay for their socks, everything gets given to them. People assisting development riders only spoil them.

 

These guys are ungrateful and they prove it. You must see how reckless and windgat they are on Baden Powell. No amount of passion for your sport can justify your prick attitude.

 

For me, I will rather donate my spares, advice and time to hard working folk who need it. I see them every morning on my commute.

 

They cherish their Dunlops and Game specials. Pedals may be broken but they still care for them. They worked hard for their wheels even though we would never be seen dead on one.

 

These are the guys that deserve a helping hand.

 

Chris I am very suprised at your response, and I have taken a day or two to think about how I want to respond.

 

What I cant figure out is why you are upset with the development riders. I cant help but feel there is more to your post.  If your anger is pointed at them for riding their bikes badly rather help them get better. We were all kids once (and some of us still are) and when I was riding around with friends we rode all over the road. From your above post it seems like you are angry because they got given their kit - well they are kids. You show me one other kid that is racing at junior level with a bike that was not bought with Mom and Dad's money? All (ok most) kids have their bikes bought with parents money - and even they dont look after their bikes - Dad does or the shop does. These guys are no different.

 

Just explain to me what you know about their attitiude? How do you know they dont care? Have you ever stoped them and had a discussion ? Have you ever ridden with them and chatted about stuff? Have you ever tried to show them about riding in a bunch ? They lap stuff up when you are out on the road with them. If not, I will arrange for us to have a Saturday ride with them and then you can talk about attitude. As kids they love their sport, but as with all kids they need coaching and guidance.

 

Well my dislike for these guys started way before I started cycling. Its easy to make excuses for them, well the culprits that is, but it still dose not give them the right to be rude on the road.

 

(Their not the only roadies out there that are inconsiderate but this thread is about them.)

 

Its easier said than done to say lets inspire them, lets talk to them and help them to become better riders. Well it will be great if someone actually manages to get the chance to do it but it won't be me.

 

I will rather spend my energy, passion and time helping my friends to get into cycling.

 

 

Oh yes' date=' and when you ride with them, you will see that some of

them ride mountain bikes that make Dunlop proud. Some have takkies.

Some have helmets that are to small, or to big.

[/quote']

 

Now these are they guys that I say we should be helping. There not the Development Riders that get spoilt with good bikes and descent kit. These are the guys / kids that love cycling. These guys are not racially profiled, their black, white, coloured. They just don't have the same opportunities as others.

 

I have a lot of empathy with these crowd as I experienced it. By the time I was in matric we where dirt poor. I ended up grafting heavy hours to buy a 2nd hand bike (nogal a pink girls bike that I sprayed black). I cycled 16km (Firlands, Gordons Bay to HHH, Somerset West) to school with this bike as my dad did not have money for my busfare.

 

 

And please lets stop calling them development riders. They are

kids on bikes having the time of their lives acting no different to

some of the adults they see on bikes. Hold the adults accountable first.

 

 

 

Agree. This is a term I dislike with a passion.

 

[Slowbee]

I believe your "dislike" as you describe it has clouded the issue considerably.

Would you ride with them if given the chance?

 

 

[Christopher Brunsdon]

To be hounest, for now the less I have to do with these guys the better. I might change my attitude in the future towards them.

[Slowbee]

 

To be hounest' date=' for now the less I have to do with these guys the better. I might change my attitude in the future towards them.

[/quote']

 

 

[rpedro]

Yes please lets not generalize. I think I 2 need a couple of days to get over the post by Chris. Slowbee + The Doctor......damn SA needs alot more guys like you.

[The Doctor]

Chris:

 

If you saw the appalling conditions that these kids live in and the daily struggles that they encounter, you would feel a little less inclined to be so critical.

 

They are wildly enthusiastic and maybe that borders on reckless on some occassions.

 

Just like you and me and everyone else, they form a very mixed group of pesonalites. Some are anal about their equipment and some just ride and live for the moment.

 

Next time, take the time to talk to them about the dangers on the road. You will see that they are receptive when approached in a calm and rational manner.