Grumpy MTBers...
Discussion
Is it just me?
Is it the Bristol area?
I've recently taken possession of a new full sus Cube, hadn't been riding much for the past few years and wanted to get back into it. Tootling around the local trails a few times over the past couple of months.
In the snow, saw a lot of walkers etc. Said hello, received cheery replies/greeted dogs etc.
However, every MTBer I pass, I smile and say hello or something- Nothing! Is this a general societal malaise? It's not like I look like a serial killer or anything. I barely get eye contact if at all, and scowled at. Perhaps I haven't got cool enough kit or something?
Prove me wrong, cheery MTBers of Pistonheads!
Is it the Bristol area?
I've recently taken possession of a new full sus Cube, hadn't been riding much for the past few years and wanted to get back into it. Tootling around the local trails a few times over the past couple of months.
In the snow, saw a lot of walkers etc. Said hello, received cheery replies/greeted dogs etc.
However, every MTBer I pass, I smile and say hello or something- Nothing! Is this a general societal malaise? It's not like I look like a serial killer or anything. I barely get eye contact if at all, and scowled at. Perhaps I haven't got cool enough kit or something?
Prove me wrong, cheery MTBers of Pistonheads!
When we are out we make a large point of saying hello to as many people as possible. We find he very worst are militant ramblers and even the most passive laid back "hippie" amongst us has come close to lumping a particularly arrogant barsteward who was out to cause a fight.
As yet we have not met a MTBer who has not positively responded.
Come ride with us.!
As yet we have not met a MTBer who has not positively responded.
Come ride with us.!
there is so much bike snobbery in bristol it makes me laugh.
there is the old school crowd who are pretty good fun, they will be found anywhere but most likely in ashton court or leigh woods making trails and generally having fun. v.expensive full sus bikes or tried and tested hard tails are the order of the day, think Turners, Yetis or Chameleons and Clockworks. most of them are all day riders and given their abilities, i suspect dabble on road bikes too (but wont admit it)
there is another mtb crowd of younger riders who just seem hang around wearing full face helmets and mx gear riding on random bikes with a minimum of 140mm of travel. you never see them riding though. they are ok but dont understand mint sauce. treat with caution, they will mock any error you make in their sight.
there is also the road crowd who like nothing more than to discuss the joys of riding (to quote someone here) a frame utilising gas tubes welded by a neopolitan socialist with a fag hanging out of his mouth in some far flung corner of northern italy....if its not colnago and not using campag, you will be treated as a leper and a social outcast. myself being on a boardman with a shimano drivetrain enjoys wasting these people at every opportunity (i know its childish but i dont know any better). they are easily spotted by their race replica jerseys.
the fixie crowd hang around cafes and talk b
ks, they think they are superior and pretend they are poor messengers but no cycle messenger could possibly afford the sort of stuff they ride. despite their endless talk, they wouldnt know their peleton from their domestique. avoid.
and i am sure there are many more, most people riding mountain bikes on bristol trails are ok, i have only met a few tossers but they do sour an otherwise excellent day. you are immediately judged on the bike you ride which is sad (and yes i do appreciate the irony of that comment given what i have just written above but i do write with experience!) i think deep down we are all in it for the same reasons, to get out, get muddy, enjoy a natural buzz, its a shame we can be so narrow minded!... i just smile at everyone and if they have an unusual bike, i'll stop and chat.
there is the old school crowd who are pretty good fun, they will be found anywhere but most likely in ashton court or leigh woods making trails and generally having fun. v.expensive full sus bikes or tried and tested hard tails are the order of the day, think Turners, Yetis or Chameleons and Clockworks. most of them are all day riders and given their abilities, i suspect dabble on road bikes too (but wont admit it)
there is another mtb crowd of younger riders who just seem hang around wearing full face helmets and mx gear riding on random bikes with a minimum of 140mm of travel. you never see them riding though. they are ok but dont understand mint sauce. treat with caution, they will mock any error you make in their sight.
there is also the road crowd who like nothing more than to discuss the joys of riding (to quote someone here) a frame utilising gas tubes welded by a neopolitan socialist with a fag hanging out of his mouth in some far flung corner of northern italy....if its not colnago and not using campag, you will be treated as a leper and a social outcast. myself being on a boardman with a shimano drivetrain enjoys wasting these people at every opportunity (i know its childish but i dont know any better). they are easily spotted by their race replica jerseys.
the fixie crowd hang around cafes and talk b
ks, they think they are superior and pretend they are poor messengers but no cycle messenger could possibly afford the sort of stuff they ride. despite their endless talk, they wouldnt know their peleton from their domestique. avoid.and i am sure there are many more, most people riding mountain bikes on bristol trails are ok, i have only met a few tossers but they do sour an otherwise excellent day. you are immediately judged on the bike you ride which is sad (and yes i do appreciate the irony of that comment given what i have just written above but i do write with experience!) i think deep down we are all in it for the same reasons, to get out, get muddy, enjoy a natural buzz, its a shame we can be so narrow minded!... i just smile at everyone and if they have an unusual bike, i'll stop and chat.
good post. Maybe we should redress the balance and go for an Ashton court say-hello-to-anyone-in-ear-shot-ride!
If you think brissle is bad you should roll up to the Hub cafe in glentress on a sunny saturday afternoon. thousands nae ten's of thousands worth of kit, with a few suspucioiusly clean for having just 'monstered the black' or set a new record time down spooky wood
The group i like best are the old red sock brigade who start scowling at you from way out. You know they are not going to smile so I like to give the cheeriest 'good day to you' type effor possible
If you think brissle is bad you should roll up to the Hub cafe in glentress on a sunny saturday afternoon. thousands nae ten's of thousands worth of kit, with a few suspucioiusly clean for having just 'monstered the black' or set a new record time down spooky wood
The group i like best are the old red sock brigade who start scowling at you from way out. You know they are not going to smile so I like to give the cheeriest 'good day to you' type effor possible
pablo said:
there is so much bike snobbery in bristol it makes me laugh.
the fixie crowd hang around cafes and talk bks, they think they are superior and pretend they are poor messengers but no cycle messenger could possibly afford the sort of stuff they ride. despite their endless talk, they wouldnt know their peleton from their domestique. avoid.
Lol see these types at Muddock alot, 1 trouser leg rolled up, boat type shoes and a messenger back. Not doubt far cooler than me but very very funny groupthe fixie crowd hang around cafes and talk b
ks, they think they are superior and pretend they are poor messengers but no cycle messenger could possibly afford the sort of stuff they ride. despite their endless talk, they wouldnt know their peleton from their domestique. avoid.FunkyCEO said:
pablo said:
there is so much bike snobbery in bristol it makes me laugh.
the fixie crowd hang around cafes and talk bks, they think they are superior and pretend they are poor messengers but no cycle messenger could possibly afford the sort of stuff they ride. despite their endless talk, they wouldnt know their peleton from their domestique. avoid.
Lol see these types at Muddock alot, 1 trouser leg rolled up, boat type shoes and a messenger back. Not doubt far cooler than me but very very funny groupthe fixie crowd hang around cafes and talk b
ks, they think they are superior and pretend they are poor messengers but no cycle messenger could possibly afford the sort of stuff they ride. despite their endless talk, they wouldnt know their peleton from their domestique. avoid.
Makes me irrationally angry when I see them skipping down Park Street without brakes - one day one of them'll get flattened - and I'm sure then they'll soon re-evaulate their coolness or not...
carreauchompeur said:
It's just me then
Quite entertaining what's been written about the fixed crowd... Haven't seen many around but will keep my eyes open when the sun comes out!
Have to say, I do find the whole atmosphere of Mud Dock distinctly snooty
Do they still have attractive barmaids upstairs though?Quite entertaining what's been written about the fixed crowd... Haven't seen many around but will keep my eyes open when the sun comes out!
Have to say, I do find the whole atmosphere of Mud Dock distinctly snooty
Roman said:
carreauchompeur said:
It's just me then
Quite entertaining what's been written about the fixed crowd... Haven't seen many around but will keep my eyes open when the sun comes out!
Have to say, I do find the whole atmosphere of Mud Dock distinctly snooty
Do they still have attractive barmaids upstairs though?Quite entertaining what's been written about the fixed crowd... Haven't seen many around but will keep my eyes open when the sun comes out!
Have to say, I do find the whole atmosphere of Mud Dock distinctly snooty
nothing particularly special to report back on...
theboymoon said:
Roman said:
carreauchompeur said:
It's just me then
Quite entertaining what's been written about the fixed crowd... Haven't seen many around but will keep my eyes open when the sun comes out!
Have to say, I do find the whole atmosphere of Mud Dock distinctly snooty
Do they still have attractive barmaids upstairs though?Quite entertaining what's been written about the fixed crowd... Haven't seen many around but will keep my eyes open when the sun comes out!
Have to say, I do find the whole atmosphere of Mud Dock distinctly snooty
nothing particularly special to report back on...
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