DISQUS

Mr T · 7 months ago

If you've just bought your first road bike, don't try hooking up to groups on Beach Rd. And unless you're a pro, NO white lycra.... ever!

Lee · 7 months ago

Whites ok if youv'e got good fake tan on!

c.dawg · 7 months ago

Spotted a girl with a lovely bottom cycling down beach rd at st kilda with very worn knicks the other day. No complaints here....

b · 7 months ago

What's the signal for clearing your nose?

Tommy P · 7 months ago

Wave an open hand, in a tissue like manner around your face... Make sure you do this at the right height as too low can mean "I need food" in the case of an inwardly gesture, or "I am about to throw up" in the case of an outwardly gesture. I thought this was all common knowledge, no?

James · 7 months ago

Rant is an appropriate description for this post, better left for Monday.

David Heatley · 7 months ago

Can't agree with you more about this Wade. I lose count of the number of people that regularly think it's cool to gate crash our Team Time Trial training up Beach Road in the morning. For some reason they think that anything is fair game? I had a guy stick his whole arm out in front of my face in this week indicating that he intended to pull into our train. What was he thinking? That I was going to let a total stranger roll turns with us at 50+km/h. A few weeks ago I got so pis*ed that I gently nudged one guy out of the way using my hand on his hip as he tried to force his way in... Only to be confronted with abuse from him and his fellow riding mates for dangerous riding... Sorry what? I just shock my head. Yep, touched a raw nerve here Wade. See a row of riders tightly swapping track turns then ride in front of them a few meters or behind them but don't try to crash their train. Not good cycling Etiquette.

Simon · 7 months ago

Totally agree Wade, but can someone pass these rules onto the Pricks at Toatal Rush. They ride like tools every Sat morning and push everyone into the gutter when they pass. Not a good look for the shop!

Anonymous · 7 months ago

WAH WAH, really you guys.
I know there are some tools out there, who knows maybe I fit some of these descriptions too.
But be fair, very few of you are pro riders and riders all need to get there experiance somewhere.
If you choose to ride a big bunch ride then you need to expect it.
Be a little more tolerant, we sound like car drivers.
Some polite words of encouragement might be the best answer.

Cheers
CP

Nikolai · 7 months ago

I get really frightened when people all of the sadden yell "hole!" or "lights!", is this an Australian thing? Because I haven't seen it happening anywhere else I've been to, and I've been around a bit... Just showing a hole with your hand or even just fingers is enough, why yell?

SJ · 7 months ago

I'm totally sick and tired of all the "road etiquette" and so called "rules". As a MTB'r new to road cycling I can't believe how much everyone thinks they are pro's and all full of their own self importance. Who cares if you wear white, Oz National or World Champ kit as long as you are happy, if it was so important to earn these colours then they would not sell them to the average jo. Maybe they are just supporting there country or there hero's. Who cares if your riding a $10,000 bike and can't ride, you buy what you can afford. You don't have to be a good driver to own a porsche so whats the problem. I can't believe all the possers so caught up in all this crap! Race day is one thing but on a weekend ride just relax! We seem to be our own worst nightmare, what do the drivers think of us if we road cyclists all hate each other? Think About it!

cyclingtips · 7 months ago

SJ and CP,

I completely agree with you guys. I'll never rid cycling of the elitism that it exudes, but by creating this site hopefully it's helping beginner and intermediate cyclists learn some of the subtleties (and unwritten rules) of the sport to fast track years of "learning the hard way"

WW

brycerider · 7 months ago

Dont confuse good manners and elitism. If a group is out training then dont just join in. You wouldnt just roll up to a footy team practice session and get stuck in would you?

If it looks like just a bunch out for a cruise hop on the back and ask if its ok to join in.

Anonymous · 7 months ago

+1 to Brycer. If you're at a party, manners dictate you don't bust into a conversation being held between a group of people - you stand on the outer and wait to be invited in.

Nothing like RC riders declaring "we've won more races than you've had hot breakfasts" when you politely ask them to NOT join your disciplined bunch of rolling turn friends who have been riding together for years and sharing the pace into the wind for the last 2 hours. If RC riders are so damn hot then take your 4 mates and show us - ride off the front or something. Wankers.

Pad Pad · 7 months ago

Good one Wade , Yes the etiquette is important and more so the safety aspects of " gatecrashing " a well ordered group BUT boys and girls how about a bit of humour ! Most of us actually work for a living and find the escape from the dreary aspects of our lives on the bike a welcome distraction . We're not riding for sheepstations and generally a bit of humour coupled with some friendly advice will see the offending rider try to comply .

James · 7 months ago

Its also interesting these days that people riding feel they can take a single car lane. For me at least (it might take a while to work itself out) there are at least three cycling 'lanes' within one car lane, but this is never respected or acknowledged. It means that quite often, a group riding you pass, or even a single line of riders, may be so far out that you have to encroach on the other lane (car lane) to pass - way uncool. Whats with forcing another cyclist to run the gauntlet with a car? Whats wrong with 20 cm off the gutter? way uncool.

erik · 7 months ago

as someone reasonably new to (serious) road cycling, I enjoy when you share these tips. I'm a little confused by your description of how to signal that you need to blow your nose. maybe a new post with photos would help elucidate the mysteries of hand-signaling. I'd be interested to know about the regional differences in signaling too. Just a thought.

Beloki · 7 months ago

I agree with James. I don't care how new you are to cycling, the state of your knicks, or how expensive your bike is, it's great that you are out enjoying this awesome sport. BUT please realise, that you share the road with other riders and vehicles and that riding in the middle of the lane as far away from the gutter as possible puts not only other riders passing you at risk BUT yourself at risk too with regard to passing traffic. This is compounded by you not being able to ride in a straight line yet, with the bike rocking from side to side (you obviously didn't bother to read cyclingtipsblog's articles on ankling or technique, but took the articles "Classic Obsession" and "Compression garments" a little too seriously ;-) ).
You are an accident waiting to happen, so please take care to ride straight (maybe practice at an oval before getting onto the road), and perhaps try and ride closer to the gutter.

GG · 7 months ago

I think it's more a safety issue. I've seen guys busting a gut to keep up with a group that's obviously not anything to do with them, and they obviously don't know how to safely ride in a group. I join in with groups and only ride with a couple of mates when I'm out and I certainly wouldn't want these guys belting along, out of control right behind me.

GG · 7 months ago

Sorry, that should be, "I DON'T join in with groups"....

Twoeee · 7 months ago

I agree with all the comments with people jumping into training bunches. Whats with people jumping on to the back of people motor pacing. Obviously they are out training.

And please if you are told to nicely remove yourself from the group do it. Don't wait until people tell you F@#f off. We have obviously paid for the session and want to enjoy it safely.

Ok rant over. have a good day.