Robert Anderson

If you are not wearing a helmet while riding, then you obviously have
nothing to protect. And if you are riding without a helmet in front of
children, you set a bad example. So even if you have no brain, you should
still wear a helmet. -Rob Anderson

On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 1:15 PM, Maximillian Kirchoff wrote:

> IT's funny you should mention kits Ron as most commute-racers I run across
> are actually kitted out. I don't really wear kits on my ride or when I
> commute. I wear bibs sometimes without anything over them, and many times
> with jeans over them, so it's difficult to identify me as anything more than
> a regular commuter. The fun part about that is the tri guys or cat 4s who
> seem to think that since I'm a large dude and not kitted out they must pass
> me, which is often-times rather funny. Especially when they attack me
> uphill, then quickly run out of gas and start huffing and puffing in car
> lane to my left as I steadily keep my cadence. I don't hold any ill-will
> towards them, I think it's more funny than anything. I'm just trying to get
> home most of the time, not win the tour. Which, on a small tagent I wanted
> to mention a funny trend I've began to see. I'm not sure if it's new racers
> who don't understand helmets, old racers who just don't like them, or people
> that are just forgetful...but wearing a full winter kit, winter cap, gloves,
> shoe covers, clipped into your pedal is pretty damn funny when you're not
> wearing a helmet. Spending all that time and money to train in the winter on
> the road, without the one thing that can actually save your life in a tough
> spot. Hell I've ridden without helmets...in jeans and a tshirt, on my way to
> the store. But a training ride fully kitted out....hiiiiilarious. Especially
> since a helmet is probably the least dorky looking thing in a kit.
>
> But I digress. We're all just peoples. I often, in my jeans and
> windbreaker, wave to roadies and commuters alike just to get a snarl or
> grimace. But it doesn't bother me, I'm just trying to be nice. Just be the
> bigger person and spit into the draft. haha.
>
> ______________{ :)
> Max Kirchoff
> (503) 770-0629
> max@maxisnow.com
> http://www.maxisnow.com
> http://www.treesbybike.com
> http://portfolio.maxisnow.com
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 12:59 PM, Ron and Dorothy Strasser <
> rondot@spiritone.com> wrote:
>
>> From my perspective that is a good time to give the "commuter" trying
>> staying on your wheel some positive comments, then point them toward PIR.
>> This happens all the time (especially if you are wearing a kit)... regular
>> riders who do not see themselves as racers.... go through an instant
>> transformation.... and become Lance. Usually they fade after a few blocks
>> at most, but some are pretty strong. It is human nature. Giving them some
>> positive feedback is good for society and might even get a new obra member.
>> I wave to most other riders if I am not sucking air big time or it is
>> unsafe. I think it is a very good thing to wave or say hi to other riders
>> especially if wearing a kit. It is that type of behavior that removes
>> barriers instead of producing perceived or real ones. All this said, I do
>> not feel bad is someone does not wave or say hi to me. The great thing
>> about cycling is it can be a social or private activity.
>> go ride.
>> ron
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* Dan Silvernail
>> *To:* obra@list.obra.org
>> *Sent:* Friday, January 29, 2010 12:24 PM
>> *Subject:* Re: [OBRA Chat] Ask A Roadie
>>
>> I'm glad that the record has been set straight. Up until today I would
>> just get completely bummed out when someone didn't return my little chin
>> raise whenever I'd pass them. Sorry to anyone that I yelled "Unsociable
>> pr**ck" to. (I kid!) (I'm just as guilty as the next guy of not extending
>> a full-on warm embrace to anyone on a bike that I encounter. I wave and not
>> and that's good enough)
>> Hell, while I have the floor, here is something that eats at me and I want
>> to know why people do this: why, oh why, do people just have to speed up
>> and "get on my wheel" whenever I pass them? It doesn't matter if I'm
>> commuting through downtown or on a training ride up on Skyline. Whenever I
>> approach someone while out riding, I'm at the point where I feel the need to
>> "attack" them instead of rolling past because if I just roll past (saying HI
>> to them as I pass), 8 out of 10 people on bikes will stick right to my rear
>> wheel. Why? I don't have this problem when I'm out walking or running. I
>> mean, if you were walking your dog and passed a slower walker and they
>> picked up the pace and started walking step for step 6" back of you, what
>> would you think? I'd turn the dog loose on them! That's what I'd do!
>> (well, not really, my dog is a chicken ass who'd just beg for a cookie).
>> Anyway. Next time someone wants to draft off of me, I'll tell them to take
>> out an OBRA licence and go up to PIR and race. There, it's OK to ride
>> someone's ass.
>>
>> Rant over. Let the weekend begin!
>> On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 12:04 PM, Erik Long wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah, dude. Some people just aren't social animals. Often when a rider
>>> goes riding alone, he does so specifically to ride alone - in fact, that's
>>> almost always the case. There are other factors - the guy could be riding
>>> on a very limited schedule, possibly in the middle of a structured workout,
>>> who knows.
>>>
>>> If you're on a group ride, you can expect more of a social event.
>>> There's no reason to take offense just because a lone rider didn't smile and
>>> wave from the other side of the road. This is a silly reason to get bent
>>> out of shape.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:10:25 -0800
>>> From: tackyglueit@gmail.com
>>> To: sbrown@stevebrowncompany.com
>>> CC: obra@list.obra.org
>>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Ask A Roadie
>>>
>>>
>>> you're a clown. maybe the guys dog just died. the world is bigger then
>>> you.
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Steve Brown <
>>> sbrown@stevebrowncompany.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Ask A Roadie,
>>>
>>> I seem to need some help regarding the secret handshake. Even
>>> though I am fairly sociable when I riding, every once in a while someone
>>> will simply ride by with their head down. I always thought that even if you
>>> wanted to be left alone, at least acknowledging the overtaken rider was the
>>> polite thing to do. One thought is that these are tri's who have taken off
>>> the aero bars and are not real roadies.
>>> I have a cool bike, wear a cycling hat with the bill turned up under my
>>> helmet, and wear red aero covers over my booties or shoes. Are these riders
>>> just showing me "they are the man". Should I latch on to their wheel, and
>>> then sprint by to show them I am the man?
>>> What am I missing?
>>>
>>>
>>> Steve Brown
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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>> ------------------------------
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