Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.
Because it totally is part of roadie culture, that's why. Your club may have a "no drop" policy, but then you've got to ask why your club has made a specific point about it...Every single road club I've ever ridden with has a ride that's along the lines of "This is a fast run, if you get dropped you're on your own" Sunday social runs might be different, but to pretend it doesn't exist is nonsense TBH.
Its always amused me the amount of stuff some mtbers take with them for a couple of hours
This makes you sound like a smug know-it-all, what do you care what other people take on a ride?
Dropper post wars...tick
Sram vs Shimano wars....tick
Lycra vs baggy shorts wars....tick
Mtbers stopping alot wars....tick
TROLL POST ALERT, TROLL POST ALERT
Mostly road for me now but 2 or 3 times a year I break out the 26" BFe and hit the local trails or FoD to convince myself I can still shred. I have noticed groups of riders stopping on the trails between sections, not a problem, but why stop in the most inappropriate spot or right on the trail? Last time at FoD it was a nightmare.
I’m primarily a mountain biker but I do a fair bit of road biking too. Most of my MTB is natural trails in the Peak District and my dropper post is brilliant for the constant undulations.
I don’t wear my roadie Lycra on an MTB ride as it would be destroyed by muck and brambles.
I use a bumbag these days, with spare tube, pump, emergency snack and phone. I don’t want a 3 hour walk home! Though going tubeless has been brilliant!
Regarding stopping and starting, I like that from a social point of view as long as it’s not too frequent, or it spoils the flow. I also like to take time to stop and “smell the roses”- whether that’s to admire a view, watch the sun set, or look at something cool like a hare or barn owl. 😊
Useless kit is only that until you need it, nothing in my bag isn't there for a practical reason, the CO2 inflator, pump, inner tube, bacon strips are all for the flat tyre, which is the most frequent occurrence, either for me or one of the group, the multitool, leatherman and torx tool are the tools, again used pretty frequently, more often by others who think hitting an all day ride with water, pump and inner tube will keep them going all day.
First aid kit is the bit used less frequently, but it's had a fair few bandages, plasters, steri-strips, etc used over the last couple of years as well.
@Hopk1ns - I had that thought too...
I think the op has related his judgement to a smaller trail centre, a fairly straightforward one and limited in his own experience there. It's also a place that (brilliantly) attracts all sorts to ride.
I do carry a bag, mainly it's always packed and I ride natural trails, often away from other people, often into the hills. Experience tells me to avoid a long and cold walk home, taking some tools, a spare layer, water and a bite of food is worth it. Experience also tells me that my basic first aid kit is the reason a friend is still alive.
Even this week I helped out a road rider who's one co2 canister was used up as his one patch hadn't worked - and he had a 12 mile walk back to a ferry home in about 6*c and lycra....
Theres a lot of fashion influence on many bikers, hence the clothing. That said, I wear a baggier layer over Lycra as no-one needs to see the last turkey in the shop. Mountain biking can also be hugely hot then freezing cold. If your descents are a few hundred metres, that's ok. If they're a few km, maybe less so.
Droppers are teh shizzle if you ride anywhere technical.
As for comments about gear choice, each to thier own.
As for the roadie vs MTB discussions which this always turns into, each to their own, i can't comment on road biking, never done it other than commuting, i'm just not wired for doing miles on the road, probably because i have never been quick on the bike. But even i can understand there are many types of road biking, same with mountain biking, again choose what you enjoy, sample what you don't to find out for sure.
Just stirring the pot a bit - that rides are explicitly labeled no drop suggests it's part of the culture. Being slightly more sensible, having finally got over my suspicion of road clubs a couple of years back I joined a couple and have really enjoyed riding with them. I get a slightly different kind of riding from each. It's just a case of finding a ones that suits. First one I joined was on most of the people in the photos looked my shape, mainly because I knew how unfit I was at the time. Done a lot of good rides and been inspired by people to try some things - never thought I'd be thinking 200miles in a day is a realistic target.
For mountain biking I don't think there is much wrong with wryly observing beards are back, bumbags are the new bike packs, bike packing is the new cycle touring, skinny action slacks are the new Ronhills and yet navigation seems to be as unfashionable as ever. Things move on but mostly just go in cycles. Maybe 2021 is the year the sleeping giant of MTBO / Bike-O awakes.
I'm equally bemused and entertained by the great road disc debate or the only way is mitless is becoming a thing. Never mind the shouting of ewe boi by mountain bikers. I did think it was mew boi but apparently it is ewe. I am completely blown away by the stuff people ride - if not entirely comfortable with the amount of erosion that goes with it.
There's always room for a healthy amount of irreverence for the culture of cycling but maintaining respect for the challenges and achievements. It's just case of trying not to pedal prejudice.
Occasional MTBer here as well - it used to be the sole thing I did, raced XC for many years, had several MTBs and now it's down to just the one (an ancient 26" Cove HT) which comes out maybe half a dozen times a year for trail centre stuff. I like Leeds Urban Bike Park plus it's done a couple of visits to the indoor Dirt Factory place in Manchester. The only time I can be bothered MTBing on normal trails now is if it's snowed or, very occasionally, if it really is bone dry.
Otherwise the CX/gravel bike does the biggest chunk of mileage, happy taking that on almost anything. And road is just easier - straight from the front door, 4hr ride. 100km, no need to then spend the rest of the weekend cleaning stuff!
Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.
The traditional weeknight chaingang certainly used to be a thing but that was targeted at racers; social rides remained as exactly that. I did loads of them with the local road club when I was at uni but they gradually migrated onto the local outdoor velodrome due to traffic concerns. That way it became a social smashfest!
Apart from the obvious trail etiquette fails e.g. stopping mid-way through sections or blocking trails, I can’t see how much of the original post is really a problem...
Its not surprising that the OP who is a self-admitted very occasional mountain biker in recent years, doesn’t really get dropper posts, looser clothes, legs au naturel, or carrying seemly over-loaded packs. For me though I’m not sure why it is worth noting? It comes across a little bit snobbish. I wouldn’t bother commenting on how the OP would be dressed, rides, or chooses to shave legs.
As long as you are considerate - wear, ride what and how you want really...
As someone on the hairier end if the scale, lycra really is your friend (in mud).
assuming of course your bike is well maintained.
Lolz. That's a rather large assumption to make. I assume you have never had a mech caught in a branch or similar that would truly ruin a ride if you didn't have some tools to keep you going?
I carry what I need for the things that may happen. Multitool which I can strip the bike completely with and has a chain breaker. Some quick links and chain links, a tube and a pump and a repair kit, couple of cable ties. It all goes in a small frame bag.
I do not need a rucksac to carry it all in. (In winter I do because I will have a spare layer / waterrproof if more than a few miles from home) but the amount of crap some folk carry is crazy - spend ££££ on lightening their bike then carry kilos of spares and tools and electronic devices.
The only time I have had to walk home was a freehub failure due to the mighty thighs of powa!
I always take loads of stuff with me, even on a local 45 minute ride. I hate walking with a bike. I still use tubes so take stuff for that as well to different multi tools and two pumps incase one fails as I once had.two tubes in case the hawthorns give me a double puncture and loads of water in case I want it.vaper and spare liquid.wallet phone and that's about it.nothing like being prepared. I like it.
Because it totally is part of roadie culture, that’s why. Your club may have a “no drop” policy, but then you’ve got to ask why your club has made a specific point about it…
The only ride I've ever been on where people were being dropped was MTB.
In our club, the roadies never drop anyone. They say they love watching someone suffer so they won’t allow anyone to be dropped even if they beg to be dropped!
In my pack - I have pretty much what you carry TJ. I add to that a hydration bladder and first aid kit. Prefer hydration packs to bottles and I have used the first aid kit many times, more for other riders than myself. There’s only one ride you need to have where you find a fellow rider as a casualty and need to stop bleeding and use a survival bag - to know you aren’t carrying too much!
What I find strange about road riding is dropping people is a fundamental part of the culture.
I don't agree with that at all. Loads of club rides have a 'no drop' policy. The remainder are usually pretty clear on the types of speed expected to stay with the group. If you rock up to a group ride that states the average speed will be 20mph, and you can't hold 20mph, then you can hardly expect the rest of the club to wait for you. Instead, you should have gone with the slower group. Folks aren't actively trying to ride you out the group, which having a 'dropping culture' implies.
That said, I've never been on a club ride when anyone has ever been dropped.
I did a club run once (as a guest) where the group included some proper fast ex pros. It started slow and then gradually sped up through the ride dropping people along the way. Great fun!
A large Edinburgh based club used to have a reputation for dropping folk. I had a few folk in the shop complaining about it. It is possible things have changed.
The only ride I’ve ever been on where people were being dropped was MTB.
anecdote, not data etc etc. The fact that so many of you have (including me) experienced clubs that specifically have a no drop policy kinda emphasises the fact that otherwise the expectation from riders is "oh, this is raod riding, I might be dropped" I think it stems from the fact that many road clubs have a racing heritage.
but the amount of crap some folk carry is crazy – spend ££££ on lightening their bike then carry kilos of spares and tools and electronic devices.
IME most folk are trying to drop as much weight from themselves and their bikes, I've come across vastly more folk who don't have the equipment they need, rather than the opposite. Folk, I think, by and large, carry too much water, but that's true of lots of folk who run or exercise. I think you're projecting for effect to be honest.
anecdote, not data etc etc.
No-one said it doesn't exist, but it's clear from this thread that it's not the norm. My experience also demonstrates that it's not unknown in MTB.
^^^Definitely this.
^^^This was meant for the comment on no one trying to kill you in a car..... I think I'm going a bit mad. It disappeared.
A large Edinburgh based club used to have a reputation for dropping folk. I had a few folk in the shop complaining about it.
This supports the case that bits notv the general culture if people complain about it doesnt it?
Some of the OP's comments have just made me realise that Roadies v MTBers is almost exactly the same as Skiers v Boarders.
Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.
I'm mostly on the MTB and occasionally on the road. I went out with my mates mates. I was fully expecting to get dropped, they are competitive rodies and quick- I'm neither😀
They dropped one of their mates because he was ill- he did say this at the start and say he might get dropped. I was pretty surprised.
I was still with them at 50 miles. I said " I'm surprised I'm still with you, I don't think I could keep up if the pace was 1mph faster"
" Never say that " said one of them, we set off 2 mph faster and I was very quickly dropped.
Now I am not as fast as that bunch, and everyone knew that, I turned up expecting to get dropped and find my way home.
I guess it's the difference between riding with my MTB mates who are almost all non competitive and that bunch of rodies who are competitive and were in training for various races.
I once got dropped on a mtb club group ride.was pretty scary as I did not know the area.luckily one of the riders held back a bit and let me catch up.really bad for the sport. That's why it's best to ride for fun not strava in group rides.its not proper mtbing and goes against its roots of having a blast with your mates.i guess riding with proper mtb mates is best.roadies who ride mtbs and mtbers who drop people are different from others.
Its always amused me the amount of stuff some mtbers take with them for a couple of hours ride.
Mibbe have deep fat fryers to lube their chains?.
OP - Yep, modern bikes are great, ebikes even better. Dropper posts are awesome, agree about baggy clothes, I've no idea why folk wear effin massive shorts and tops, but then I've no idea why someone chucking their bike down trails for fun would wear lycra either. Well fitted clothing for the win.
Massive bags, who cares, the stopping ditto, as long as it's not on the trail.
Mibbe you should ride somewhere decent, instead of Cannock! 😃
Maybe we should just tolerate others even the wearing of lycra for mtb.all there for the same reason.
You don’t see BMW owners considering raising their suspension do you?
Raising or buying with the higher suspension out of choice?
Mine eats miles then gets over rough tracks and cut down tree stumps at the other end which I'd never do with M Sport suspension.
I took myself off to Cannock and hired a bike, a Trek Rosco hardtail, and had a couple of hours around The Dog and The Monkey.
agree about baggy clothes, I’ve no idea why folk wear effin massive shorts and tops
For me a "couple of hours around the dog and monkey" qualifies a helmet and 5 tens, gloves if its cold and maybe a water bottle if its hot and the frame accepts one.
I'm constantly amazed by the amount of riding kit (worn and carried) at my local "couple of hours blast round swinley" and the helpful advice this kit seems to infer by those with it.
Mibbe have deep fat fryers to lube their chains?
No need, the lube lasts months 😉
Road rules in my club are no one gets dropped. Free to sttack a steeper or longer hill as a solo off the front, just wait at the top gor a regroup.
Anyone having a bad day gets 1 or 2 stronger riders as a windbreak and is towed back to the group.
Some sprints for road signs and occasional through and off on certain roads where if you get spat out you wont get on but the rest will always wait before a junction a few miles up the road.
Some of my speed group go up 1 gruop with the intention of hanging on as long as possible and being dropped. They then recover r and eventually we catch them up amd they can cope with 2mph less in our group. This is for training and speed work witj the aim of being able to stay with the fast boys longer each time and potentially stick with them ovef 40 plus miles
Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.
Well you drop the weaker riders on the hills, stop at the top to let them get back on and then repeat for all subsequent hills. They'll either get fitter quickly or stop turning up 😉
I came back to road riding after 10 years off last year, my first group ride was horrendous, threw the towel in half way and limped home on impulse drive completely blown. A few weeks later, keeping up fine, a few months later setting the pace on hills shelling the others out the back 🙂
I am glad I am not a roadie.sounds like a world of pain.
I’m constantly amazed by the amount of riding kit (worn and carried) at my local “couple of hours blast round swinley”
Since the C word I've been guilty of the above but then I fit Swinley into a long ride so I liked to be self sufficient without having to have unnecessary contact with others. Probably look a bit daft at Swinley with a frame bag and camalbak but I'm not doing a lap then jumping in a Transporter.
I am glad I am not a roadie.sounds like a world of pain.
It's whatever you want it to be, really. No reason why you can't go for a slow amble and stop for a pub lunch.
If you don't think dropping people is inherent to road cycling then you haven't been on a good old Yorkshire 'reliability ride' or 'cafe bash' then.
I've turned up and found half a pro team line up at the front, shrugged and realised my place in life. Another time I watched two blokes with the surname brownlee get shelled out of the back.
In my experience, mountain bikers are just as happy to flex their dominance, they just do it by catching up and riding behind your back wheel until you make room for a pass.
Competitions's fun, y'know. Even if you're losing and learning. It's not evil. Stop being millennial about it.
I'm a naked single speed rider with a thudbuster, an empty framebag and no friends to stop and talk to.
The rest of you are bonkers.
Since the C word I’ve been guilty of the above but then I fit Swinley into a long ride so I liked to be self sufficient without having to have unnecessary contact with others. Probably look a bit daft at Swinley with a frame bag and camalbak but I’m not doing a lap then jumping in a Transporter.
Christ where are you cycling from?
I usually go along the canal from Woking then up through to Camberley side and I take my jeans and T-shirt/fleece and helmet, multitool in back pocket.
😁
Since our daughter came along I've been almost exclusively a roadie. It's at least 30 minutes drive to anything remotely hardtail worthy round here, to get a decent ride in, with all the requisite mountain bike phaffage, is half a day at least. It's so much easier just to roll the road bike out of the shed and go!
My club has a no drop policy but with an 'unwritten rule' that you're on your own within 10km to go back the meeting point. It's rarely used, I've towed people back home and likewise, contrary to my protestations that I'll be fine to roll home on my own, I've had a wheel to stick to when hanging out my arse!
Same here with my club having a no-drop policy. On one ride I was knocked off my bike by another rider (an unfortunate accident). I was OK but a bit bruised up.We had about 10 more miles to go and 3 of the group including the one who knocked me off rode slowly back with me and generally looked after me.
If you don’t think dropping people is inherent to road cycling then you haven’t been on a good old Yorkshire ‘reliability ride’ or ‘cafe bash’ then.
Correct: I don't live in Yorkshire.
Christ where are you cycling from?
I usually go along the canal from Woking then up through to Camberley side and I take my jeans and T-shirt/fleece and helmet, multitool in back pocket.
Reading.
I carry a tube, repair kit, cable ties, multi tool, chin link and pump in the frame bag.
Enough water for 4 hours in the camalbak and a snack. Oh and a bell for the busy byways. Not sure clothing is relevant but a pair of shorts or trousers and tee shirt or windproof.
