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Roadies who snub running
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Why do some pure roadies tend to snub running? I find this a bit curious and kind of amusing. I guess it's a tribal thing. I do not find the opposite to be true of pure runners - they tend to respect cycling. I guess most runners tend to workout by themselves or with 1-2 others, hence there's no "pack" mentality or general attitude that develops. Wondering what other slowtwitchers may have observed around this topic.

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
Last edited by: Don_W: May 3, 19 11:34
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Not here.

I did one du, but I ride bikes. When the local marathon comes by the MUP behind the house I take a chair out there and my coffee and noise maker to cheer them on and give encouraging.

True roadies, who race, probably run in off season a good bit. I follow a few pros on the company team who run 6’s for 10k distance.

Sure, a few turds, but anyone I mention running to in the bike group is generally highly impressed by runners.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks. Where are you from? I'm from the Northeast and would say this is truly a phenomenon. I guess I've just been noticing it lately. The occasional comments and snickers on group rides and out on Strava. But I digress...!

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Its all about thinking one group is better then another. Some radies do it to triathletes too "because they're not great at any one thing", some triathletes are snobby to towards runners/cyclists/swimmers because they cant do all three...runners on LetsRun hate everyone.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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I quit cycle racing and group rides back in the 80's because they were such pricks as a whole, even back then. I gave it 2 years, and it just wasn't my kind of scene. There are dicks everywhere, but I've never seen this level of prickness in running, swimming, or triathlons.

Athlinks / Strava
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Don_W wrote:
Thanks. Where are you from? I'm from the Northeast and would say this is truly a phenomenon. I guess I've just been noticing it lately. The occasional comments and snickers on group rides and out on Strava. But I digress...!
I think a lot of it is tongue in cheek, but true runners can get a little runner-y in their conversations. And I think they like to rag on triathletes simply over bike handling and sleeveless kits. I don't think there's deep down animosity. If someone has that, they have the problem.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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I noticed it when I lived in New England. I don’t see it here in SoCal.

Here I smile, nod, wave or grunt at anyone who is out exercising. It’s not always reciprocated, but there is no bias to exercisers of another breed.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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You mean "snub" as in having a generally snobbish attitude?

I don't see this in SoCal, which is pretty snobbish in general. Roadies basically never talk about running or runners at all. The only thing that comes to mind is when a marathon or something closes a bunch of roads, and we have to go around. But that's just a general annoyance at the situation, not directed at the runners themselves. We're perfectly aware that some bike races require road closures too.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Dean T] [ In reply to ]
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Dean T wrote:
I quit cycle racing and group rides back in the 80's because they were such pricks as a whole, even back then. I gave it 2 years, and it just wasn't my kind of scene. There are dicks everywhere, but I've never seen this level of prickness in running, swimming, or triathlons.

You're quite the grumpy old man.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [T-wrecks] [ In reply to ]
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Raleigh.

Me, I think folks can’t knock it till you try it. Or “tri” it.

Running is tough. It’s a religion requiring devotion and care. You can’t just throw intensity at it to make up for time. Swimming? All that form. All three? So far and such balance.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Don_W wrote:
I do not find the opposite to be true of pure runners - they tend to respect cycling.

Have you been on letsrun?
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Snub order IMO.

1) Swimmers who wear t-shirts that say "swimming is my super power". Look how they protect their turf on ST.

1.5) Triathletes.

2) Cyclists because it takes more money, time and skill to ride a bike than run.

3) Runners are the most humble and the involuntary celibates of the group (go see Let'srun). Try to make up for it by going long.

Indoor Triathlete - I thought I was right, until I realized I was wrong.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Snub?

Same reason I snub any sport I'm not interested in.

Because I don't care about it.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Very easy to be a poser roadie. Buy a bling bike and all the gear, spin around for 20k then sit at the coffee shop for 3 hours and ride home. Tough to be a poser runner. If you're out there you're getting it done.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [bretzky] [ In reply to ]
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Not noticed that at all. Indeed I had a load of my road club who volunteer marshal for the local run and tri races. Some came down to support me and the other triathletes at the Ironman, and plenty do the bike leg for the teams event at the half ironman.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Karl.n] [ In reply to ]
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Karl.n wrote:
Don_W wrote:
I do not find the opposite to be true of pure runners - they tend to respect cycling.


Have you been on letsrun?


I've never heard of letsrun, I'm just referring to people I run with and post on Strava. Personally, I honestly can't recall meeting a snobby runner.

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
Last edited by: Don_W: May 3, 19 17:18
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Running is hard on the legs. Cyclists generally have the cardio but need to build the run specific strength. I would consider myself more of a cyclist than a runner. Whenever I take a break from running and then get back into it I have to force myself to take my time. With my cardio I could go forever but my legs doth protest to much.
I know plenty of “pure roadies” who run in the off-season. During race season it is detrimental to put that kind of non-specific stress on your legs.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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I know plenty of cyclists who snub the act of running, but no one with any animosity towards those who identify as runners.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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I don’t think roadies snub runners. However, there are definitely lots of roadies that are overweight riding expensive rigs in group rides. Running is a different beast. There are lots roadies that do not run because it is too difficult and too hard on the body to run and run well.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [IT] [ In reply to ]
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IT wrote:
Snub order IMO.

1) Swimmers who wear t-shirts that say "swimming is my super power". Look how they protect their turf on ST.

1.5) Triathletes.

2) Cyclists because it takes more money, time and skill to ride a bike than run.

3) Runners are the most humble and the involuntary celibates of the group (go see Let'srun). Try to make up for it by going long.

This^. I'm a roadie. Wish I could run and swim. Can't. Admire those who can and do. I have a sister who was a triathlete until she broke her back and isn't allowed to run anymore.

The only athletes I've heard roadies snub are triathletes - and only for their handling skills.

This thread does an excellent job of demonstrating that roadies aren't the only snobs on bikes.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Nerd] [ In reply to ]
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Nerd wrote:
There are lots roadies that do not run because it is too difficult and too hard on the body to run and run well.

Ever been to a local 5k? "Running well" doesn't seem to be a condition of participation.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [rubik] [ In reply to ]
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Lol. Both of my 8 and 10 year old kids will run a 5k with me from time to time. Running a 5k being a “runner” are two different things.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Nerd] [ In reply to ]
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Nerd wrote:
Lol. Both of my 8 and 10 year old kids will run a 5k with me from time to time. Running a 5k being a “runner” are two different things.

^This. A friend of mine who's a crossfitter ran a 5k the other day, out of the blue, without any running training besides the short runs they do at his gym/box.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [bretzky] [ In reply to ]
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bretzky wrote:
Very easy to be a poser roadie. Buy a bling bike and all the gear, spin around for 20k then sit at the coffee shop for 3 hours and ride home.

Not very easy at all. It took me years to learn all the skills. Keeping up with the season's appropriate sock length (last year was about high socks, but it's back to classic length now) alone takes constant attention. Keeping every bike detail right (no head units on top of stems). I could go on and in....
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Re: Roadies who snub running [bretzky] [ In reply to ]
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bretzky wrote:
Very easy to be a poser roadie. Buy a bling bike and all the gear, spin around for 20k then sit at the coffee shop for 3 hours and ride home. Tough to be a poser runner. If you're out there you're getting it done.

That is if we make the distinction in pace between slogging, jogging, and running. Or distance.

I didn’t feel like I was ever running until the pace got under the 8’s. Even then, that’s slow for the actual runners. Actual runners probably log more Mpw than poser roadies do on bikes.

Also, lots of roadies have no clue how slow they actually are.

Getting into a couple races, I’ve learned how small a fish I am in a big pond.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Nerd] [ In reply to ]
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Nerd wrote:
Lol. Both of my 8 and 10 year old kids will run a 5k with me from time to time. Running a 5k being a “runner” are two different things.

Plenty of overweight people jog/walking round your average marathon as well. I'd say the distribution of fitness/ability in cycling and running is pretty similar. The difference between the sports is mainly the expenditure. The cyclists I know don't look down in any way on running, just some of them choose not to do it.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Nerd] [ In reply to ]
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Nerd wrote:
Lol. Both of my 8 and 10 year old kids will run a 5k with me from time to time. Running a 5k being a “runner” are two different things.

There ya go. It's not because it's "too difficult". It's just one of millions of things that people choose to do or not.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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What exactly do you mean by "snub" running? Not running themselves? Making disparaging comments about runners? What?
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Re: Roadies who snub running [JoeO] [ In reply to ]
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JoeO wrote:
What exactly do you mean by "snub" running? Not running themselves? Making disparaging comments about runners? What?

snub
verb
1.
rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully.
"he snubbed faculty members and students alike"
synonyms: insult, slight, affront, humiliate, treat disrespectfully;
2.
an act of showing disdain or a lack of cordiality by rebuffing or ignoring someone or something.
"he couldn't help thinking that the whole thing was meant to be taken as a snub"
synonyms: rebuff, insult, repulse, slight, affront, slap in the face, humiliation;

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Here's some recent examples.

I ran a 10K last week and happened to run by a couple of my roadie friends on their bikes, whom I waved to. The next day, one of them asked me, on a group ride, jokingly, "So - did you win???" Hahaha.

In a recent strava post, one of my roadie friends posted a short run. Two of his roadie friends commented on his post:

Roadie #1 comment:
"What is this run thing of which you have done? Apostate!"

Roadie #2 comment:
"You spoke my mind!"

On a recent group ride, main roadie asks "Where's Thomas?" Another roadie snears "He's running..." with mild disdain in his voice.

This is what I experience generally. It's no biggie, just kind of odd behaviour in my opinion. Some roadies are just kind of weirdly tribal I guess. Most are totally cool, but in my opinion there is definitely a small contingency of roadies who have general disdain for running or other endurance sports, including triathlon. Maybe they find it threatening? If yes, I just don't get that.

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Don_W wrote:
Here's some recent examples.

I ran a 10K last week and happened to run by a couple of my roadie friends on their bikes, whom I waved to. The next day, one of them asked me, on a group ride, jokingly, "So - did you win???" Hahaha.

In a recent strava post, one of my roadie friends posted a short run. Two of his roadie friends commented on his post:

Roadie #1 comment:
"What is this run thing of which you have done? Apostate!"

Roadie #2 comment:
"You spoke my mind!"

On a recent group ride, main roadie asks "Where's Thomas?" Another roadie snears "He's running..." with mild disdain in his voice.

This is what I experience generally. It's no biggie, just kind of odd behaviour in my opinion. Some roadies are just kind of weirdly tribal I guess. Most are totally cool, but in my opinion there is definitely a small contingency of roadies who have general disdain for running or other endurance sports, including triathlon. Maybe they find it threatening? If yes, I just don't get that.

If I were a betting man, I'd wager a large amount that you're oblivious to the context and reading way too much into any of that. None of that sounds at all more than run-of-the-mill poking fun/messing about rhetoric.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [rubik] [ In reply to ]
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Don't need to be a betting man to see that.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [JoeO] [ In reply to ]
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I get it. It's just joking around, and maybe I'm just being too sensitive, but I don't see runners talk this way about other athletes. There is a just a weird tribal thing that goes with *some* roadies that doesn't really exist in other sports. Google it.

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
Last edited by: Don_W: May 5, 19 4:17
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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I ride with a lot of roadies where I live, and they are a great group of guys. They know I run as much as I bike so they'll jokingly harass me......."what the hell are you doing? get a damn bike"...........when they pass me on a local trail or a city street.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Don_W wrote:
but I don't see runners talk this way about other athletes. There is a just a weird tribal thing that goes with *some* roadies that doesn't really exist in other sports. Google it.
Might very well be a “tribal” thing. For comparison you could reference this forum where you get “some” members who snub or disparage the roadie culture. Comfort in numbers I suppose.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Don_W wrote:
I get it. It's just joking around, and maybe I'm just being too sensitive, but I don't see runners talk this way about other athletes. There is a just a weird tribal thing that goes with *some* roadies that doesn't really exist in other sports. Google it.

It's simply that the "tribe" is much more of a thing in cycling than it is in running. The vast majority of cyclists (not so much triathletes) ride in groups at least some of the time, whether organised club rides or more informally with friends. Those rides often feature a coffee/cake stop before, during and/or after. And the nature of cycling is that there are often periods where you're spinning along at an easy enough pace to hold a conversation. In other words, loads of time to chat and build up a tribal culture with in jokes, terminology, etc.

None of that really exists in running. Running is a fundamentally solo sport, running clubs exist but I'd bet the vast majority of people who run do so mainly on their own, and even when they do run with others there's more panting and less chat.

Cycling also isn't alone in this - in UK there is plenty of (mostly) good-natured abuse between rugby and football (soccer) players and fans. And I used to row where we shared a river with a kayaking club and there was always plenty of mutual piss-taking and gentle snobbery (we looked down on them because they hadn't learned to use their legs, they looked down on us because we couldn't see where we were going).
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Nerd] [ In reply to ]
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Nerd wrote:
I don’t think roadies snub runners. However, there are definitely lots of roadies that are overweight riding expensive rigs in group rides. Running is a different beast. There are lots roadies that do not run because it is too difficult and too hard on the body to run and run well.

Sort of this...easier to be a competent cyclist than a runner. At the local crit races, lots of guys still in in pack late that look like they can’t walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. Not the same picture near the front of a multi sport race. I do both, prefer cycling, and am predominantly a triathlete.

Human Person
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Re: Roadies who snub running [trismitty] [ In reply to ]
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trismitty wrote:
Nerd wrote:
I don’t think roadies snub runners. However, there are definitely lots of roadies that are overweight riding expensive rigs in group rides. Running is a different beast. There are lots roadies that do not run because it is too difficult and too hard on the body to run and run well.


Sort of this...easier to be a competent cyclist than a runner.
Quote:
At the local crit races, lots of guys still in in pack late that look like they can’t walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. Not the same picture near the front of a multi sport race.
I do both, prefer cycling, and am predominantly a triathlete.


You’re claiming that where you live, there are guys hanging on in the A race look fat and out of shape? Where do you live? It’s not like at all here in Texas. Maybe in the B or C race. Definitely not in the A race.
Last edited by: afrizzledfry: May 5, 19 5:08
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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Don_W wrote:
I get it. It's just joking around, and maybe I'm just being too sensitive, but I don't see runners talk this way about other athletes. There is a just a weird tribal thing that goes with *some* roadies that doesn't really exist in other sports. Google it.

You really don’t get it though. It isn’t that it’s just roadies who are “snubbing” other athletes.

It happens in swimming too. I might say that I’m going for a run. “Why would you want to do that?” Or “hells no.” is the reaction. It’s not really a true snub though, it’s just lighthearted banter, it has nothing to do with lack of respect towards running, I’d say a lot of it is a sign of respect. It’s another way of saying “good for you, that’s not something I’m willing to do”

You Gotta remember that one of the reasons that people are drawn to certain sports is because they don’t like to do other sports, and running is one of the few sports that nearly everyone on the planet has done. So everyone has an opinion on it. Doesn’t mean they don’t respect people who do the sport, even if they don’t like doing the sport itself.

Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly
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Re: Roadies who snub running [trismitty] [ In reply to ]
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trismitty wrote:

Sort of this...easier to be a competent cyclist than a runner. At the local crit races, lots of guys still in in pack late that look like they can’t walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. Not the same picture near the front of a multi sport race. I do both, prefer cycling, and am predominantly a triathlete.

Well if you're comparing the back of a bike race to the front of a triathlon. As pointed out, triathlon has its recreational walkers. Gran fondos have 12 MPH cruises. They both have skilled winners. There's no free lunch in this world.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [JasoninHalifax] [ In reply to ]
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JasoninHalifax wrote:
Don_W wrote:
I get it. It's just joking around, and maybe I'm just being too sensitive, but I don't see runners talk this way about other athletes. There is a just a weird tribal thing that goes with *some* roadies that doesn't really exist in other sports. Google it.


You really don’t get it though. It isn’t that it’s just roadies who are “snubbing” other athletes.

It happens in swimming too. I might say that I’m going for a run. “Why would you want to do that?” Or “hells no.” is the reaction. It’s not really a true snub though, it’s just lighthearted banter, it has nothing to do with lack of respect towards running, I’d say a lot of it is a sign of respect. It’s another way of saying “good for you, that’s not something I’m willing to do”

You Gotta remember that one of the reasons that people are drawn to certain sports is because they don’t like to do other sports, and running is one of the few sports that nearly everyone on the planet has done. So everyone has an opinion on it. Doesn’t mean they don’t respect people who do the sport, even if they don’t like doing the sport itself.


Actually I do get it. It's all lighthearted, but I truly believe it's mostly found among certain roadies. You don't think a slightly higher level of snobbery exists in road cycling? Ever checked out the velominati? It's tongue and cheek, but there's a few that take that stuff somewhat seriously. Personally, I have never met a pure runner that snubs cycling, swimming or triathlon. Can't say I hang out with pure swimmers though, I tend to swim by myself. My point is, I think this "lighthearted attitude" towards other endurance sports is most common among a small contingency of roadies, especially in the Northeast

With all that being said, I love riding with roadies. There are few of them that bug me, but that's true of any group of people. Pure roadies are generally the best riders because that's all they do. That keeps the bar plenty high and inspires me to improve my riding!

"The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
Last edited by: Don_W: May 5, 19 7:41
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Re: Roadies who snub running [JasoninHalifax] [ In reply to ]
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Quote:
It happens in swimming too.

Funny, I am a triathlete but have taken to snubbing triathlete swimmers. What is it with the pile of toys that people bring to the pool these days? No one swims at my pool anymore, they just do drills with their assorted paddles, snorkels, and fins. Of course, they meticulously chronical their workout on their garmin. /rant
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Re: Roadies who snub running [afrizzledfry] [ In reply to ]
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I'm in New York State, but have lived in the southeast too. And I'm talking Cat 3 and back mostly, but there are a few 2s that fit this bill too. If we're only talking Cat 1, then that's a different conversation but also probably not what the OP intended.

Human Person
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Re: Roadies who snub running [afrizzledfry] [ In reply to ]
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afrizzledfry wrote:
trismitty wrote:
Nerd wrote:
I don’t think roadies snub runners. However, there are definitely lots of roadies that are overweight riding expensive rigs in group rides. Running is a different beast. There are lots roadies that do not run because it is too difficult and too hard on the body to run and run well.


Sort of this...easier to be a competent cyclist than a runner.
Quote:
At the local crit races, lots of guys still in in pack late that look like they can’t walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. Not the same picture near the front of a multi sport race.
I do both, prefer cycling, and am predominantly a triathlete.


You’re claiming that where you live, there are guys hanging on in the A race look fat and out of shape? Where do you live? It’s not like at all here in Texas. Maybe in the B or C race. Definitely not in the A race.

In the limited racing I've done, I'd nearly regard his post as pure trolling. I'd LOVE to go do a race there then. Also, depending on the crit course.....if it's an oval or a pan flat 4-corners deal......yeah, riders might be larger since there's no w/kg penalty. Just a wattage penalty. When you can be 85kg or more and 300w ain't nothing for you, you'll be fine in a 30min flattish crit.

I think the heaviest rider in my 4/5 road races have been like 180 lbs, but they were 6' tall and over. And got dropped like a rock.

Yeah, he's also comparing the guys who in all meaningful way actually DID get dropped in a crit from someone vying for OA or AG podium in multisport.

I'm pretty dumb as a bike racer, I don't have a lot of experience, but I'm 70kg or less usually and can toss some watts and meaningful attacks. I ran sub 8-min miles in the du I did. I don't even sniff Cat 4/5 podium in road race. In all intents and purposes, I got dropped. And the du.....16 OA and nearly got AG podium. Go figure, maybe I'm in the wrong sport. Just to prove it ain't a bunch of fatties rolling the USAC 3/4/5 races around here!
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Re: Roadies who snub running [1poseur1] [ In reply to ]
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1poseur1 wrote:
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It happens in swimming too.

Funny, I am a triathlete but have taken to snubbing triathlete swimmers. What is it with the pile of toys that people bring to the pool these days? No one swims at my pool anymore, they just do drills with their assorted paddles, snorkels, and fins. Of course, they meticulously chronical their workout on their garmin. /rant

That was me (sorta) at swim today. Piled at the end of my lane I had 2 kickboards, fins, paddles, pull buoy, snorkel, and a water bottle. No Garmin though...

Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly
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Re: Roadies who snub running [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks
burnthesheep wrote:
afrizzledfry wrote:
trismitty wrote:
Nerd wrote:
I don’t think roadies snub runners. However, there are definitely lots of roadies that are overweight riding expensive rigs in group rides. Running is a different beast. There are lots roadies that do not run because it is too difficult and too hard on the body to run and run well.


Sort of this...easier to be a competent cyclist than a runner.
Quote:
At the local crit races, lots of guys still in in pack late that look like they can’t walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. Not the same picture near the front of a multi sport race.
I do both, prefer cycling, and am predominantly a triathlete.


You’re claiming that where you live, there are guys hanging on in the A race look fat and out of shape? Where do you live? It’s not like at all here in Texas. Maybe in the B or C race. Definitely not in the A race.


In the limited racing I've done, I'd nearly regard his post as pure trolling. I'd LOVE to go do a race there then. Also, depending on the crit course.....if it's an oval or a pan flat 4-corners deal......yeah, riders might be larger since there's no w/kg penalty. Just a wattage penalty. When you can be 85kg or more and 300w ain't nothing for you, you'll be fine in a 30min flattish crit.

I think the heaviest rider in my 4/5 road races have been like 180 lbs, but they were 6' tall and over. And got dropped like a rock.

Yeah, he's also comparing the guys who in all meaningful way actually DID get dropped in a crit from someone vying for OA or AG podium in multisport.

I'm pretty dumb as a bike racer, I don't have a lot of experience, but I'm 70kg or less usually and can toss some watts and meaningful attacks. I ran sub 8-min miles in the du I did. I don't even sniff Cat 4/5 podium in road race. In all intents and purposes, I got dropped. And the du.....16 OA and nearly got AG podium. Go figure, maybe I'm in the wrong sport. Just to prove it ain't a bunch of fatties rolling the USAC 3/4/5 races around here!


Hardly trolling. It is just easier to be a strong rider than a runner. Fewer injuries, less pounding on the legs. Take a few weeks off and see which comes back quicker. Also, I didn’t say those guys were winning races, but they are in the pack later in the race with less than impressive fitness. The same scenario in multi sport doesn’t occur. If you’re not in the great shape, then that’s pretty much it. Snub may be a strong word, but there is a definite perception in the bike racing crowd that triathletes can’t handle a bike.

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Last edited by: trismitty: May 5, 19 16:42
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Re: Roadies who snub running [trismitty] [ In reply to ]
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I'm a former Cat 1 bike racer who grew tired of breaking bones, and got generally disillusioned with cycling—the assholes in the bunch and the misery/ danger of riding in a big city.

Picked up running recently and it has been a huge lesson in humility. There are so many easy ways back to a reasonable level of bike fitness, but running mildly rewards patience and resolutely punishes impatience.

Have always had huge respect for elite runners, but now have as much respect for those getting it done day in day out.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [alexZA] [ In reply to ]
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Huge respect for anyone hitting podiums in either. Podiums require hard work, regardless of the sport.

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Re: Roadies who snub running [trismitty] [ In reply to ]
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trismitty wrote:
Hardly trolling. It is just easier to be a strong rider than a runner. Fewer injuries, less pounding on the legs. Take a few weeks off and see which comes back quicker. Also, I didn’t say those guys were winning races, but they are in the pack later in the race with less than impressive fitness. The same scenario in multi sport doesn’t occur. If you’re not in the great shape, then that’s pretty much it. Snub may be a strong word, but there is a definite perception in the bike racing crowd that triathletes can’t handle a bike.

You may or may not be trolling, but you sure don't appear to be arguing on good faith when comparing those near the front of a triathlon to just anyone in the pack of a cat-3/4/5 race

Also, no idea what you mean by people can't walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. For one thing, with the type of exertion required in cycling, even the best in the world struggle not to collapse on the floor after a race. Then again, the same could be observed in a 5-km, where even the winner might need a few moments to catch his/her breath before teetering off the track.

trismitty wrote:
[

Sort of this...easier to be a competent cyclist than a runner. At the local crit races, lots of guys still in in pack late that look like they can’t walk from the car to the bike without getting out of breath. Not the same picture near the front of a multi sport race. I do both, prefer cycling, and am predominantly a triathlete.

trismitty wrote:
I'm in New York State, but have lived in the southeast too. And I'm talking Cat 3 and back mostly, but there are a few 2s that fit this bill too. If we're only talking Cat 1, then that's a different conversation but also probably not what the OP intended.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [echappist] [ In reply to ]
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Relax dude. It was just comparison, and like any good story teller, I embellished to make a point And I didn't say all, but there are some really fast bike racers that don't look super athletic. And kudos to them. Running isnt for everyone. Pack racing is an equalizer and makes competence just a bit easier to obtain.

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Re: Roadies who snub running [echappist] [ In reply to ]
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Relax dude. Embellishment to make a point is a thing. Fact--there are some really fast bike racers that don't look the part. Kudos to them because that doesn't come naturally. But a draft pack is an equalizer. Notice I said some, not all.

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Re: Roadies who snub running [trismitty] [ In reply to ]
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trismitty wrote:
Relax dude. Embellishment to make a point is a thing. Fact--there are some really fast bike racers that don't look the part.

They are known as time trialists. I have thrown down at some of the weekly TTs and at warm up thought it would be a breeze destroying all the fat slobs I saw in the parking lot. Needless to say, I was humiliated by several guys that look like they eat cookie dough for breakfast but can hold 420 watts in the aero position for 50 minutes.
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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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My observation -- because relatively and comparatively speaking, running compared to cycling can suck. Most apparent when covering the same ground cycling vs. running. e.g. There's a 3 mile loop near me - miles and multiple loops can go by smoothly on the bike. But when you run that same 3 mile loop, things like "Damn, I can't believe I've only gone a mile, huff-puff", come to mind.

Reminds me of this exchange about IM ...

Wife, "So, what do you think about while you're out there on the bike for hours"?
Me, "I think how nice it would be to be out on the run course already".
Wife, "Then what do you think about while running?"
Me, "That I wish I was on a bike".

:-)
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Re: Roadies who snub running [1poseur1] [ In reply to ]
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I definitely see some of stronger TT guys being bigger guys, but haven't noticed lots of the cookie dough folks doing well in this discipline. In Upstate NY, the stronger TT guys are heavier than the average rider (usually taller too). And I always wish I was on my bike when I'm running.

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Re: Roadies who snub running [trismitty] [ In reply to ]
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Oh, and if you've never gone so hard in a bike race that you couldn't sit right afterwards.........you're not doing it right. My last road race, I couldn't even sit right in the car seat to drive home. I was wincing the entire hour drive home.
Last edited by: burnthesheep: May 6, 19 9:41
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Re: Roadies who snub running [burnthesheep] [ In reply to ]
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True. They hurt.

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Re: Roadies who snub running [Don_W] [ In reply to ]
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I came from a competitive running background and turned to bike racing due to cartilage issues in one of my knees. I thought my running fitness would turn immediately into race results on the bike...HA! That was a huge wake-up call. I used to kind of make fun of cyclists as the people who couldn't cut it running. Not necessarily. Thankfully, several of my collegiate running friends had made the transition and helped point me in the right direction. I joined a cycling team that was very open to new members and focused on developing racers. This atmosphere was very different than other teams that had that snobby "we're better than you" attitude.

While "discovering" bike races, I learned crits weren't my thing and TTs were much closer to the mentality I would use in the 5000m. For the most part, the TT scene wasn't snobby at all and very family like. I noticed that many of the crits were filled with many not very fit middle-aged guys who still thought they were "all that", just liked going fast, and were hell bent on sprinting for 19th place (with complete disregard to the safety of the riders around them).

Regarding the "roadies who snub running", I've been shocked over the years by how many triathletes are complete self-absorbed a-holes. Yes, you get those folks in running and a lot more in cycling, but it seems to be (at least in my perception) greater with tris. BTW, don't get me started on the number of male cyclists/triathletes who extoll the benefits of HRT...[rolling eyes].

So, what I have I learned...find the people you gel with in running, cycling, and/or tris. There are groups I'll ride/run with and those I won't. I prefer the groups that are supportive, focused on improvement, and tend to shun "elitist a-holes". This is especially true for group rides. It amazes me that in 2019, we still have guys that can't stand women being in the lead A-group (despite the fact they are way better than they are). Yes, everyone has an ego, but please check it at the door when you're with others. You can stare at yourself in the mirror all you want when you get home.

Just my perspective.

"Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps"
Blog = http://extrememomentum.com|Photos = http://wheelgoodphotos.com
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