I ride with a cycling group here in West Palm on Monday nights, and when we are in a pace-line the theme with this group is when someone is finished pulling he slaps his ass and proceeds to pull up. Now I don’t mind a little tap on the ass just to say that I’am pulling but some guys go wayyy overboard and like slap their behind 5-6-7 + times and even in a strong headwind I can still hear the SMACK as he hits himself. I’ve ridden in a few cycling groups and usually it’s a swing of the elbow, moving you fingers or even saying something but slapping your butt? I’am just a Canadian boy from the country and I come to West Palm and get to see 40 year old men slap themselves silly, it’s just weird.
Is this just isolated to south Florida? Or does your cycling group do the same thing? Maybe it’s a new fad?
Definitely a South Florida thing, not that that is surprising.
You might not be surprised to know that in Oklahoma cyclist do not slap their ass for any reason.
Good to know it’s isolated to South Florida, however be fearful for it may indeed spread to surrounding states. I thought about slapping my ass once just so that I would “fit in” with the group, but I quickly killed that thought fearing I may get sucked into the dark world of ass slapping cyclists, I simply refuse to join them it’s like going over to the dark side.
Definitely S. Florida… Not only is slapping your ass extraneous (at least in this scenario), but it’s likely unsafe since you are required to remove your hand from the bars. A wiggle of the elbow is more than enough.
Definitely S. Florida… Not only is slapping your ass extraneous (at least in this scenario), but it’s likely unsafe since you are required to remove your hand from the bars. A wiggle of the elbow is more than enough.
I frequently have seen the front rider slightly loose control of his bike when we are in a pace line all because he feels the need to touch his bum…seriously I should really confront the group and tell them how weird it truly is…
This is over the top and definitely not a common thing. A flick of the elbow is enough of a signal to get someone to pull through. The only time I’ve seen a slap of the butt or hip as a signal is when a rider is telling a team mate to ride close as he intends to pull him up through the field.
Maybe all of this ass slapping is a bit of oneupmanship. Instead of employing the tired technique of your fellow riders, might I suggest rubbing one out and establishing yourself as “that guy” amongst the group.
At Worlds in Switzerland this year there was this oldish american guy (ie prob over 60) and on the run he was whipping his own ass and yelling out encouragement to himself. Was pretty funny to see!
They really enjoy it… but if you dont like that kind of behaviors, please change group or AREA!!!
I may change the group, but why would I want to leave south Florida?
AP