[Closed] A view from an occasional Mountain Biker

Agreed up until your dropper posts bit. Droppers are ace would forgo rear suspension over a dropper now.
Baggy clothes, while you have a point, it's just not the fashion. Knee pads and lycra for example looks really silly. Baggy clothes offer a bit more protection and pockets to put stuff in.
Shaved legs, can't be arsed shaving my face very often let alone legs, have done it before, just not worth the hassle.

MTBers also seem to take a lot of stuff. I got round in just over 90 mins and so just took a bottle and my phone, but people who were doing the same route had huge bags of “stuff” with them.

Obviously you like an occasional long walk, they don't.

Stopping a lot - I think MTBers in groups tend to ride with a wider range of ability than roadies, so stop more for their mates to catch up and take a breather. You'd not have seen the smash round in 90 mins other riders because they're going the same direction and speed as you!

Dropper posts - I'm not sure that Cannock has steep/rough enough terrain to really see the benefit of having your saddle out of the way, (unless you rode the little back sections, in which case hat for blasting them with a saddle up your arse)

You're dead right about modern MTB's though.

Droppers are ace as long as you’re using them right. In the last when a saddle was in the way the response was to get back behind the saddle on steeper stuff. Now you whack the dropper down and keep your weight central but just get overall lower on the bike. More slack bikes than a Roscoe also stick the wheel out further in front / have a bigger reach. If you rode mtb regularly you’d probably find you use a dropper more and more until the point where it’s hard to go without one. As above I’d rather ride a hardtail with a dropper than a full suss without one.

The climb thing is personal preference. My mate would rather have an interesting climb with changes in steepness / some tricky bits. I’d rather just twiddle up a fireroad as it’s both easier and quicker generally so you’ve got more energy and concentration to go fast on the downhill fun bits.

Clothing - when you crash lycra would generally rip - harder wearing baggy stuff tends not to. Plus men in lycra isn’t really a great look.

Shaving legs would just be too much work - I hate shaving my face - let alone legs!

I disagree on shifters - I have both Sram and Shimano mtb ones and I much prefer Sram. The 2 thumb levers are nicely spaced and feel good. Using thumbs on the Shimano (XT 12 speed) it’s hard to get both at a nice angle. I’m not a fan of shifting with my finger - I have tried to get back into that but it’s just not happening.

At the end of the day cycling is fun - I do have a road bike that I enjoy, but > road for me. If you enjoyed it then try to get out more - it’s addictive 😝

I was similar to you, stopped MTB for years and went road biking, my kids got me back into mtb. Now I do a bit of both and wouldn't be without an mtb. I agree that MTBers seem to take a huge amount of kit. I often ride on my own with a water bottle and a CO2 inflator and have not had a puncture since I went tubeless.
I take more spares when I ride with others as I don't want to be the idiot without a tube or a pump etc.
The constant stopping is usually because of the fitness discrepancy between groups. On the road people seem to ride with others of similar fitness, off road is more mixed.
I love dropper posts, single best invention since tubeless tyres.

If I'm out with my main riding pals we stop loads. Usually the only chance we get to catch up with each other so the social is as important as the ride.

Road: Bottle, teeny tube, teeny multitool and a credit card

MTB: camelbak as bottles get muddy, heavier tube and multitool with tyrelevers,patches, bigger volume pump, couple of spare chain links, spare hanger, credit card.

Can't get all the mtb stuff in a pocket and I don't like drinking from a bottle covered in sheepcrap.

I used to be the person that carried a huge backpack with the kitchen sink in it. This year I've made an effort to ditch it where possible and head out with a bottle in a cage and a co2/tubeless worms in my pocket. Find it works well for short rides but still take a pack for proper mountain days like my recent skiddaw ride.

Well... I always welcome the opinions of outsiders on whats wrong with the hobby I live and breathe. Ha ha.

Go and ride some tech trails then tell me you don't get droppers.

Well… I always welcome the opinions of outsiders on whats wrong with the hobby I live and breathe.

All written tongue in cheek of course. But I did think others may be interested in hearing things from a different perspective.

Go and ride some tech trails then tell me you don’t get droppers.

Not an unfair comment. But I can only comment on what I rode, and on those trails it was a “nice to have” rather than an essential.

To corner properly a dropper is also pretty essential. Can't get the bike leant over if the saddle is jammed against your thigh.

On flatter single-track I leave my seat down all the time and put it up for climbs. Because the bike is more manoeuvrable with it down. Lower centre of gravity. Same reason sports cars are low. You don't see BMW owners considering raising their suspension do you?

Stopping a lot

What I find strange about road riding is dropping people is a fundamental part of the culture. I cant think of a mountain biking ride I've been on where you leave someone behind.

Just been out solo round the local trail centre this afternoon - first time since June - kind of nice doing the whole slow and stopping thing. I see bum bags are in fashion, sorry on trend again.

I haven't been taking a backpack but I'm mostly riding the same trail centre and it's never more than 30minutes walk to the car park. Multi tool and a flexible trail running flask stuffed in a pocket does it most times.

Dropper posts are essential, even on my hardtail without one i'm limiting myself, i did go a couple of weeks without on recently, but hated the lack of playing i could do.

Ebikes have their place, got one and it has its position, i know the weaknesses and i know the strengths, so will work a ride around that, no point taking it to enduro runs that i will constantly ground the bottom on, or hit tight techy stuff where the weight and turning ability is a bit less.

Backpack for me, i take everything, i've had to use a few bits recently, from my first aid kit for pedal rash to assisting others with a quick clean and plaster. CO2 and spare tubes, had to use those two weeks ago after killing the rear tyre on a heavy landing, without the kit it would have been day over, same with the water/food/tools i carry, without them it would be a long old day for me or others that i help out with basics, always amazes me when i see folk going out on a day ride with minimal kit and heading back home early due to lack of kit on their back, or at the car.

Cannock doesn't really need a dropper to be fair, I'm not surprised you didn't miss it. Sounds like you had a bunch of fun though. I think MTB is social in a different way to roadie, with it's emphasis on group speeds and "getting on" 1 stop at the cafe, and then back sur la plaque. I think MTB's vibe is more chilled out really, it's more "messing about in the woods" than distance/speed for most folk. Clothes are just personal choice really, and there's lots of variables to "baggy", there's some that are a bit "It ain't 'alf hot mum" but you can get more slim fitting stuff now.

If you only ride off road once a year then maybe its ok to risk having a mechanical you can't fix. If you are riding a couple of times a week then perhaps not so much.
On the road you can chat to each other while you ride. You can't do that so much on singletrack hence the stops for a sociable natter.

As a roadie and infrequent mountain biker I’d agree with most of what’s been said. I’m generally a mincer on the Mtb, but think there was only one section in Cannock where I wanted the dropper post, steepish section with a couple of decent sized drops.
But I do tend to take a camelback for the reason mentioned above, a bottle tends to get covered in cr@p.
Agree with the mtb’inh being more social than road riding. As a roadie the social side of the riding is done in sections, start of the ride, coffee shop and WhatsApp after the ride! Agree roadies tend to ride in similar ability groups so tend to be used as “training” rides, aka d1ck measuring rides!! (Just kidding it’s not all like that)

30 PSI in my Minions....

😉

I found it really odd, if I’ve got 2 hours to ride then I want to be pedaling for all of those 2 hours.

You’re thinking like a roadie. Think like a golfer. If you’ve Only got one lap of the dog and monkey in you whatever speed you go; and you’ve got yourself out away from the wife/kids/housework/PlayStation/staring at your own ceiling in boredom; you want to drag it out as long as possible, particularly if you are with friends.

I agree with you on the massive bags, especially in a forested trail centre type environment.
While there are more tools and greater chance of using them than may be practically required on a road bike, it’s fairly easy to know what clothes you will need in the next two hours and how much water.

There does exist a wide variety of clothing that is neither skin tight, nor MC Hammer loose; both in mtb kit and general sportswear. It’s excellent, allows a full range of movement, doesn’t catch or snag on anything, Regulates temperature well and doesn’t look ridiculous on anyone that doesn’t have the physique of a pro racer (most of us). These criticisms can ALL be applied to clothes that are both too tight, and too baggy.
If you sling yourself too far to either end of the spectrum and forget the middle ground exists, it’s easy to decide that ‘the other camp’ is dressed inappropriately.

I’m generally a mincer on the Mtb, but think there was only one section in Cannock where I wanted the dropper post, steepish section with a couple of decent sized drops.

As a former roadie and former mincer (and former dropper denier); I was once like you; get past the mindset of using it as a tool for when you could otherwise not do something, and start thinking about how you can use it to make things better, faster, smoother, more enjoyable

MTB is more social. Roadying is trying to get away from other blokes who wear black and are desperate to be run over.

What I find strange about road riding is dropping people is a fundamental part of the culture. I cant think of a mountain biking ride I’ve been on where you leave someone behind.

I used to do nothing but MTB; road riding looked so boring. Now I mostly do road rides with a handful of MTB rides a year, and this is kinda interesting. Road riding IS boring - that's why you end up obsessing over numbers, because (unless you live in the countryside) there's not much else to get excited about. Whereas MTB you're focusing on the trail, the next tree, hitting that berm juuuuuust right, shifting your weight back then forward, and the short sharp "hunnghhhh" of getting the bike up and over the side of that chute.

But really road riding is just about going for a time or a distance, then stopping, then maybe going some more. MTBing feels more like enjoying little sections of trail (where 'little' could be 2 minutes or half the ride), then having a breather before starting the next great little section.

As for clobber, tbh I don't understand why roadies are so sniffy about carrying things like a pump, tubes, food, an extra layer, a proper amount of water.

I think the sociable element of MTB I've never got as I either ride alone or with 2 or 3 other liked minded people who like to go fast and nonstop. Even as a kid it was "how fast can you get up that hill", closely followed by "don't stop at the top or he'll overtake us". The social bit is in the pub or the cafe at the end of the ride.

Road can be sociable, you can chat in a group, but the emphasis is on going somewhere, which I guess I like. It's not boring though, a good hill or a fast downhill road are anything but boring.

Anyway, different stokes for different folks.

MTBers seem to stop a lot. Every climb and at the end of each section people were stopped. Not even places with a good view, just at the end of some singletrack. I found it really odd, if I’ve got 2 hours to ride then I want to be pedaling for all of those 2 hours.

Before I started training for races AND had a fall out with my group this was me.  Now I find it hard to be on such a ride, I’d also prefer to ride continuously.  On the odd occasion I see my former riding group - and I have made up with them over a few beers - I’ve enjoyed the ride and remembered it’s not all about me. But still I’m in agreement with you. YMMV is  very much a thing to be remembered.

This year is had planned to spend a weekend in Wales by myself, enjoying the trail centre rides by myself at my pace and dictat for the first time ever.  Alas the current situation has prevented that.

Also, apropos the continual stopping, bear in mind that many riders on the Chase are taking many different paths.

I will be taking a break somewhere along the Dog as part of a much longer ride - i rarely follow all of it at once, but will often take on a bit of it on the way to somewhere else.

I'll be doing it on a twenty-year-old bike, though, so i'll duck out of the rest of the convo.

TBF there are only two real 'fire road' climbs on the Dog/Monkey, and one of them can be avoided once you've just got up that first hump, take the tyre trails to your left.

And finally, shaved legs shed mud better than hairy legs, maybe MTB riders need to get their razor out, much easier to clean up before getting in the car to go home!

Every winter I get tempted to shave my legs...

Don't judge us all based on the (probable) noobs you met at Cannock.

And ride somewhere more fun next time anyway.

😉

All the mention of MTB on this thread is about riding man-made trails, usually in a closed loop somewhere you're never far from a road. There is a whole other world of MTB out there where big packs are necessary, folk don't stop to chat every few minutes and inadequate clothing could seriously ruin your day.

Bur yeah, the shaved legs thing keeps occurring to me too.

Baggy clothes, why? It flaps on the downhills, it’s overly warm on the ups, I just don’t see how it’s better than Lycra.

And finally, shaved legs shed mud better than hairy legs, maybe MTB riders need to get their razor out, much easier to clean up before getting in the car to go home!

"roadie"
: )

Throw your insults below.

Roadie...

What I find strange about road riding is dropping people is a fundamental part of the culture. I cant think of a mountain biking ride I’ve been on where you leave someone behind.

Maybe for club riders and arseholes, but me and my roadie mates will stop and wait for one another if climbing pace differs a bit...

That said whenever I go riding with my MTBing mates (generally a different group) yes they stop way too much (IMO) and yes carrying a camelback full of miscellaneous junk is still part of the "uniform" for many.

I can appreciate most of what the OP said. Like many I'd not be without a dropper, but not everyone will find them essential and the terrain you're riding is generally what makes them more or less useful.

Road riding you regroup at the top, MTB you regroup at the bottom. Simple.

You might pause at the top to organise the order for dropping in though.

Dropping people (on descents) is a fundamental part of MTB for lots of people, eh?

Baggy clothes, why? It flaps on the downhills, it’s overly warm on the ups, I just don’t see how it’s better than Lycra.

Because it doesn’t make you look like someone in lycra.

Fashions change,

An MTB ride is divided into sections, because of the trail diversity. A descent, a singletrack section, a climb. All of which will be done at different paces by the riders in a group. And you can't really chat whilst doing most of the fun bits because you're not side by side. So it becomes a collection of small efforts rather than one big one. A bit like rock climbing at say Stanage where you do loads of short routes, compared to doing one long mountain route.

^ what he said.

Unless solo, then you just keep going. Unless knackered. Then the view from the top gets interesting, as does a drink/peanut butter sarnie 😀

Dropping people (on descents) is a fundamental part of MTB for lots of people, eh?

Nah, not if you're not racing. Always wait at suitable sections for mates, particularly if it's a gnarly track. Then it's all meet at the bottom for woops and fist bumps 🤘😊👊

Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.

I've never been on any club ride that hasn't had a non-drop policy and any roadie club will make sure stragglers are looked after.

The only exception maybe would be a chain-gang where its made explicit and clear from the start that if you can't keep up the rest push on (or a race of course).

Mind the greatest think about riding a MTB off-road over road bikes is no one in a car is trying to take you out.

Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.

I’ve never been on any club ride that hasn’t had a non-drop policy and any roadie club will make sure stragglers are looked after.

The only exception maybe would be a chain-gang where its made explicit and clear from the start that if you can’t keep up the rest push on (or a race of course).

This

Dropping people definitely is not and never has been a part of roadie culture, not sure why people would think that.

How can you be sure that all clubs are the same? I’ve certainly been on club runs where nobody stopped for the droppees. It’s been over 15 years since I last did road club rides though, so maybe you’re all a bit nicer now. (I’m not bitter about being dropped somewhere in west Wales without a clue how to get home! 😂 )

Its always amused me the amount of stuff some mtbers take with them for a couple of hours ride. Scotroutes is right that out in the big hills you need more but even then you simply do not need half the crap some folk carry - assuming of course your bike is well maintained.

Today I rode 28 miles in the lakes, up and down all day long. My penny finally dropped on dropper posts big time, never gave them much thought before today and it just become so obvious.

And I stopped plenty today because the scenery was to good not to stop and admire, all part of riding and being outdoors

How can you be sure that all clubs are the same?

Nobody said that but it seems pretty obvious to me that a "club run" which is a ride to a cafe on a sunday is a no drop ride. Some of the faster ones can get feisty on the return leg but every one I've been on with a number of clubs will make sure any riders who dont know the route are looked after. Mrs Anagallis does club runs every week and she started doing them specifically so that she wouldnt be dropped and had people around to help in the event of a mechanical as she gained experience and confidence.

Of course people do get dropped but mostly it occurs because no one noticed

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).

@tjagain

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.