Why We're Jerks Listicle(!)
Fully Rigid, 2/17/22
Let’s be honest. Mountain bikers can be jerks. We all know it. Am I the jerk? You? Why do we do what we do?!
I’m not a fan of listicles, those articles that are really lists of one person’s favorite this and that, or their list of best that or this. From time to time I’ll click them (click bait) to see what the writer has to say about places/things I know about and sometimes they get things factually incorrect. Gasp!
Anyway. I’m in that kind of mood, so here goes. A listicle of things I can’t stand about mountain bikers/our community.
Thinking we have a right to ride any trail we want.
Language. Words. The things we say that we think we should say because it shows/proves that we are a mountain biker…and that we say them only when around other mountain bikers. Can we remove the word “shred,” please, from our secret vernacular?
I’m going to get in trouble for this one: dogs off leash running next to dog’s owner while that person is mountain biking on singletrack barely passable for two mountain bikers.
Standing around and intellectually jousting about why one bike is better than another for whatever reason.
Complaining and blaming but doing nothing about whatever it is that’s got you so pissed off.
Back to animals: not giving right of way to horses. I agree with you that some horseback riders aren’t so cool, but the horse is innocent. Let the horse walk on by while you wait off to the side of the trail.
Almost forgot … stop sanitizing trails. Specifically, stop removing rocks from trails. If you can’t ride it today, maybe you will finally clean it tomorrow. If not, there’s always 3 years from now. Try harder, as they say.
Showing up late to the trail head. Sure, there are exceptions/good reasons. If not, see you out on the trail somewhere.
I’m exhausted. Listicles don’t flow so well when tapping the keyboard. It taxes my brain to try and come up with more numbered thoughts. Eight’s a good number (Cal Ripken, Jr.) to stop on anyway.
Anyone have a #9? If so, put it in the comment box!
Fully Rigid is a monthly column by James Murren about Mountain Biking Issues within the Mountain Biking Community. It’s meant to be rant/cranky.