You don’t take responsibility for disturbing her ride (although you do try very hard to explain how she wasn’t really justified in feeling annoyed.)

Then to top it off, you show your mysogyny by calling her a “shrew.”

A cycling example: I was out for a ride a few weeks ago on my road bike, and stopped to fix a flat. This was on a wide paved bike path alongside a road in a residential neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon, and the weather was sunny and pleasant at the time. I’d pulled off to the side of the path, taken the wheel off my bike, and was sitting there with my tire levers, spare tube, and hand pump. Because I’d just bought new tires that were very stiff, and I’m not that good at swapping tubes, it took me about 15 minutes to fix the tire. During that time, I’d estimate at least 20 people or groups, including several people who were obviously out for training rides (team jerseys, bike shorts, helmets, cycling glasses, etc.), went by me.

In the Bay Area, I’d expect just about every one of them would have at least offered a “got everything you need?” as they passed by.

Here in Sweden? NOT A SINGLE ONE.

Only after I’d already finished everything and was putting the wheel back on the bike did one guy slow down and ask if I needed help. I was so surprised that I actually took the time to thank him for saying so — even though I was good to go at that point.

There’s a traditional saying here, “ensam är stark,” which roughly translates to “alone is strong.” It might sound like a folksy tribute to old-fashioned self-reliance, but in day-day-life, it just sucks.

Given the choice, I’d take Rude Climber Woman on an otherwise awesome trail in the U.S. over any riding here in Sweden, anytime.

-B

Suddenly the rest of my ride was so much better… just because someone was nice enough to be sure I was okay. It still makes me happy to think about!

We have a similar rule on the East Coast, along the lines of “Don’t be a dick to strangers.”

You need to leave enough play in the joints of your rules to allow for execution of the Prime Directive 1.0, Always Bust Balls. I wouldn’t want to ride at somebody who couldn’t make fun of me after I’ve had a big crash. When there’s an opportunity to have fun at someone else’s expense, it’s rude not to; it’s like turning down a free drink. So you help those who need it, observe good trail ettiquette, but to paraphrase Alex Baldwin’s character in Glengarry Glen Ross: ABB – A-Always, B-Bust, B-Balls. Always Bust Balls.

It’s not just a good idea… it’s the law.

Carlos, prior to the ride.

On a side note, at once point in time I was once of those riders that just passed you with out saying a word. Of course that was when I was still in high school so I would say I have gotten nicer since then.

Although it is rare for me to see other people out riding for some strange reason (I do see people every now and then, but I could go for a month at a time with out seeing any one) lmao