Once again, a post I’ve written is generating controversy. Commenters have said that I come across as arrogant and that I’m ‘predictable’ because I said that I was sick, my brake was rubbing, and ‘nobody could come with [my] move’ (something I didn’t even say). I’m not thin-skinned and I know that posting anything online opens one to a world of criticism, but come on. Cut me some slack.
After the Sleepy Hole crash, I was pretty shaken and embarrassed by my very public mistake. When I talked about it here, that generated conflict and criticism, so I defended myself where I thought there were valid points but also accepted the good advice I was given. After a few good weekends of racing, I thought that had died down, but then my coach sent an email letting me know that somebody was still very upset about the incident and had contacted her about it. This guy said things like, “…the men of cycling in DC (I’ve been doing many group rides with 1/2/3 guys who have constantly brought up the event) are furious and the women apparently are equally so,” and “…her own words, much more than her actions have won her many enemies. She’s like an overnight cycling-celebrity here that has been fodder for tons of talk, 100% of it negative,” and “…if she does a men’s road race, I guarantee there will be a protest and no one will move off the line until she’s gone.”
I’m not made of stone here, people. I cry when squirrels get run over and when nobody picks the ugly Christmas tree, so of course it hurt a lot to find out that a whole bunch of people really disliked me. I made a mistake with that first race, but it wasn’t a malicious one and I couldn’t see anything in what I’d said that was anything more than trying to defend myself where I thought it made sense.
After getting that email, I considered quitting road racing and going back to mountain biking, since it felt like I was unwelcome in the community. But I didn’t want to run away, so I kept racing and just hoped that the people I was considering friends didn’t secretly think terrible things about me.
Things have been better, but now I’m getting called out again and it sucks. I don’t mean to come across as arrogant – when I win, I’m happy and I want to write about it, but when I lose, I want to write about that, too. I’m very frank in my race reports; sometimes that means I get to say things like, “I rode in a solo breakaway for 12 miles to the finish,” and sometimes that means having to say things like, “The crit was really hard, I had no idea where to put myself, and I got played by smarter riders.” Neither is meant to be cocky – it’s just saying what happened. I’m the first person to admit I have weak areas on the bike and constantly ask people how to improve and how they found success. When smarter people (Dave, Bruce, Todd, Tracy, Andrew, Tom, Alison…it’s a long list) give me advice, I take it gladly because I know just how inexperienced I am.
I love bikes, I love racing, and I love so many of the people I’ve met. Even after the rough weekends, I feel incredibly lucky and happy to have spent time in this world we’ve created around our shared love of cycling. That’s why it bothers me so much that there are people in our community who want to make this negative, controversial, and unkind. It doesn’t need to be like that. I’m not a bad person, I certainly don’t think I’m some fantastic gift to racing, and I don’t seek out other riders/racers to talk shit. I’m just trying to race my bike and write about it when I’m done. Less hating, more pedaling, please.
Well said. Some people will always be bitter and jealous, no matter how candid or humble you are. Haterz gonna hate, I guess. You’ll rise above this, though, and eventually they’ll stop. If not, it won’t be because YOU didn’t handle it gracefully…
Jealousy is an ugly thing. Roadies are suspicious of those who are involved in crashes, I quote a friend from another area when I raced in his hometown and a guy got on my case about my cornering. “Look at the guys who were on the X team, took out people, did dumb things, people complained about them nonstop now they are the ones complaining.” Just ride your bike, write your reports, enjoy racing, accept good advice and even rational criticism. When it comes your turn to pay it forward and help other newbies on your team out or other teams and do you part to promote racing.
Haters gonna hate.
Your blog is great. Keep killing it keep writing.
much respect.
Fatmarc
Road riding and racing is a small community, and other than in mountain biking, it is a risky sport where one’s health does not only depend on one’s very own skill but also on those of the riders around us. If one’s strength outpaces the skills in the beginning of a racing career that is always a tricky situation, and it will always lead to gossip especially if the upgrade is very fast. It is not a personal thing, and would happen to anybody in the same situation of strength to skill ratio. Fast corner, acceleration out of corners, pack sprints with more than 2 people around you, pacelining in a tight environment take practice, and can raise the hair on the back even for seasoned riders.
From what I’m hearing, alot of riders (I’d think the vast majority) respect your accomplishments, and support what you’re doing, so please don’t let a few whiners keep you from racing. I liked your Farmersville report and don’t see any ‘arrogant’ stuff that some d-bag was apparently obsessing over. It’s an honest race report, so kudos. You had a rough start to the season and got some grief over some early races, but from what I’m seeing, you overcame that and are working hard, just like the rest of us, to continually improve your skills. You have a great inner-circle of well-respected riders to rely on, so just keep doing what you’re doing, and ignore the ignorant comments from a few riders who obviously have self-esteem problems. Hope to see you out again soon on a Tue RBC ride.
Fatmarc is right, haters are going to hate. keep riding and you’ll keep doing well. i love reading the blog and i’m hoping to read more about your success.
you can be sure that if i had a 12-mile breakaway off the front in a race for a win i’d be posting that up there. i think you’re fine to do so; it justifies the upgrades. you’re humble when it comes to learning and that shows that you make mistakes and learn from them. keep it up!
Great example of why I consider mountain bike racing (and to some extent cx racing) much more fun than road racing: less arrogant assholes running around. I also think these complaining men are considering it an intrusion into their territory when you enter their races. Really reminds me of being in the military where a good percentage of the men didn’t think women belonged and treated them accordingly. Nobody seemed to complain when Joe Dombrowski went from Cat 3 to Pro in one season…
We of the off-road racing community will welcome you back with open arms if you so decide to return, and while we will rib you for racing pavement it will all be in good fun.
No, road riders are actually a pretty nice bunch, the arrogant a. ….
population is about the same as in the average population. People are just a little scared to be taken out in a race, and Lindseys writing style can be a little provocative at times.. Headings like ” i took at the cat4 race” or things like i want to uprgrade to cat2 paired with ” i can’ t clip in ” or don’ t know what to do in the bunch are honest but don’ t inspire confidence in riding skills. I realize this is a way of expression, but I can also see why it rubs people the wrong way and scares them thinking of a race situation. And as awoman in a men peloton you need to be really good to bring in a crit enough explosive power to not create havock at every corner. It is not a gender thing, women race with men on occasion and i have often seen how they are cheered on and held in high esteem.
Are you doing speedweek. If you do and survive then you will have passed crit school and should have the skills. If the men dont like you in the race then they should ride away from you and stay away from you in the peleton. If they cant then they arent much better anyway and have no room to talk.
You’re doing a great job Lindsay, on the blog and at the races. Don’t let the jealous shitheads get to you. And, welcome to the bitchy world of road racing.
Lindsey, you are doing great (both at the races and writing your blog which I truly enjoy reading). Keep it up and good luck at Speedweek. As for the arrogant assholes in road racing, I’ve come across just as many arrogant assholes at cross races. It’s the same everywhere. Just keep up the good work and rise above it all.
Thanks, Lindsey! Will I see you out at any races this season? I’ve missed running into you!
Unfortunately, no road racing for sure and maybe no cross this year. I’m going to be back and forth between here and MN helping take care of my dad over the next several months.
Maybe you should change the sub title from “If it doesn’t hurt, you’re doing it wrong” to “If you’re crashing out fields, you’re doing it wrong”
Or “If you have no idea what you are doing, you’re doing it wrong”
I’ll keep that in mind, David. Thanks for the suggestion.
I lol’ed at “you’re doing it wrong” NICE.
I don’t think I’d have a problem at all if you just provided more pictures. It’s easier for me to read picture books.
what you are experiencing is the nature of the beast…. You have come on as a very strong rider seemingly for out of NO where… Your youth and MTB experience brings you strength and endurance… but I’ve seen men and women take years to learn how to handle their bikes… WHY cause they are super strong and always end up OTF in a break. So, they never have to take a turn three wide and hold their line… etc…
Women’s fields tend to be smaller than most mens.. so it is tough to get the peleton experience… paceline is completely different than peleton where you have to learn to ebb and flow….
If your buddies are willing… have them take you out and go through corners right next to you… starting slowly and then gradually building up speed… DO bump drills… So the first time you get bumped in a race.. you know what to expect… have them lean into you… you’ll learn to lean back to stay up right…
OBTW… once your skills improves… be ready to be attacked for being on the “juice” cause no one comes into the road community and soars to the top without a little EPO
I cannot believe you even have to address your writing style. Amateur road cycling has to be about the only sport where the men act more like teenage girls. Being involved in sports my entire life and a relative newcomer to road racing…the amount of gossiping/hating exhibited by male road racers is something I have never experienced in any other sport. Some of these guys really to grow a pair.
Keep on writing the way you do. If you win a race in a 12 mile breakaway solo…you have every right to post/brag/talk/whatever.
Lindsey – I think these negative comments comes from a combination of forces. First, there could be a degree of envy in the haters’ comments. Afterall, you started your road racing career in a higher men’s race in category than most men will ever see (including me, probably). Plus, the women you race against might be taking offense that you jumped into men’s races instead of working your way up the women’s ranks. This is an especially sore point because of the ongoing work by many to expand women’s racing and participation. And, these very same women might be a tad envious that you so very quickly earned a spot on one of the most respected local teams and are winning all kinds of races. Second, road riders are deeply skeptical about new riders in their groups. But it’s not just an attitude thing. Unlike a stranger appearing at a line up for a local wave, I think this is mostly a safety-driven concern. Enough of us have broken collarbone stories to warrant serious concerns about other’s riding skills. Until you prove that you can ride safe, it’s hard to make friends in any peloton, let alone one where you sort of stick out a little. Further to this point, it probably didn’t help that you were part of a crash on your first such ride (not casting blame here). For what it’s worth, I would second the above recommendation about showing humililty on the blog. But, to your credit, recent posts have been great in this regard.
In any event, keep it up. It’s always great to see local riders hit it big.
Hi, I am an avid cyclist myself and I was wondering if you could write a little review on the pedals that you personally use. I am collecting reviews from people so that I can add those to my site to help people buy better pedals for their needs!
Ok so, I started my website because after 2 years of riding I got sick of hurting feet and searched for good pedals. This proofed to be difficult because my feet are a little wider than on average. Anyway you can read about it on my site.
PS I have placed a link to your page from my page because we have somewhat simliar pages. A link back would be much appreciated!
Regards,
Joel
Hi Joel. I’m using Speedplay pedals, but have only been using them for about a month and they were my first road pedals, so it’s difficult to say if I like them or not. They seem to work just fine, though.