11 Most Annoying Types of Cyclists

We respect everyone who rides bikes, of course, but sometimes our passion for riding turns our quirks into irritating eccentricities. It can happen to anyone and we’ll be the first to admit we can be irritating on a group ride. From borrowing your last tube—to regaling you with our 17-part dissertation on the potential outcomes of disc brakes on road bikes—riding with us can be a mixed bag of fun, camaraderie, and yes, occasional frustration that we just won’t shut up about bike parts.

Luckily, we’re not alone—lots of our fellow cyclists are out there ready to settle in comfortably on your last nerve. Join us as we take a brief spin through the 11 most annoying cyclists to ride with, many of which were nominated by Bicycling staff members who closely identify. Which one are you? And what would you add?

Always went too hard the day before. Or doesn’t feel good. Or has a hangover. Then announces plans to keep things easy and drills it. 

These riders can evoke serious anxiety about your gear, or your own performance. One gets a new bike every season and the way he flies uphill (thanks to his Zipp 404s with the special blackout graphics, of course) make you question your own setup. The other is on an ancient Motobecane and hasn't bought new tires since the last time LeMond won the Tour, and yet he still beats you up every climb. 

This cyclist claims to be drawn to the freedom and adventure of riding, but needs to know exactly how long the ride will be so she can plan when to eat, how much to eat, and when to start feeling like it's time to be done. 

Mortally afraid of being passed by a woman. Will do anything to stay in front of them on a group ride, even if it means pulling off the road and faking a mechanical. See the Cat 6 Rider.

Always stays a few inches ahead of the riders next to her, pushing the pace on a group ride. (If people stop talking and start panting when you hit the front of the group, this might be you.)

Has endless enthusiasm for riding, but shows up with a flat tire.  Needs a gel, or a fiver, or a spare tube, or multi-tool every week. Are so busy riding, they can’t seem to get that they can attain these things in advance themselves. 

Going fast is great, unless you're attacking at a yellow light, or turning every ride into a race (and blowing up five minutes in), or are determined to set the KOM for every protected bike lane, or claim your coach wants you to do intervals during group rides.

So enamored by the ride that she has to record every moment of it and stamp it with 40 different #hashtags #about #bikes. Otherwise, did the ride even happen? 

This rider has a lot to say and a frustratingly endless lung capacity with which to say it. Even when she's more focused on the yammering than the hammering, she's still somehow hard to drop.

Yes, you can have too much of a good thing, particularly if you're a beginner and someone is offering an avalanche of othewise helpful tips. "You should eat more. Want me to check your tire pressure for you? Sure you don’t want a push up that hill? Here comes one anyway!" The Over-Helper is hard to shake.

“Elbows out, lower gear, more power, eyes up, butt back, go, go, go!” The Coach is an endless font of advice who forgets you're out to enjoy the ride, not compete for a spot on the US Olympic team.