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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

American Socialism

What I'm in favor of:

  1. an individual's right to excel, to flourish unimpeded by the constraints of class, color, belief system.
  2. the social contract ~ the joined and shared responsibility of each, for each ... other. I am in favor of a system of cooperation that spreads the opportunity for an individual to accumulate wealth, prestige, happiness, and 3 stuffed animals per household.
  3. Reason ~ I am in favor of rational thought, logical conclusions, equitable outcomes, and ethical behavior. I am in favor of Reason, the human Faculty, having the ability to decide what each of those is.

- - -

The Group Ride as a Socialist Endeavor

Your local slugfest can be a relatively harmonized effort where each rider gets the opportunity to excel, while still ensuring the safety, productivity, and happiness of the entire group.

A rare thing indeed ~ American Socialism.


But, if the individual's desire to fulfill their own needs on the group ride is in imbalance with the safety, productivity, or happiness of the entire group?

I call that American Individualism.



I am not a fan.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahh, you been doing the Tues ride again, huh? Well....

That is why Mike, you with your wisdom, are there to give constructive criticism to those who do stupid fuking things. Without you, they will continue to do stupid fuking things all their life. Some will continue anyway through shear stupidity or selfishness - they can not be saved, only chastised and repeatedly punished.

The trick is doing this while keeping perspective and still enjoying the benefits of a group ride. It is possible.

norcalcyclingnews.com said...

i'm so transparent.

Velo Bella said...

There is little room for error on Highway 1.

I'd rather have you home in one piece, than patiently doling out wisdom to kids who have no understanding of what a truck moving at 55mph can do to a bike and body.

None of us want to end up like that pig we saw if we can help it.

Uturn, come home.

Chico Cyclist said...

Yeah, that didn't sound like a good group ride. Wasn't the basics something along the lines of...."If you ain't ridin' alone, you ain't trainin'.....your socializin'. And racers need to train."?? Can't remember the exact words, but I remember a blogpost something along those lines. Heck, what I do I know.

So....what happened out there?????

Anonymous said...

A good ride gone bad. Hmm, maybe a guy hears his favorite tune on his ipod and just can't help but attack the group in a totally insane and unsafe manner.....what a bon vivant ! More like it, a candidate for the Darwin awards, 2007. I like the Tuesday ride and have been a faithful for 3 years now but when a guy like Olaf turns home in disgust, me thinks that the ride really can suck depending on who shows up and what is on their ipod. I turned around too, chief. Good on ya, swiggboss.

Anonymous said...

Rides like today's make me want to hang my bikes really high in the fucking rafters. I have never done a road race and it's 'cause I am always thinking about how when somebody fucks up, it will effect the entire group. But that's the risk you take when you pin on a number not while doing the lousy lunch ride. Stupid and fast, great combo. Next time I'll ride with you Hernando.
simon.

PAB(a.k.a.CID) said...

gawd i hate group rides....

Anonymous said...

Why do you hate freedom?

Brent said...

glad I didn't talk Jen into doin that ride.

This same scenario always seems to happen to all the good rides. Hopefully the over excited riders will hear of the disappointment and not show up again or change their style in local rides.

Glad you opted for the safe route. Save stupid pet tricks for the races.

diskzero said...

Comment heard on unnamed group ride this weekend:

I'll get off this bike right now and kick your ass!

Fortunately the person being addresses had the good sense to calm the situation down.

I don't know why I do it, but I keep going back to these rides now and then. Sometimes you just need the company.

norcalcyclingnews.com said...

it is what it is.