As I ride I meet three types of riders. There is the cautious, almost timid rider that is constantly acting as if s/he is about to fall or be hit. Every move includes some kind of hesitancy. On the other extreme, there is the overtly confident rider. S/he thinks s/he carries the ability and talent for MotoGP and that everyone that is riding nearby will be able to ride with respect. In between is the rider aware of their strengths and weaknesses, cautious at times, and confident as well.
Being aware of the rider and the style s/he uses is helpful, especially for your own safety. A rider that is too cautious can be an accident waiting to happen. The best thing that one can do for the individual is to be confident, encouraging and available if they need help or want to talk. If there is trust between you, feedback can be selectively given. Too much overwhelms and feeds the caution driven by fear. Too little wastes shared opportunities to make a difference.
The aggressive, overly confident rider is equally dangerous. The only good news is the s/he is probably riding ahead of you! Staying out of the way is the prime mandate. Rarely is this individual willing to hear feedback. It is always all about their ride.
The one in the middle is the one I want to ride with. Helpful and on occasion talkative, I find myself informed, corrected, and above all included in a shared experience.
What is common across all three groups is a simple word of caution. The worst thing you can do to another rider is tear another rider down. To put it bluntly, I cannot tolerate this kind of behavior. “I put a gag on the gossip who bad-mouths his neighbor; I can’t stand arrogance.” (Psalm 101.5)
Being on the road is always dangerous, no matter how you get from point A to B. Riding magnifies the risks because there is little to protect you from the elements. Best advice is t ride safe and with safe people.
