don't be THAT rider...
Thread started by
adrian at 12.21.09 - 12:20 am
so, this past weekend, I'm in my lycra roadie kit...on my Italian bike with my carbon wheels...and it's my first ride since catching the flu...and I'm just barely warming up and about 2 miles into my ride and going up a short little roller, when a hipster passes on my left....
no hello, no "on your left", no "good afternoon", but instead I get a long backwards stare...
and I'm thinking does this guy know me? is he checking out my bicycle to see if he recognizes me? and it's like...oh wait...he's enjoying passing me because I'm a roadie...and he's doing the, "ooh, I'm kicking this guy's ass" thing...
BUT wait...
does he know that I'm not warmed up yet?
does he know that I'm about to go do 30 miles with over 2000 feet of climbing?
does he know that I'm at the point where I'm not particular concerned about being competitive, but that I'm just out for a nice ride on a nice day?
does he know that I've been riding as long as he is old?
does he know that I volunteer at the Bike Oven and I've helped countless people with their rides?
does he know that I could help him get a better fit on his bike, so his knees don't hurt so much?
nah, he doesn't know any of that
oh wait, it was my loss...because I lost to a fixie on a little stretch of road...
don't be THAT guy...we're supposed to be a community of cyclists...commuters, mtbrs, urban riders, roadies, polo players,...everyone's on bikes... that's what we have in COMMON....
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no need to be rude but honestly i dnt think people care man if he pass u leave it he didn't post this up u did cause it bugged u am sure ur a great rider man
d@NIEL12.21.09 - 2:10 am
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Don't be the rider who believes they are the exception to the rule.
franz12.21.09 - 3:23 am
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no arguments against anything you wrote. +1 on the community part especially.
been on both sides of this type of situation (well, actually not really since the only fixie riders who pass me while i'm on my roadie are riders i ride with. but i do ride both roadie and fixie), and i definitely understand enough to know it's not a big deal either way and nothing to take personal. first time passing a roadie on my ss conversion felt like an accomplishment; now i'm older and wiser and don't need these one-sided "racing" encounters to boost my self-esteem as a cyclist.
tfunk40812.21.09 - 4:23 am
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i thought you looked familiar but i had never seen you wearing your full kit so i was a little confused as i passed.ill say hello next time buddy.and more importantly,who the fuck is this d@niel kid?
mandingo12.21.09 - 5:46 am
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If I'm passing anyone it's either a ring of the bell, a quick beep from the car-alarm, or a blast of the air-horn if they're swaying.
I'm usually on my way to work and I've got an unbalanced load on the wagon!!!
bentstrider12.21.09 - 7:05 am
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hah...
this post is awesome, because it gives insight into the mind of cyclists. All of this went on in this guy's head, JUST because some guy on passed him (on his left)... without saying "hello".
And no kidding, i wouldnt say hello, if I knew you had all that going on in the few seconds I rode by you. Shit, if i had to ride behind an old guy riding in a full kit, with carbon wheels (?), especially if he were checking me out to suggest a better bike fit... I might pass him up too...
a) remember the days when you said "its because Im a colored person, right". Now, the new thing is: oh, you, won't serve me first because Im a roadie, right?
b) who cares if you volunteer at bike oven... all that means, is that you're even more responsible for THOSE riders being able to pass up roadies. you probably built his bike.
md2 responding to a
comment by mandingo
12.21.09 - 8:27 am
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I give a little wave when passing ... .But you make this sound like the world is going to blow up ...
OsnapsonJC12.21.09 - 8:52 am
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I hold my farts until I'm able to pass roadies, then I crop dust them. I also make sure I've hit my mark by looking back at the target.
spiraldemon12.21.09 - 9:01 am
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This is not in Adrian's imagination.
Snobbery among cyclists is very common. Perhaps embedded in out genetic make-up.
I do a lot of riding on PCH in O.C., and there are may competitive riders out there on any given day. Yeah, it burns me when some roadie zips past without an "on your left" or a howdy do.
Sometimes they are so blatantly rude that I give chase (if I'm on my road bike and I can do it) and yell "ON YOUR LEFT!" as I pass them. This invariably results in a dick measuring contest, but I love to give them a taste of their own crappy attitude.
I often ask myself, "why do I play this game"?
Meanwhile, I go out of my way to be friendly most riders I see.
Creative Thing12.21.09 - 9:05 am
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Adrian,
I admit I have a stereotype of most roadies as being haughty and snobby when they see someone with a bike of lower caliber or don't wear the appropriate "gear". I know this is a wrong observation though because I have a lot of roadie friends that are not like this at all. Still, it's difficult for some people to get over their hang ups about other types of people. It's just the way things are.
Some people are just assholes. There's nothing you can do about it.
But if you do see Dingo riding by, be sure to piss on him for me. Thanks buddy!
Joe Borfo12.21.09 - 9:18 am
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haha, hell, I know you'd pass me Dingo (even if you were on a 50 lb bike)...but you'd say hi...
adrian responding to a
comment by mandingo
12.21.09 - 10:08 am
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Spiral, gas powered isn't fair...
adrian responding to a
comment by spiraldemon
12.21.09 - 10:09 am
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bike snobs come in all colors.
I've gotten the same treatment plenty of times on the ballona creek path from "roadies" as I was hustling to work in jeans and a messenger bag.
Once i crashed on the path. my bike was on the ground i was scraped up and I was trying to gather up a few things that has fallen out of my bag.
And some roadie blasted by yelling at me that it was bad place to stop.
I yelled back. "its a bad place to crash too .... asshole".
trickmilla12.21.09 - 10:14 am
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the whole point is I don't care if I'm a roadie...I ride in street clothes too...the point I'm trying to make is that we can just say hi, if we're riding along...and passing, because it's common courtesy...to say hello to a fellow cyclist...
adrian responding to a
comment by md2
12.21.09 - 10:17 am
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I'm sure most of us agree with you. But I don' t think it's going to happen.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by adrian
12.21.09 - 10:31 am
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In fact, I got all bent out of shape the last time I rode the river path and go ignored by other cyclists. But hey... Fuck em.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by adrian
12.21.09 - 10:33 am
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haha...just say hi dammit!
adrian responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
12.21.09 - 10:47 am
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I do. I say, "Hi." ...nothing happens.... then I yell, "BYE!"
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by adrian
12.21.09 - 10:52 am
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Youll know me, I throw both my arms up and yell. " RIDE ON WOOOOOOO!!!!" hehe so if you see me dont think im some crazy, I just love saying hi in my way to every rider i see, 3/4's of the time I get nothing but sometimes I'll get the same in return
rub_my_crank12.21.09 - 10:52 am
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i'm a noob so i am still learning the rules of the road. I mostly ride my fixed gear. And i absolutely love passing roadies on the left without saying hi and looking back to see if they give chase. they never do. Well i was getting ready for the Swarm ride and i had some lycra shorts on and was riding my road bike. I was checking my bike computer and this guy passes me at about 27 mph with a full messenger bag and jeans. Oh shit, i just got douched! (he thinks i'm one of those slow roadies all geared up lol) Sooo even though i wasn't warmed up, or even in a race i had to give chase. I gave it all i had and caught up to him. At the light we both pretended it wasn't a hustle and had a nice conversation about KXLU windbreaker jackets and the weather. I then said see you later and peddled away at top speed. My heart rate was way up, i was going about 27 mph and i starting to tire. He caught up to me and thank god i had to turn right. I couldn't keep this up for much longer. I sad by and have a nice day.
I personally love competition (it's the only thing pushing me to get more fit) and if you are dressed the part of a bike racer be prepared to get raced!
onemanstrash12.21.09 - 11:41 am
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That story made me rub one out. Thanks! .. Where's a towel?
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by onemanstrash
12.21.09 - 11:47 am
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Probably NSFW due to profanity...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqykEhOIaRk#t=3m20s
outerspace12.21.09 - 12:40 pm
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Who doesn't check out the other persons bike. Especially if your riding a nice Italian road bike.
This is stereotyping (but isn't that what this thread is about) usually the guys in tight jeans on fixed gears are younger guys. Younger guys do tend to be a little more insecure to say "hi" or maybe he was pre-occupied by something else or maybe he was a mute.
Really though, you where doing your thing, he was doing his. I don't like it when people don't say hi back. Did you say "hi" or "hello" or nod? What does this matter? Maybe neither one of you felt like saying hi?
All I know is that I ride so slow all the time, it doesn't matter who passes me up, but it is a little tight on the sidewalk when grandma passes me on her three wheeler.
sexy12.21.09 - 12:43 pm
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I love passing fully kitted roadies on cabron fibre bikes... It gives me great satisfaction to know that expensive equipment does not a better rider make.
Roadblock12.21.09 - 12:46 pm
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expensive compooters do not a better forum post make.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
12.21.09 - 12:50 pm
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I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS, OLD FARTS IN SPANDEXJUST AINT RIGHT, AND SHOULD BE ILLEGAL.
NOW LATINO HIPSTERS IN TIGHT GEANS, WELL THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.... ;)
IE: DINGO, LOL !!!
eddieboyinla12.21.09 - 12:53 pm
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a fit rider's 'off' day will still be faster than a non-fit riders 'on' day
like when you get tricked into a 'recovery' ride.
yeah.
can't wait to be THAT guy.
_iJunes12.21.09 - 12:56 pm
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Cyclist interaction on the road is a funny thing. I've pretty much given up on it myself. When I pass another cyclist I usually just wave and call out if I have to. I'll talk for a little bit at a light but I'm not really riding to be social. I think it's fun when people try to race me. Some people just have that competitive spirit and will race anything (I know I do!). I always try to race people if they race me. Next time just blow his doors off.
2k feet in 30 miles? Where's that climb??
Velocipede12.21.09 - 1:04 pm
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The subject appears to be projecting. Just a little.
His indictment of "the hipster" is mostly a list of his own insecurities about what he, "the roadie," is expected to do when passed by a rider of an ostensibly slower class. He believes that the hipster is challenging him, and he is unable to properly fulfill his role as roadie by giving chase.
In fact, the subject's animosity/insecurity ends up simply
reinforcing the unhealthy relationship that he finds so unfair.
The psyche is rife with irony.
Sigmund Freud12.21.09 - 2:06 pm
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my total ride was 30+ miles...about 8-10 miles was actual climbing...
and there's ALWAYS someone faster...
I think the whole competition thing is funny...
and there'd be no way I could race against someone like Roadblock...he'd out-torque me anyday....
and I'm definitely not out looking for a race when I'm in my lycra... maybe we should have some t-shirts or some jerseys made that say..."ask me to race!"
adrian responding to a
comment by Velocipede
12.21.09 - 2:07 pm
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hhahaha Sigmund...
I readily admit that there are hipsters who could kick my ass...
I think I was more bothered by the stare and glare I was given...
adrian responding to a
comment by Sigmund Freud
12.21.09 - 2:09 pm
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i raced a scion souped up on sunset from western to vine and won!!!!!!! traffic can suck my left crank!!!!
louisiana responding to a
comment by adrian
12.21.09 - 2:11 pm
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its not racing if you're the only one trying to win.
_iJunes12.21.09 - 2:26 pm
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On the rare occasion I'm riding through any given point in LA city limits, I'm occasionally given the "lynch mob" stare by feral groups of skinny jean wearing, fixed-gear pilots when stopped at a light.
"We don't like your kind around here boy. Them relaxed-fit britches er cruisn' ya fer a bruisn' son!!!"
-"Piss Off BR-Hicks!!!!!....HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNKKKKK!!!!!!!"
bentstrider responding to a
comment by adrian
12.21.09 - 2:33 pm
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It's true, the dynamic with other riders on the road is a funny thing and a lot of us harbor secret or not so secret judgments about other riders. Most of the time, I'm just the regular commuter type, not fitting into any particular mold, but I sometimes wear the lycra and my nice geared bike for long rides. I've seen the snooty looks from the flat-brimmed gratuitous-track-standing fixie kids. Yes, yes, you're SO cool and I'm such a snobby tight-ass. I've judged them too (Sidewalk Ridazz!!). And I've seen the snooty looks from roadies when I'm on my single-speed. I think it's just something about riding, people want to fit a certain identity and one way to reinforce that identity is to find others that are unlike it. Sigmund might be in agreement.
0gravity responding to a
comment by Velocipede
12.21.09 - 2:38 pm
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"does he know that I'm not warmed up yet?
does he know that I'm about to go do 30 miles with over 2000 feet of climbing?
does he know that I'm at the point where I'm not particular concerned about being competitive, but that I'm just out for a nice ride on a nice day?
does he know that I've been riding as long as he is old?
does he know that I volunteer at the Bike Oven and I've helped countless people with their rides?
does he know that I could help him get a better fit on his bike, so his knees don't hurt so much?"
I stopped caring about those questions long ago. They make you sound exactly like the guy passing you.
toweliesbong12.21.09 - 2:40 pm
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I Junes, you are correct....
adrian responding to a
comment by _iJunes
12.21.09 - 2:41 pm
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its not racing if you're the only one trying to win.
let me repeat.
its not racing if you're the only one trying to win.
_iJunes responding to a
comment by louisiana
12.21.09 - 2:45 pm
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they were too.its traffic that made them lose vally boy........what an ass;)
louisiana responding to a
comment by _iJunes
12.21.09 - 2:48 pm
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ask the he-man ridaz they saw me fly into the distance after talking to the driver.dont be mad cus im a mtn bike hipster and your not
louisiana responding to a
comment by _iJunes
12.21.09 - 2:53 pm
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Adrian..you know that dingo would pass you, no matter what?
Ha. That's pretty funny.
Because, I'll pass his ass on his fake colnago any day of the week.
tern12.21.09 - 3:02 pm
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hahaha!!! awesome!
tern12.21.09 - 3:28 pm
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it was a fake Pinarello, wasn't it?
I don't think he has that bike anymore.... : o (
it's all that middle of the night century riding you do, Tern...
I don't even want to do a century in daylight...
adrian responding to a
comment by tern
12.21.09 - 3:40 pm
reply
yeah:
it's: it is
its: it belongs to, 'it.'
tern12.21.09 - 3:48 pm
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Tern...
you just reminded me of ice cream...
IT'S IT!
http://www.itsiticecream.com/find_us/
adrian responding to a
comment by tern
12.21.09 - 3:52 pm
reply
man...those are so good. I haven't had one of those since I lived in Arcata (not Arcadia) in the nineties! I wish I could find one of those 'cookies smashing ice cream' things.
My favorite was oatmeal cookies smashed onto vanilla.
tern12.21.09 - 4:00 pm
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whateva, whateva. i do what i want.
coldcut12.21.09 - 4:17 pm
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trips me out when u r at a light n a rider(any bike) trys to race u off the line just to catch them at the next light or pass them to the next light then it repeats. But it is fun! I like trying to beat iJune to the bus! I just dont like the no heads up like on your left when they try to buzz me as close as they can(mostly roadies). Im grabbing the bars next time.
madmelo12.21.09 - 4:47 pm
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More times than not it is the other way around. I'm just chill'n, running an errand on my Fixie when a wana be Lance dude gears up and tries to blow by me like Maverick buzz'n the towers. I feel like yelling out "I know that's not your pace" LOL and In the back of my mind I was like "If I was on my Time Trial bike I'd be smoking the shit out of you right now" but oh well let him have his fun. Like the time Wolfpack screeched by Monday Night Rehab on victory. I know they "Husstled" up just to blow by us, but it's all just fun and games. Hey I think we all have done it one time or the other, the old catch me if you can move.
ToddAlmighty12.21.09 - 7:40 pm
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Hahah! Actually truth be told, we slowed down so ijunes could catch up...
Roadblock responding to a
comment by ToddAlmighty
12.21.09 - 7:48 pm
reply
@oneman
That's what makes road riding so much fun !
You can race your brains out from light to light, or
put the hammer down on a climb, and nobody cares but you.
We get to have our alter ego racer persona, out to challenge any takers.
Way to many excuses on the original post.
Ultimately no body cares but you on your performance of the day.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by onemanstrash
12.21.09 - 8:01 pm
reply
you should be your biggest competition.
challenge yourself.
coldcut12.21.09 - 9:23 pm
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> I stopped caring about those questions long ago. They make you sound exactly like the guy passing you.
word up, just ride!
natefrogg responding to a
comment by toweliesbong
12.21.09 - 9:34 pm
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i always say hello to people on bikes in my neighborhood. in fact, one of the most interesting guys i met was a roadie in a full kit, while i was riding my grocery bike. when it came time to peal off, i challenged him to a race. as he sped away past me, he gave me props.
most roadies are actually really down to earth. it's those guys from Helens that are all assholes.
oodlesofpoodles12.21.09 - 9:46 pm
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a hipster passed by me in the freezer aisle at Trader Joes today....
a.s.s.h.o.l.e.
Didn't say "excuse me, i love your hair" or nothing... just totally ignored my dope ass Puma sneaks, like he didn't have t o pay homage to my obvious style and superior fashion sense....
I hate when hipsters get too close to me. I was all geared up in my urban threads, looking real street.. this punk just walks by and grabs some Tofutti Cuties, like, WHAT? Do you even know what kind of healthy diet I'm on, sucka?
Doesn't this fool know I bought some Tofutti Cuties last week? Thats right, NEO - mother fuking - POLITAN!!! Punk probably picked up plain chocolate, or some shit.
But how dare this trick, like I don't shop at farmers markets...
Does he know how much I love Vegan House? Banana pancakes? Soyrizo? Soyrizo!!
Oh, wait, i get it... i'm a lesser human being because I had to get tofutti cuties from the bottom of the pile in that small freezer section (sorry, next time I'll bag his groceries too).
Dont be THAT guy, we're all hungry and that's what we all have in common.
md212.21.09 - 9:47 pm
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@md2,
if i ever see you riding, im going to give you the long backwards stare of yo' LIFE!
then you'll know.
oodlesofpoodles responding to a
comment by md2
12.21.09 - 10:16 pm
reply
just make sure you wear a condom.
md2 responding to a
comment by oodlesofpoodles
12.21.09 - 10:18 pm
reply
i ride in golf shorts... docker golf shorts...there awesome! ! !
adrian is cool super helpful at the oven, most of the people that work there are.
everybody love everybody! ! !
itsdefnit12.21.09 - 10:34 pm
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i once tried to be THAT guy,but unfortunately i tried it against mr bearclaw himself.that sucker was the real deal....
read the write up...........
Mandigo,
I recall the Black Betty incident. That was glorious. You followed me up Verdugo to Montrose. I recall going fast enough that no one riding a beach cruiser should still be behind me 10 minutes later. I didn't even know you were still back there until we were a few blocks from Honolulu. I turned my head and the following thought came to mind... "holy pigeon licking ass plungers, that crazy son of a bitch is still behind me". Respecting the sweet effort you must have put in the "bearclaw" in me made the decision to go faster to see if you were the next beach cruiser racing pheeenom. Allthough you fell back a bit....you still may be the fastest black betty around. High five.
By the way. As much as I don't mind thy "roadie" tag. I got into cycling as a mountain biker and my glorious expertise is cyclocross. I do race road bikes, but cyclocross is where the bitches are. I'm in it for the bitches.
Anywho.
I hope to make it out to some of thy group rides soon.
Thanks for the entertainment Mandigo.
See you on Verdugo
BEARCLAW
05.19.07 - 11:24 pm
mandingo12.21.09 - 11:31 pm
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i try to be real nice and say hi when I drop roadies on my loaded xtracycle.
noone says hi back.
j3r3my12.22.09 - 12:25 am
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dingo yer the real deal
j3r3my responding to a
comment by mandingo
12.22.09 - 12:27 am
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j3r3my...that's probably because they're trying to catch their breath...
adrian responding to a
comment by j3r3my
12.22.09 - 9:21 am
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Ridazz Roulette!
The gauntlet has been cast, Dio. 