In the world, the dissatisfied are speaking out. They are called angry citizens. In France, they block traffic in yellow vests, in Germany, angry citizens march through the streets chanting historically questionable slogans, and in the United States, they hoist a Trump-like rage comrade into the presidency. In contrast, the world of mountain biking is almost a haven of bliss. I certainly don't know anyone who gets on the saddle out of anger. Who takes to the singletrack out of frustration. Or who sees a mountain bike tour as an act of revenge.

Mountain biking is a beautiful thing. It's about flow, nature, adventure and friends. Mountain biking is a sport with positive connotations. Cut! That may be my romantic idea at best, but the reality is different. In Zurich, the mountain bike subcultures have been tearing each other apart for years. You hear similar things from Bern, where mountain bikers from Thömus circles regularly spit venom and bile. Downhillers used to despise touring bikers - and vice versa. Today, they rail against e-mountain bikers in a spiteful canon. There is hostility instead of happiness. Obviously, there are angry bikers as well as angry citizens.

I also regularly get a good portion of this aggression. In the columns in Ride, I get to the heart of my personal opinion in an exaggerated and provocative way. These are actually trivial topics such as full-face helmets, riding technique or wheel sizes. It is not uncommon for angry comments to be made, as if world peace is at stake, women's rights should be abolished or slavery should be introduced. It is the angry bikers who then hit the keys.You may smile about the rage bikers, but this species actually scares me. Because I can't imagine what someone would think about the really important issues if they lose their composure over trivial mountain biking matters.

But mountain biking would be a great way to leave the aggression of everyday life behind. Because at the end of the day, mountain biking is about two things: Joy and friends. No more, but also no less. Hate and aggression don't belong anywhere, and especially not in mountain biking. Think about it, dear angry bikers.

More blog posts by Thomas Giger

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