Originally Posted by
Camilo
I would slow down a little very carefully, and then wave the person past. I'd say "I'd prefer to ride alone" which is a perfectly honest and polite statement. I would have absolutely no desire to ride with someone I don't know and would feel absolutely no hesitation in telling them so -what's the problem with that? Plus, I often ride in the country listening to tunes, and don't feel I should be coupled with any rider when I'm doing that for his/her safety as well as my own.
I have done the slowing down thing a time or two but sometimes I am shooting for a personal best effort.
I ride in a park where there is a 5 mile loop popular with cycists. I don't want to get a reputation as being rude so I've steered away from just telling them I don't want them riding my wheel. I suppose I will just start doing it.