Road Cycling - Should I have said "Hi"?

I recently have been working to get my wife back into cycling and went for a couple of 18-19 miles rides this weekend, which was great!

On our way back home on Sunday, we decided to drop by the local coffee shop/cyclist hang out about 6 miles from where we live. I pull to the curb in front of Peet's Coffee and my brakes make an awful squealing sound which causes a group of four cyclists, who are having a cup o' joe, to look up. 'Course I'm kinda' embarrassed because this one racer-type guy looks at me like "Dude, we're having a conversation here. Can't you keep your bike properly tuned?"

Anyway, we go inside, order our coffees, and go outside to sit at a table. I've now got a good chance to look at this other group of riders just a few feet away. I now notice that Mr. Racer-type is decked out in full USPS uniform. USPS jersey, OK not too unusual but I see he's wearing USPS cycling shorts and also team booties. I start looking around at the bikes leaned up in the area. There are a several Treks, one of which catches my eye because it has the USPS saddle and USPS water bottles. I'm beginning to have my suspicions about who this rider is but don't want to interrupt the groups conversation (they're talking about racing) or show my ignorance by by saying "hello" and and getting the guy's name wrong.

Finally, they all get up and say their "good-bye's". Mr. USPS goes and grabs the bike that is next to our table not 3 feet from where my wife is sitting and starts walking to the curb. I now can see the words "Cuervo Casey" written on the top-tube and confirming my previous suspicions.

I thought that was pretty cool! My wife was ticked off 'cause I didn't tell her who I thought it was while they were sitting there and she couldn't get a good look at him after he got up.

It was only later, when we got home and I checked his website, that I found out that Dylan had retired just a couple of weeks ago. He had to turn in his team-issue Trek 5900 but they presented him with a new Project One.

So what do you think? Should I have said "Hi"? Or was it better to be polite and not butt-in on their conversation? With any luck, someday I'll be out on the road and have a better opportunity to introduce myself.

Did he make the comment in a joking manner or was he just rude about it?

If he was just messing around, I would've said hi.

Nah, he didn't say anything.

Actually, I think the loud screeching sound just startled them and he turned around to see who was making all the racket. I probably read more into the look than was really there. Lots of roadies hang out at this Peet's location, so I wouldn't want to make a habit of announcing my arrival this way! ;)

Steve,

You're riding your Serotta, right?
So I don't think Mr. Casey had any place to "dis" you
because of squealing brakes. Heck he doesn't even
do his own maintenance, he had a team wrench do it
for him.
Just because someone is a pro, doesn't give them
the right to be rude.

just my $.02 worth.

Marty

Marty -

I really don't think Mr. Casey was being rude and I'm sorry if I gave that impression. (He's a high-tech kind of guy, so he might be reading this forum. You never know.)

Actually, my Serotta is in the shop at the moment to fix a noisy bottom bracket. I was riding my lowly Lemond Poprad with cantilever brakes and bar-end friction shifters. I think the brake "screeching" is a known issue with Avid Shorty-4's. I recall someone on BF reported a similar problem.

BTW, I would NEVER let my Serotta issue those kind of noises in a public place. :D

I gotta get myself the Park BB tool so I can fix this kind of thing myself. Although in 25 years of cycling I've never had this problem before. Maybe it's a Ti thing. The guys at the shop think it just needs a bit of lubrication.

You should have informed him that if he doesn't like squealing brakes he should not go out in public places.

IMOHO, he's just another human being. If it was some yip or yahoo who wasn't a newly retired racer, would you have said hi? If it was Mario Chippo..would you have said hi? Why would you barge in on someone you don't know and introduce yourself?? I've raced everything from bicycles to motorcycles to cars. One thing I've found out over the years is that racers are people too...fast people, but people none-the-less.

Originally posted by SteveE
Finally, they all get up and say their "good-bye's". Mr. USPS goes and grabs the bike that is next to our table not 3 feet from where my wife is sitting and starts walking to the curb. I now can see the words "Cuervo Casey" written on the top-tube and confirming my previous suspicions.

I think it's pretty lame he made you the butt end of a joke, I would have replied with something like 'whatever dude'

anyhow maybe this story will help you relate...

During the Las Vegas Century, I was in line to get my number so I could get spinning. In front of me was a gentleman who looked familiar, as he got up to the front of the line he was paying for his registration (with a CC) and I glanced at the name, it happened to be one of the senators of Nevada, John Ensign. I thought to myself wow... but I didn't say anything, mostly because I couldn't think of what to say to a senator...

later on the ride, I'm passed by a massive pace line (25 or so) and I tag on the rear... as I work my way up I notice up front there he is, and riding at a pretty decent pace. I stayed with the group till the next sag, and while everyone was refilling water bottles and such, I went up to him and said 'hey you're John Ensign, I didn't know you ride...' anyhow I complimented him on his bike, (was a trek if I remember) and we got to talking... he's a nice fellow.

my point is that I probably wouldn't have talked to him if we didn't spin together for a while, I saw that he was a nice guy and so I wanted to say hello (basically so I could tell this story :))

but the truth is, if he had been a jerk while we were riding, I probably wouldn't have talked to him at all.... so IMHO if Mr. Casey was a nice guy, then you could maybe give him the privilege of meeting you :eek:

See... this is the thing that I'm noticing as I cross this Country of ours. People are rude. I've spent the better part of this winter in Southern Texas and I can tell you that these are some of the rudest people around. You see this in pockets across the US.
If someone said:
""Dude, we're having a conversation here. Can't you keep your bike properly tuned?"
in Montana.... when they eventually woke up from there fontal lobe impact induced coma they'd first have to pull their water bottle from their arse hole. Then spit out their own brake shoes... then walk home because the person they were rude to would have completely demolished their bike.
I could understand a smile, even a chuckle or two but this was rude and a "&#*! You!" would have been in order.
What's wong with people?
What would have been wrong with one of the "were better than you because our **** does'nt stink" riders offering to help adjust the shoe really quick?
Doug

Fella's -

Please read my post --- he didn't SAY anthing. He just kind of looked up at me as I came screeching to a halt. I think it was more bemusement than anything else. Poor phrasing on my part, I guess.

The question of my original post was more along the lines of -- "If you saw well-known person on the street with a group of other people, would you interrupt their conversation to say hello or just leave them alone."

I hope that one day I'll be on my ride and he'll pass me at slow enough speed that (a) I'll recognize him and (b) that we'll get a chance to chat.

SteveE

"If you saw well-known person on the street with a group of other people, would you interrupt their conversation to say hello or just leave them alone."

I would leave him alone, other then a "nice bike" comment as he was a few feet away.

In my opinion, I wouldnt say anything. I for one think its rude to butt in on an already going conversation unless its an emergency. But then again, I really dont get spun up about celebs or other so-called "famous" people...unless they came up with a cure for some nasty illness or something like that. To me, those are the important people. Just my opinion.

Here's a thought, make a habit of being friendly towards everyone you encounter and you'll never have to worry about it again. If there is a natural pause that suggests a "hello" would be appropriate then that's great too. Who knows, it might lead to a nice conversation and you could discover all kinds of interesting people that way.

FWIW: We often times stop for lunch at a small Country Store and Restaurant in the North Georgia mountains. On several occasions we have ended up sitting at a table next to Ted Turner and whoever happens to be up trout fishing with him at his North GA mountain retreat. We've had some interesting conversations that all developed after a cordial hello -- just as we would with anyone else who would have happened to be there. In fact, I think it was Ted who started the first conversation when he asked us a question about cyclists and shaved legs. Anyway, the point is, treat everyone as equals and go with the flow... it can't hurt.

Steve,

Ok, maybe I misread it, maybe we all did, it could happen!

At the Ride for the Roses 2 years ago, I finished and
put up the bike and was waiting for my wife by the
finish area, leaning on the fence watching the riders
come in. Someone walked up
beside me and I commented about how I love this stuff
not really noticing who I was addressing. I don't remember
the response but something about the voice was familiar
so I look over to see I'm talking to Robin Williams. We had
a nice conversation (well he kinda went into a routine) about
cycling, Lance's chance for 3 TdF wins, The french press etc.
lasted about 10 minutes. About that time I see the wife pedaling
in so I say seeya and go meet the wife. As I'm helping the
Ms's I glance over and Robin is swamped by folks clamouring
for autographs etc. He made a hasty retreat to his winnebago.
for me, I'd leave em alone. they deserve a bit of privacy and
normality.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
Bummer about the Serotta.
Marty

Man, Doug,

People from Montana are mean!;)

I side with livngood. Words to live by.

Fun post SteveE.

i'm torn here. i've left celeb's alone and have engaged them in conversation. michael jordan at the toys r us the week before x-mas...i couldn't pass that one up. he signed and held my infant son (now 8 years old) this was in his heyday.

casey should love the limelight and be flattered while people still know of this 'celebrity'....all racers except the rare exceptions will be footnotes and unrecognized sooner than later...

some people are naturally infriendly....there is nothing you can do in a minute to change his outlook. remember....someone has to live with them....you got off easy....

Speak up next time. You may get a new riding partner or he might join your local cycling club. Yeah right!

I leave celebrities alone unless the situation allows for me to say hi. Otherwise, I'm not going to go invade their space for selfish reasons, they get enough of that already, and appreciate the people who allow them to live a normal life for even a few minutes. I have gotten to meet and hang out with several of my favorite bands though. One time I got to a concert several hours early, and met a lady who happened to be from my home state, and who also happened to have connections that got me in to meet the guys. I ended up having dinner with them and everything, they were all very cool guys

Who in the hell is this guy,never heard of him.

Originally posted by shokhead
Who in the hell is this guy,never heard of him.

Dylan Casey is a former member of the USPS cycling team. You can check out his bio here (http://www.dylancasey.com/biography.cfm).

OK, I'll say it again. I'm sure he's a really nice guy.

SteveE

P.S. Anyone got a fix for squealing Avid Shorty-4 brakes? I've cleaned up the rims and toed-in the brake pads. Should I look into different pads? Any suggestions?

Originally posted by SteveE

P.S. Anyone got a fix for squealing Avid Shorty-4 brakes? I've cleaned up the rims and toed-in the brake pads. Should I look into different pads? Any suggestions?

I remember reading in a Cyclocross forum a while ago about shorty 6's squealing too. I seem to recall them saying to toe-in the hell out of 'em was what worked the best.

Heck, I would've said hi! I'm not one for drooling over celebs, but will definately tell an athlete, (esp. in a sport I'm involved in) how much I admire his time and effort to accomplish what they have. I would not have interuppted a conversation, but you mentioned he walked past you as they were all leaving. I would've said a quick, "Hi", and gone from there! Who knows, maybe he has a CX bike in his stable and had the same exact squeling problem with his brakes. He might have said, "Hey, if you switch to some Kool Stop Eagle 2 Red pads, it might stop that squeling" of something like that!

I believe you that casey didn't say anything! In fact, he was probably just reacting to the squeaky brakes. It was probably a startling noise and I know that I would probably have that startled look too. In fact when I hear it on someone else's bike I'll probably flinch because I have sensitive hearing, and think, "yep someone needs to clean the wheel rims."

As for celebs, you don't see them around here, except when the women's world cup race is in town, and we'll see various elite female cyclists all over the place. We wave to them like we wave at everyone else.

Originally posted by SteveE
Dylan Casey is a former member of the USPS cycling team. You can check out his bio here (http://www.dylancasey.com/biography.cfm).

OK, I'll say it again. I'm sure he's a really nice guy.

SteveE

P.S. Anyone got a fix for squealing Avid Shorty-4 brakes? I've cleaned up the rims and toed-in the brake pads. Should I look into different pads? Any suggestions?

I have the same bike, LeMond Poprad. I had to go to different brake pads. I believe I used the AzTec brake pads. I have heard they are a bit better than the Kook Stop and Ritchey Logic. However, I think any of these three pads would do better than the default pads that come with the bike.

I also had to toe the pads in alot, I think I used a 2mm pad to do the toe in.

I eventually replaced the front brakes with Shimano Alivio brakes, also cantilevers. But that was for a different problem, not the squealing.

This is a great bike, but the brakes are a huge disappointment to me.

PBW

Totally go up to them and say Hi! Believe me, it's not like they get recognized alot in America! They are all really cool.
I met alot of pros that way. You just go up to them. Tony Cruz (USPS) is like that- really, really friendly and humble. Very cool guy.
If you see a pro, just hit them up like you are their best friend! If they blow you off, than just burn 'em (you're not good enough to be Lance's waterboy, good luck in the TDF...oh, that's right you're not going, or my favorite- get bent!)
But I guarantee you won't have to do that!

oh yeah, the Avid canti's suck. Get some koolstop pads or something to stop the howl.

I'm sure most celebs don't mind the, "Hi - love what you do" type comments. It's when people try to take over the conversation and think they have the right to an endless discussion that they would get annoyed.

Lets face it, if the guy wanted to avoid all attention, he wouldn't meet his friends in a public cafe.

Originally posted by SteveE
I hope that one day I'll be on my ride and he'll pass me at slow enough speed that (a) I'll recognize him and (b) that we'll get a chance to chat.


It's that "slow enough speed" part! The one time I said "hi" to Dylan Casey was on the upper part of Page Mill Road before the Wall, and he was three bike lengths up the hill before I finished the one syllable.

Steve,
Those Avid Shorties are a problem. There have been a few threads on them over in Bicycle Mechanics, at least a couple started by me! I have tried ALL the usual remedies, even brand new pads on brand new rims with, I'm pretty sure, plenty of toe in, at least three different kinds of pads. Still squeal.

Originally posted by UncaStuart
It's that "slow enough speed" part! The one time I said "hi" to Dylan Casey was on the upper part of Page Mill Road before the Wall, and he was three bike lengths up the hill before I finished the one syllable.

'Ya just gotta have the old Campy towing hook ready at all times! :D