"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Rubbin'

I know that this isn't the first thread on this but I haven't seen anything that answers my specific question. If you're in the middle of the pack and the dude in front of you suddenly grabs a bunch of brake, do you also grab brake or feather and bump his wheel.
Last weekend this happened three times with the same dude and so for the 2nd and 3rd time he did it, I bumped his wheel instead of grabbing my breaks. Then he stopped doing it. I'm confident that I can stay up when I do this and I think it's safer than putting the guy behind me in danger, unless I bounce back quickly or something. What do you guys think?

I think you're a looney.

I think you're a looney.

I've been accused of worse.

I know that this isn't the first thread on this but I haven't seen anything that answers my specific question. If you're in the middle of the pack and the dude in front of you suddenly grabs a bunch of brake, do you also grab brake or feather and bump his wheel.
Last weekend this happened three times with the same dude and so for the 2nd and 3rd time he did it, I bumped his wheel instead of grabbing my breaks. Then he stopped doing it. I'm confident that I can stay up when I do this and I think it's safer than putting the guy behind me in danger, unless I bounce back quickly or something. What do you guys think?


*in bold*

Thats like when a redneck says "hey everybody watch this!". You know something bad is going to happen.

In almost every confrontation between a moving front tire vs a moving rear tire, the rear tire will usually emerge victorious. If I see you doing this in front of me during a race, I will do everything in my power to not be behind you. Ever.

So stupid idea. Got it. I'll stop it then. So I just pay attention, grab some brake and yell "slowing?"

Why is he slowing that much anyways?

I think he was just nervous b/c I talked to him later and he said it was his first race.

Oh. Just follow somebody else.

This brings back fond memories of riding up behind my sister (and my best friends sister, who was practically my sister) yelling "TIRE TIRE TIRE TIRE"

Find a new draft or move to the side so you are in the wind. Windbraking is very effective.

Oh. Just follow somebody else.

This is good advice. Do your best to avoid riding behind sketchy riders.

exactly, the second time he does it it's time to get in front of him before he causes a pileup.

I think he was just nervous b/c I talked to him later and he said it was his first race.
Good sport tip: Offer advice on braking (not braking that is) while in the pack. Ask if he does any fast group rides. If not, tell about some so he can practice (but not your group ride incase he causes an accident).
Bad sport tip: Point him out before every race and make sure everyone knows of his braking habits.

Case in point (good sport tip): A junior racer was bunch up with us during a training crit and he took a line around a curb that cut 3-4 people off. Needless to say, he got an earful from some of the guys. I talked to him on our cool down laps and congratulated him on his finish and offered some advice that he just watch his line around the turns.

Case in point (bad sport tip): This season there's this one guy in my district that can't keep a line and he gets pointed out at the beginning or in the lineup (not only by me but other teams too). He's caused 2 accidents in the 3 races I've been in with him so besides getting yelled at he gets the finger pointing too.

I'd quit tire checking the guy ASAP since he's already brake happy he may panic and go hard on the binders then you're airborn. Ouch.

We've all seen brake checkers maybe even been brake checkers but there's plenty of wheels to follow in the pack that won't grab the binders on you. Good luck.

the best pack-riding advice i ever got was "protect your front wheel" and "don't be an idiot"

by staying behind this guy you're just asking for it.

He might be inclined to grab even MORE brake if you bumped him. He definitely has stones to race - I give him that. It takes years to be comfy riding elbow to elbow @ 28 mph. I'm takin my sweet-a$$ time with racing :D

the best pack-riding advice i ever got was "protect your front wheel" and "don't be an idiot"

by staying behind this guy you're just asking for it.


Good advice all. Next time I'll just grab another wheel. Thanks.