Fifty Plus (50+) - TWL Needs Help

He's battling the roadies about Fred's over in http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=307176

Rally the troops

He'll be fine. If it looks like they might start to actually have an edge, he'll just use a lot of big words that they will have to look up, and prepare his defense while they are still trying to figure out what he just said!

And what's TWL doing and wandering away from his home turf? I think he'll be alright. He can handle himself well.

Heh heh. I've gone and provoked them now. I might not have done that, but my bad angel was egging me on and promising me some Le Chocolate Cakeaux if I did. I'm getting the asbestos underwear.....

Figured I'd go over and join in on the fun (being the Fred that I am). It's too easy to get some people rattled. As long as I'm riding and I'm not harming anyone in the process, I don't see where it matters what you wear, or whether you wish to keep stats or not (if you are into racing and training, or reaching for a set goal, I think it's fine), but had to go over there and see what the commotion was about, and maybe to stir the pot just a little.

I went over, looked around, got a rash and came home.

I've got an un-Fredly like admission to make--I actually do own a pair of cycling shorts, with chamois and all! Also still own clipless pedals and shoes, at least for the time being (and have even given thought to giving them another try! Hope I'm not endangering my Fred status! I felt so "dirty", but I'm much better now that I've come clean! Donna wouldn't want me to hide to secret OCP which lingers within!

Are the Roadies saying that it is a Fred thing to have a mirror of any type on you?

Are the Roadies saying that it is a Fred thing to have a mirror of any type on you?

Isn't it? :p

This might explain the increasing number of roadies who do not know/sense that I am right behind them in my car while they ride side by side, blocking an entire lane of the road. I live next to a country road that is heavily used by cyclists. 5-10 years ago, they all had mirrors and all moved to the right when we came up behind them.

But in recent years, this happens less and less. This road has a lot of curves and hillcrests where a car cannot pull into the other lane to pass. Now we pull up right behind cyclists who are riding two and three abreast, who seeming don't know we are now right behind them and have had to slow from 50 down to 10-15 as they climb hills. Many don't move until I blow my hour from about 30' behind them.

I don't know if it is Fred to have a mirror, but on the roads in our area, it is pea-brained to not have one.

I could see it not being as necessary to have one if you ride roads that have long flats where people can easily pass you. Where I live, there's a 4 mile stretch where there is no safe or legal place to pass.

I don't think that is the problem. I don't use a mirror and I notice when cars are behind me and I move over to make room. What is missing from these riders is located between their ears, not attached to their helmets, glasses or handlebars.

Possibly they should use the mirror they look at in the morning.