Road Cycling - Another etiquette question

How far back do you have to be NOT to be considered hanging to a leading rider/group? Today in the park I came upon a group of riders that just happened to go with the same paste I did, or the other way around. I didn't know any of them or actually thought that I would be able to sustain their paste for long distance, so I didn’t bother to ask and kept my distance at about 10 bike lengths. Couple of back riders did notice that I’ve been following for some distance, but didn’t really seem like they cared though.

PS. By the way that was my longest ride Ever:p !! I did 50 miles, in 3 hours and 5 minutes with 2 short stops to refill my water bottle.

It's the texture that's important in paste. :D

I had a friend who used to respond to problem reports with, "it's not my fault that your management eats paste." :D

Originally posted by AdrianB
It's the texture that's important in paste. :D

You know that Chuvak means pace.

I know that Chuvak menas pace.

Just for the excersize, let's pretend Chuvak typed pace.:D


I would have ridden up on their back wheel and said hello. If they ignored me I would have backed off, if they said hello I'd instantly be part of the group.

If you want to ride with them, just ask if you can hang in the back for a while. Should be no problem and you get that nice draft! Plus, on longer rides you will probably end up making friends or at least get a good ride in.

Dude! instead of hanging back like ten bike lengths you should have attacked!!!

I agree. It's not often one is lucky enough to find people at random to ride with but it never hurts to ask.

if you attack, they might take it the wrong way..

If your shy, or if you think they are a bunch of snubs, keep your distance.. I'm sure you will meet them again.

If you feel friendly, say hello.. They might become your cycling buddies..

Originally posted by dexmax
if you attack, they might take it the wrong way..

If your shy, or if you think they are a bunch of snubs, keep your distance.. I'm sure you will meet them again.

If you feel friendly, say hello.. They might become your cycling buddies..

Exactly. The reason I didn't feel like asking is because they seemed like a bunch of experienced riders that probably didn't want an 18-year-old kid hanging with them. I would definitely get the what da F**k look, who you? Plus I don't know how I compare to other peoples abilities so I figured after a couple of miles I wouldn’t be able to hang any ways.

It's a shame you don't live here! I wouldn't care how old or young you are if you wanted to ride with me. I can count the number or road riders in my county on one hand!:eek:

Thanks, I definitely can use a partner!

Snubs! What a wonderful malaprop. I award you the Yogi Berra Twisted Tongue title.

why not just ask if you can catch a wheel for
a few turns?
worst they can do is say no.
best that can happen is you find a group to ride with.

Do you think experienced riders are born that way? nope
they all started as newbies catching a wheel with some
group.
Regardless of all the rants about bike snobs, I find
that on the whole most cyclists are a pretty friendly
group (even New Yorkers :D ).

Marty

Originally posted by late
Snubs! What a wonderful malaprop. I award you the Yogi Berra Twisted Tongue title.

What? I don't get it.

He meant snob but said snub. Which is something snobs do. A malapropism is a "humorous misapplication of a word" Webster. Calling then snubs is a bit like pointing out the Emperor forgot to wear clothes......

I see.......

Hey Chuvak.. how far are you from the GWB! we could meet there...
I would be glad to be your riding partner.

K

Come bike up to Toronto :)

I'd love to have a riding partner of similar age for the weekdays heh heh

My feeling is that if I'm at least 3 bike lengths back then I shouldn't be considered "too close" and don't feel obligated to ask for permission. This is for riders I deem to be good bike handlers. If the riders are a bit sketchy I'd either back off or go by them. On a club ride with riders I know and trust, I'm usually about a half wheel length back.

Steve "Suckmeister" E.

Originally posted by ahuman
Hey Chuvak.. how far are you from the GWB! we could meet there...
I would be glad to be your riding partner.

K

I live in Brooklyn, by Prospect Park.

The magic words are, " Ya mind if I pull through?", which means, "do you mind if a take a place in this pace line and do my share of work when I get to the front?", or "Do you mind if I sit in?", which means, "can I just sit back here and ride with you guys?".:)