Fifty Plus (50+) - He threw down the gauntlet, not me.

I'm cruising along at about 16-17 mph on a stretch of road that's pretty straight and the sun is keeping me pleasantly warm. Suddenly out of a long driveway shoots a 20 or 30 something guy (I can't tell anymore) on a full carbon Wiler Centro Record with full Campy Record gear. And he's wearing the full Discovery kit. The guys not going as fast as I am, and is completely unaware of my presence, because he's too busy adjusting his IPod ear buds. I'm in a good mood so, I slow down, pull up along side him and say, "How you doing?" He looks over at me, sneers and goes, "pfft!" He drops down onto his highest gear and starts to crank it out, as if he's going to leave this geezer who's not worthy of a civil response in the dust.

OK, I know when I've been dismissed and/or insulted. So, I pop the chain up to the 50 on the front and drop it to the 13 in the rear. Now I'm on his wheel, and he know's I'm there. We're about two miles into this and I've been at about 100 rpms pretty steady for alot of this time. He can't drop me. I call ahead, "Hey, I can pull for a bit." He just starts jamming even harder. I'm hitting up to 112 rpms. I don't believe I can hold this much longer. But it goes on for almost another mile, and while my lungs are holding their own, my legs are starting to feel like I've been climbing a 12% hill for the last hour. I really don't know how much longer I can hold this. Straight ahead is an intersection with the traffic light, which is red. I'm thinking, "Oh crap. Now I've got to deal with this guy, and I'm real tired." He looks like he's not going to stop, but at the last minute jambs on his brakes. I've already almost come to a complete stop. Now he turns and looks over his shoulder at me, and gasping for breath starts to say, "You old wheel suckers think...." I never hear the rest of what he wants to say, because suddenly he's tossing his lunch on the side of the road. I ask if he's OK, and he shoots me the finger. The light is turning green, and I push off and clip in. As I pull away, he's doing the dry heaves for all he's worth.

I didn't see him again for the rest of my ride. I sure hope he's OK. As I was hanging up the bike at home I was thinking that maybe I wasn't being very nice.

Wow. What a story. Pfft indeed.

I'm sorry, I just had to laugh :lol:

Old wheel sucker? What was his beef, you offered to pull didn't you?

Drafting is a beautiful thing. Ego leaves a bit to be desired.

That's a really alien way of dealing with the world to me, from either end! I suppose that's why I never raced.

That's the greatest story I've heard in a long time, great job.

Great story! And thank you for representing our little band of not-so-world-class velo athletes so gracefully. If you did derive some personal satisfaction to see him losing his lunch on the side of the road, it doesn't show. Me, I probably would have said something less kind like, "Next time maybe you could suck my wheel...":)

Great story!

BTW, when you woke up, was there a wet spot on the sheets? :D

27*112*60*3.14159*50/(12*5280*13)=34.6mph
I would have puked too if I were him.
I think I would have looked over at the wreched fool and said - that was one hell of a pull, thanks.

Great story!

BTW, when you woke up, was there a wet spot on the sheets? :D

Wet spot? No, way. Everything was soaked. ;)

I think I would have paid cash money to see that!

Had sort of similar thing happen this summer while riding in a tour.

At the end of one day’s ride (it was fairly early in the day) as I was exiting the shower one of the young hammers ( you know the type full kit, shaved legs, carbon fibre shorts) said “what do you ride”. I told him the name of the bike I ride, he said “ no I mean, is it like a recumbent?” I said “no just a touring bike” he shook his head and stepped into the shower. Now to put this in context I really don’t look like a cyclist, an old football lineman maybe but not a guy who had just finished 70 miles.


I guess some of the youngsters do not realize that you never judge another biker by how they look. Years ago I was passed by a really “old guy” (he was perhaps my age now) who had just had a hip replaced!

I didn't see him again for the rest of my ride. I sure hope he's OK. As I was hanging up the bike at home I was thinking that maybe I wasn't being very nice.

I think you were plenty nice three times. You made a friendly greeting when you pulled up beside him, you offered to pull for a while and you didn't laugh while he was heaving away because he was trying to drop an oldie.

My oh my, that's a funny story. It would have been very fitting if he didn't have the opportunity to get his iPod set to where he wanted it and had to listen to oldies tunes while the chase was on.

"Suddenly out of a long driveway shoots a 20 or 30 something guy "

I think I would find that driveway again, same day, same time, and wait for his exit to see if he had learned anything!!!:D

As I was hanging up the bike at home I was thinking that maybe I wasn't being very nice.

I think you were plenty nice. I think he let his mouth and his ego overload his capabilities. Sounds to me like he got what he deserved. Well done!

All I can say is:

YEAH!!!!!!!!!

Now that's funny. I love it when people like that get what they deserve. ;)

Har. Good on you. I loved your story.

-soma5

This guy sounds like he has serious issues. You showed great restraint.

"Suddenly out of a long driveway shoots a 20 or 30 something guy "

I think I would find that driveway again, same day, same time, and wait for his exit to see if he had learned anything!!!:D

I think I may wait a few weeks... He may be carrying mace this time! Kind of like mosquito repellent for "old tire suckers".

Lessons were learned... I'm glad you were there to do the schooling! If this were a movie, you would have been played by the always civil Sean Connery.

I'm cruising along at about 16-17 mph on a stretch of road that's pretty straight and the sun is keeping me pleasantly warm. Suddenly out of a long driveway shoots a 20 or 30 something guy (I can't tell anymore) on a full carbon Wiler Centro Record with full Campy Record gear. And he's wearing the full Discovery kit. The guys not going as fast as I am, and is completely unaware of my presence, because he's too busy adjusting his IPod ear buds. I'm in a good mood so, I slow down, pull up along side him and say, "How you doing?" He looks over at me, sneers and goes, "pfft!" He drops down onto his highest gear and starts to crank it out, as if he's going to leave this geezer who's not worthy of a civil response in the dust.

OK, I know when I've been dismissed and/or insulted. So, I pop the chain up to the 50 on the front and drop it to the 13 in the rear. Now I'm on his wheel, and he know's I'm there. We're about two miles into this and I've been at about 100 rpms pretty steady for alot of this time. He can't drop me. I call ahead, "Hey, I can pull for a bit." He just starts jamming even harder. I'm hitting up to 112 rpms. I don't believe I can hold this much longer. But it goes on for almost another mile, and while my lungs are holding their own, my legs are starting to feel like I've been climbing a 12% hill for the last hour. I really don't know how much longer I can hold this. Straight ahead is an intersection with the traffic light, which is red. I'm thinking, "Oh crap. Now I've got to deal with this guy, and I'm real tired." He looks like he's not going to stop, but at the last minute jambs on his brakes. I've already almost come to a complete stop. Now he turns and looks over his shoulder at me, and gasping for breath starts to say, "You old wheel suckers think...." I never hear the rest of what he wants to say, because suddenly he's tossing his lunch on the side of the road. I ask if he's OK, and he shoots me the finger. The light is turning green, and I push off and clip in. As I pull away, he's doing the dry heaves for all he's worth.

I didn't see him again for the rest of my ride. I sure hope he's OK. As I was hanging up the bike at home I was thinking that maybe I wasn't being very nice.

Where did this happen? I may have seen this fellow before.

**insert witty comment I was going to make but got distracted and can't remember what it was**

Richard

Priceless!

Priceless!

+1

I love hearing these stories:)

Probably closer to 32mph than 36mph but if he held a mile at that speed pulling he has nothing to be ashamed of and holding his wheel at that speed for that distance would be quite an accomplishment as well. Sounds like you both got a good workout and he probably has more respect for the 50+ riders he runs into.

He didn't even thank you for the great workout?

Probably closer to 32mph than 36mph but if he held a mile at that speed pulling he has nothing to be ashamed of and holding his wheel at that speed for that distance would be quite an accomplishment as well. Sounds like you both got a good workout and he probably has more respect for the 50+ riders he runs into.

My calculation was based on the data presented assumeing a wheel diameter of 27" and was 34.6 not 36mph. I agree - a mile or two at that speed even on flat smooth asphalt tarmac is a super achievement. Being able to hold on in the draft for a mere mortal is too. Considering that the Discovery team in the 2005 tour de France hit average speeds of 35.6mph which broke the record from ten years before and given these time trials are much longer in distance than the few miles described here and a more sustained effort is required, a higher speed might be expected for this sprint but one would have to be a considerable athlete to do it.

This kids name didn't happen to be Lance did it?


Great story!

BTW, when you woke up, was there a wet spot on the sheets?

At that speed I would expect 700x22 tubulars with Zipps or Lews:D

:roflmao:

It is my goal to be able to tell a story like this some day. I have 6 years to train up for it (I'm 44) :D

Great story!

I agree - a mile or two at that speed even on flat smooth asphalt tarmac is a super achievement. Being able to hold on in the draft for a mere mortal is too. Considering that the Discovery team in the 2005 tour de France hit average speeds of 35.6mph which broke the record from ten years before and given these time trials are much longer in distance than the few miles described here and a more sustained effort is required, a higher speed might be expected for this sprint but one would have to be a considerable athlete to do it.

This kids name didn't happen to be Lance did it?
AND there were NINE of them riding together to achieve those speeds. They rode for 70 minutes total, and given how well the team functioned we can deduce that each rider was at the front for about 7.5 minutes (albeit alternating in very short shifts). So yes the kid was tough. FWIW, Levi did ride the final TT this year at about 33 mph for just over an HOUR. Now that is fast (and tough)!

he must not have gotten the memo...never let them see you sweat :-)
Well done, I don't think I'd have had the chutpza.....

Made my day.:roflmao::beer: Thanks.

...And he's wearing the full Discovery kit. Well, there's your explanation for his behavior.

Great story! I laughed.

I am adding "You old wheelsucker!" to my list of handy insults. (Better yet, I'll make it my user title.)

Though in your case, I think it turned out to be a badge of honor. :)

I love this forum! Your story and the comments have brought tears of laughter to my eyes. Thanks, everyone.

SteveE: Veni, Vidi, Vomiti? Too funny.

Some guys will do anyrhing for a warmed=over meal . . .

SteveE: Veni, Vidi, Vomiti? Too funny.http://www.anaerobia.com/roa.html

Great story! And well done, getting him to puking when you're just warming up. Hope we don't see you on one of our Norcal rides; I might have to work to get in shape for that. :p

...suddenly he's tossing his lunch on the side of the road...

As silly as I find the spontaneous mano-a-mano pseudo races and the "I dropped XYZ" threads,

This. Is. Hilarious.

You forgot to say "I cranked it up to 600 watts."

I'm cruising along at about 16-17 mph on a stretch of road that's pretty straight and the sun is keeping me pleasantly warm. Suddenly out of a long driveway shoots a 20 or 30 something guy (I can't tell anymore) on a full carbon Wiler Centro Record with full Campy Record gear. And he's wearing the full Discovery kit. The guys not going as fast as I am, and is completely unaware of my presence, because he's too busy adjusting his IPod ear buds. I'm in a good mood so, I slow down, pull up along side him and say, "How you doing?" He looks over at me, sneers and goes, "pfft!" He drops down onto his highest gear and starts to crank it out, as if he's going to leave this geezer who's not worthy of a civil response in the dust.

OK, I know when I've been dismissed and/or insulted. So, I pop the chain up to the 50 on the front and drop it to the 13 in the rear. Now I'm on his wheel, and he know's I'm there. We're about two miles into this and I've been at about 100 rpms pretty steady for alot of this time. He can't drop me. I call ahead, "Hey, I can pull for a bit." He just starts jamming even harder. I'm hitting up to 112 rpms. I don't believe I can hold this much longer. But it goes on for almost another mile, and while my lungs are holding their own, my legs are starting to feel like I've been climbing a 12% hill for the last hour. I really don't know how much longer I can hold this. Straight ahead is an intersection with the traffic light, which is red. I'm thinking, "Oh crap. Now I've got to deal with this guy, and I'm real tired." He looks like he's not going to stop, but at the last minute jambs on his brakes. I've already almost come to a complete stop. Now he turns and looks over his shoulder at me, and gasping for breath starts to say, "You old wheel suckers think...." I never hear the rest of what he wants to say, because suddenly he's tossing his lunch on the side of the road. I ask if he's OK, and he shoots me the finger. The light is turning green, and I push off and clip in. As I pull away, he's doing the dry heaves for all he's worth.

I didn't see him again for the rest of my ride. I sure hope he's OK. As I was hanging up the bike at home I was thinking that maybe I wasn't being very nice.

:beer::roflmao::roflmao:

Very well done!! Heehe, that was very funny besides!

Old age and deceit will beat youth and enthusiasm every time!

Several years ago I read a similar story in Bicycling Magazine, but the roles were reversed. It seems the author was riding through Harriman Park in New York state when out of a side road shot a rider dressed in full Postal regalia riding a expensive Trek. The author sneered at the Lance wannabe and decided to show him up, so he gave chase....and gave chase....and gave chase. He managed to stay up with the rider but couldn't pass him. After this went on for a while the lead rider turned around and said to his pursuer, "nice day for a ride, isn't it." At that point the author realized that the Lance wannabe was actually the real thing and he was trying to drop Lance Armstrong. A short time later Lance turned left and the author meekly turned right. You never know who you'll run into out there.

Several years ago I read a similar story in Bicycling Magazine, but the roles were reversed. It seems the author was riding through Harriman Park in New York state when out of a side road shot a rider dressed in full Postal regalia riding a expensive Trek. The author sneered at the Lance wannabe and decided to show him up, so he gave chase....and gave chase....and gave chase. He managed to stay up with the rider but couldn't pass him. After this went on for a while the lead rider turned around and said to his pursuer, "nice day for a ride, isn't it." At that point the author realized that the Lance wannabe was actually the real thing and he was trying to drop Lance Armstrong. A short time later Lance turned left and the author meekly turned right. You never know who you'll run into out there.

Thank goodness Lance was riding in the opposite direction when I passed him on the Livestrong Challenge....no way could I have kept up with him:eek:

Several years ago I read a similar story in Bicycling Magazine, but the roles were reversed. It seems the author was riding through Harriman Park in New York state when out of a side road shot a rider dressed in full Postal regalia riding a expensive Trek. The author sneered at the Lance wannabe and decided to show him up, so he gave chase....and gave chase....and gave chase. He managed to stay up with the rider but couldn't pass him. After this went on for a while the lead rider turned around and said to his pursuer, "nice day for a ride, isn't it." At that point the author realized that the Lance wannabe was actually the real thing and he was trying to drop Lance Armstrong. A short time later Lance turned left and the author meekly turned right. You never know who you'll run into out there.

Lance was recently on the tonight show and said he had been dropped by a messenger in NYC who didn't know who he was....

Great story. Score one for the good guys.

Please tell me you were riding your commuter with panniers, fenders, and a mirror. :beer:

Please tell me you were riding your commuter with panniers, fenders, and a mirror. :beer:

I know a tourer who likes to pack his panniers with foam then go out and terrorise the roadie set :D

Richard