Road Bike Racing - My Hero

So Racer Ex is at the last stage of an 35+ omnium looking at a field full of guys wearing a lot of the same jerseys, none of them the one Ex is wearing. Partway into the race the two GC leaders go OTF, Ex figures the teams without representation in the break might have an interest in chasing it down, but it's not happening.

So Ex makes his bridge move, pulls hard for most of a lap, and finds himself with one guy from a team with no one up the road, and a tidy gap on the field. Ex gives him the elbow and the guy pulls through weakly, makes five pedal strokes, then chicken wings old Ex back through.

Really?

"You're going to have to do better than that"

EDIT: Turns out hero is a Cat 2. Read on.

Ex pulls again. Now we're within spitting distance of the break. Hero's expended energy to get here. He's with a strong guy who's pulling him to the winning break. Worst he can do is 4th. He's also offthebackistan on GC, having sat out both of the prior stages so he's got fresher legs. I give him the elbow. He sits up. Ex is confused.

Hero begins yammering away. Ex doesn't pull wheelsuckers up to guys doing real work. Especially guys who yammer. To me that's like showing up for a party with a bad case of some contagious disease.

Hero says he's fine with going back to the pack. Well OK then.

I go 4 more times with the same kind of stuff. Either Hero has some financial deal with the two up the road, is trying to keep his long string of third places alive, or thinks he's Mario Cippolini of the field sprint. The break is finally far enough up the road that I meld back into the pack. Laps get counted down.

Last lap Hero finds himself up front. No one is coming around so we end up going 5 MPH and I swear Hero is checking his jersey pocket for parking meter change, even though it's Sunday and the meters are free. I do believe he would have stopped and sat down. Finally a buddy comes around with one of the non break team guys, I go third wheel.

Finishing sprint is three short city blocks, we come out of the final corner and I end up far right in the clean air after non break comes unclipped. I'm a foot off the barricades when I hear this annoying familiar voice:

"On your right".

Oh man. You're kidding right? All I have to do is move over an imperceptible 6 inches and he's either on the brakes or in the barricades. There's an entire clear piece of road on the left BTW.

What to do?

Ex tries to fight the good fight so I just hold my line. In another time Ex would have stuffed him but good, but old age is a tempering thing. Now Ex is not much of a sprinter and Hero's been sucking my wheel for the entire time and hasn't blown past, so Mario he ain't. I finally see him come around right at the line. I give it a throw and know it's close.

Hero rolls past me pumping his fists and hooting and hollering. Now mind you this was a sprint for 3rd place. It's silly enough to make like you won the race when all you got is third.

But I guess it's just plain embarrassing when it turns out you got 4th. :roflmao2:

Brilliant.

I love Racer Ex!! You should have towed him for a bit and then dropped him off in no man's land while you completed the bridge. I have been known to do that a few times. Of course, I have never been known to play with the firepower that you routinely find yourself up against!

Great Story! Keep killing 'em!!

i'm not sure which part would have pissed me off more, the 'on your right', or the celebration.

I'm sure after "the on your right," the celebration would have just been icing on the rage.

omfg, what an ass you have for a hero. That's just awesome dragging his ass back to the field. I guess there was no shaking him or you would have.

Reminds me of this guy at the TNr in the B race. Always sits in. Makes these fake attacks, but never actually does any work for anyone else (including teammates). Not a bad sprinter, but throws his arms in the air for wins (this is a pirate ride that has no organization or anyone watching the finish). He even hammers his bars if he gets 2nd. Yes, the days I've been late for the A start, I enjoy messing with him in the Bs.

omfg, what an ass you have for a hero. That's just awesome dragging his ass back to the field. I guess there was no shaking him or you would have.

Reminds me of this guy at the TNr in the B race. Always sits in. Makes these fake attacks, but never actually does any work for anyone else (including teammates). Not a bad sprinter, but throws his arms in the air for wins (this is a pirate ride that has no organization or anyone watching the finish). He even hammers his bars if he gets 2nd. Yes, the days I've been late for the A start, I enjoy messing with him in the Bs.

is he dutch?

there's one guy here who i call 'flick', because the moment someone pulls off the paceline, and he's in front, he flicks his arm. doesn't even try to take a pull, and if you don't take over, things slow down to a crawl. this is in breaks.

flick also happens to be a pretty good sprinter, and is prone to arm throws, and bar pounds as well.

don't even get me started on the one fool who did a victory salute for winning a prime. you think i'm bad here, you should have seen how dealt with him throughout the race. :D

is he dutch?

there's one guy here who i call 'flick', because the moment someone pulls off the paceline, and he's in front, he flicks his arm. doesn't even try to take a pull, and if you don't take over, things slow down to a crawl. this is in breaks.

flick also happens to be a pretty good sprinter, and is prone to arm throws, and bar pounds as well.

don't even get me started on the one fool who did a victory salute for winning a prime. you think i'm bad here, you should have seen how dealt with him throughout the race. :D

He's way too Texan to be Dutch. We should totally name this guy though, for future BF conversations. I'm sure everyone on BFRacing has a Flick in his/her life.

You're my hero Rx :D

Does anyone here that complains about the behavior of other racers ever tell those racers why what they're doing is wrong? Or is everyone just really passive aggressive?

/Criticism from someone who doesn't race

Wow, we have a bunch of former triathletes here who race like this. They've all read the same article in BICYCLING magazine that says everyone's supposed to do the exact same work and you're supposed to pull through at the exact same time and whatever. The only thing worse are a bunch of d!ckhead masters racers wearing stupid team clothing, or *kit* cuz that's what the euros call it, who take themselves and this sport way to seriously by thinking that they should emulate what pros do for a living, and everyone is supposed to fall into line or they're going to get taken into the barriers. Please. If you can bridge, bridge, if you can't, don't. If you don't like some guy sitting on your wheel, then you have four options: ride away from him, sit up, pull him, or ride at a pace he will pull at. Pick one or get out of the sport, cause drafting is part of the sport, always has been and always will be. You sound like friggin' Ricco. At least he had financial reasons to ***** and moan. The difference between first and second in the Giro is probably worth what, a mil? Your little placing in your little race is worth what?...bragging rights with the bikeforum's racetards?:rolleyes: Or maybe you're just jockeying for a spot in the crybabies thread?

The first step is admitting you're a wheelsucker.

Does anyone here that complains about the behavior of other racers ever tell those racers why what they're doing is wrong? Or is everyone just really passive aggressive?

/Criticism from someone who doesn't race

Totally passive aggressive for me. It's entertaining enough that I'd rather screw with him than correct it. Our local Flick is a 45+ Masters racer who has been doing this a looooooooong time. He knows what he's doing.

It sounds like RX had words with Flick.

As you have. Enjoy the view.

who take themselves and this sport way to seriously by thinking that they should emulate what pros do for a living, and everyone is supposed to fall into line or they're going to get taken into the barriers.

Go back and read it again. If you can find anything where I say this guy cost me a win or whatever then I'll cop to whining. I point out it was MY decision to shut it down and that I could have made it there without his help. And reread the barrier part. I though it was a funny situation everyone here could relate to.

Most sports have an etiquette that makes the scene more pleasurable for everyone. And in cycling some of that etiquette relates directly to the safety of the participants.

I'd say that the folks who try to stuff themselves in a 12 inch space next to the barricades, refuse to take a pull for fear they might tire themselves out so they can't contest a sprint for third, or slow a field to 5 MPH so they don't have to be on the front risking a crash in the group might be the one taking it "way too seriously".

The misplaced victory celebration for 4th was just plain amusing.

I do enjoy the view. It's called "the big picture". You can see it once you grow up.

http://pzrservices.typepad.com/advertisingisgoodforyou/images/episode_1008_jenkins_south_park.jpg

:roflmao::beer:

Post of the year.

Edit: BTW, I was refering to the original post.

>>Hero begins yammering away. Ex doesn't pull wheelsuckers up to guys doing real work. Especially guys who yammer.<<

Ex is making the case for allowing iPods in USCF events. Pcad conducted field trials this Spring, with positive results.

Always good to see these little reflections of the inner you.;)

Next time, put a little effort into it.

Wow, we have a bunch of former triathletes here who race like this. They've all read the same article in BICYCLING magazine that says everyone's supposed to do the exact same work and you're supposed to pull through at the exact same time and whatever. The only thing worse are a bunch of d!ckhead masters racers wearing stupid team clothing, or *kit* cuz that's what the euros call it, who take themselves and this sport way to seriously by thinking that they should emulate what pros do for a living, and everyone is supposed to fall into line or they're going to get taken into the barriers. Please. If you can bridge, bridge, if you can't, don't. If you don't like some guy sitting on your wheel, then you have four options: ride away from him, sit up, pull him, or ride at a pace he will pull at. Pick one or get out of the sport, cause drafting is part of the sport, always has been and always will be. You sound like friggin' Ricco. At least he had financial reasons to ***** and moan. The difference between first and second in the Giro is probably worth what, a mil? Your little placing in your little race is worth what?...bragging rights with the bikeforum's racetards?:rolleyes: Or maybe you're just jockeying for a spot in the crybabies thread?

You sir, and I believe I speak for many here, are an idiot. RacerEX races with class and can back up it with results.

You sir, and I believe I speak for many here, are an idiot. RacerEX races with class and can back up it with results.
correct.

Hi Racer Ex.

In two years on BF, this is the first time I've responded to a post this way...

Priceless! :)

They're elitists! Those Masters riders are pure elitists looking down their noses at the plainly dressed.

You sir, and I believe I speak for many here, are an idiot. RacerEX races with class and can back up it with results.

+1. It always amuses and amazes me when people put their idiocy out there for the world to see.

Always good to see these little reflections of the inner you.;)

Do you actually RACE bicycles, skinny?

Because your lack of tactical comprehension indicates to me that you do not, in fact, toe the line on a regular, monthly, annual or once-a-decade interval.

:lol:

Wow, we have a bunch of former triathletes here who race like this. They've all read the same article in BICYCLING magazine that says everyone's supposed to do the exact same work and you're supposed to pull through at the exact same time and whatever. The only thing worse are a bunch of d!ckhead masters racers wearing stupid team clothing, or *kit* cuz that's what the euros call it, who take themselves and this sport way to seriously by thinking that they should emulate what pros do for a living, and everyone is supposed to fall into line or they're going to get taken into the barriers. Please. If you can bridge, bridge, if you can't, don't. If you don't like some guy sitting on your wheel, then you have four options: ride away from him, sit up, pull him, or ride at a pace he will pull at. Pick one or get out of the sport, cause drafting is part of the sport, always has been and always will be. You sound like friggin' Ricco. At least he had financial reasons to ***** and moan. The difference between first and second in the Giro is probably worth what, a mil? Your little placing in your little race is worth what?...bragging rights with the bikeforum's racetards?:rolleyes: Or maybe you're just jockeying for a spot in the crybabies thread?


It's easy to call names when you lack substance. Name calling links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. The person who uses this technique hopes that the audience will reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence. In this case, there is no evidence. I am encouraging participants in amateur sports to behave with a balanced attitude, have a balanced view of the sport. That is idiotic?

And when did results ever interpret into class? Shall I list all the classless athletes with a long list of results? You don't even want to go down that road. How about Vino? Everyone thought he was a classy guy. He turned out to be a classless athlete that everyone wanted to be associated with until he became persona non grata when it was revealed that all those results were the result of cheating.

Class is participating in sport with a magnanimous spirit. Many of the amateurs out here get caught up in the competition and lose sight of the big picture, which is we're doing this for fun and fitness. If you can't see that, if that is idiotic to you, then you are just another d!ckhead rider. If you are worried about whether someone is stealing something from you by drafting you, then your value system is unbalanced.

pot, kettle, black

It's easy to call names when you lack substance. Name calling links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. The person who uses this technique hopes that the audience will reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence. In this case, there is no evidence. I am encouraging participants in amateur sports to behave with a balanced attitude, have a balanced view of the sport. That is idiotic?

And when did results ever interpret into class? Shall I list all the classless athletes with a long list of results? You don't even want to go down that road. How about Vino? Everyone thought he was a classy guy. He turned out to be a classless athlete that everyone wanted to be associated with until he became persona non grata when it was revealed that all those results were the result of cheating.

Class is participating in sport with a magnanimous spirit. Many of the amateurs out here get caught up in the competition and lose sight of the big picture, which is we're doing this for fun and fitness. If you can't see that, if that is idiotic to you, then you are just another d!ckhead rider. If you are worried about whether someone is stealing something from you by drafting you, then your value system is unbalanced.

No it's easy to call someone an idiot when they are being and idiot. You see I know RacerEx, you do not, so you are the one who lacks substance or perspective. I know that RE is a classy guy who is one hell of a talented bike racer. I have never heard him whine about what happens on the road, he takes his losses the same way he takes his wins, with class.

One thing I don't do is call fun rides races.:rolleyes:

I'd be willing to bet I'd walk away with more money than you at any big crit/RR series.

Class is participating in sport with a magnanimous spirit. Many of the amateurs out here get caught up in the competition and lose sight of the big picture, which is we're doing this for fun and fitness. If you can't see that, if that is idiotic to you, then you are just another d!ckhead rider. If you are worried about whether someone is stealing something from you by drafting you, then your value system is unbalanced.



Main Entry:
mag·nan·i·mous
Pronunciation:
\mag-ˈna-nə-məs\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Latin magnanimus, from magnus great + animus spirit — more at much, animate
Date:
1567

1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit <the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers — Joseph Addison>
2 : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mindYou don't think it took courage, generosity, and nobility to drag Flick back to the pack? Just think of the headaches he saved the other two breakaways.

I've actually been in a 2-man chase with RX, and I'll back up EDRs sentiments. I did my work, blew up, and watched him ride away. High-fives and handshakes followed.

It's easy to call names when you lack substance. Name calling links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. The person who uses this technique hopes that the audience will reject the person or the idea on the basis of the negative symbol, instead of looking at the available evidence. In this case, there is no evidence. I am encouraging participants in amateur sports to behave with a balanced attitude, have a balanced view of the sport. That is idiotic?

And when did results ever interpret into class? Shall I list all the classless athletes with a long list of results? You don't even want to go down that road. How about Vino? Everyone thought he was a classy guy. He turned out to be a classless athlete that everyone wanted to be associated with until he became persona non grata when it was revealed that all those results were the result of cheating.

Class is participating in sport with a magnanimous spirit. Many of the amateurs out here get caught up in the competition and lose sight of the big picture, which is we're doing this for fun and fitness.

do you even own a bike?



If you can't see that, if that is idiotic to you, then you are just another d!ckhead rider. If you are worried about whether someone is stealing something from you by drafting you, then your value system is unbalanced.


^
^
^

It's easy to call names when you lack substance.

Why don't you read his original post here. That's not whining?:lol:

No it's not. It's a clear, honest and humorous description of what happened. If you want to read whining go the TXBRA racers forum and read about all the guys the RE is beating complain about how he should be racing the Pro/1/2 cat and leave them alone.

Again you don't know the guy, also you may notice that everyone here has got his back. This may be because he's pretty well respected around here.

Why don't you read his original post here. That's not whining?:lol:

You clearly don't know RX. That's telling a funny story, not whining.

One thing I don't do is call fun rides races.:rolleyes:

Honestly, what is your problem? If you got a racing license and you enter races, you are a racer at a race and not a fun ride. Not everybody will be drafted by Gerolsteiner, Barloworld or Slipstream etc etc. to have fun at their "fun rides".
That's the reason why there are different levels of competition so even the genetically challenged like myself can have some form of competition without getting lapped 5 times in a 6 lap race.

A fun ride is a leisure group ride on a weekend morning where you can enjoy the nature and the camaraderie. Or a nice slow ride with your kids in tow.

Why don't you read his original post here. That's not whining?:lol:

"Your zipper's down and everyone can see how small you are."

It's easy to call names when you lack substance.

My guess is that the closest this guy gets to a race is spin class. I bet he's right at the front so he can do the arm throw at the end and claim victory!

Sorry, I guess I come from the "shut up and race" school. Now that I reread it, it is funny...in a way. Guy gets out-strategized and outsprinted for a spot on the podium. I see the humor now.:lol: Sorry Racer Ex...I missed that.;) Better luck next time.

http://www.clown-ministry.com/images/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-danny-kaye-movie.jpg

[QUOTE=skinny;6804133] Many of the amateurs out here get caught up in the competition and lose sight of the big picture, which is we're doing this for fun and fitness. If you can't see that, if that is idiotic to you, then you are just another d!ckhead rider. QUOTE]


A quick reminder: this IS the racing forum; it's not the "fun and fitness forum". If we're not supposed to get caught up in the competition, then don't publish a rule book, offer prize money, award trophies, or stop traffic.

As for the O.P., I didn't take his post as whining. It seemed rather objective and well-written (if not a little wordy).

Now that I reread it, it is funny...in a way. Guy gets out-strategized and outsprinted for a spot on the podium. I see the humor now. Sorry Racer Ex...I missed that.;) Better luck next time.

That's how I read it, too.
Yeah, the Hero never pulled through. No rule says he has to. And the OP has a right to rag on him for riding that way. Happens all the time.

"fun and fitness"... heh. that's awesome.

Let's be real: we race because we're masochists. We race because we like to find out how much pain we can tolerate, and whether or not we can increase the threshold next time. We race because getting thrown out the back of the pack on the last lap, muscles cramping with enough force to snap a 2x4, and still gritting your teeth to finish 4'00" back just to avoid the "DNF" is enjoyable in a sick, twisted, self-deprecating manner. It's "fun" like seeing how many boards you can smash with your skull is "fun".

"We race because getting thrown out the back of the pack on the last lap, muscles cramping with enough force to snap a 2x4, and still gritting your teeth to finish 4'00" back just to avoid the "DNF" is enjoyable in a sick, twisted, self-deprecating manner.

Crap. I'm in the wrong forum. I usually pray for a peaceful, quiet DNF.

...Guy gets out-strategized and outsprinted for a spot on the podium... Better luck next time.

Waitaminute. You do realize that RX got 3rd, right?

Waitaminute. You do realize that RX got 3rd, right?

clearly, he does not.

Sorry, I guess I come from the "shut up and race" school. Now that I reread it, it is funny...in a way. Guy gets out-strategized and outsprinted for a spot on the podium. I see the humor now.:lol: Sorry Racer Ex...I missed that.;) Better luck next time.


Hero rolls past me pumping his fists and hooting and hollering. Now mind you this was a sprint for 3rd place. It's silly enough to make like you won the race when all you got is third.

But I guess it's just plain embarrassing when it turns out you got 4th. :roflmao2:

EDIT FOR SKINNY: The above line is pointing out that the rider referred to as "Hero" did not even get third place, but was in fact beaten at the line by Ex. Hero was, in fact, celebrating 4th place.

While Ex would like to attribute this to strategy, it was nothing more than riding a straight line hard for 20 seconds.

Thus Ex did, in fact, take a podium and prize money in this event, both for the omnium and the event in question. Racer Ex, while having a a good winning streak going, tends not to whine about any podiums or envelopes stuffed with dollars, though Euros would have been better.

Racer Ex apologizes to both Event Services and Skinny for using too many words thereby confusing some and offending others.

Ex shall now get out his red pen and commence rereading "Rodie". :love:

Hero was, in fact, celebrating 4th place.

Perhaps the purse went 4 deep, and Hero was really, really happy?

See, I need more words. I forget about 1/3 of them as I go along, so if there are more of them, I'm more likely to come away with the story.

botto's posts sometimes show up blank for my brain. I like botto.

Perhaps the purse went 4 deep, and Hero was really, really happy?

5 deep so it's possible.

Long held standard in cycling though that the victory celebration goes to the victor. It's an honorific.

at risk of being repetitive, a conclusion for skinny: Your zipper's down and everyone can see how small you are. (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=40511)

All this complaining, er...humor, after you beat the guy. I really am sorry. I confused chest pounding for whining. My bad.:innocent:

when you're in a hole, you really should stop digging.

I don't know, but I think a 1st grader has more reading comprehension than you. RX ever pissed in your corn flakes?

"Mr. Bigstuff! Who do you think you are?"