Commuting - UGH, feel like a salmon, rolled and smoked

Usually I'm pretty conscious about where I am and who is coming up on me and can stick with most riders, except today. Man I got smoked, and it sucks. My ego is bruised. Problem is I'm on my commuter fixed gear that is set up with low chain inches (48x17) and big tires (700x35). This guy rolls by on his beater cross bike with his gears, and before I know it he's gone. I crank it to see if I can reach him, but, that's an impossibility, with a cross wind (20 mph with gusts!) out of the North. I did manage to gain a little on him but he still held a commanding lead. He also crossed a barrier that I had to wait for, traffic.

Now, I'm hating my decision of riding fixed, and want a geared beater between my legs.

What is it with this ego thing I've got that I have to have everyone out there for lunch, or at least hang with them, like I've got something to prove. I did prove one thing. If I chase someone my time goes down. My usual 2 hour commute (lately) dropped to an hour and a half, making me earlier for work than I've been in a long time. Which I don't understand with the wind out of the north like it was. I'm going to have to rethink this thing, a lot!

hehe....hehe

...I...can stick with most riders, except today. Man I got smoked, and it sucks. My ego is bruised. Problem is I'm on my commuter fixed gear that is set up with low chain inches (48x17) and big tires (700x35). This guy rolls by on his beater cross bike with his gears, and before I know it he's gone!
I had a guy pass me on the way home. He was older, and wearing jeans. I couldn't keep up!

Then, when he pulled into his driveway a mile later, I felt satisfied. I've been commuting 14 - 15 miles each way, and he probably only had 2 - 3 miles to go.

You never know how far someone has ridden that week, how rested they are, or how far they have to go.

I have never been able to keep up with anyone. :(

Of course, when there is snow on the ground, I'm pretty much alone anyway! ;)

Maybe next month you will breeze by him in the snow, or with his derailleur busted. Personally, I would never ride a derailleur bike in the winter -- unless that winter was in some place like San Francisco. Be happy with what you have.

Paul

My 7s Shimano Exage RD on my commuter has held up surprisingly well this winter...

I want to pass and drop someone only when they've passed me without the basic courtesy of an 'on yer left' (I never do; even when really annoyed I realize I'll simply look petulant if I overtake someone who just passed me, jerk or no).

When someone passes me with a "Good morning!", they can have all the road they want.

Well, even getting dropped beats driving.

Now that it's cold here, I'm going to be the only one riding around until mid-March. So, no one's passing me.

UGH, feel like a salmon, rolled and smoked
Smoked salmon tastes pretty good, but I don't relish being eaten.