Southern California - Odd cycling encounter-a story with no real point.

Sunday, November 30, around 1:00.
So, I'm just getting onto the Rincon Parkway going from Ventura to SB when a guy in full FasTrack kit passes me on the overpass. So I get on his wheel figuring we'll be sociable and trade pulls. He makes some sort of wave with his hand and slows down, so I go on ahead, not really caring if he's with me or not. I slow in a headwind, he passes me. I follow, a little behind and to the side so I can get a workout and not bug him. He slows, I pass him again. Mind you the top speed so far is maybe 20mph. He catches up and passes, I follow, again, behind and off to the side.

This goes on for about 8 miles at which time he he sits up and says, "I need to ride alone, so could you just let me go ahead?" Well, sure, I say, I'll just ride behind you like I've been doing for the last 8 miles. I mean, why didn't you say so 15 minutes ago? Considering he put the request in the form of a complete sentence, I let him move significantly ahead before resuming my pace.

If this was YOU, you get the Odd Person Encounter of the Weekend Award. I would love to know why you needed to ride alone. (Also, exactly what distance between us constitutes "alone") I go out of my way to ride with people. If you need to be alone, maybe look for a private road next time. OR, you could develop some superior fitness so you can actually ride away from the 53 yr. old dude! I sincerely hope nobody died and you were on some sort of solo grief ride. That I can understand. All ya gotta do is ask.

love,
Neil

So "all you gotta do is ask," but you're still pissed after he did?

So "all you gotta do is ask," but you're still pissed after he did?

Oh no, not pissed at all. He didn't insult me,or anything like that. Bemused and curious are the words I'd use. Why didn't he express his desires sooner? What was his motivation? What private demons drove him to seek solitude on a bicycle on a public road? You, know, that sort of thing.

As a member of the FT club I can tell you we have our share of wackos and a number of great people who are more than willing to work with others and share the road. Sorry you walked away with a negative perception of FT.

I'm not sure what this FTers motivation was but on select occasions I like to/need to ride alone when doing structured intervals/workouts. That said there's PLENTY of road out there for everyone, and rarely is it an issue to find alone-ness.

...I go out of my way to ride with people.


Not everyone feels this way.

Me, I often get enough of people in my daily life, and appreciate the solitude a nice bike ride allows. No one needs any better reason to ride alone than they just feel like it.

I wonder if he's posting on some other forum right now about that old guy that kept stalking him on his Sunday recovery ride... ;)

I also like to ride alone at times. I'm slow enough that I'm not an attractive target for drafting, but I try to maintain a constant speed without a lot of slowing and speeding up. It really bugs me when another rider decides to play leap frog with me. Either speed up and pass me or let me go ahead.

Sure sounds like you are upset to me. :rolleyes: The dude was riding a lone, you invited yourself to his wheel and then got all fussy when he told he wants to continue to ride alone? Do you also seat yourself at someone elses table at a restaurant/fast food and then get fussy when they tell you to seat somewhere else?

UD

Not everyone feels this way.


I wonder if he's posting on some other forum right now about that old guy that kept stalking him on his Sunday recovery ride... ;)

That WOULD be funny and would serve me right for doing the same.

As a member of the FT club I can tell you we have our share of wackos and a number of great people who are more than willing to work with others and share the road. Sorry you walked away with a negative perception of FT.
Not at all, I've ridden with many of the FT guys including Lettieri and it's not about the group at all. I just identified the jersey in case anyone knew the rider or he was reading this.

As a member of the FT club I can tell you we have our share of wackos and a number of great people who are more than willing to work with others and share the road. Sorry you walked away with a negative perception of FT.

I'm not sure what this FTers motivation was but on select occasions I like to/need to ride alone when doing structured intervals/workouts. That said there's PLENTY of road out there for everyone, and rarely is it an issue to find alone-ness.

Keeping in mind that first and foremost that FT is not really a club, but just the clothing that the shop sells... Now, if he was in a Chicken Ranch kit, then yeah, you guys are all wackos :innocent:

I kid, I kid

Keeping in mind that first and foremost that FT is not really a club, but just the clothing that the shop sells... Now, if he was in a Chicken Ranch kit, then yeah, you guys are all wackos :innocent:

I kid, I kid

How true!! Seriously there are some quirky personalities on the CR team. :twitchy:

BTW meant to commend you on your epic MMC (Modifed Mulholland Century). That was quite the ride to do solo.

Last, (WARNING: Thread hijack) - Did you have to recalibrate your Quark after it came from the factory? Mine (on my TT bike) seems to be reading a a lot lower than my SRM based on perceived exertion. Maybe its a TT vs. Road bike thing.

How true!! Seriously there are some quirky personalities on the CR team. :twitchy:

BTW meant to commend you on your epic MMC (Modifed Mulholland Century). That was quite the ride to do solo.

Last, (WARNING: Thread hijack) - Did you have to recalibrate your Quark after it came from the factory? Mine (on my TT bike) seems to be reading a a lot lower than my SRM based on perceived exertion. Maybe its a TT vs. Road bike thing.

thanks about the mmc... It was an interesting ride to do. I like the area but don't really like repeatin or backtracking on roads if I can help it which is part of the reason I reshuffled the climbs. I think my route is better than the original, and retains almost all of the climbing with less horiontal.

Anyway, didn't realize you had a quarq. You should always do a manual calibration from the ant menu at the start of the ride to set the Zero offset. Tom is currently of the opinion that the auto zero by backpedal is not needs in most cases and may actually be harmful if not done carefully. You should also do a static test.

I don't like people drafting off me when I am riding alone. A short list of reasons:

It requires less concentration.
I don't need to point crap out
I am following a lawsuit that occurred when a lead rider did not point out trash and there was a crash I certainly don't need that

Personally, I don't get it. If we each ride alone, perhaps we go 22 MPH, if we team, maybe we do 30 with the same effort. I am only there for fitness so the level of effort is all that is important to me. I would rather do 22 by myself. I don't need the grief. If I am in a hurry, yes, it comes in handy. But, I am never in a hurry.
There are exceptions. I remember going through Ojai once when there were very strong winds. Somebody pulled in behind me and I didn't mind. When riding with people I know, I don't mind.

I have had to pull over when a leech tags on. They give me a look like why won't I help them with their training plan.

I had a clingon on my ride home from the doctor (where I was when I typed the previous post). I just turned up the juicer gradually until he was squeezed. Always fun.

My belief is short and simple. Don't like me on your wheel, then pass me and stay there. All too often I've had people come up behind me to draft which I don't think I really ever have a problem with it. What I have a problem with is the guy that will blow himself up to get 20 yards ahead and then sit up and recover because he blew his wad. Typically I'll just try and leave these guys behind because it's disruptive to me as well. The road is mine just as much as it is his and no higher priority belongs to anyone else. Take it or leave it that's how I deal with it. :)

I am following a lawsuit that occurred when a lead rider did not point out trash and there was a crash I certainly don't need that

Very interesting. Is there anything you can share about it?

I have had to pull over when a leech tags on. They give me a look like why won't I help them with their training plan. Try a snot rocket instead. You won't have to unclip.

Couldn't agree more. When I ride I have a goal in mind: Intensity, time, etc. I am not really interested in setting my best, or going faster by trading pulls and taking it easy drafting. I had a ninja drafter on my wheel last Friday. Only reason I knew she was there because I saw her shadow. I usually don't say anything, but it was one of those mornings. So I let her know, trying to be polite, that she was being rude for drafting without announcing. Her reply "But I thought you saw my shadow." I did, but that is not the point!

Example 2. I was doing bunch of hill climbs on Saturday and caught up to this guy on a hill towards the end of the ride, and passed him. He pulled up and we started to chat. Both got a good work out, pushed each other to go a bit harder, and my hill climbs were more enjoyable.

P.S. I don't feel obligated to point crap out on the road if I am pick up a ninja drafter.

UD

I don't like people drafting off me when I am riding alone. A short list of reasons:

It requires less concentration.
I don't need to point crap out
I am following a lawsuit that occurred when a lead rider did not point out trash and there was a crash I certainly don't need that

Personally, I don't get it. If we each ride alone, perhaps we go 22 MPH, if we team, maybe we do 30 with the same effort. I am only there for fitness so the level of effort is all that is important to me. I would rather do 22 by myself. I don't need the grief. If I am in a hurry, yes, it comes in handy. But, I am never in a hurry.
There are exceptions. I remember going through Ojai once when there were very strong winds. Somebody pulled in behind me and I didn't mind. When riding with people I know, I don't mind.

I have had to pull over when a leech tags on. They give me a look like why won't I help them with their training plan.

P.S. I don't feel obligated to point crap out on the road if I am pick up a ninja drafter.

I agree, I don't always point stuff out to an unannounced drafter, although I always signal turns and stops.

I dont really care if someone ninjas my wheel, but I'm not going to go through the effort of calling stuff out either. Usually I'll just stop and let him pass or try to drop him. However I know most of the guys on the SART so usually I'll just bs or we'll trade pulls.

A few weeks ago I was riding and all of a sudden I heard a wheel come up on me, it sounded funny but then I heard people talking for a few. A whole group of riders came up on me, and I could tell they worked thier butts off to catch me. It bugged the crap out of me, however the group was so big (about 20) that I couldn't stop and there was traffic in the lanes, so I was stuck. This went on for a good 10 minutes, and I was going faster than I cared to but couldn't slow down. Then things got quiet, heavy breathing, and the group past me screaming in a paceline. Bunch of tards.

I rarely draft. I figure if I can't power my own bike, then I shouldn't be riding! Gina drafts me but my thoughts on that is, if you got boobies, I dont mind you drafting me!:D

Sure sounds like you are upset to me. :rolleyes:

Sure sounds like you're projecting.

I rarely draft. I figure if I can't power my own bike, then I shouldn't be riding! Gina drafts me but my thoughts on that is, if you got boobies, I dont mind you drafting me!:D

Beanz is the best to draft behind.
HE cuts the air really well. :thumb:

When I catch a rider and follow them, it is from at least 10-20 ft behind.
Why would i want to take the risk of them farting in my face...:twitchy:

I don't see it as "trading pulls" or forming a "paceline." To me its simple tailgating, just as dangerous when done with bicycles as with automobiles. Probably even more dangerous if you're cycling on a road with +2000 lb cars going by at 40-60 mph. Also bad on my local MUP with so many other users out there.

I'm usually unable to keep up with those "FasTrack" roadies, but will slow down or stop if someone tries to tuck in behind me. Just don't feel comfortable in that situation.

Shouldn't there be some universal sign for "I'm training"? I only have 3 days a week to ride so I try and get the most out of it. There is nothing more bothersome than having someone just sit on your wheel for miles. If I want to go on a group ride, I would be in a group. It's kind of like having somebody stand too close behind you in line..it's annoying more than anything. If you see a guy in full regalia riding alone, chances are he's training, leave him alone. Seriously though how about throwing out a peace sign or something to politely notify somebody that your training...I know kind of silly.

I was thinking of ordering http://www.elevengear.us/images/poseur-J.jpg, maybe it will discourage people from drafting. This one seems to send the wrong message when I wear it. http://www.elevengear.us/images/prodRoa-J.jpg:)

Shouldn't there be some universal sign for "I'm training"?

There is one, gently ball your right fist, hold it out behind you with your fingers facing up..... slowly extend your middle finger.... and then brake hard with your left hand!!! :roflmao2:


This one seems to send the wrong message when I wear it. http://www.elevengear.us/images/prodRoa-J.jpg:)

I have found that jersey to be a problem as well... but it is such a cool jersey I cannot stop wearing it...

I haven't read the entire thread, so forgive me if someone has already raised this point,

but,

perhaps the guy just didn't feel comfortable riding a paceline with someone he didn't know. There is a certain degree of risk involved if your wheels get crossed. More than one peleton has gone down because someone's paceline technique was lacking. Perhaps he just preferred riding alone then with someone he didn't know.

The way I read it, he did tell you several times in his actions that he didn't want you around.
First He passed you, you wheel sucked, he waved you by.
You gassed into the wind and he passed you again. You sucked and then he let you go by again...
I'm just reading the body language.... nothing personal.
He didn't want you around and he did let you know, the hand signal he did is the international sign for let me the F alone. I do it all the time.
I dont want anyone else I don't know anywhere around me while I'm riding, especially behind me where I cant see what they're up to.
So all you (ninja) drafters announce yourselves when overtaking... "On your left" works great, I'm also partial to "Rider Up".
We must all keep in mind while we're riding, unless you started at the same place and time as the other rider, you don't have any clue as to what kind of ride they just did. I know especially after a long hard effort when I counting the last few miles before I'm home, fed and cleaned up, the last thing I have patience for is someone making those miles more difficult by just being there annoying me and making me have to focus on anything else than that ice cold drink straight out of the fridge that I'm dreaming about...

Public road. Here's a hankie. Blow.

Public road. Here's a hankie. Blow.

Common courtesy, tailgating, get a clue.

Such a mixed bag of reactions to somebody sucking your wheel!

I really don't care if somebody jumps on my wheel. I can deal and I'll be polite. I'll point crap out and do all the things I would if I were voluntarily on a group ride. It really doesn't take that much effort, IMHO. Also, FWIW, I would be more worried about sitting on the wheel of somebody I didn't know/trust than I would somebody sitting on mine. Therefore, I don't do it. I'd rather pull.

Mark

Such a mixed bag of reactions to somebody sucking your wheel!

I really don't care if somebody jumps on my wheel. I can deal and I'll be polite. I'll point crap out and do all the things I would if I were voluntarily on a group ride. It really doesn't take that much effort, IMHO. Also, FWIW, I would be more worried about sitting on the wheel of somebody I didn't know/trust than I would somebody sitting on mine. Therefore, I don't do it. I'd rather pull.

The OP wasn't upset about a person sucking their wheel, the person who's wheel they were sucking was upset.

The OP wasn't upset about a person sucking their wheel, the person who's wheel they were sucking was upset.

I got that and many people agreed they were uncomfortable with wheel suckers. To each his, or her own, I guess. I'd rather have a stranger behind me than in front of me.

Mark

I got that and many people agreed they were uncomfortable with wheel suckers. To each his, or her own, I guess. I'd rather have a stranger behind me than in front of me.

I've been run into by someone sucking my wheel when I stopped at a light and they didn't. I will drop wheelsuckers. Sometimes I will do immediately and sometimes I will just gradually turn up the gas. It doesn't happen very often though.

I was in a group ride.
Had no idea what the hand signals meant.
Didn't realize I had to tell anyone I was turning or stopping.
slowed down, the guy on my wheel hit me and went down.
I appologized, and asked why he was so close to me.

I said, hell, if there are rules don't you think you should tell me?
;)

I've been run into by someone sucking my wheel when I stopped at a light and they didn't. I will drop wheelsuckers. Sometimes I will do immediately and sometimes I will just gradually turn up the gas. It doesn't happen very often though.

Agreed, it's not a real common occurence. I've never had anybody run into me, but have had them do unexpected crap when in front of me. Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!

Mark

" I said, hell, if there are rules don't you think you should tell me? "

Thats pretty funny!! I guess you found out the hard way.