Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Ego smasher

So I'm riding home with a co-worker this evening, and we're keeping a fairly decent pace around 20mph. Shortly after we fell into our groove, I notice a guy sprinting up behind us. He took rear spot on the line for about a mile, and I just assumed he was taking a breather before his next sprint when he flagged out and passed us both... but then he slowed and dropped back in and said he'd take a pull for a while.
He picked up the pace to around 23mph after stating "you guys were doing about 22 when I was chasing you down" and we hung with him at that pace for the next mile or mile and a half. He dropped to the back again and I kept the pace as long as I could without totally blowing up.
After we reached a clear straightaway, he thanked us for the pull and took off at what must have been 27mph and didn't even look like he was putting any effort into it. I dropped pace back to 19 - 20mph with my co-worker to finish out the last few miles together.

Rule 1. Somebody is always faster.
Rule 2. Most people are faster than me.
Rule 3. They may be faster but they don't work harder than me.

John

Well, at least he served his humble pie politely.

There is always someone faster, you just don't know where. I thought it was good that he came back and did a pull for a while after falling in behind you for a mile or so. We don't have many riders around here, so when I see someone out riding I think I am seeing things.

If another rider doesn't start and finish with me, then being faster doesn't mean squat as my rides are never less than 40-60 miles. I've seen too many 10 mile wonders to worry about another guy passing.

My view: An ego crusher wouldn't have taken my wheel in the first place. Secondly, an ego crusher would have dropped you from the front of the line after taking a pull, not after resting on the back!:thumb:

I've ran into a thousand guys like you describe. Many ride off PRETENDING not to be phased by the pace only to be seen down the road hiding behind a bush or a wall. After such an encounter, I keep my eyes open knowing what to expect and always let it be known that I-C-U!:roflmao2:

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Let it be known that if Mr. Beanz catches or passes a rider or group of riders, he will not take a wheel!:thumb:....Only exception being that we organized the ride together. But 99% of my riding is done without drafting, including organized rides/centuries.;)

I like to ride with people faster than me. If I can keep up, they provide me with an opportunity to press my limits. If I can't keep up, I just fall back. Nothing lost. I'll try again another day. For the most part I just try to compete against myself. I know that I am in no shape to challenge anyone else right now.

If another rider doesn't start and finish with me, then being faster doesn't mean squat as my rides are never less than 40-60 miles. I've seen too many 10 mile wonders to worry about another guy passing.

10 mile wonders? ha! How about a 1.5 mile wonder? :p I blew past a roadie the other day. He had just turned left onto the road I was on and he was at the bottom of a shallow hill...perfect! I sprinted and passed him going about 25-26 mph and the chase was on. I had about 1.5 miles of gentle rolling hills (great 'bent riding terrain) and kept my speed 21-25 mph the whole way, and then my cardiovascular system was begging for mercy. I noticed I was about the bike had a loose chain idler so I pulled off on a side street and stopped. The other rider had caught up and was about 20 yards behind me at that point. As he passed he said "you were really flying back there!" I laughed and told him I lacked the fitness to keep up that pace any longer. He then sprinted off while I repaired my bike and I waited for my heart rate to get to sustainable levels. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!