Road Cycling - Hooking up with random riders is...?

So, if I am out riding solo on a fairly well populated bike path and I come upon a rider who seems to be riding the exact same pace as me - what's the proper protocol as far as joining them? Or pretending they're not there? Or...? How do road cyclists deal with other riders heading to the same destination at the same pace? Seems awkward to just ignore them.

Toodles,
KARNA

I don't like riding with other people so when this happens to me I exchange friendly greetings and small talk and then turn off at the first oppurtunity.

I usually chit-chat a little to get a feel for them. If they seem friendly, I ask where they're headed and if they mind if I ride with them. If I get the impression they'd rather ride alone (which is pretty rare), I wish them a good ride and put a little space between us. The amount of talk and whether you ride side by side or take turns "pulling" depends on the situation and the type of ride.

It does strike most people as inconsiderate if you latch on to their wheel and tag along without speaking or at least saying "hi".

I like to ride both solo and with others. So for me, if i "catch up" to another rider or a group of riders even that is going the same or near the same pace I am I ask if they'd like some company and what their route is. If they tell me they want to ride solo I either drop behind them or take off ahead of them.

If another rider catches up to me and wants to ride with me, depending on if I want to ride solo or with someone else determines what I tell that person. Depends on my mood.

I usually say nice bike... if they turn that into conversation then i assume they're ok for me riding and chatting, if they just say thanks and dont seem to interested then i assume they want to be left alone, read into body language and facial expressions.

I normally will ride up to someone, exchange greetings, and ask where they are headed and if they mind if I ride with them. Most people are fairly friendly and will tell you if they are doing a solo thing or want company. Most of the time people will allow you to ride with them. :)

It's pretty normal here to wheelsuck without saying as much as a "hi". That's why I am extra careful when I am going at cruising pace (the pace that a lot of riders love to suck your wheel). I always listen out for wheelsuckers, lest I suddenly brake/swerve and cause a crash. Like them, I also suck wheels without notifying the suckee.

On the rare occasion I catch someone who is riding a similar speed, I just say G'day and ask where they are heading, then share turns pulling until we part ways. Usually I just say hi and keep riding as I don't like to slow down and chat.

I will share turns pulling with road or MTB's even on my road bike, as I am not a snob, but in general there are very few people that can keep a MTB at +30kph/18.75mph, but there are some.

Recently I was at the bottom of a good climb when I caught a guy, not wanting to start a race, I slowed a bit and had a chat with him for 20mins, I quite enjoyed that, as I don't usually talk much when I ride.

Normally I tune out to everything and just go flat-out, I'm not the social type.

CHEERS.

Mark

that depends. when i see a bike on the horizon, it could be a tourist or a racer i have to haul to see if i can catch them. one time i used everything i had to just catch a guy. took me several miles and had nothing left to talk or keep up, etc. that was my interval i guess. if i can buy a stoplight i'll thank them for the workout- that i'd been trying to catch them for miles.
i always talk to people/ i've exchanged e-mail addresses and regularly keep up with a few people riding.
what comes around goes around. i need all the friends on 2 wheels i can get. most people actively look for training buddies or some feedback....
i chat with everyone. now if someone is intent on staying solo i just let them be. at least nod and acknowledge them.

Thanks for all of your unique opinions! :)

Because of a tragic experience almost 30 years ago, I do not "wheelsuck," but I do sometimes join other solo riders or small groups, although I may quickly break away (or be broken away from!) soon thereafter, which is fine. I have started a few enduring friendships while cycling; this is relatively rare, but great when it happens. If appropriate, there is almost always good conversation-starting material available: "I wonder if both of us together can trigger this traffic light." "I wish the shoulder were better maintained." "Great cycling weather today!" "You certainly maintain a good pace." "Now there's a nice classic bike!"

Reading this thread really stokes me. I do get the impression of lot of cyclists are either anti-social or just snobs. However this thread kind of lets me know it is ok to strike up a conversation with a another rider and usually not be told to "pack sand" I recently had to relocate from San Diego to Groton Ct. if anybody here is in the area and would like to show a beginner some good rides or paths that would be cool. Thanks

Hi all,
My fav thing when out riding is to see if I can catch up to riders in the distance. When I do I give em a Hello but never ever suck wheel without first asking. I find that a good on your left at 2 bike links back is good policy. I really get pissed if someone overlaps my rear wheel before sounding off. Many times I have glanced in my mirror to see some Idiot on my rear wheel and this calls for some "shake and bake" ! At my age is getting to be lots more shake than bake. *S*

Ride Safe and give em an on your left...or for you down under types an on your right ?

Dudley

Originally posted by cycletourist
I don't like riding with other people so when this happens to me I exchange friendly greetings and small talk and then turn off at the first oppurtunity.

Yes, and carrying your golf bag and all, that will probably be the nearest golf course!! :roflmao:

Originally posted by Altwegg
Like them, I also suck wheels without notifying the suckee.

Well, fortunately I don't usually ride fast enough for anyone to want to suck my wheel, but if I did, I would be totally upset if they were there. Why? I frequently like to stop, look around, change direction, etc., and a suckee would drive me nuts. Even though I usually do a hand signal, I don't always remember.

Stay off of my tail!!

I allways try cathing up with anyone in front of me. Then I keep hanging for a couple of seconds at about 50 feet, then pass and drop them. I allways hope they try to suck my wheel though, for some reason it gives me a good feeling when I can drop them. I'm no much of a talker anyway. :D

I find it an honor when I find 1 wheelsucker behind me during my 'solo' workouts. I find it an even greater honor when I see 10 of them sucking my wheel while I am thinking that there is just one behind me while hammering for 20 kms.

If I see someone ahead of me (or behind me) who is going about the same pace I'll pull up beside them and try to make conversation. If the conversation continues then I have a temporary riding partner.

If the person doesn't want to talk, then I'll let him go or pass him.

I usually ride alone because none of my neighbors rides and finding a temporary riding partner is nice for a change.

For me i always say hi and then i will try to talk to them and if they " just arn't feeling it" then i will slow down a little and let them get in front a ways and then go like normal!

After reading some of these, I will now say something if I catch up to some one and get on there wheel. I have in the past not say anything because most of the time its sort lived. I ether have a faster pace and I just use them to get a quick rest, then move on or I’m recovering from catching up to them they slowly pull away. But most of the time I ride by my self and if I catch up to a rider it just happens.