General Cycling Discussion - Upsetting a fellow cyclist

The other day I was out on my mountain bike when I heard a noise behind me and a man was riding up beside me. I said hello (which he ignored) and went past me. He was really trying hard up out the saddle in a high gear. I was just spinning along and sitting not really trying to hard.

After he went past he did not seem to have the energy to go any harder and sat just in front of me and I started to catch him up. I felt a little bad going past him after all his effort so spoke to him again (which he ignored again) as I went past. I then cycled as normal only now and again looking back as I normally do and there was no sign of this bloke.

Anyway I got about another 5 miles down the road and I stopped and I heard something and there was this bloke red faced huffing and puffing coming up behind me.

He then started going on about how I must have a 'Really good bike' as he could not catch me and he was really trying. I have a very old basic 'no frills' bike and when I looked it was near identical spec to his including gears. But this lad kept going on and on saying there must be something about my bike that made me faster. He even said he rode the route all the time was very fit and no one went past him.

I did not even know we were racing, and when I asked his age (20) and I told him I was 42 he was not happy at all. His face was s picture, but it still had to be my bike. Not me being fitter or anything like that is was 'My bike' I think he thought I had a hidden engine in there :lol:

It made my week that I still have the legs to beat (without trying) a lad half my age

Cool story bro!

Always curious when that happens. I remember a while back on my MTB I was on my way to a friend's place and overtook a guy on a bike with drop handlebars. My speed was something in the low 20s, I guess he was doing about 15 or so. He didn't look like he was racing, and I just wanted to get where I was going quickly so I didn't really think anything of it. Anyway a few minutes later this other guy came flying past, only to turn off almost as soon as he had overtaken me. I just figured he felt a bruised ego from being overtaken by a fat guy on an MTB, even though when I passed him it didn't look like he was exactly busting his butt to go fast.

Some people are just odd I guess.

Base miles do tell.

Always curious when that happens. I remember a while back on my MTB I was on my way to a friend's place and overtook a guy on a bike with drop handlebars. My speed was something in the low 20s, I guess he was doing about 15 or so. He didn't look like he was racing, and I just wanted to get where I was going quickly so I didn't really think anything of it. Anyway a few minutes later this other guy came flying past, only to turn off almost as soon as he had overtaken me. I just figured he felt a bruised ego from being overtaken by a fat guy on an MTB, even though when I passed him it didn't look like he was exactly busting his butt to go fast.

Some people are just odd I guess.

Yeah I often feel bad when I go past someone. Always try and make a bit of conversation as I don't want them thinking I am racing them or anything (which I am not) and don't want to put them off



Base miles do tell.


Yeah maybe you are right, been cycling (mainly road) since I was a kid (Now 42) Used to do time trials etc but now happy with a nice little ride out on my own

A note to roadies....beware of mountain bikers out on the road :lol:


I was finishing up a 40mi ride with just two more hills left before coming down into town. At the top of the first of the two final hills I was just putzing in the low gears babying my tired legs.....until a mountain biker flew by me. He had no shirt, cargo pants, backpack and wearing sandals. Well, enough of this!! I started the engine up, clicked up to the big chainring and started in with my steady pace on the nice little descent. Keeping the pressure on he just kept casually mashing away about 300yds out front. We started the last hill and I refused to come out of the big chainring. He was moving along pretty good and the distance closed to 100yds. We topped the hill and went into the rather swift descent. I was catching him, we were both hitting 33mph as we came down onto the flats. He was still moving along at a good 21mph pace but with a road bike I was coming up on him.

As I pulled alongside I said, "nice ride!". He about jumped out of his skin. We both laughed and spoke about the little chase. He is a mountain biker but really wants a road bike. And when he gets one, he will be tough to catch.

A note to roadies....beware of mountain bikers out on the road :lol:

He is a mountain biker but really wants a road bike. And when he gets one, he will be tough to catch.

It's true for a lot of mountain bikers. They have been using lower gears with higher cadence, and holding their own on the bike paths. (Usually, not always.)

So there I was on my usual ride up the coast when a peloton of guys in spandex came up behind me. I'm 51, in decent shape. They obviously thought they'd pass me easily.

They were right. Blew past my sorry ass without a look back.

Many of the roadies around here mountain bike and many of the mountain bikers ride road bikes. Trying to make a comparison between the two groups is futile due to that overlap but if it makes you feel better...

I get passed all the time by cargo-panted, sneaker-clad MTB'ers, spandex clad road bikers older than me, and everything in between. I rarely get passed by pensioners on tricycles, but won't be surprised when it happens.

I like to ride though.

I get passed all the time by cargo-panted, sneaker-clad MTB'ers, spandex clad road bikers older than me, and everything in between. I rarely get passed by pensioners on tricycles, but won't be surprised when it happens.

I like to ride though.


Yeah the last part there 'I like to ride though' summs it up nicely, that's what its all about :thumb:

I rarely get passed by pensioners on tricycles, but won't be surprised when it happens.
A lot of the pensioners here zoom around on e-bikes, going much faster often than they're really capable of handling anymore. It's a good thing most of those bikes are speed restricted; as that is the law. So, no, pensioners don't always count.

...Anyway a few minutes later this other guy came flying past, only to turn off almost as soon as he had overtaken me...

Some people are just odd I guess.

That has been happening to me for years. It occurred twice a couple of weeks ago on the same ride and I often never see cyclists where/when I ride.

Many people are just odd.

That has been happening to me for years. It occurred twice a couple of weeks ago on the same ride and I often never see cyclists where/when I ride.

Many people are just odd.

Suppose its the same way people are in cars, you get people racing you to roundabout or junction or someplace..... for what ?? :wtf:

It's weird, because the only place I ever see or hear about middle aged, plus sized dudes on rusty old bikes showing fit looking guys on road bikes a thing or two about speed is on the internet. I ride around lots at a moderate pace, and I sometimes get passed by steely eyed triathletes on the aero bars, or a paceline of fast dudes, or a chick with massive spandex clad thighs, but I have never been passed by the aforementioned creature. Same goes for commuters in "sensible"clothing.

It's weird, because the only place I ever see or hear about middle aged, plus sized dudes on rusty old bikes showing fit looking guys on road bikes a thing or two about speed is on the internet.

The average speed on the internet is very high.

It's weird, because the only place I ever see or hear about middle aged, plus sized dudes on rusty old bikes showing fit looking guys on road bikes a thing or two about speed is on the internet. I ride around lots at a moderate pace, and I sometimes get passed by steely eyed triathletes on the aero bars, or a paceline of fast dudes, or a chick with massive spandex clad thighs, but I have never been passed by the aforementioned creature. Same goes for commuters in "sensible"clothing.


Hey I am no 'middle ages plus sized dude' :p bikes not rusty either but a bit muddy. Well the mountain bike is, not been on road bike for a few weeks due to crappy weather

Your on an MTB, it's your duty to overtake anyone one a road bike!

For overtaking anyone, unless you started at the same time, you have no idea how long or far they have been riding for. If I overtake or am overtaken, couldn't careless as long as I am going at the speed I'm happy with, unless doing a TT.

Your 'opponent' does seem to need to chill a bit, and learn to say hello in reply to you.

Is a Fargo a mountain bike? I never see anybody to pass, anyway.

Your on an MTB, it's your duty to overtake anyone one a road bike!

For overtaking anyone, unless you started at the same time, you have no idea how long or far they have been riding for. If I overtake or am overtaken, couldn't careless as long as I am going at the speed I'm happy with, unless doing a TT.

Your 'opponent' does seem to need to chill a bit, and learn to say hello in reply to you.

We were both on mountain bikes off road, on a track. I had been cycling about 4 miles (up hill) before seeing him and I learned later (when we stopped) he had just set off when he first went past me (before I then went past him)

So there I was on my usual ride up the coast when a peloton of guys in spandex came up behind me. I'm 51, in decent shape. They obviously thought they'd pass me easily.

They were right. Blew past my sorry ass without a look back.

:lol: :roflmao2: :lol:

It seems like the only time I get dropped is when on a recovery ride. So I dont do recovery rides anymore. Now I get dropped on the return trip from a long distance ride and I'm wiped out. Bum luck, I tell ya.

I've never understood why so many guys don't like to be passed under normal riding conditions. It's got to be a low self-esteem/big ego/compensation thing. If you want to race, join a freakin' race, most states have plenty of them. At least there, the people you pass know they are in a race.

To pass someone who is not racing you, but in your mind you are racing them, well, that's about as shallow of a "victory" as one can have.

there's always lots of people who races or just wants to ride past you if you are riding too slow. they like in a rush to get home or to work and i hate those. especially in a hot day where you get all sweaty and smelly. why not take you time and stop riding so hard.

261509Geez Kidz!
I am a 'pensioner' age 80 and still ride a road bike and tandem 100+ miles a week.
Oh, and my wife is only 77 . . .

I've never understood why so many guys don't like to be passed under normal riding conditions. It's got to be a low self-esteem/big ego/compensation thing. If you want to race, join a freakin' race, most states have plenty of them. At least there, the people you pass know they are in a race.

To pass someone who is not racing you, but in your mind you are racing them, well, that's about as shallow of a "victory" as one can have.


Yeah very true, I personally have sometimes slowed down to avoid going past someone as I don't want to offend them or make them think I am trying to race them. Just like to ride at my own pace


261509Geez Kidz!
I am a 'pensioner' age 80 and still ride a road bike and tandem 100+ miles a week.
Oh, and my wife is only 77 . . .

Fantastic !!! :thumb: I aspire to be just like you when I am that age.. Well done, keep it up

I've never understood why so many guys don't like to be passed under normal riding conditions. It's got to be a low self-esteem/big ego/compensation thing. If you want to race, join a freakin' race, most states have plenty of them. At least there, the people you pass know they are in a race.

To pass someone who is not racing you, but in your mind you are racing them, well, that's about as shallow of a "victory" as one can have.It adds a degree of enjoyment to my ride when someone passes me. It's the same reason serious bikers want to ride with others faster/stronger than they are. I dont pout, it doesnt destroy my low self-esteem (:lol:).....when I'm passed and that biker keeps looking back at me to see if I'm picking up the hint, I will not disappoint them. :D

Love anti-social people on bicycles. They are legends in their own mind.

Cat 6 commuter racing.

So there I was on my usual ride up the coast when a peloton of guys in spandex came up behind me. I'm 51, in decent shape. They obviously thought they'd pass me easily.

They were right. Blew past my sorry ass without a look back.

That's funny stuff! :lol:

I get passed pretty regularly by stronger riders on lesser bikes, though I'm also doing my share of passing lately. I sometimes pick a person who is about 1/4 mile in front of me and see if I can pour on some steam and catch up to them. Did that yesterday at about dusk. When he noticed my headlight hitting the pavement, he cranked up the speed as well. I stopped after a bit to adjust my headlight and thanked him for the good workout. Caught up to him again about 2 miles further down the road.

I know one guy that rides an old 70's Free Spirit (he may be the original owner). He did the 100k Peach Pedal route Saturday and he keeps up just fine with the guys on their carbon dreamcycles.

I passed two people yesterday on my ride home. Of course, they were going the other way.

I passed two people yesterday on my ride home. Of course, they were going the other way.

A couple decades ago I passed a woman who was about the 10th best racer in the U.S. And we were going the same direction.

But she was cooling down after a hard ride and I was just getting started.

I could legitimatly pass her on an open decent, but only if it is after the regroup after a climb. Otherwise I was never close enough to even see her on a decent.

I thnik of these as personal trivia, not accomplishments.

I've never understood why so many guys don't like to be passed under normal riding conditions. It's got to be a low self-esteem/big ego/compensation thing. If you want to race, join a freakin' race, most states have plenty of them. At least there, the people you pass know they are in a race.

To pass someone who is not racing you, but in your mind you are racing them, well, that's about as shallow of a "victory" as one can have.

Here's how it happens. I'll be out with a specific speed/cadence in mind for a particular day. Sooner or later, someone's testosterone is going to kick in and he's going to decide that he's going to show the grey haired old man on the road bike a thing or two. So, he'll go onto the big ring and his highest gear, stand up, and mash until he's 100 yards past me---and then crash and burn. I'll just keep going along, pull along side him, and his testosterone level will ramp up again, and he'll do the same thing. This time he'll open up 200 yards and then crash. Third time, he does it again, and when I pull up along side him afterward, I'll tell him, "Look, if you want to race, you're racing yourself, because I'm staying at my pace no matter what you decide to do". Then, for some reason, I never see the guy again. ;)

The guy is usually 20-something. :D

Faster riders know they're faster. They pass without any nasty comment or any kind of snide look. If you pick it up and try to hang with them, it's your choice, not theirs, but chances are you'll get dropped before too long. They guys that want to race you are different. They may look over and give you a snide smile, or a "why so slow, Lance?". Let them go. You'll be along side them within half a mile, guaranteed.

Yeah I often feel bad when I go past someone. Always try and make a bit of conversation as I don't want them thinking I am racing them or anything (which I am not) and don't want to put them off

I'm starting to feel bad too, it's getting to the point where I never just pass a guy. I always factor in stuff, like, should I bother? Am I turning off soon anyway? Does he look like he's pushing as hard as he can, or does he have enough to pass me again if he really tired? A lot of guys act like the fact a girl just passed them is the worst possible thing. FFS I just want to get to work, and I can't exactly spin up this hill since I only got one gear.


I've never understood why so many guys don't like to be passed under normal riding conditions. It's got to be a low self-esteem/big ego/compensation thing.

Same here. Half the time I just assume they have a heavier load, or maybe they're tired or something. I know I've had to bike to work on some mornings-after when I was in rough shape, haha. I don't know why it has to be such a big deal that I might be faster than them at this one point in time. Though when someone passes me, I do always try to keep up with them for as long as I can. But I don't pass them again (even if I can, if I wasn't going that fast in the first place, I don't need too now), and I never draft.

To pass someone who is not racing you, but in your mind you are racing them, well, that's about as shallow of a "victory" as one can have.
I'm not a fast rider at all. I guess if you use the terms cruiser, pacer and swifty, then I'm a pacer. I have no illusions about it. Passing someone is not a matter of ego or feeling superior, it's just a personal challenge to myself. "Can I catch up to this person 1/4 mile ahead?" Makes for some good intervals with an actual goal. Many times I can't catch them. I can certainly understand how races are won by seconds.

But then again, it's nice when I'm at least doing as much passing as getting passed. Curse me as a shallow poseur if you like.

i have no problems with people passing me, heck, i usually only keep a 10 mph pace, 12+ if i'm "in a hurry". i guess i'm just a lazy cyclist.

I don't get passed too often. That's not a reflection of my killer riding skills - more a reflection of the fact that most people I see riding a bike are just tooling along.

I get passed once in a while, usually by a roadie in full kit. I didn't care too much for it at first but now I figure "oh well - they've been at it a while."

The flip side of that is every once in a while I get to feel like I'm doing something other than sweating. Last night I was on my way home. There was a guy on a bike approaching the road I was going to turn onto. I was northbound, he was southbound. He reached the road and made his turn before I reached my turn. I was probably about 100 yards away from my turn when he made his.

I made the turn and buzzed up behind him. When I passed him the guy said "Holy ****. You're pretty fast."

:D

I'm really not, but I sure didn't mind someone saying I am. ;)

what's with the looking back. i hate it when someone rides past me and then decides to look back every like 3-4 secs. what does this mean?? he wants to race me???

The average speed on the internet is very high.

Thats some funny **** right there!!!! Toatally agree!

I promise you I won't be passing anyone!! BUT, if you're in front of me and I'm going downhill, please get out of the way!! A Madsen loaded down with a toddler and groceries going downhill, well, I am actually afraid what MPH I actually go.

what's with the looking back. i hate it when someone rides past me and then decides to look back every like 3-4 secs. what does this mean?? he wants to race me???

Preface: I don't set out to pass people, I'll start with the speed I am riding, and IF someone is on the horizon, I will use them as a benchmark to keep my pace up.

That said, I set my speed goal, and maintain it for as long as I can. I've passed people, and then slowed down to find them right on my wheel, or I don't hold the line while I take a drink and they are right beside me. Not that I mind getting caught, I just don't want to bump wheels with someone and cause a wreck.

I've never noticed a reaction from cyclists if I (rarely) pass them I certainly don't mind if they pass me.

But it gets a bit comical when car drivers react.

Typically a driver will be taking his time, chatting with a passenger, or having a coffee and burger. I'll whiz by on the right and suddenly he wants to speed up, and pass me.

I've had that reaction way too many times over a lot of years, for it to be a coincidence. It just happened again today, and reminded me of this topic.

I was on the MUP the other day when I spotted a flashy, red Rascal scooter. Embossed on the back were the letters "GL." "Greg LeMond?" I wondered. He turned and gave me a wink and he revved the scooter motor. I took the challenge. Cranking my new Specialized Allez into high gear, I blew by him at 35mph. I turned back to flash a victory grin when I veered from the MUP into a canal. The Rascal putted by and "GL" gave a toot on his horn. It's true that the tortoise beats the hare.

Base miles do tell.

This.

There are a bunch of people who take the same commute route as me to the next town, and we have a varied bunch of cyclists ranging from middle aged women training for their first 50 km ride to legitimate endurance cyclists and racers. Whenever I think I am catching up to someone, I slow down to determine if I will blow past them or simply inch by (at which point the social convention would be to slow down and chat, for which I often am not in the mood). If it is someone I recognize as a relatively fast rider I usually slow down enough so I don't catch him/her and accidentally wind up in a race - I like to set my own pace and stick to it.

I also am careful not to pass someone on a downhill that is likely to be much faster than me on the next uphill, lest I look like a D-bag racing in front then slowing down like some of the stories above.

Wow.

...or just wants to ride past you if you are riding too slow. they like in a rush to get home or to work and i hate those. especially in a hot day where you get all sweaty and smelly. why not take you time and stop riding so hard. I don't know why you hate folks in a rush.

I pass a lot of folks out on the road. While I don't know about the other guys but I don't want to race I'm usually just in a rush to get home or to work... If I get passed I'm good with that too, just don't pass me to slow down.

+1 to the OP for friendliness attempts. Never goes wrong (I hope). Sometimes makes a big difference.

As I left my village to cycle the 5 miles to work I saw a guy in road bike gear at the ATM just setting off. 5 minutes after arriving at work, the same guy arrived at my work (we have a cyclists room). I was pretty pleased with myself all day that I'd beaten a roadie on the 6 mile ride to work.

I met him again getting changed to go home at the end of the day and we got chatting; he'd cycled 35 miles in the hills that morning before arriving at my village. He was doing the 40 miles home again that evening.