Fifty Plus (50+) - Road Rules, help a mountain biker out.

Until recently I have been a trail rider except for an occasional charity ride. I would borrow a Road bike and enjoyed the crew. Last Fall I picked up my first skinny tired bike of my own since the 70's This old dog is learning a few new tricks, but needs some help.

The last few weeks there have been a couple times when I pass a group. I always give them a greeting and go my way. (many people pass me, some say hi, some are focused and ignore me.) A few minutes later a couple riders from the group I pass will pass me and then look to see where I am. Is this a friendly challenge? Should I give chase? Did I violate some code? What should I do?

Just ride your bike and enjoy it. Don't get into this sort of stuff. There's a million reasons why you could pass someone and then they pass you, most of which are benign. If it motivates you to give chase, do it. When I'm riding in the flats of Florida when I visit my parents down there, if I spot someone ahead of me, I might try to catch them just to push a little, but usually I just ride. But don't get into a racing game with people who are probably not racing and don't draft someone unless you tell them you're there and they say OK.

Ex mountain biker and I only went road 6 years ago at 59 and I wish I could find the groups that I can pass on the road even now. However I do get riders pass me that seem to "Invite" me to give chase. Do not get tempted. They are mostly younger than me and as soon as I put on a spurt to catch them all I do is use energy that may give me an extra Cardio workout but I never catch them. Only time I ever did was when I caught a rider over about a mile or so and full of the enthusiasm of "Youth" I passed him immediately. He sat behind me for about 3 miles getting a tow and making me work just that little bit more than I wanted to. I was really pleased when he eventually turned off and I could relax back into recovery mode.

Just face it- most people out on bikes on the road are younger than me- fitter than me and have the competitive nature that I lost many years ago. Only time that I ever came across a group of riders that was different was back in 2007 and I was out on my Ride your age that year. Turned onto the Marsh road and found myself about 200 yards in front of a group of riders. 3 miles later and there was a junction and I turned off into a layby and took a rest for a drink. The layby was also used by this group to reform and I started to hear the comments from the other riders. "He has got a triple on that bike"- " He only has Sora 8 Speed"- He has only got an OCR3"- "He's Old". Turns out it was group of new riders in a club about 15 miles down the coast and this was their introduction ride into the club. All on Good bikes with a couple of top end ones in there. Then the leader pointed out to them that the bike may be low class- and the rider may be old and he is puffing just as much as the rest of you but he knows how to use a bike and he has been in front of you for the last 3 miles and none of you could catch him.

Difference was that the last 3 miles was my sprint workout for the ride and I had to take that rest to recover again. If I had been with that group of new riders I would have been working just as hard to stay with them and the excuse I would have put forward would have been- "I am old and I don't have the latest lightest equipment like the rest of you"

I may have the enthusiasm to get out and ride with the local club but I am struggling on the 15 miles at 15 mph rides they do but that is at a low pace for the others. So my word of warning is to look at the riders as they pass you and listen to them. If you can hear their breathing and it is more laboured than yours- Then sit behind them until they either pull off into the distance or you act as an anchor while they tow the "oldun" along and you have to take a pull at the front to save their legs.

Until recently I have been a trail rider except for an occasional charity ride. I would borrow a Road bike and enjoyed the crew. Last Fall I picked up my first skinny tired bike of my own since the 70's This old dog is learning a few new tricks, but needs some help.

The last few weeks there have been a couple times when I pass a group. I always give them a greeting and go my way. (many people pass me, some say hi, some are focused and ignore me.) A few minutes later a couple riders from the group I pass will pass me and then look to see where I am. Is this a friendly challenge? Should I give chase? Did I violate some code? What should I do?

Lots of times, what happens is that a rider gets lost in a thought, and when they wake up, they realise that the 20MPH pace they wanted has turning into a 10MPH pace, and they speed up..... Don't worry about it, go the pace your comfortable with, and let others do the same....

Was it a challenge? Maybe, maybe not.
Do you care? Maybe, maybe not.

Ride. Don't worry.

Don't worry about it, but by the same token, if you feel like playing a little hound and hare, go right ahead.

could be something simple as making you are clear of the passed rider.
i know i do that all of the time when i pass someone. i also announce pass on left before passing someone on the trail.

Was it a challenge? Maybe, maybe not.
Do you care? Maybe, maybe not.

Ride. Don't worry.

Exactly. There are so many different kinds of people out there, you never know what they are thinking. Sometimes it's fun to race them and sometimes they take issue with it. If you have exchanged greetings then probably nobody is getting offended. I always talk to other riders if I want to ride near them or with them but I usually don't get too close to strangers if I can help it.

I always think "rabbit" and give chase. Sometimes I catch them sometimes not, I don't think it hurts anyone's feelings.

Yes, it is a challenge, if that's what you want.

No, it's not challenge if you aren't up for playing games.

If the group seems interesting you can always hook on to the back for a while to test waters.

Check your bike shorts for any large rips or tears. If okay, don't worry and just enjoy your ride. (Assuming you have done nothing to make others think you've issued a challenge.)

Roadies are generally unfriendly to those not in their group. Expect to be ignored if you wave or say hello.
Ride your ride.

Most roadies don't take themselves as seriously as people think they do.

Most roadies don't take themselves as seriously as people think they do.

I should certainly hope not. We are grown men in sexy tights, on expensive toys fer chrissakes!

Roadies are generally unfriendly to those not in their group. Expect to be ignored if you wave or say hello.
Ride your ride.

So I often hear from mountain bikers. Conversely, I almost never hear roadies saying negative things about mountain bikers.

It's like camping. Always more friendly when you are out where you may need someone.

So I often hear from mountain bikers. Conversely, I almost never hear roadies saying negative things about mountain bikers.
How do you tell the difference between a mountain biker and a vacuum cleaner?

You can't see the dirt bag attached to the vacuum cleaner.


j/k. That's actually a snowboarder joke.

How do you tell the difference between a mountain biker and a vacuum cleaner?

You can't see the dirt bag attached to the vacuum cleaner.


j/k. That's actually a snowboarder joke.
I've heard it as a quad joke and a Harley joke.

My general rule is, if you're gonna pass someone, you should be ready to 'make it stick.' By that I don't mean you have to stay in front of them no matter what; but you should be prepared to continue at the pace you used for the pass rather than immediately run out of gas and make him re-pass you.

Sometimes, if the passees take exception to me passing them and try to run me back down, I'll give them what they want. Depending on my mood, I'll either string them along *almost* letting them catch me, or I'll let them reel me in then squirt off the front, and repeat until they give up. "Ooh, I'm running out of gas... FOOLED YA! Oops, now I really am tired... NOT!!! I give up... NO I DON'T!!! and so on. Once in a great while I'll let them catch me, only to discover they can't rest up behind me because there's no draft. That REALLY irks them. :)

One thing I really concentrate on is holding a consistent pace and effort throughout my/our rides. I've passed so many riders that insist on playing that game it isn't even funny. 98% of the time they wil fade and we'll blow by them 5 miles down the road just holding the same pace.

There is a reason why we caught them in the first place. Same reason I chose not challenge a speed demon that catches me from behind. ;)



This happens so often I decided to make a video of one incident. :p


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX5oSMP8ENI

^^^^You enjoyed that a bit too much, methinks.

Unless someone is really slow or I'm in a big hurry, I often slow down a bit so I won't pass someone. Many roadies simply can't cope with being passed by a fat guy on a bent.

These rules of the road may assist in your development into road riding:

http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

My general rule is, if you're gonna pass someone, you should be ready to 'make it stick.' By that I don't mean you have to stay in front of them no matter what; but you should be prepared to continue at the pace you used for the pass rather than immediately run out of gas and make him re-pass you.

Sometimes, if the passees take exception to me passing them and try to run me back down, I'll give them what they want. Depending on my mood, I'll either string them along *almost* letting them catch me, or I'll let them reel me in then squirt off the front, and repeat until they give up. "Ooh, I'm running out of gas... FOOLED YA! Oops, now I really am tired... NOT!!! I give up... NO I DON'T!!! and so on. Once in a great while I'll let them catch me, only to discover they can't rest up behind me because there's no draft. That REALLY irks them. :)

That's my thinking too. Every once in a while I come up behind someone going a little slower than I'd choose but not sufficiently slowly that I can comfortably pass and maintain a speed fast enough to make it worthwhile passing. Those times I just settle behind the other rider, far enough back that I'm not crowding them, and see what they do from there. If they slow down I'll pass, if they speed up I'll stay put.

Things that annoy me on the road and on the trail is when someone passes as if to make a point but almost immediately loses the extra speed meaning I have to either slow down or pass them right back again. On a clear road it's no big deal but when there's a lot of traffic about it's just an extra hassle. A while back I had a guy pass me, presumably to make a point that his rattly bike could pass my sleek mountain bike (which at the time wasn't all that old and shiny as I'd recently cleaned it), only to leave me stuck behind him as the trail was too narrow to pass for the next couple of miles. Needless to say when it widened out again he got left in the dust.

Wow, only 22 replies to get to "The Rules" and the dreaded Velomanati, kind of like the Spanish Inquisition 293644for roadies.

Rather can lump all passes into competitive events.... I do same all I can. All of my riding is solo... yet a bike in sight is an opportunity to extend myself. Throttle down.. go for it... the machinery works harder.. my goal.
THEN.. I've extended myself and burnt some reserves... the latter part of the ride is more productive per my long term goals.

I will note though.. few times I get passed is when I'm either gassed, or by a bikie type... riding forward/aero.. which I do NOT. Mostly fairly upright for me.. see where I am going and enjoy the views.

^^^^You enjoyed that a bit too much, methinks.

Unless someone is really slow or I'm in a big hurry, I often slow down a bit so I won't pass someone. Many roadies simply can't cope with being passed by a fat guy on a bent.

I wouldn't even call that a "pass." It was more like beanz inched by him. But yes it illustrates the behavior nicely. Here's what I think is happening: When you pass someone that slowly, the extra draft they get more than makes up for the difference in speed, so they find themselves going faster with less effort. So of course they use their extra speed to try a re-pass, only to find that once they're out in front again, they lose the draft and have to work harder again too.

You're giving them way too much free rent in your head. All of life doesn't have to be competition or a challenge. Who knows why they looked back? You did nothing malicious, illegal, or dangerous. Whatever is in their heads is for them to deal with.

I'm often amazed by how much some people seem to worry about strangers' opinions. Who gives a **** what some guy on a bike is thinking when you pass him, or he passes you? What does it matter? Why not get on with your ride, and your life, in whatever manner pleases you?

If you want to pass him, pass him. If you want to draft him, draft him. If you want to let him ride into the distance, do that. Whatever he thinks about your choice is his business, not yours, and vice versa. Sheesh.

The last few weeks there have been a couple times when I pass a group.

Just consider them friendly dogs.

I know on BF you are supposed to pretend that you never notice other riders. But that is silly. Any man (or woman) worth his (or her) salt has a competitive streak. Also I have had some of my most enjoyable rides, dicing and trading pulls, with random strangers. If you have a plan for the ride, stick to it. If a little casual, impromptu competition is going to spice up your day, have at it.

Also, I have never had anyone react badly. The people who pass you and immediately blow up don't count. Other riders always seem to enjoy it as much as I do.

I'm not fast enough to pass roadies. But have enough natural competitive spirit that when I see them closing from a distance I try to stay in front of them as long as I can. I occasionally pass small children, couples on mountain bikes, and the 70+ woman on the bright yellow beach cruiser. To them, I'm a roadie :-)

I know on BF you are supposed to pretend that you never notice other riders.

I take it you hang out in the 41 a lot, this is the 50+ forum, we wave, smile and speak to others here.

Bill

I should certainly hope not. We are grown men in sexy tights, on expensive toys fer chrissakes!

I've been told I don't look sexy in my lycra shorts. Bah.

I ride my own pace but that does include the occasional Cat6 Chase ( never for very long, I'm not THAT fit). However, when I do pass someone, I always look over my shoulder before moving back in to make sure I don't cut them off. As I tend to be the passee rather than the passer, I've had plenty of opportunity to note that not many other riders do this. I guess that look over the shoulder could be construed as a challenge by someone who's phallic index is easily challenged by a fat old git on a steel bike.

I take it you hang out in the 41 a lot, this is the 50+ forum, we wave, smile and speak to others here.

Bill

Yeah, I meant for cat 6 racing purposes, but that prohibition is probably a 41 thing too.

I am pretty sure you and most here know "The Rules":http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ Specifically formulated for the road nazis out there that are too busy/important/ignorant to even acknowledge any one else while riding.

Bill

I am pretty sure you and most here know "The Rules":http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ Specifically formulated for the road nazis out there that are too busy/important/ignorant to even acknowledge any one else while riding.

Bill
Or a tongue in cheek satire...

Yes it is a satire:thumb:


Bill

... Any man (or woman) worth his (or her) salt has a competitive streak. Also I have had some of my most enjoyable rides, dicing and trading pulls, with random strangers. If you have a plan for the ride, stick to it. If a little casual, impromptu competition is going to spice up your day, have at it.

Also, I have never had anyone react badly. The people who pass you and immediately blow up don't count. Other riders always seem to enjoy it as much as I do.

Ditto this. It's all what you make of it.

Once recently when a fit young man passed me on the Mt Lemmon climb in Tucson, I said to his rapidly shrinking back, "Man, I wish I could do that." He looked back, smiled, and encouragingly said, "But you are!" and gave a thumbs up. Not everyone's a jerk out there. By the way, that young man turned around a mile later at a view point--I continued at my slower pace to the summit, so I felt better. If I'd tried to reel him in, I would not have made the ride I wanted to make that day.

A couple of other times on Mt Lemmon, I've had cyclists reel me in, and gotten compliments on how long it took them to catch me, the old guy on a touring bike with a rack. So even though I "lost", I felt I won something at least. Maybe it's respect, at least for just being out there.

Or a tongue in cheek satire...

Yes its a satire, but you should still always observe rules 5 and 10.