7bmwm3gtr

Yesterday along my 80 Mile ride i encountered a semi-typical problem that some of us cyclists face.

Well first off, i was just at my 50th mile, out of the 80 miles I rode. I just came from a 4 mile mountain climb. Now the road did not have a bike lane so most bicyclists just go as far right as possible. So that's where I was, catching up to a couple who weren't "in a hurry" so i decided to pass them.

As i turned my turned my head to look back for any incoming cars, a middle-adged guy wearing a hi-glow yellow jersey was drafting right behind me, getting ready to overtake both me and the couple. When i turned my head, i was so startled I jumped a little, because on a regular ride, i've never had someone draft me. So this was rare i thought.

Just for fun, i decided that i would draft him, and we still going slightly uphill. He was standing and pedaling on his small gear, so i had to shift down to my 30 teeth chainring (yup i was using a triple) just to be able to stay in a high cadence and maintain the same speed as him. The next thing I did was check out his bike.

To my surprise, it was a BMC SLC01 Pro Machine, but a Team Astana replica. It had the colors and "Astana" on both of the seat stays. So i was even more interested. As the road started giving way to faster and higher gears, the guy picked his cadence up and shifted higher. And just for the feeling, i decided to pass him, because i felt good after the climb, and plus, it was good practice for an attack that i would do during a similiar event in a race. So there i go, passing him.

Next thing i know, he is catching up. No i didn't look behind, because then he would think I really wanted to pass him. Well he caught up to me, and the cycle started over again, i passed him again, and he sprinted up a hill to pass me once more. After that, he started to open a gap between him and I.

Now I'm only 117 lbs, but i could still tackle descents pretty decently. The road was now a decent, still in a foresty mountainous area. I didn't even have to pedal, I just went as aero as possible, and caught up to him. I passed him when the road went slightly up, and when the road descended again, i was back in my aero position, right ahead of him going 35-41 mph.

I wasn't pedaling, but he still caught up and passed me. I looked at him as he passed me, and i smiled and laughed, because it was a lot of fun, and i was having a blast...

But he looked straight, with a serious and straight face. No wink or no nod, he didn't even look at me. I assumed he didn't want to be passed, so i let him go. Plus, we were going to split anyways since he took another route from the one i was about to take.

This is the first time this happened to me. Usually when i try, i'm never passed. When I'm tired i understand that even people who aren't in shape will pass me. But i was at 50 miles, and i just came from a climb. I guess this guy felt good because he was on a Pro Team bicycle, and he probably wanted to feel like he was the best on the road that day.

Me? I had an aluminum Trek which was probably 4 pounds more than his bike, and some cheap wheels and pedals. I had a triple, 30-39-50, and a 12-26 cassette in the back. He probably had a 11-23 or 11-25, his cassette was pretty small. And he had to have a 39-53, that's like a must on a Pro Team Bike.

Needless to say, this guy was really competitive. I admit I was competitive at the beginning, but once he passed me the first time, i just wanted to have fun after. I thought he was playing with me too.

Lesson to all? Lighten up a bit, don't be so serious when you ride your bike. If someone is "racing you" race them if you feel like it, but at the end, say thanks or give them a nod or a smile just so they know you weren't trying to show off that you were faster.

bostongarden

But I think he was just finishing up a century.

umd

This is why it's not a good idea/polite to draft people without asking. And why it's equally a bad idea to assume that they will just want to trade pulls. If either person is not experienced it will just end up being/seeming like a big pissing contest.

patentcad

So it's not OK if I just ignore the Freds I vaporize on my rides like I always do?

patentcad

But umd, all of cycling is a big pissing contest.

kayakdiver

gawd.. i just read a novel.

sounds like two freds riding

AEO

always announce if you're going to attach on to the rear for a considerable time.

7bmwm3gtr

It's actually up to you and how you feel. Btw, sorry if I'm late but you finally got a new avatar! It looks pretty awesome!

jrennie

I really expected that to end with "so I dialed it up to 400w and dropped his ass"

Barese Rider

This story reminds me of the song years ago about the Rambler and the Cadillac. Beep Beep, Beep Beep, His Horn Went Beep Beep Beep ! Hey Buddy How to I Get This Car Out of Second Gear?

urbanknight

ftfy

urbanknight

Oh, and this needs a parody with someone posting about a guy who didn't know how to rotate pulls.

joejack951

You mean to tell me this isn't a parody thread?

rooftest

No kidding. I gave up after paragraph 3 when I realized I was only about 1/4 of the way in.

ericm979

You're the one who started it, so don't be suprised when people get competitive back at you. Laughing at him probably didn't help.

If you're interested in not coming off like a jerk, next time be friendly.

awesomejack

I would atleast start some conversation for a couple minutes before drafting/pulling/racing anyone.

umd

OP, I just reread this and you're a moron.

ultraman6970

:d

urbanknight

umd, you should really stop holding back and tell people how you really feel.

electrik

So he was going to pass you, passed, but you sped up drafted and then attacked him and then he passed you(again) anyways...

And he wasn't happy with what you did? Hmm...

I bet he was when you were out of sight...

umd

I had only skimmed it the first time. But upon a more thorough reading, the nuanced stupidity emerged. I think he hit nearly every BF cliche.

spry

I was feeling Fredtastic cruising the park at 35mph on my Schwinn Roadbastar when from behind comes this geezer on a team Cervelo with white bobby-socks so I........................................................

MtnRide

Pretty sure he's a junior. Kind of silly and all that.

Caad 8

That can't be healthy.

gnome