bobsanderson

Okay so i ride my road-bike (Trek Madone) on this popular road for cycling and every time im out there this really thin guy (probably 20 years old) passes by me so fast i can never catch him. He probably the skinniest guy i've ever seen... I'm pretty thin myself... 5'10 180lbs but this guy is probably 6'0ft and 120lbs easily the leanest guy I've ever seen in my life... looks like the guy you would see in the tour de france.

Usually when ride i have a bike computer and i was going really hard 22 mph for a short time no tailwind flat road... and he flies past me like i was standing still... i didn't even know what to do. made me feel like i was really freaking slow.

last weekend i looked over my shoulder and i saw him coming so i timed it right i finally jumped on the back of his wheel and tried holding on for as long as possible. i looked down on my computer and it said we were going 27.5mph... on a flat road with NO tailwind!!!! i dropped off after about 15 seconds because my heart-rate was in the 180's felt like I was going to die... and he just kept on going without ever looking back!

how the hell do i get even as close to being as strong as this guy? i mean... he's going so unbelievably fast by himself and holding the speed for god knows how long. i can't even sit in his draft for 20 seconds man... what should I do to train like him? 27.5mph on a flat with no tail-wind? Sometimes he is out there drafting behind a scooter kind of thing... like a small motorcycle. Does that make you faster?

WhyFi

Gold. I'm in.

bt

steroids?

Up North

For starters lose 60lbs so you are same weight as him otherwise enjoy your ride and realize you'll never keep up with him. You can train all you want and the likelihood of you catching someone who rides hard and is 60 lbs lighter is slim. It can be done but it will take some super human effort and dedication to pull it off. Find a group ride to join and you'll improve your distance/speed and endurance and have fun doing it. Killing yourself to catch that dude will be no fun - cycling is to be fun unless your getting paid to work hard. Die with a smile on your face - not gasping for air!

bikemig 

bungie strap?

rpenmanparker 

Have you seen the race scene in "Breaking Away"? Do you carry a frame pump with you when you ride?

Doug28450

Sorry, I didn't know you wanted to ride with me. I'll slow down a little next time.

mlander

Pass him a $500 gift card to Dairy Queen?

WhyFi

Not that I take the post at face value, but it does specify flat ground more than once. As such, power and position (watts/frontal area) is a much bigger concern than weight (watts/kg).

bt

ask him to slow down, nicely?

bt

is your bike carbon fiber?

greenlight149

Dial your power to 400 watts

K.Katso

Don't forget to drope the hamer!

spdracr39

I think a stick in the spokes will do it. He will be much slower during his recovery.

velociraptor

Hahahaha. I was gonna suggest this ^^^^

Lazyass

Pretend you two weigh the same. Then pretend your bike is 60 pounds heavier. There's one of your problems. Bet you didn't figure on that when you bought your carbon bike. Should have saved your money and bought aluminum haha

popeye

If you want a serious answer you are going to have to do intervals and quality recovery.

therhodeo

America'd

intransit1217

I doubt he actually weighs 120 at 6 feet. How long have you been riding? If he's been riding since he fell out of the womb and you haven't, that's a factor.

I have to assume you are somewhat older than this other rider, and that will make it difficult, though not impossible to catch him. It will take time, a bit of money, diet, and training. You may still not be able to do it depending on many factors. Many.

But if you're dedicated, you may be able to hang with him long enough to push him into the red. And that in itself is a feat.

greenlight149

Lol Im starting to think he's not actually being serious

thsker

Should be pretty easy to buy the extra speed, just pick your self up a lightweight fernweg front wheel, a lightweight autobahn disc rear, throw them on a cervelo s5 and you should be cruising at 30mph at around 200 watts.

I know it sounds expensive, but just find a couple "extra" cavities in your next patient and it will be paid for in no time.

rpenmanparker 

You guys are both too late. I already posted that as do the "Breaking Away" Cinzano team thing.

RJM

Get faster. Now how you do that is the subject of much marketing, articles, studies, opinions.

wphamilton

with a grappling hook!

Although some tactics may be more effective. Off the top of my head, carry a thick wad of monopoly money in your jersey pocket hanging part way out, almost falling out. When you see him approaching, drop a real dollar bill, or a five or whatever it's worth to you. Most people would follow at your pace.

Cyclosaurus

You bought the wrong bike