etiquette for following a stranger on the path?

[damonwang]

What's the etiquette for riding near a stranger without drafting? Suppose I'm riding along the lakefront path in Chicago when I come across another cyclist heading the same way at about the same speed. I'm not trying to suck wheel or trade pulls; I'm rubbish in a paceline and for all I know he might be worse. I just expect to ride near him for a while and want to be polite about it. Should I pull up alongside and introduce myself? Just hang several lengths off his wheel?

Or, in a slightly different situation, sometimes I see a much faster rider in the distance or get passed by one. I know I can't keep up, but it's fun to try to chase anyway. Is there any polite way to do that without making some kind of pissing contest of it?

[recursive]

If you're not looking to be social, just keep 30 feet between you until you know you are sure you want to pass. If you pass, do it once and maintain your pace. But now I'm thinking too hard. Just ride however you want, and it will all turn out ok. If you want to try to pace someone without drafting, just do it at an anti-social distance. No interaction required or warranted.

[CyLowe97]

The lakefront path in Chicago is a less than ideal place to be drafting and/or pacelining, especially on a wheel you don't know.

[triumph.1]

The lakefront path in Chicago is a less than ideal place to be drafting and/or pacelining, especially on a wheel you don't know.

I'm thinking this is good to go with.

[Chrome Molly]

This will sound weird, but a small bell on your handle bars really does help when passing all types (pedestrians, comfort cyclists, and even more serious cyclists out for their rides). Bells are the ultimate addition to a carbon bike ;-).

If they think they are all that and grinding it out hard, the passee goes into instant WTF mode when they hear your bell from near behind. Then swing out and politely introduce yourself (or at least a pleasant smile). I'd rather have someone think I'm crazy with a light mood, than be spitting bullets because they aren't having a good ride. Even if I clearly can outpace someone (not that often), I usually find a way to be polite.

[elboGreaze]

I would just fall back somewhat or stop for a second to create a gap, if your pace seems to be close to the other rider. Otherwise, pass them on the left, after making certain that they know you are passing.