aaronmcd

So I was reading https://www.itsnotarace.org and the rule about showing no indication that you are racing (to the other commuter). It got me thinking - as one's pain increases, the perception of others' pain relative to one's own pain decreases, in turn causing perception of self pain to increase further. Therefore, it seems showing less pain than other riders has a psychological advantage while racing.

Anyone agree?

Example: During a recent ride, I was thinking "I'm hurting and that dude is totally fine!" I knew it wasn't true (and then at the end he said he just set a bunch of PRs), but it's really mentally challenging when you really don't know how hard he is working.

grolby

I was reading some news story about the Pope. Apparently he's the head of some organization called the Roman Catholic Church? Interesting stuff.

It's certainly nice to have a good poker face, but when it comes to race psychology it's nicer to have a better ability to suffer than the other guy. And nicer still to be stronger than the other guy. Or smarter. That poker face isn't much use if you're off the back.

caloso

Sounds like an interesting article. Reminds me I was reading a paper on tracking scat dispersal patterns of bears. Tendency to be found in heavily forested areas.

Racer Ex 

I don't recall who it was but someone commented that when Indurain cracked in the 1996 the only way anyone could tell was that he was going backwards. He looked great.

I find it actually more annoying when someone looks like utter carp but I can't get rid of them.

BTW, you forgot to put what kind of bar tape you have on your bike in there.

mollusk

I had no idea that commuting was racing. Do we need to pin on numbers? Where is the start line? Where is the finish line? Where are the podium girls? Can I get upgrade points?

Don't get me started on Strava. Virtual MUP racing.

caloso

Have you guys spent anytime in Commuting? It's pretty mellow for the most part but there's a fredly contingent that revels in their Cat 6 victories.

UmneyDurak

Don't have to. I experience almost every morning on a training ride. Except when it's cold or raining. Huff and puff on my wheel for few mile, then victoriously pas with 200ft from their turn out. Don't get me started on charlie foxtrot that is Canada road on Sunday mornings.

aaronmcd

So.. I take it that (A) this is as obvious as the pope being catholic, and (B) I was too long winded and it seemed I was going to list all the parts on my bike.. ?? Idk, I only started racing this year and just recently noticed I feel more whipped if I think the other guy is feeling good still.

I commute, and Often I will have something planned so I don't race. One time I had a 2.6 mile stretch of my commute planned for a hard effort. There was this guy drafting behind me, but I went for the effort anyway. 26 mph average with backpack, andwhen I finish I look around and the dude is still drafting me! Haha. I felt like I should have been tipped for the help on his commute.

carpediemracing 

I don't commute to work now and only did for a few months total when I worked about 15-18 miles from home (bike shop or later an IT firm). However I always found myself a bit late or delayed for some reason and therefore had to really ride hard to get to work with time to change etc. Although it might have seemed dickish to anyone who wanted to ride with me it was simply me trying to be on time.

Of course the year that I rode into work with a teammate (bike shop days) we rode it like a TTT, super hard. We both won our respective Bethel Spring Series overall races and we both won a few races each.

thechemist

No one commutes at my hours so I rarely come across another cyclist

gsteinb

I work at home and commute from the basement. I race guys in the 41, which is pretty MUP like.

jsutkeepspining

I love commuting to school. i get a nice little 30-40 minute z2 ride in to wake me up. It helps that we have showers in the locker room. I've never encountered another cyclist while commuting.

aaronmcd

Yeah, commuting is really great for waking up. Problem is I have really low tolerance for cold first thing in the morning. Oh, and if I ever commuted and didn't see several cyclists, I would think I missed the rapture.