DBD... to be honest, what you did was far worse than anything any "snobbish" cyclist has ever done. It was totally uncalled-for and, besides, dangerous.

FRankly, I think there are a whole lot of people who take themselves way too seriously when out on a bike. If someone wants to suck my wheel when I'm out on a ride, then go right ahead. I've met some very nice people this way. It doesn't make my ride any more difficult, after all.

I remember I was out on a ride last june, ploughing into 40-60 km/h gusting winds on the out leg. I come up on a guy from one of the local teams, take shelter on his wheel for a minute and, when I get my breath back, pull up to him and ask "d'you want to work together?"

His reply wasn't a polite "no, I'm working my own program" or "no thanks, I don't want the company" -- answers I would respect. He replies "**** off, *******."

I pull back to his wheel and think for a minute, then pull up and take a pull, gradually increasing the speed until, finally, we're charging really fast into that nasty headwind. The orther guy is straining to keep my wheel [his breating is punctuated by "uuuhnnnnn"] until I finally drop him.

I've seen him on the road a few times since. He's always unhappy and always alone, despite the fact that I se ehis teammates riding in group all the time.