How timely a subject for me.
I ride the same route day in and out and as of late there has been a 2 or 3 of these guys ( that want a TDF moment on the path) looking to get pulled up the hill (2.1 miles) near work on the MUP. I think that someone being drafted is at a disadvantage because the wheel suck that is being given is like 30% easier than that of the guy in front. More if there is wind. Most the time I have a back pack on and that just makes it all the nicer to get a tow. So the only thing that is going on is a complete lack of disregard for the work effort going on in front. Especially if the intent is just to hang there unannounced. And really if you get someone that is just trying to hang on, that is the only thing that they are proving they can do because you would have to go around them as they slowed considerably.
The case in point, earlier this week, I stop at a light and few cyclist come up and wait also. I move through the two adjacent intersections weaving in and out of peds on the way to the bump. I hit the hill and start my spin for velocity and that is when I see the shadow of my wheel and another of an unannounced rider who's not back packing and is on his stripped down specialized carbon road bike. So I speed up and he stays with and its there in that moment that I understand that I am there to be a tool. So that is when I slowed down and gave the “go ahead and pass look.
He’s like "what?
I said "you should let someone know when you are on their wheel."
His reply is "what am I being an azz hole?"
I said "your being disrespectful and unsafe."
He says "No one tell me when they do it"
I say "it’s not good cycling etiquette and you could cause a crash"
NOW GET THIS!!!
he says "It would be my own fault."
That is when I had enough. "What makes you think that you have all the power in this, like taking me out is ok as long as you admit to fault"? Go on…
So I slowed way down and just stayed back. That is not my style it took longer to get home. I am done with that part of the path for a little while till colder weather takes the fair weather riders out of the equation. I’ll take the larger hill now.
V