Originally Posted by Bekologist
Didn't you get the memo, marqueemoon?
Its a race out there in commuter land.
I think most commuters need to get more used to riding in a queue.
The scenario you described about getting the squeeze is bad, though. If I get obnoxious or dangerous wheel suckers I take assertive evasive action.
Try some quick, darting dynamic lateral lane positioning.
Then, try the "brake-n-clear" method.
Last resort- think bike pump scene in "Breaking Away."
I've had an obnoxious roadie drafting me on my schwinn corvette, which is fine, the real annoying thing was him talking it up like he was a tour de france rider pulling in the leader... I just SLAMMED on the brakes, that kept him back after that. I've used this "brake-n-clear" technique more than once, its pretty effective.
Hocking lugies because you can't ride with someone on your wheel is just RUDE and if that's how some roadies show they're slower than the person behind him, you people suck.
Besides, the dance of the sugar plum fairies is easier with another bicycle than metro buses, isn't it? not a big deal to pass, and repass.
Say, about as rude as sucking someone's wheel and not taking a turn on the front? And how is this less rude than the brake-n-clear technique? It's not that I can't ride with someone on my wheel, I do that every april to september with road racing. My point is, if you want to be competitive on a bicycle, grow some nards (or ovaries whichever is the case), join a club and start racing. Doing it on the MUP eventually ends up with some butthead running over an old lady which here in Calgary, brings out the bike cops to enforce the insanely low 20km/h speed limit.