Originally Posted by
apricissimus
What if you just don't feel like it?
Or what if you're already going at at good clip, and you don't want to kill yourself for that extra 2 mph or so when the guy behind you (since he's drafting, obviously) can make up that difference much easier than you can?
Or what if the guy behind you is just stronger than you, but is sucking wheel anyway? Or you're really tired from a long ride?
Myriad reasons.
Due to these issues, I sort of evaluate the situation as I approach a slower rider -- because, I too do not really want some guy on my Sass. Typically, I judge my strength during the approach. If I am feeling weak, or if I can tell the guy is a strong rider who is just dogging it, I'll hang back a little and build up a second wind, even take a drink or two. I never pass a rider unless I am ready to go all out. I try not to pass a rider unless I am reasonably sure I can shake him.
I guess that is my etiquette. If I am going to pass you, I plan to smoke you.
I think it rude to pass a rider and then just hang there with my big butt waving in front of his face. I hate it when people do that to me. They either get re-passed and dropped, or I fall back and just let them go.