beautiful ride in this morning- great weather, a bit windy but sunny and warmer than it's been in ages.

the ride home was great, too, but I was reminded that some people do not like to be passed on their bikes. Especially when they are on an expensive lightweight bike and fully decked out in cycling wear, which I sometimes am myself- but not for my commute. For my commute I am in jeans and on a relatively inexpensive hybrid bike with milk crate. I passed two separate cyclists in such attire and on such bikes and man, did they give chase with a vengeance. I think one sat on my wheel for a while and then shot around me as we were coming up on an intersection. I attempted to engage him in conversation as we were stopped at the light but I think he thought I'd passed him to make a statement- I really didn't- he was just traveling about 3 mph slower than I was as I approached and I lingered about 30' back for a while but then just wanted to get rolling so I passed him.

I let him go ahead of me at the light and let him set his own pace, which was then just a mile per hour slower than what I'd have been going on my own so I didn't pass again. But in so doing we passed another guy and suddenly he was chasing us down at the next light. I think it's that time of year.

I was glad I wasn't going all the way home but meeting some friends in Harvard Square so I was able to turn off and leave them to their little race. I know that otherwise I'd have been tempted to kick it up a notch or two and make them work real hard but the risk is that I'd have worn myself out and humiliated myself by so doing.