ppg677

I went for a ride with two of my regular friends. One got me into cycling 5 years ago. He insisted I buy a carbon fiber bike, ideally with Ultegra. Well I did and for the past 5 years I was always the slow guy. In the past couple years I've taken a liking to steel Trek bikes from the early 80s. So much that this spring I sold my carbon fiber bike.

Well we went out for our first ride of the new year together last weekend. I was riding my newly acquired Trek 950 equipped with Super Record and Fiamme tubulars. This bike feels wicked fast to me compared to my Carbon Synapse I just sold.

And for the first time ever, I smoked them. In fact they were kind of shell shocked and commented "is it the bike?"

I didn't answer. Of course it wasn't the bike. I did my best off-season exercise regimen ever. But they don't need to know that :-P

ezln64

so you get passed a lot when you're training?

3alarmer 

.
...did someone leave the window over to the road forum open again ?

mstateglfr 

Nope, I've never thought about it so it hasn't given me satisfaction.
I loathe the elite and smug attitude that at times exists on the cycling world. I encourage cycling.
Given that, why would I ever then care if I pass light bikes or heavy bikes? I just like that cycling is popular and so many trails have been paved as a result.

gugie 

Wow, thought I'd never post here in the affirmative. But today was my lucky day.

Fella at work was talking about his Cervelo, how light and fast it was. Bragging about this speed and that speed, he'd only been riding somewhat seriously for the past couple of years, but had already raced cyclocross. He's got a wee bit of a gut, but then, so do I.

So he finally says we should ride sometime, so today, we did. Me on my 42mm tires with fenders and a handlebar bag. When I told him I had a 24t granny, he almost giggled.

First hill I stayed back, figuring I didn't want to blow up early and have him towing me everywhere. We got to some rollers, and I used the old trick of gearing up and standing, gearing down and siting. Got to the top of the crest and he was 20 yards back. I slowed down, he caught up, next hill, same thing. Third time I slowed down and asked if he'd ever heard of this tactic. He hadn't. He also didn't know how to draft properly, at least 3-4 lengths back. When I pulled out and let him pass, I stuck to his wheel. But then he'd stop pedalling every now and then, losing momentum, and making it a bit difficult on me.

So now I've signed up for a century next month with him and 3 other of his buddies, and have that much time to teach him (and probably his buddies) how to properly ride in a pace line. Not!

I think I'll tell him it's the bike. The magic of lugged, steel frames.

Oh, and he was wearing logo'ed kit. Me? Wool shorts, wool t-shirt, and a nylon REI button-up shirt.

dddd

That's gotta feel awkward, riding in Lycra, on a racing bike, but riding with someone who has fenders and a handlebar bag.

I've perhaps done a "lite" version of that as far as dress goes, especially while mountain biking in cold weather when I dress more like a woodsman, with wool flannel shirt and some kind of trousers over my shorts. I tend to freeze in cycling clothes when it's cool outside, and I especially appreciate the protection from cold and abrasion that a layer of real cloth offers.

RobbieTunes

L'Ombra in a nutshell....wasn't awkward at all. Followed the guys with fenders for 100 miles.....

RobbieTunes

I don't wonder. Because they can.

I know plenty of folks who:
Buy Ranger bass boats but don't fish pro or even catch much.
Drive Corvettes but don't race or even speed (much).
Will never take that Range Rover off a paved road or more than 10 miles from a Starbucks.
Wear $200 running shoes but will never break 16:00 in a 5K, or 3:30 in a marathon.
Use Craft-Matic table saws but don't make a living selling furniture.
Ride Ducati Monsters only on weekends.
Swear by Shakespeare but rarely catch a rainbow trout.
Join the John Deere cult in order to mow .7 acres.
Swing Calloway and Titleist and won't break 95 on a good day.

It's about wants, not needs.

I have a 2004 Cinelli carbon bike.
It was their top frame in 2004, has 10-sp Carbon Record, carbon wheels, everything carbon but the stem (KCNC Scandium 93g).
I stalked it for a couple of years, declining to purchase it when it was in DA kit, and then waited out the price drops.

Do I need to ride it?
No. I have others less exotic. I can't outperform Sora.
My average workouts are well within "normal" speeds.
My best triathlon bike leg is nothing to tweet about.
My best metric on it was no faster than a couple of others I've done.

Do I want to ride it?
Of course. Who wouldn't want to ride a 15.1 lb bike that rides like steel, corners on rails, and climbs like a goat?
That I'm 40 lbs heavier than the average TdF rider makes no difference to me.

Do I like it?
Absolutely. It's fun. It's kind of funky (almost all modern Cinellis are kind of funky).
I like other bikes, too. I'd love to have a banana bike, and a Panasonic Tourist 10.
I have a Raleigh Horizon that I wear with Chuck Taylors, cargo shorts, and a t-shirt.
I'm not sure which looks more ridiculous, me in my bike kit or in 20-something clothes, on a bike.

Yes, I wear the kit, sometimes.
I don't wear "team" kit, but there's nothing wrong with modern gear. Air Attacks are great helmets.
The shorts and bibs work, the jerseys, too. I like the fit, the functionality, and the looks.

I buy my bikes used (other than Wraiths), and I build them with used parts.
I buy my short/bibs from a connection for about 60% off.
I buy jerseys and socks at group rides or on closeout.

One of my neighbors is 60+. He rides a $8000 Scott, and has the matching kit.
On his best day, he may do 15mph. He loves his bike, loves to ride, albeit no more than 10-12 miles.
He could care less if he gets dropped, passed, but carries his cell phone to keep his wife's worries to a minimum.

Another acquaintance is 40+. He rides a $6000 Bianchi, and a $7500 Dogma, and has the matching kit.
On his worst day, he may do 18 mph. He loves his bikes, loves to ride, albeit rarely less than 40 miles at a time.
He will drop you in a heartbeat, thinks "group ride" means "group start." He hates to stop. That's just how he rides.

Another friend used to ride a Wal-Mart mountain bike, 3 sizes too small, every day for about 45 minutes around a golf course.
He would stop to chat or watch tennis. He died of a massive heart attack in his 50's.

All are cyclists, to me. All would stop and lend you a tube, a lever, some air, or their cell phone.

It's all about getting out there.

ppg677

You mean this Cinelli XLR8R 2 that sold for $430 ?

https://m.ebay.com/itm/CINELLI-XLR8R-...-/271760755217

Bandera

Good for you, keep that license current and race what you enjoy.
'Cross was a favorite for me as well, good luck this autumn.

-Bandera

nlerner

Here's a pic from a recent group ride. I'm the one with the yellow sash:



I'd imagine lots of other riders would think we're pretty freaky looking, but, as the teens say, whatever.

Bandera

I do get passed but I'm elderly and not "training" anymore since my racing days are over.
Ride a straight line and come briskly on by, it's just a bike ride for me not a desperate testosterone poisoned half-wheeling contest, and certainly not a race.

-Bandera

Little Darwin

If I drop anyone on any level of bike, I am typically going down hill. Plus, I think it is hardly considered dropping when they will easily catch me on the next flat section, or if they are slow, the next gentle incline.

Kobe 

When I pass my 11 year old going up the "big" hill he shouts " It's not a race".

When I let him beat me he has the biggest smile on his face. I'll let him win 9 out of 10 times, but that 10th time when I drop him keeps him motivated.

In a couple of years when he gets older, I won't be dropping anyone.

Prowler 

I generally agree Robbie. BUT I never did get that Shakespeare thing. I'm more of a Robert Service and Banjo Patterson sort of guy. And the best I ever did in the Schoharie creek was snag all those hand tied flys up in the tree branches.

I am totally John Deere cult. But my 3 tractors are pretty field worn, lots of patinia, rust, dents, cracks and patches. And my JD hats are pretty faded and ragged. Gotta mow, clear, harrow, post hole dig, grade and mend a bit more than the ole postage stamp though.

Oh, and I really get 70's Raleighs and I generally don't drop anyone, fenders or no fenders.

noglider 

@jimmuller, you make me laugh. Often!

StanSeven

I don't think this thread went anywhere like he, the OP, hoped for.

iab

You sir sully my Cat 6 honor. I demand satisfaction.

Pistas at dawn!

I will see you at the velodrome. I'll be the skinny guy in spandex.

jimmuller 

Thanks, Tom!

Despite this thread's title, it really isn't the Roadie. Rather, it is a big bunch of fun. Pretty much all of C&V is. Might as well enjoy it all.

FWIW, I rode the Gazelle on my commute today and my legs really paid the price for the 115 miles I did over the weekend and for dropping that guy yesterday.

gugie 

I gave up "proper kit" several years ago, but not by choice. I hadn't been riding much at all for years, mostly when the kids were little. As they got older, I found I started having more time, but my body, well, had changed. Shorts stretch, so those still fit, but the jerseys... Rather than reload, I decided to go more of the G. Petersen route. I always have liked wool t-shirts under my jerseys, so that stayed. Short or long sleeve nylon shirts with mesh underarms and venting in back work well for me. I do prefer riding in cycling shorts, however, but I can't find any that are sold without diaper padding. I just want a something around the nether regions to minimize chafing. As my old stuff started wearing out, I found some NOS wool shorts with a real chamois, the kind I hadn't ridden in since the 70's. Like 'em just fine.

ezln64

understood, cool cool!

PhilPub

I'm pretty fit for my age and I guess my ability on the bike is better than average, but I run better than I cycle and it amazes me what a difference there is between the running world and the cycling world for egos being on display. I can't think of a single time where I've run past someone only to be overtaken by them shortly afterwards. And yet on a fairly regular basis I'll be pootling along on the bike, catch up another cyclist and overtake, and then they'll either draft off me and overtake or pretty quickly just overtake again, so I've found myself in some weird unofficial race even though I'm quite happily riding along at something considerably less than race pace. Well done mate, bully for you!

It's particularly entertaining when it happens on the London hire bikes, which are roughly twice as heavy as anything else I ride. You can almost sense the horror and shame the other guy feels as you saunter past.

RobbieTunes

And I thought Motley Crew broke up.......

ksryder

I feel dumber for having read this thread title.

I take my 1982 Lovell out a couple times a week with guys who are older than me, MUCH faster than me, and all riding new expensive bikes. Not a single one of them cares one iota that I'm riding a bike that was state of the art when they were all kids. The only comments I hear about my bike are complimentary. When I get dropped it's not because of the bike, it's because of the engine. (However, after riding with these guys all winter I get dropped less often and less quickly than when I started.)

Talking trash about what other people are riding -- whether it's a roadie on a carbon bike, an oldie on a vintage bike, or a newbie on a huffy -- is elitist, counterproductive, and useless. Also, if you smirk and sneer at other cyclists, don't act surprised when they aren't friendly to you.

RobbieTunes

I ride with friends. There is no mercy regarding bike comments, wrenching comments, how we look in Lycra, the price of divorce, stopping on hills to remove monkeys from backs, and any and all perceived lack of expertise at anything. All said with a smile, so there's no confusing the issue. Our favorite self-comment is "this engine's had it." Fisher-Price references to modern bikes abound, as well as "who is your stylist, Elton John?" When someone says "I had Rob look at this FD, but it's still acting up," it's obligatory to say "well, that's your problem." This occupies perhaps .001% of our time, and the rest is pretty much fun, except for the last couple of grim miles of any long ride, when we shut up. Then, we finish, seek food, lie about the ride, and go right back to being ourselves, which ain't much.

I used to ascribe to this philosophy when getting dropped: "Well, let him/her/them go, I ride my pace until I'm done." That works for me unless it's getting dark out, in which case I would make the cell call. I rarely asked myself "Did you not know these were the folks you'd be riding with, and should you not have expected such?" I assume the people who dropped me share somewhat the same take: "He/She/It should have realized we're going to go fast and either he/she/it should have kept up or had a Plan B." I know this because that's what they say when asked about it. Nice, folks, it's just how they do their "group rides," which are more of a "group start." Far be it from me to hold anyone back. Seriously.

Recently, I simply ride alone, or ask, "how fast, how far?" and add 2mph and 10 miles to whatever they tell me, because that's how it usually ends up.

I sometimes go to charity rides with friends, but don't often ride the entire ride with them. There are too many things to see, admire, and find out about. I may go way ahead for half of a century, only to find them near the end when my engine has had it, limp in draft home. I did this on one ride, first to the first three rest stops, when I was approached by two guys who declared they'd been giving chase for 50 miles. After that, they dropped me like I was a sack of lead, and I was once again alone, but this time, tuckered out. My friends were nowhere in sight. I finished, waited a full hour, and then went looking for them. Seems they'd decided to stop about 2/3 of the way at a restaurant and have lunch. These things happen.

My "group" rides what the leader is pulling, which is within reason, or they tell him or her. We all stop when anyone stops, whether for water, a flat, or to argue about where we're going. We ride together, stop together, end together, and log our mileage. If folks don't care for that approach, we don't mind, but we ride that way. If someone is feeling chippy, they can take off, no biggie. We have folks who can hammer but not climb, or climb but not hammer, so it evens out. We take turns pulling, unless we are going up or down hills, when it's every man/woman/alien for his/her/itself, then we regroup.