Commuting "time trials" - who's a fair target?
07-12-07, 03:52 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by jamesdenver
Have at it -- I'll see you at the busy intersection, only I'll be sweating less.
personally, I don't mind the competition so long as it's good natured. it's when trash talking and taunts about smoking so-and-so's ass come into play that I'd draw the line and find someone else to play with.
07-12-07, 03:55 PM
#52
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I have not encountered anyone on a MTB that would drop me. Darn it! I am sure they are out there.
I am chomping at the bit for a decent race.
I am chomping at the bit for a decent race.
Originally Posted by InTheRain
If you're looking for competiton, enter a race, or at least have the guts to ask the other guy on the bike if he wants to race you. Otherwise, just keep your milestones and successes of beating ladies pushing grocery carts, and kids on scooters, to yourself.
Was that the sound of me leaving you eating my dust as I power on to the next conquest, or was it the sound of a joke going over your head?
07-12-07, 04:00 PM
#53
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
LOL
In case you have not noticed this thread is a tad tongue in cheek.
So find your sense of humor and join in.
In case you have not noticed this thread is a tad tongue in cheek.
So find your sense of humor and join in.
I think he may have been in the hopper when the man was handing those out
And, can you imagine some guy pulling up next to you and saying--"I reeled you in, now I'm gonna drop you like a rock!"
LOL LOL LOL
Sounds like a bad Nicholas Cage movie line LOL
07-12-07, 04:12 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by InTheRain
If you're a racer "wannabe" and you keep getting dropped by the roadies in the roadie forums... then you go ahead and post race threads in the commuting forum. I ride my bike to work for my own fitness... I'm not out there looking for competition. I had a "roadie" pass me the other day on a hill... he came by and said, "I reeled you in, now I'm gonna drop you like a rock!" Good for him! I'm spinning my 30+ lb touring bike with racks and panniers and he thinks I'm racing him? Don't assume that your in a race with every bike on the road. If you're looking for competiton, enter a race, or at least have the guts to ask the other guy on the bike if he wants to race you. Otherwise, just keep your milestones and successes of beating ladies pushing grocery carts, and kids on scooters, to yourself.
07-12-07, 04:14 PM
#55
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Originally Posted by AGGRO
And, can you imagine some guy pulling up next to you and saying--"I reeled you in, now I'm gonna drop you like a rock!"
LOL LOL LOL
Sounds like a bad Nicholas Cage movie line LOL
LOL LOL LOL
Sounds like a bad Nicholas Cage movie line LOL
SNOOP DOGG (f/ Pharrell Williams) LYRICS
Drop It Like It's Hot
[Intro]
Snooooooooooop..
Snooooooooooop..
[Chorus - Snoop Dogg]
When the pimp's in the crib ma
Drop it like it's hot
Drop it like it's hot
Drop it like it's hot
When the pigs try to get at ya
Park it like it's hot
Park it like it's hot
Park it like it's hot
And if a ***** get a attitude
Pop it like it's hot
Pop it like it's hot
Pop it like it's hot
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And I roll the best weed cause I got it going on
07-12-07, 05:47 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by whatsmyname
One day our paths shall cross, upstart.
I don't think I qualify as an upstart but it would be fun none the less.
07-12-07, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by AGGRO
uh
I think he may have been in the hopper when the man was handing those out
And, can you imagine some guy pulling up next to you and saying--"I reeled you in, now I'm gonna drop you like a rock!"
LOL LOL LOL
Sounds like a bad Nicholas Cage movie line LOL
I think he may have been in the hopper when the man was handing those out
And, can you imagine some guy pulling up next to you and saying--"I reeled you in, now I'm gonna drop you like a rock!"
LOL LOL LOL
Sounds like a bad Nicholas Cage movie line LOL
Ack! I would try that line but I doubt I could get it out with a straight face.
07-12-07, 06:10 PM
#58
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Originally Posted by Artkansas
If you are slower than me, fine, I'll pass you. If you are faster, pass me. The irritating ones are the ones who pass you then slow down to a speed slower than what you were going, so that if you are to maintain your cadence, you have to pass them, and that starts the pass and slow cycle again. I've changed my route to avoid a clown like that.
07-12-07, 06:20 PM
#59
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I'm normally not competitive... until I hit the 59th Street bridge, then anything that's moving in the same direction as I am - roadies; messengers; cabs; the N train - is fair game. I am King of the Bridge.
07-12-07, 06:25 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by whatsmyname
If you're anything like me, there are at least two or three occasions for a commuting "time trial" on every run. You know what I mean - the pointless little races against other commuters over a bridge, from a stop sign, up a hill.
Obviously there are no spoken challenges, but in 90% of the cases, everybody knows what's happening - when it's on, it's on. Glory to the victor, disgrace to the looser. This is the age-old law of the road that all commuters know and respect. Don't try to pretend this is something strange - you know what I'm saying is the truth.
Having said that, as a sprint and hill legend in my lifetime, I try to spare some people from crushing defeat - innocent old ladies on shopper bikes, delivery guys in Huffys working their fifteenth straight hour and kids on BMXs. They escape my wrath.
By the same token, there are some people who can expect to be raced (and beaten) on every corner. They are "fair game" and the rush hour is open season. In my book, if you fall into the following categories, you might as well be wearing a target on your back, buster:
- if you're riding a road bike
- if you're wearing a team jersey
- if you're wearing lycra
- if you're riding a singlespeed bike
- if you're wearing Oakleys
- if you cut me off
- if you look at me with that glint in your eye
Am I being too harsh here or am I missing any other categories of victim - I mean, competitor?
Obviously there are no spoken challenges, but in 90% of the cases, everybody knows what's happening - when it's on, it's on. Glory to the victor, disgrace to the looser. This is the age-old law of the road that all commuters know and respect. Don't try to pretend this is something strange - you know what I'm saying is the truth.
Having said that, as a sprint and hill legend in my lifetime, I try to spare some people from crushing defeat - innocent old ladies on shopper bikes, delivery guys in Huffys working their fifteenth straight hour and kids on BMXs. They escape my wrath.
By the same token, there are some people who can expect to be raced (and beaten) on every corner. They are "fair game" and the rush hour is open season. In my book, if you fall into the following categories, you might as well be wearing a target on your back, buster:
- if you're riding a road bike
- if you're wearing a team jersey
- if you're wearing lycra
- if you're riding a singlespeed bike
- if you're wearing Oakleys
- if you cut me off
- if you look at me with that glint in your eye
Am I being too harsh here or am I missing any other categories of victim - I mean, competitor?
The second was a stretch of road that ran by the airport with exactly one light at the time, until I hit more populated areas, usually with a nice tailwind. Great stretch to shift into the higher gears and spin for all I was worth.
Those were my two adversaries on my commute. I looked forward to them every day. Sometimes I won, sometimes I lost, but could guarantee that I'd see them again for another challenge.
07-12-07, 08:13 PM
#61
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I didn't think I had the competitive biking bug until I did my first "bike tour."
Normally, I don't bike with others and I rarely see any other bikes on my commute, but when I did this tour with all of these other bikers with their fancy-dancy bikes, it just came out. It drove me nuts to be passed left and right by others. I dropped the hammer the last 2/3s of the tour and held my position. When I came to pass someone, I played it off all cool, but the inner beast was chanting "THIS.... IS... SPARTA!"
Normally, I don't bike with others and I rarely see any other bikes on my commute, but when I did this tour with all of these other bikers with their fancy-dancy bikes, it just came out. It drove me nuts to be passed left and right by others. I dropped the hammer the last 2/3s of the tour and held my position. When I came to pass someone, I played it off all cool, but the inner beast was chanting "THIS.... IS... SPARTA!"
07-12-07, 08:25 PM
#62
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Originally Posted by B Piddy
When I came to pass someone, I played it off all cool, but the inner beast was chanting "THIS.... IS... SPARTA!"
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07-12-07, 08:32 PM
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You can sprint up to where you are right behind another rider, sit down, move to the top of the hoods, and yawn as you pass.
My favorite move was passing another rider while eating a PB&J...not that we were in a race. It was just funny how annoyed the other rider was being that he was having issues with the hill.
My favorite move was passing another rider while eating a PB&J...not that we were in a race. It was just funny how annoyed the other rider was being that he was having issues with the hill.
07-12-07, 08:51 PM
#64
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It's all about road etiquette with me. Like if some assclown tries filtering past me at a light or something, or if I had to stop at an intersection so I'm starting out slower, and he coasts past then cuts me off...
...then yeah, I'm dropping the hammer on you. Especially if you're kitted out and look like you should know better. Otherwise, I don't screw with people.
I've never had anyone challenge me, but it could be the ratty T-shirt and running shorts that put them off. They probably figure I stole the bike. Helps me maintain my aura of Fred.
...then yeah, I'm dropping the hammer on you. Especially if you're kitted out and look like you should know better. Otherwise, I don't screw with people.
I've never had anyone challenge me, but it could be the ratty T-shirt and running shorts that put them off. They probably figure I stole the bike. Helps me maintain my aura of Fred.
07-12-07, 09:48 PM
#65
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I like making cars break the speed limit to pass me. So far I can only do it in 25 MPH zones, but I'm getting faster.
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07-12-07, 09:51 PM
#66
Jet Jockey
Ahh...I have believed for a while in the fundamental rule of commuting: if more than one cyclist is on the road, it's a race.
Back on my last assignment, this got me into trouble at times.
But here...I'll never be keen on the town, but I may be the fastest cyclist on the road. Here ALL are fair game...but with some I actually try. Others I just keep the cadence going when I see them a mile away...I know I'll run them down.
My wife loves it when I stagger in the door after the 95 degree 90% humidity ride home looking like I've been wrung out. She always knows to ask: "So how many other cyclists did you see this time, and did you win?"
Back on my last assignment, this got me into trouble at times.
But here...I'll never be keen on the town, but I may be the fastest cyclist on the road. Here ALL are fair game...but with some I actually try. Others I just keep the cadence going when I see them a mile away...I know I'll run them down.
My wife loves it when I stagger in the door after the 95 degree 90% humidity ride home looking like I've been wrung out. She always knows to ask: "So how many other cyclists did you see this time, and did you win?"
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Good night...and good luck
07-12-07, 10:04 PM
#67
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Nothing wrong with a little competition. A couple of weeks ago a kid on a giant mt. bike yelled "hey biker guy, wanna race?" I said sure, he was strong right up to 22 mph, and could go no faster, aerodymanics? I conitinued on at 26-27 and never looked back.
07-12-07, 10:58 PM
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Best way to beat everyone off the start line I find, is to stick it into 2nd~3rd lowest from granny gear and just gently stand on it. Most people don't bother going down gears when they come to a stop so they have to start at a relatively higher and slower take off gear.
Entertaining to see guys really trying to mash it, but you just get to take off like a rocket (compared to them). I only get beaten when they get a rolling start.
Entertaining to see guys really trying to mash it, but you just get to take off like a rocket (compared to them). I only get beaten when they get a rolling start.
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https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
07-13-07, 07:51 AM
#70
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Originally Posted by AEO
Best way to beat everyone off the start line I find, is to stick it into 2nd~3rd lowest from granny gear and just gently stand on it. Most people don't bother going down gears when they come to a stop so they have to start at a relatively higher and slower take off gear.
07-13-07, 07:55 AM
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I always get frustrated with myself when I realize that traffic is backing up behind me, and I plan on busting out out from the light as quick as possible to keep a decent speed through traffic and then I glance down and realize that I forgot to downshift while braking and now I'm going to have to start in the 6th or 7th rear cog when I normally prefer to start out in the 2nd or 3rd. Yeah, ruins any chance for a fast start from the light... so annoying.
07-13-07, 08:10 AM
#72
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Single speeds and fixed gears take care of that ..... stomp on it off the light. After that it's all in the cadence.
07-13-07, 08:33 AM
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I like to pick out a car stuck in traffic and see how long it takes to pass me. Once, I passed an ambulance stuck back at a light on a 50 mph road. I was three miles down the road by the time he passed me.
07-13-07, 08:46 AM
#75
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
You can sprint up to where you are right behind another rider, sit down, move to the top of the hoods, and yawn as you pass.
I've done similar... I've passed someone on my roadie while going about 25mph, no pedalling, just coast on by them on the hoods, looking very nonchalent When I rode my MTB last night it made me feel extra happy to have the fuel/energy to really push and pass a bunch of other commuters (they tend to group up to head over the Bloor viaduct) - as long as the wind isn't a hassle, that bridge can be very fast seemingly on any bike (that's where I hit 28mph last night)
Only a good 6 full city blocks later did I have a guy on a roadie pass me, but he turned right off the main drag at the light he caught me on so I couldn't race :/