Passing the roadies
 

I admit it, everytime I see someone on the road ahead of me, I absolutely have to pass them. It always starts with a bike silhouette in the distance that I MUST catch up to before they turn off. At this point it's pretty much a given that if they stay on the same street for long enough I will catch them, and I know deep down that it's an empty victory because they never even know I'm racing them until I'm about 10 feet behind them, with a huge momentum advantage.

Just the other day, I was going about 10 miles an hour, cruising, when some guy on a couple thousand dollar Cervelo or some other uber light race bike, fully kitted out, aero helmet, full 9 yards, flew past me without so much as a warning. He didn't get too close, but I couldn't stand the smug look I was imagining on his face.

I'm riding a slightly too big for me Giant Option, made of steel, with a rack and a milk crate full of work supplies, wearing khakis, sneakers, and a big baggy wind resistant coat.
I immediately gunned it. I caught up to him about 100 yards later, and decided to just draft for a while since he was going 26 MPH. He turned around looking for me. (He was on the right shoulder, and looked over his right shoulder, so I know he wasn't looking for traffic, he just wanted to see how far behind he had left me.) Imagine the look on his face when he saw I was stealing his draft about 1 bike length behind him> I looked over, and there were two people in a pickup that thought it was just as halarious as I did that I was on him. So as soon as he saw me, I said "You're pushing 30, keep it up, and overtook him, the whole time, doing whatever I could to not let on that my heart was about to explode.

I got lucky in beating him, because right after I passed him, he turned left. (Skipping across 2 lanes to do it.)

Never had a prouder moment in cycling or fitness. I still see him on my ride every now and then, but he's usually going perpendicular to me, so I don't get a chance to spank him again.

I'm so proud of you. Way to go man. Your mother and I think that that's just so special. Please keep us up to date whenever you put a fellow rider in his place. That's what bikes are all about. Inflating our egos by deflating the egos of other riders. You are awesome!

Why are you riding a bike too big for you? Still growing up?

How was the view from the SCR podium?

*Golf clap*

This thread is so full of win.

I could come up with so many retorts, but they'd all seem like a hollow victory.

I love good fiction.

What makes you feel like you just have to pass other cyclists up?

Does some voice inside your head tell you to pass them up?

Didja dial it up to 400 watts?

derp

Thanks, my mom does think I'm special. So does yours.

SCR Podium? I don't follow.
Actually, yes. I believe competitiveness is healthy, and part of being a male in a society. Don't you agree?

You're riding your too big for you bike at 10 mph? Must have been a good hill.
So he was riding his bike and passed you and that makes him smug? What does that make you then?
You then supposedly catch up after a 16 mph difference in only 100 yards? Wow, you're full of awesome.
Then you hang on his wheel unannounced? No wonder he looked back. Rightfully feared you'd take him down.
You then sprint past him at what was that again? Above 30? Way to go Cavendish.
I love the part where you pass him and try to tell him something condescending.. . . as if . . .

Good thing he wasn't with the Cinzano team:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w...%252520004.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7...%252520001.JPG


Competitiveness is healthy. That was not competitiveness, even if completely true. Next time instead of trying to pass him before you have a heart attack ask him to race you to the next mile marker.

Bought it before I knew much about bikes. Glad to see so much support for new riders. And I've only been riding about a year now. Could probably smoke you too! ;)

One of my favorite stories like that was when I pulled up next to a couple of "Elder Missionaries", white shirts and ties and all, at a light. I was out from the right turn lane, as I always am when going straight. These young guys were at the curb pushing the walk button like crazy. I casually mentioned that since there were cars in the intersection too, pushing the button did not affect the timing of the signal, and they were blocking cars turning right.

This one kid gave me (a fifty something Clyde) a contemptuous look, and then exchanged a smug look with his partner. The light changed, and the both stood on it. So did I. The difference was that they were in top gear, I was in third.

I got across the intersection, looked back and they were only a quarter of the way across. When I looked back again, a mile later before making my turn, one was about a quarter mile back. The other had apparently given up.

wow, only a year and already gunning for your first fantasy TDF win! I don't want to wake you...please, carry on. :lol:

Maybe we are this guy " some guy on a couple thousand dollar Cervelo or some other uber light race bike, fully kitted out, aero helmet, full 9 yards, flew past me without so much as a warning. He didn't get too close, but I couldn't stand the smug look I was imagining on his face."

You stereotype people like this then expect support?? Grow up. I'd rather hang out with that guy.

There's plenty of support for new riders here. Glad to see you have good social skills. Guess that's why you didn't just say hi and chat for a bit when you caught him?

Only riding a year now? Well then I guess you'd better sign up for the Toor Day France then! I think you're in the wrong forum. Try the roadie forum and have some ego fun.

I guess I should probably mention for the mathmeticians here that I didn't have a ruler, and yeah, I caught up in the length of a football field.

I was probably going so slow because I was high as a kite (Keep hating, never gonna stop smoking and riding) and enjoying the sites. A roadie passed me, so I decided to test my limits. Sorry for not asking permission first.

Commando, I haven't raced a mormon yet, but I've seen them every now and then. Usually they are on full suspension walmart hoop-d's so I doubt they go for speed. I talk to them whenever I see them in the LBS though. Really nice kids most of the time. Taken advantage alot of times. 2 of them showed up at my neighbors house once, asked if he needed any help, so he put them to work mowing the lawn, then belittled there beliefs when they were done. He was a d-bag.

I think you misunderstand the concept of a stereotype. That was a physical description.

Usually, when I catch up with a roadie, I'll ride with them and chat. That's good enough for my ego.

Thinly veiled threats like that are probably why we have the Concealed carry thread. ;)

I made this post to share stories. Take from it what you like, but don't waste your time flaming strangers on the net. It's sad. Go ride your bike or something.

Edit: I almost forgot my original point for replying. Is it really that uncommon for a year long rider to hit 27 MPH on flat ground? Because if so you're really not helping my ego. I assumed I was average.

So a guy cruising at 26 MPH passes you. You have no idea how long he has been riding at that pace. You basically kill yourself to catch him. He senses someone is getting too close to him so looks back and see what kind of idiot has grabbed his wheel without announcing himself. You make a stupid comment and are glad he makes a turn before your heart explodes. And you won? Congratulations!

Thanks!