This morning shortly after dawn I was finishing up my weekly intervals on a three mile flat section of highway when a fully kitted guy blew by me on a total time trial bike---made me smile that he thought I was worth catching--but unusually for me--he passed me while I was at 18.4 mph by my cycle computer---made for a good day!

Cool, but we gotta' do something 'bout leading with that title.

Thats too true__LOL

He was probably back down to his usual 15/16 in short order. They ALWAYS blow by you !

Funny, but I usually find blowing by somebody else more gratifying than somebody blowing by me.

When I ride my TT bike, it is all about efforts and following a protocol. Although, I enjoy riding the TT bike, it is a different type of feeling. I am happy when I pass riders that they do not run into me or try to draft.

Loogi--I certainly get that but at 64 y/o and brand new to road biking (I was an mtb guy and marathoner) all these experiences are new to me and fun--been riding my CAAD10 only about 6 months so far

I love having other riders blow by me. It doesn't happen nearly often enough. If someone can pass me, then he/she likely rides a fair amount and that means that person is enhancing my safety by the safety-in-numbers model. To use a quote out of context and with an entirely different meaning, "Bring 'em on."

I have been riding long enough to enjoy blowing by a few and still getting blown by. I enjoy riding and like seeing people putting out a good effort. Some of the guys who look like me from 5 years ago are my favorites. I always give them a thumbs up.

Heard a group that passed me a few years ago.

"All that effort to catch him and he must be twice our age"

I love coming up on a strong rider and making sure he knows I'm there. Some of them take off to leave me and I just suck a wheel. It's usually pretty hard for them to dump me on the flats. Then when we finally find a place to chill, and I'm still there, I thank them for the pull. The sight of the old guy (67) they couldn't dump always takes them aback.

In a different vein:

On an evening commute I came cruising through a neighborhood with my lights on. Half a dozen Jr high aged girls were gathered under a light post. One of them flirtingly shouted, "Hey biker, Nice LIGHT!" When I passed them they all nearly puked and one said, "GROSS, he's older than your dad!

Now that is a bike memory.

Getting passed while going 18 mph doesn't necessarily mean they're gunning for you. It always helps to remember that no matter how fast you are, there's always someone faster.

I loved the time when some guy 20 years my junior asked if it was okay if he drafted me, LOL.

You were 25 and he was 5?

There it is. Rob the young ones of their sense of accomplisment when they see gray hair.

There's a saying in the long-distance world: Ride your own ride.

I guess I'm missing something, but why do you think he was trying to catch you vs. him just riding at the speed he wanted to ride at and it happened to be a little faster than you.

Lots of stories about one-sided "racing" in these bike forums. Usually the other way around though ("boy, I totally blew by a totally kitted roadie while riding my dirty mountain bike in jeans")

That is a great story that made me really laugh!

Yea, me and the buds often get looks, smiles and nods from young women who drive by - we can also see them nodding and making comments to their friends in their cars. We took it for approval of our fitness and how great we look in spandex shorts and logo-festooned jerseys.

Someone pointed out they're undoubtedly either thinking or overtly stating:"Say, isn't it cute how those old guys are still so active!"

Who else almost missed the word "by" in the title?