You can work rides one way or another, and it's not so critical how you do things, as to make sure everyone understands what is going on. If you tell 'em it's a non-drop ride, and then drop them, you've got problems. If you post that it's a 16-17 mph ride, then hold 21 mph, you've got problems. If you have new people out that don't know the route, you don't hand them a map, then drop them, you've got problems.

If you tell everyone, "Okay, this group is going to hold 21 mph", and then somebody gloms on that can't hold it, no problem to take on off.

If you're trying to hold a group together, you blew it.

if you're trying to make sure everyone takes a turn pulling, you blew it. It's pretty much guaranteed that in a group of several people, somebody is going to be a little faster than somebody else, and at some point, you're going to be going slower than what you COULD be going just for the sake of keeping that group together. In the local rando group, that sometimes mean that one or two people pull all day and some slower people never take a pull. If you want to stay together and want everyone to pull, speed has got to adjust accordingly.

Really it's up to the other guy to pick the group he's comfortable with and he obviously wasn't comfortable with the pace of this one. You could have just passed him but it's probably safer just to keep protocol and have him pull out.

It's really no worse than being told to hold your line. He'll get over it.

That's why I ride by myself - and even then I get yelled at!!!

Me too.

Bill is one of the most collegial, encouraging and friendly posters on this forum. I'd hate to see him driven off by this stuff. Can't you just skip the signature line if it bothers you that much? Surely bright sophisticated people like yourselves can do that. Can't you?

I'm not much of a joiner of groups. I have no bumper stickers or tattoos expressing my philosophies. But, it doesn't bother me if others want to share what they care about with me. I like to think I'm a part of various communities and sharing what matters is kind of a bonding experience. No criticism of your perspective. Just sharing mine. Community and all that.

Bill is a valuable part of "us" IMO. His contributions are always positive. Whether his religious beliefs or philosophy are congruent with mine is unimportant to me. I know a good spirit when I see one.

Reading this non controversial thread it appears that some Americans are as easily offended as some Austrians.

I'm not even religious myself and it doesn't bother me. I don't see why it should bother anybody else. Part of living free is tolerance.

It's inspirational motivation for anyone who chooses to use it. As such it's appropriate in a signature in a 50+ forum.

You can't possibly be serious. Maybe you forgot to add a wink. ;)

You don't think an opposing team would yell at Cavendish if he planted himself at the front of their leadout train and slowed it down? I think they would deal with it alright, and it wouldn't be a polite exchange.

From the OP's description of the ride up to that point, it seems clear to me that this was a group you could ride with only if you could keep up the pace. This guy was clearly not up to the task. You can't really have a polite conversation about expectations while riding in a fast paceline, so yelling to "pull out" seems to me a very appropriate way to let the guy know the score.

The signature line adds some depth to our understanding of the person. I don't think we need PC police to take that away from us.

Charlie

I YELL....pull out.

I'd use a more reliable form of contraception.

+1

Sometimes I yell at myself when I find I have failed to keep up with my single bicycle pace line and need to fall out. Is that acceptable? :)

Just a noob's point of view: Looking at everyone's input about protocol and the OP's description of the scenario, I'm sure you're quite right in your actions.

Sure would take the stress relief (and most of the fun) out of cycling for me to be in his clips. Was sorta interested in finding the local clubs to try group rides at pace. Not anymore. Attitudes are probably plentiful in a pace line.

I don't ride in groups much anymore but I think there's a difference between people who know each other in a group ride and strangers, whose bike handling skills you know nothing about, wanting to hitch onto too fast a group in a century ride paceline. guys are going to get rightfully nervous about riding with someone who isn't steady in holding their position or in their pulling pace......Century ride pacelines with guys who aren't practiced is where exciting things are known to happen.

Yes and No :p

Don't let this description of just one of many group riding scenarios affect your choice. If you look and if you communicate the kind of riding experience you are after, there is a good chance you will find it. Not all groups are out to set a hard pace with the expectation that you can join in for as long as you can handle it and if you fall off you are on your own. There are many variations on the theme of a group ride from this kind of hammerfest to the very supportive no drop rides and many steps in between.

Cycling is a big umbrella. High effort riding in tight formation is only one of many avenues, and not the only one available in clubs. I've done club rides and had great 100 mile long conversations with strangers I never saw before or since. Even if challenging yourself physically is appealing, there are options. If you stick with cycling long enough, chances are you'll try different things over time, and even find your likes changing over time.

You might find yourself enjoying a nice tight paceline with friends at some point, or perhaps not. Don't sweat it, just ride and enjoy.

+1
And there is a little box in preferences that one can block out all signature lines if one chooses. Some are too easily irritated.

The guy just needed to be smarter about the paceline he joined and how long he stayed.

Riding a paceline is a great deal of fun, but you have to know when to drop out. The rest of the guys in a paceline are fine if you only hold speed for a couple seconds and then drop back. The stonger guys do not mind pulling longer. The idea is moving the entire group as fast as possible, without safety issues. What is not fine is slowing the entire group down and causing safety issues.

Give a paceline a try in a century, just understand when to pull out.

I bet most readers missed your example there! Great point though... I caught it!!!

Your thinking if you just huff all up and look like a real jerk... yelling at someone FOR NO APPARENT REASON.... the OP of this thread will see just how wrong it is. Once again... good point. That really did look like someone acting in poor taste. Thanks for sharing.

I completely agree with you on this. It hurts me every time I see it and I find it totally inappropriate and rude. I'm sure qcpmsame means well but I wish he'd politely consider other's feelings. I choose to keep my very strong opinions of religion to myself in order to avoid antagonizing those who don't agree with me.

Thanks for pointing out the option for blocking signatures. You've solved my problem.