Anyone find it awkward when other random cyclists think you're racing them?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 172
Bikes: Trek 7000, Specialized Allez & Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Anyone find it awkward when other random cyclists think you're racing them?
I passed another cyclist on the street, riding at a steady pace, and he would drop behind and gun it to pass me, and did that for a couple miles at least. I just got off work and the last thing I wanted to do was race some random guy. He finally turned onto a sidestreet, but I found it awkward. I was just thinking "leave me alone". Anyone else find it awkward when another random cyclist is about the same speed as you, or thinks you're racing him/her?
Last edited by Kertrek; 10-27-15 at 12:49 PM.
#4
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
One of you was a Cat 6 racer.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 172
Bikes: Trek 7000, Specialized Allez & Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bruce Twp, MI
Posts: 305
Bikes: Huffy Sienna Cruiser
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Ha! I tried to do this very thing last Friday at the local park. I was doing a lap around Stoney Creek when a guy on a Madone passed me. I was on my hybrid. He wasn't cooking, and I thought that I had a shot at keeping pace.
So I tried to pick up speed. No luck. He slowly crept away until he finally lost me after one of the hills.
To me, it was exciting trying to catch this guy. To him, it was a non-event since he didn't even know that he was in a race!
So I tried to pick up speed. No luck. He slowly crept away until he finally lost me after one of the hills.
To me, it was exciting trying to catch this guy. To him, it was a non-event since he didn't even know that he was in a race!
#7
Interocitor Command
I don't mess with other cyclists and I prefer they don't mess with me. I will acknowledge them or say "hi" but I'm out for a workout and not to meet new friends or make new enemies.
I guess I'm like that lone, soft spoken hero that rides off into the sunset ... on his bicycle.
I guess I'm like that lone, soft spoken hero that rides off into the sunset ... on his bicycle.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,488
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7652 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times
in
1,834 Posts
Shout out, "Let's play demolition derby!" and ram him.
Or just ignore it and think about pleasant things. That guy might have been having the time of his life pretending he was competing in the TdF or something.
Or just ignore it and think about pleasant things. That guy might have been having the time of his life pretending he was competing in the TdF or something.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA area
Posts: 2,618
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I always say/yell 'how's it going?' when I pass someone. I think it shows you're just moving a bit faster, not trying to incite anyone. I've noticed other cyclists often do the same when they pass me.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Zinj
Posts: 1,826
Bikes: '93 911 Turbo 3.6
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#11
For The Fun of It
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Louisissippi Coast
Posts: 5,851
Bikes: Lynskey GR300, Lynskey Backroad, Litespeed T6, Lynskey MT29, Burley Duet
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2135 Post(s)
Liked 1,646 Times
in
828 Posts
I can't really relate to someone passing me.
#13
Senior Member
I used to be bothered by it and give a challenge. Now I am a zone trainer and ignore those folks. I just don't respond. I have a plan for my rides am not going to let another rider impose a pace on me. Besides, I might be doing 40 miles in zone 2 and he is out for a 10 miler. Let him go. If I pass someone at MY pace and he speeds up so what. Let him go.
#14
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,784
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3587 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
Naw. I'm not too proud to let them "win."
#15
Custom User Title
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE MN
Posts: 11,239
Bikes: Fuji Roubaix Pro & Quintana Roo Kilo
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2863 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 31 Times
in
14 Posts
They can't keep passing you if you don't keep passing them. Maybe they were just trying to ride at a steady pace after work and you were annoying them?
#16
Padawan
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 838
Bikes: Orbea Mitis Dama, Bridgestone Sirius, Cranbrook Cruiser, Cheap Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used to be bothered by it and give a challenge. Now I am a zone trainer and ignore those folks. I just don't respond. I have a plan for my rides am not going to let another rider impose a pace on me. Besides, I might be doing 40 miles in zone 2 and he is out for a 10 miler. Let him go. If I pass someone at MY pace and he speeds up so what. Let him go.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Posts: 1,218
Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
So far I've only had one cyclist that I'd passed earlier later sprint ahead of me. I was amused.
When I'm in commute mode, I ride at whatever pace I feel like, which is usually on the slow side. When I first started commuting, I used to feel awkward about passing anybody, but not anymore. I pass cyclists who are struggling with a climb or just slumming it even more than me (I tip my helmet towards each one in acknowledgment of his/her superior slumming skill as I pass), without worrying anymore if I'm hurting said cyclist's feeling by passing. Any of them is free to pass me at any time later.
On one of my morning commutes, I was also amused to see two cyclists race ahead of me in the National Mall, then switch to riding on the sidewalk while I stayed on the streets and accelerated past them to build momentum for the modest climb up towards Union Station.
When I'm in commute mode, I ride at whatever pace I feel like, which is usually on the slow side. When I first started commuting, I used to feel awkward about passing anybody, but not anymore. I pass cyclists who are struggling with a climb or just slumming it even more than me (I tip my helmet towards each one in acknowledgment of his/her superior slumming skill as I pass), without worrying anymore if I'm hurting said cyclist's feeling by passing. Any of them is free to pass me at any time later.
On one of my morning commutes, I was also amused to see two cyclists race ahead of me in the National Mall, then switch to riding on the sidewalk while I stayed on the streets and accelerated past them to build momentum for the modest climb up towards Union Station.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,618
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1068 Post(s)
Liked 785 Times
in
504 Posts
No sense in getting my cycling shorts all bunched up.
#19
Senior Member
I don't think a thing of it. I figure they are just using me as a rabbit (HA!) to catch then re-catch. As long as they don't pass me then get in front and slow way down I'm ok with it. I've noticed people in the distance and kicked it in a bit to see if I could catch up to them but unless I think I am going to continue on past for a while I let off.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,806
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
I don't think a thing of it. I figure they are just using me as a rabbit (HA!) to catch then re-catch. As long as they don't pass me then get in front and slow way down I'm ok with it. I've noticed people in the distance and kicked it in a bit to see if I could catch up to them but unless I think I am going to continue on past for a while I let off.
John
#23
Senior Member
Those times when I do this, I won't usually pass unless I think I can stay at that pace. If I spend too much catching, or I think I will immediately be fodder, I tend not to pass. I don't want to pass and then ride too slow. I just back off a little and try to keep at a pace from behind. If I think I can pass and keep pace, I'll pass. It can be a fun workout.
John
John
#25
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
Riding my bent or my trike, I always find it funny when the worst out of shape rider on a DF bike wants to prove the DF bikes are faster than my non-real bike. I often see them in my mirror slowly comming up from behind. Then they stand, huff and puff around me, and often find it hard to keep ahead. Often they turn off, and I will see them again later.