I was ridding on a local bike path cruising along at around 20mph, and this guy on a mtn bike flies past me- about a foot away from me, not giving me any warning of any kind. He rides ahead a bit, pulls in front of me and lets off his pedaling a little so he slows down enough, so I eventually catch up. I hang behind him for about 100 yards, waiting for some oncoming people to pass and to wait and see what the guy was doing. After about 45 seconds of being behind him I was just about to pull out to his left and pass him as I was going a tiny bit faster and I didn’t want to slow down any.

But right before I pull out to pass him he slows down and pulls off to a right, without any warning causing a near miss. “ok good, so long to that guy” I think to my self and settle back into the saddle. About a minute later he comes back up on my left and yells at me “DON’T DRAFT PEOPLE UNLESS YOU ASK THEM FIRST” and pulls ahead probably going 25mph.
Ooookkkk buddy – Me not being a very verbal person nor someone who likes to argue I just continue on my pace and let him ride ahead.

So he is off ahead, but for some insane reason he decides to slow down again, allowing me to catch up (keep in mind during this entire time I have not increased or decreased my speed), When I am about 25 feet off his rear wheel he turns around and stares at me, before he can say anything I put up my hands and say:

“Sir, You pulled in front of me and are ridding relatively the same speed, what do you want me to do?” he responds with “WELL BACK THE **** OFF SO IT DOESN’T HAPPEN”

Ok – all logic has gone down the toilet. Not wanting to risk a confrontation with an overweight middle-aged ape mounted on two wheels I wisely decided to back off. For the remaining 5 miles or so that I was on the path every minute or so he would turn his head a bit so he could just get a glance to see how far back I was.

So was I actually in the wrong? I was behind him for all of maybe a minute – if that! He could not have passed me in the first place understanding that he might not be able to maintain the speed I was going. I don’t think permission is necessary to follow someone for a minute to allow oncoming traffic to pass.

I am convinced that the age gap had something to do with his aggressive and over domineering behavior, he looked like he was mid 30’s to early 40’s, I being only 19. It is disgusting to think that because of an age difference he feels that he has the right to be a jackass.

But other than that occurrence the ride was excellent! So how was your day?

This sounds like a cry for help on his part. I think you should haunt that bike path till he returns, then try to befriend him; bridge the age gap; help him find meaning in life. Until then, always wear a helmet. He may catch you unawares. (hopefully all these will sound the tone of this)

Just because everyone's out to get that guy doesn't mean he has to be paranoid.

The fancy name for it is redirected agression. He has a bug up his ass about something or (more likely) someone and doesn't know how to deal with it. So he took it out on you. On behalf of middle aged types everywhere, sorry.

Gustaf, you handled yourself well. I admire your self control. Me, I would have invited him to a slugfest off to the side of the trail. I do not tolerate morons like him very well.

This guy needs help alright Don, he needs a swift kick in the ole rear end and a smack on the noggin. People like him have no friendship voids I plan to fill any time soon.

Just remember you are never alone with a paranoid schizophrenic.

But why bother with morons like that? I mean, are they really worth cracking a finger nail over? Personally I think the guy was just trying to draw attention to himself, and would have treated him with the contempt he deserved. Better yet, I would have invited him to ride up a mountain pass somewhere and dropped him like a stone!

Of course, the other thing to do would be to keep drafting him indefinitely just to annoy the crap out of him. If he gets off the bike to try to start something, simply pedal away and ignore him.

Good idea Chris. Annoying him to the point his blood boils would be fun. Just the sight of his temples turning a shade of purple makes me laugh.

The mountain pass plan is golden also. Nothing demoralizes more than watching someone ride away from you up a steep climb.

Before pedaling away when he tries to stir up some crap you should give him a squirt from your water bottle as well.

I can't believe no one mentioned the good old finger method of dealing with @$$ holes. What you should do is pull up in front of him (about 5-10 ft) or anything close enough so he can see it clearly. Then start pedaling faster until you drop him. Never look back as he may return the favor.

Yeah....I encounter people like that on the freeway everyday.

What a strange thing to say. Does he think someone drafting off him will slow him down or somehow affect him in any way. Me, I would have stuck to his wheel like glue just to see if something bursts. What a pinhead.

This is easy...

You got a guy on a MTN bike.. chugging along and he see you... Mr. Sporty Younger Roadie Dude so he feels the need to pass you, and he does, but its hard then to keep a pace above where you are cruising so you hang behind him like you said... he is humilliated when he realizes that you are drafting so he pulls the smarty smart-smart bullschidt on you.

Age? I dunno.. I am 35 and wouldn't play this game with you cause I don;t feel the need to .. wait a minute... I might just try to overtake and pass you... even use you as an excuse to up my pace and keep you off my tail... haha... but it wouldn't have to do with your age...

... it would be based entirely on the level of flamboyancy of your jersey.

cAPS

It's the same thing as having someone read over your shoulder, it just makes you self-conscious. This guys however, was as the title said, "bizarre." It seriously did sound like he was looking for a confrontation, which could have been for any number of reasons. Not necessarily a physical one, but verbal, at least. Sounds like he was in that state of mind where anything that goes wrong is a personal attack on him. The most random events could without reason be blamed on the closest person, whether they had any control over the events or not.

I say not to let it bother you. People do weird stuff. People do mean stuff. A lot of people do dumb stuff. Usually they're more pleasant, though.

All the more reason not to oblige. As I said before, people like this just aren't worth your time or effort. Just move on and let it remain their problem.

Of course you were not wrong. What is this phenomenom called?
Bike rage?
Trail rage?

What a jerk. If I remember correctly, this was also the age group that had the most road rage.

At least you can take heart in the fact that his rage was probably due to:
1) Laid off from a .bomb
2) Too many alimony payments
3) Lack of a life
etc.

I agree with those who suggested not provoking a confrontation. He obviously was looking for one. Pissing off an ass**** won't stop him from being an ass****. However, it could cause a wreck or a fight.

Simple solution: go faster than him

It doesn't seem like it would've been difficult for you..would've been fun too leaving him in the dust

Yep, thats what I would have done. Especially after the don't draft me comment.

"Don't Draft!!"

"OK Fine then..."

Quick acceleration and a see you later head over the shoulder like Lance looking a Ulrich.

Cheers buddy.

I admire your patience and tolerance...

If it was me, I would back up a little bit.. Then speed up.. Pass him close, about 8" from his left.. and cut him off... Ill just make sure I hit his handle bar from behind.. That will make his bike turn to the right clearing my way as he slam to wall or something!

I'm BAD! <just kidding>

Well, it has not happend to me yet, luckily for me...

haaahaa! best advise yet

You should've sacrificed your water bottle into his front wheel spokes. Man, I miss the days of frame mounted pumps. Or, just ride up on his left, reach over and quickly squeeze his front brake, instant endo! j/k

A quick acceration would've done the trick!

Yeah I woulda done him like Team Cinzano did Dave Stohler in Breaking away.. a frame pump in the spokes... boo ya !

Jeff

Chris L is right about not wasting one's time on an idiot like this, but sometimes someone just deserves an ass-whuppin' so badly that he's practically begging for it. Occasionally it is entirely appropriate to indulge his request.

Not enough fiber in their diet.

The carnal side of me would say to do the "Breaking Away" trick of a pump through the spokes...but I'd probably just haul butt around him and leave him in my dust.

i agree with the idea to go ahead and drop him.... if he couldn't keep pace with your "cruising" pace.... then i woulda just upped the pace enough that he couldn't hang, then back off when he's out of sight

if he wants to play hardball, play along!