velonuts

I wonder who, like me, sees a rider off in the distance and has to chase them down.

Groups, mountain bikers, recreational riders, team riders in training ... If I come around a bend or over a climb, and I see a rider ahead of me I always put the hammer down. Once I've caught them, I often keep pushing. Sometimes I don't gain any ground, but keep pushing anyway. Even after 60+ miles with 30 or 40 to go, I find the energy to chase.

Anyone else have this affliction?

SteveE

I used to have this problem when I was a slower rider. I felt a compulsion to try and catch riders ahead of me. Now that I've joined a racing club, gotten faster, and started to some road races, I really don't feel the need to prove myself when I'm just out on a training ride. I might speed up if it's someone in the club or if it looks like someone I might want to ride with up ahead, but otherwise -- no, not any more. Just completing one of our club's A-rides or a local hammerfest (e.g., Spectrum or Noon Ride) with the main bunch is challenging enough.

55/Rad

I do, but I usually slow up as I catch them. This way, I can pull leisurely up alongside and take my time passing.

On the other hand, a guy caught me today - turned out to be a Cat 3 racer out on a training ride. Once he caught me, he hung and we rode together for about 20 miles. Made an otherwise uneventful ride much more enjoyable.

55/Rad

slvoid

Yeah there were a few people like that on the trail that I was following. I overheard this fairly attractive girl on a bike saying, "I hate those guys" to her friend next to her as I passed them.
That said, I used to do that too. Now I just try to maintain a pace and cadance and keep to myself. If a line does come by, I might hop on board.

Mtn Mike

Same here. A few years ago while living in Chicago, I used to think I was really fast because I passed everyone on the Lake Shore path. I would hammer by in a "one sided race" as the inocent bistanders scattered. But once I started riding with organized groups I realized there were better places to put the hammer down, than on "cycling paths". I think trying to catch people on the cycling trails made me faster in the begining, but once I got a little more experience I learned to chill and save my energy for the real hammerfests out on the roads.

iamlucky13

All the time. It's sort of a challenge. I caught one today even. Sometimes it's hopeless, though. I ride my mountain bike 2 miles to a coworkers house everyday and we commute from there. I remember once coming around the first corner and seeing a guy on a nice road bike probably 200 yards ahead. I basically sprinted the whole way home and doubt I gained an inch on him. Sure got me home fast.

crank'n

Yes im guilty of this, this happens to get me out of my comfort zone and ad a bit of fun to the ride, and to may be say g'ay to another roady if I can round them up.