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Originally Posted by AdamDZ
(Post 10547985)
Funny, yesterday on my way home (extended route due to nice weather) a guy on a road bike in full outfit was trying to race me (me: MTB with front and rear panniers and 2.1 tires) for some weird reason, maybe he thought I was an easy target. I was crusing at around 15mph minding my own business. I didn't even bother with him until I realized he wanted to pass me (traffic), so I let him pass me, he gave my that "Ha ha!" look. So I was like WTF? I picked up to around 25mph. He was obviously out of shape and unskilled with navigating in traffic so I left him way behind me quickly. Few lights later he caught up, stayed behind didn't pull up, I looked back, he looked like he was about to spit his lungs out while I was breathing normally. He avoided eye contact and was obviously mad/embarrassed. Why do people do this?
Still, I wish that I had a dollar for every post I've read about somebody riding a less expensive bike who says that he smoked somebody on a road bike wearing a full outfit. Why do people do this? |
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
(Post 10548945)
Yeah, OK, so it's the motor.
Still, I wish that I had a dollar for every post I've read about somebody riding a less expensive bike who says that he smoked somebody on a road bike wearing a full outfit. Why do people do this? Because it's an interesting phenomenon: a guy wakes up from winter hibernation and tries to race a commuter who has been fighting the traffic in rain, snow, sludge and blizzard the entire winter, I could probably race him until he passed out. Why? Why would he even bother racing someone on an obviously heavier bike? Why not pick another roadie to race? What's there to proof other than he's an ass? Also, I never said anything about his bike being more expensive than mine, I don't even know what it was, mine may as well be worth more than his bike. Adam |
Originally Posted by AdamDZ
(Post 10549219)
Because it happens to many of us all-weather commuters.
Because it's an interesting phenomenon: a guy wakes up from winter hibernation and tries to race a commuter who has been fighting the traffic in rain, snow, sludge and blizzard the entire winter, I could probably race him until he passed out. Why? Why would he even bother racing someone on an obviously heavier bike? Why not pick another roadie to race? What's there to proof other than he's an ass? Also, I never said anything about his bike being more expensive than mine, I don't even know what it was, mine may as well be worth more than his bike. Adam And yet you found it newsworthy enough to tell us all about it and even to describe what the rider was wearing. Why is that? |
Originally Posted by Sculptor7
(Post 10540077)
All good advice. Actually when I first posted on this forum I talked about how my first few rides were just wonderful easy opportunities to enjoy my surroundings. Don't know what happened. Maybe I am going through a mid life crisis at age 75. Or maybe I have been looking at too many of those racing videos my son-in-law lent me, or maybe I am really more competitive than I thought. In any case I do enjoy cycling since having taken it up again after some years off. And when I was working I did just enjoy the freedom and easy enjoyment of getting to or from work with a good relaxed feeling afterward. In any case if I buy a better bike I may be a little faster but I will have to give up the excuse of just having an old bike. Probably will test drive a few in the next month or so.
I came out for exercise, gentle exercise, and to notice the scenery and to botanise. And no sooner do I get on that accursed machine than off I go hammer and tongs; I never look to right or left, never notice a flower, never see a view - get hot, juicy, red - like a grilled chop. Get me on that machine and I have to go. I go scorching along the road, and cursing aloud at myself for doing it. ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance |
Originally Posted by Baboo
(Post 10534931)
It's better to ride a bike that is known to be slow, such as a touring bike or mountain bike then when someone passes you there is a handy reason why, much less damaging to the ego this way. An alternative is to carry a rack pack or pannier then the reason is evident to everyone. Seriously if you ride alone does speed really matter just enjoy the ride.
Allen |
Originally Posted by Kimmitt
(Post 10539142)
I'm a utility cyclist, and I started getting serious about five years ago. I remember the awesome feeling of switching from knobbies to slicks.
Now I'm riding with some fat 85 PSI slicks, and it's awesomeness all over again. So yeah, the equipment matters, I think. But is the purpose of riding bicycles to go fast? (If you aren't being timed for money?) Or is the purpose to get onto a machine that suits you and go as fast as it allows you to? I think the latter makes more sense for the amateur racer. Of course, as a utility rider, my purpose for cycling is to haul absurd things around. But to each their own. :) |
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
(Post 10548945)
Still, I wish that I had a dollar for every post I've read about somebody riding a less expensive bike who says that he smoked somebody on a road bike wearing a full outfit.
Why do people do this? |
Originally Posted by rogerstg
(Post 10552025)
I figure they're insecure and/or bragging and/or ignorant to he fact that many cyclists do intervals on the road. I think it's kind of funny that these people think everyone is racing them, and it's downright hilarious when they profess to read their minds.
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
(Post 10549736)
Whatever.
And yet you found it newsworthy enough to tell us all about it and even to describe what the rider was wearing. Why is that? Because it was related to the topic? Because a lot of posts on this forum are made just because someone wants to share something whether it's newsworthy or not. Anyway, are you trying to make a point here or you just wandered in from the A&S forum? Adam |
Originally Posted by AdamDZ
(Post 10547985)
Funny, yesterday on my way home (extended route due to nice weather) a guy on a road bike in full outfit was trying to race me (me: MTB with front and rear panniers and 2.1 tires) for some weird reason, maybe he thought I was an easy target. I was crusing at around 15mph minding my own business. I didn't even bother with him until I realized he wanted to pass me (traffic), so I let him pass me, he gave my that "Ha ha!" look. So I was like WTF? I picked up to around 25mph. He was obviously out of shape and unskilled with navigating in traffic so I left him way behind me quickly. Few lights later he caught up, stayed behind didn't pull up, I looked back, he looked like he was about to spit his lungs out while I was breathing normally. He avoided eye contact and was obviously mad/embarrassed. Why do people do this?
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wow 25 mph on an mtb I,m impresed.
Allen |
Originally Posted by Baboo
(Post 10552457)
wow 25 mph on an mtb I,m impresed.
Allen
Originally Posted by travelmama
(Post 10552329)
I am very happy to see another cyclist sharing the road. If I see a cyclist is on a flat and needs some assistance, I will stop and ask if I can help. That to me is more important that trying to kill myself because of another on a bike.
Adam |
Originally Posted by AdamDZ
(Post 10552073)
That's an interesting theory. I'm certainly insecure after commuting every day the entire winter hauling my crap 8 miles each way. I'm so intimidated by posers that I have to post about it on bike forums. You may be right though, perhaps, he was racing the cars or the kids on BMX because there were no other cyclists on that stretch. That was definitely "an interval", yeah... Oh, it's not "mind reading" either, it's called "observation".
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To get back to the machine for a moment....I love the feel of machines that feel "connected" to me. So, when I buy a car or motorcycle I end up with a Lotus Elan (back in the '70's) or a BMW or my current Subaru RS that is all tricked out....or my two Ducati's and, of course my Masi Gran Criterium S. (FWIW, since I'm retired these are all bought used or, in the case of the Masi, were a present to me on my 60th birthday.) I'm not Michael Schumacher or Valentino Rossi or Lance Armstrong. And, even though at age 64 I seem to be getting in better shape AND faster on the Masi, what I'm really after is that feeling of "riding without the chain." For me the feeling is what it's all about.
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Originally Posted by rogerstg
(Post 10553186)
So we're left with bragging. Ooo you're such a stud! Feel better?
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Originally Posted by jefferee
(Post 10549993)
Reminds me of the classic H. G. Wells quote:
I came out for exercise, gentle exercise, and to notice the scenery and to botanise. And no sooner do I get on that accursed machine than off I go hammer and tongs; I never look to right or left, never notice a flower, never see a view - get hot, juicy, red - like a grilled chop. Get me on that machine and I have to go. I go scorching along the road, and cursing aloud at myself for doing it. ~H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance |
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