Upsetting a fellow cyclist
 

The other day I was out on my mountain bike when I heard a noise behind me and a man was riding up beside me. I said hello (which he ignored) and went past me. He was really trying hard up out the saddle in a high gear. I was just spinning along and sitting not really trying to hard.

After he went past he did not seem to have the energy to go any harder and sat just in front of me and I started to catch him up. I felt a little bad going past him after all his effort so spoke to him again (which he ignored again) as I went past. I then cycled as normal only now and again looking back as I normally do and there was no sign of this bloke.

Anyway I got about another 5 miles down the road and I stopped and I heard something and there was this bloke red faced huffing and puffing coming up behind me.

He then started going on about how I must have a 'Really good bike' as he could not catch me and he was really trying. I have a very old basic 'no frills' bike and when I looked it was near identical spec to his including gears. But this lad kept going on and on saying there must be something about my bike that made me faster. He even said he rode the route all the time was very fit and no one went past him.

I did not even know we were racing, and when I asked his age (20) and I told him I was 42 he was not happy at all. His face was s picture, but it still had to be my bike. Not me being fitter or anything like that is was 'My bike' I think he thought I had a hidden engine in there :lol:

It made my week that I still have the legs to beat (without trying) a lad half my age

Cool story bro!

Always curious when that happens. I remember a while back on my MTB I was on my way to a friend's place and overtook a guy on a bike with drop handlebars. My speed was something in the low 20s, I guess he was doing about 15 or so. He didn't look like he was racing, and I just wanted to get where I was going quickly so I didn't really think anything of it. Anyway a few minutes later this other guy came flying past, only to turn off almost as soon as he had overtaken me. I just figured he felt a bruised ego from being overtaken by a fat guy on an MTB, even though when I passed him it didn't look like he was exactly busting his butt to go fast.

Some people are just odd I guess.

Base miles do tell.

Yeah I often feel bad when I go past someone. Always try and make a bit of conversation as I don't want them thinking I am racing them or anything (which I am not) and don't want to put them off



Yeah maybe you are right, been cycling (mainly road) since I was a kid (Now 42) Used to do time trials etc but now happy with a nice little ride out on my own

A note to roadies....beware of mountain bikers out on the road :lol:


I was finishing up a 40mi ride with just two more hills left before coming down into town. At the top of the first of the two final hills I was just putzing in the low gears babying my tired legs.....until a mountain biker flew by me. He had no shirt, cargo pants, backpack and wearing sandals. Well, enough of this!! I started the engine up, clicked up to the big chainring and started in with my steady pace on the nice little descent. Keeping the pressure on he just kept casually mashing away about 300yds out front. We started the last hill and I refused to come out of the big chainring. He was moving along pretty good and the distance closed to 100yds. We topped the hill and went into the rather swift descent. I was catching him, we were both hitting 33mph as we came down onto the flats. He was still moving along at a good 21mph pace but with a road bike I was coming up on him.

As I pulled alongside I said, "nice ride!". He about jumped out of his skin. We both laughed and spoke about the little chase. He is a mountain biker but really wants a road bike. And when he gets one, he will be tough to catch.

It's true for a lot of mountain bikers. They have been using lower gears with higher cadence, and holding their own on the bike paths. (Usually, not always.)

So there I was on my usual ride up the coast when a peloton of guys in spandex came up behind me. I'm 51, in decent shape. They obviously thought they'd pass me easily.

They were right. Blew past my sorry ass without a look back.

Many of the roadies around here mountain bike and many of the mountain bikers ride road bikes. Trying to make a comparison between the two groups is futile due to that overlap but if it makes you feel better...

I get passed all the time by cargo-panted, sneaker-clad MTB'ers, spandex clad road bikers older than me, and everything in between. I rarely get passed by pensioners on tricycles, but won't be surprised when it happens.

I like to ride though.

Yeah the last part there 'I like to ride though' summs it up nicely, that's what its all about :thumb:

A lot of the pensioners here zoom around on e-bikes, going much faster often than they're really capable of handling anymore. It's a good thing most of those bikes are speed restricted; as that is the law. So, no, pensioners don't always count.

That has been happening to me for years. It occurred twice a couple of weeks ago on the same ride and I often never see cyclists where/when I ride.

Many people are just odd.

Suppose its the same way people are in cars, you get people racing you to roundabout or junction or someplace..... for what ?? :wtf:

It's weird, because the only place I ever see or hear about middle aged, plus sized dudes on rusty old bikes showing fit looking guys on road bikes a thing or two about speed is on the internet. I ride around lots at a moderate pace, and I sometimes get passed by steely eyed triathletes on the aero bars, or a paceline of fast dudes, or a chick with massive spandex clad thighs, but I have never been passed by the aforementioned creature. Same goes for commuters in "sensible"clothing.

The average speed on the internet is very high.

Hey I am no 'middle ages plus sized dude' :p bikes not rusty either but a bit muddy. Well the mountain bike is, not been on road bike for a few weeks due to crappy weather

Your on an MTB, it's your duty to overtake anyone one a road bike!

For overtaking anyone, unless you started at the same time, you have no idea how long or far they have been riding for. If I overtake or am overtaken, couldn't careless as long as I am going at the speed I'm happy with, unless doing a TT.

Your 'opponent' does seem to need to chill a bit, and learn to say hello in reply to you.

Is a Fargo a mountain bike? I never see anybody to pass, anyway.

We were both on mountain bikes off road, on a track. I had been cycling about 4 miles (up hill) before seeing him and I learned later (when we stopped) he had just set off when he first went past me (before I then went past him)

:lol: :roflmao2: :lol:

It seems like the only time I get dropped is when on a recovery ride. So I dont do recovery rides anymore. Now I get dropped on the return trip from a long distance ride and I'm wiped out. Bum luck, I tell ya.

I've never understood why so many guys don't like to be passed under normal riding conditions. It's got to be a low self-esteem/big ego/compensation thing. If you want to race, join a freakin' race, most states have plenty of them. At least there, the people you pass know they are in a race.

To pass someone who is not racing you, but in your mind you are racing them, well, that's about as shallow of a "victory" as one can have.

there's always lots of people who races or just wants to ride past you if you are riding too slow. they like in a rush to get home or to work and i hate those. especially in a hot day where you get all sweaty and smelly. why not take you time and stop riding so hard.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=261509Geez Kidz!
I am a 'pensioner' age 80 and still ride a road bike and tandem 100+ miles a week.
Oh, and my wife is only 77 . . .