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We will occasionally see P12 women in an E3 or M123 men's field here in NorCal. It's never been an issue.

Speshelite,

Leave this thread right now. Do not post again.

There is no issue. In USA we allow many classes to mix, mostly because if not, fields and competition is too small.
I'm just guessing now if a woman attacked the men's field, there might be a different response, than a junior, or other doing the same.

The other day.... I got passed more than any other ride I can remember. I don't know why. I checked my stats (on cyclemeter) and my ride was pretty much normal (for me). I would guess getting passed... or being a slower rider... would have some level of randomness.

I didn't bother to track the gender of the cyclists that passed me... I do remember one younger couple (a man and a woman). So I guess at least ONE of the (I think 4, maybe even 5 or 6) cyclists that passed me was female. I never really thought of females being particularly slower compared to old fat men like myself.

There is no issue. In USA we allow many classes to mix, mostly because of fields/competition is too small.
I'm just guessing now if a woman attacked the men's field, there might be a different response, than a junior, or other doing the same.

Does anyone really care, I mean really? if they get passed by anyone while they're out riding by themselves?

Absolutely. Not all the time of course, but it may bother me in a couple of ways. Being passed could mean I'm not working as hard as I should, or I'm a lot weaker than I thought. If I'm purposefully taking it easy, in no hurry, enjoying the scenery, of course I don't care if I get passed; I expect it. But if I'm out for a workout, sometimes I lose focus and a passing rider doing what I ought to be doing will wake me up, so to speak. I won't be angry, but I'll give chase. I might be a little more upset and demoralized if I'm feeling strong and fast and ordinary riders still pass me. But I have to say I love it when pairs or small groups of really strong, really fast riders pass by; it's a beautiful thing - and I love it when a determined rider thinks he ought to pass me; I recognize a kindred spirit.

If the passer and passee? have race numbers pinned on, then it matters. Otherwise, not. There are more important things to worry about in life.

Like what?


I'm sick and tired of reading this "pin a number on" nonsense. There's no reason to expect competition to be exclusive to sanctioned events; it's not about the prizes and the places anyhow. I've pinned a number on plenty of times, and it seems to me that being passed in a race is LESS meaningful most of the time, because you know it's a race from the start, and everyone is a racer. You pass and get passed dozens of times along the way and most of the time, being the passer or passee in any particular instance makes no difference in the end. Attacks can be foolish in a race as well as on the open road. Sanctioned racing is just one way of organizing things, and as much about rules and rituals as it is about competition anyhow.


On the road, you might think you're the only one around who's ever pinned a number on but then someone comes along and blows past you. Or you may be cruising along taking it easy when next thing you know there are all these pokey Freds getting in your way. Passing and being passed is a good way to find someone to work with when you're on the open road, too. For giving one perspective in the moment, it's unmatched; you see it with your eyes. It's not a "worry," or about some guy's ego unless a he makes it so himself.

yeah, except we are all adults, which means we have an understanding of human nature. We All understand what this guy is talking about.

"What matters" is different for every person in every situation. The guys sprinting to the next stop sign on the Sunday morning group ride are rapidly receding proof of that ... (rapidly receding because I can't keep up. I don't get passed because I never get in front. :) ) We all understand this.

The only reason I even commented on the OP's situation was because I think it was some silly atavistic sexism that the OP didn't even seem to notice.

We are All competitive individuals. or ... more accurately .... everyone I have ever met has competed. Not all enjoyed it, but everyone wanted to know who was : bigger faster, smarter, could do "X" better, whatever .... Not in organized competition but in most aspects of social life. Every group and sub-group creates a pecking order, and generally people try to rise towards the top.

This isn't breaking news ... it is so commonplace I am surprised I even have to say it.

Anyway ... we all compete in different ways but pretty much, all the time. I compete with myself to go a little quicker, and then to care a little less when some fatter, older guy on an older, more beat-up bike passes me. I compete with myself to care less when I overtake some guy on a crapped-out MTB with grocery bags dangling for the handlebars.

Pin on a race number? Yeah, I have done that. but that would be far from the first or only time I ever competed.

A lot care.

I've called a group of passers - "right turners" for years and the few I ride with know the term. Seems one out ove ever two rides there is one of them.

Someone (any gender, age, size, race, religion or creed) passes you along the Hwy and - they need to turn right at the next intersection. Not that I ever turn right and follow them, as that would be weird, but I just have a feeling they are not continuing at the same effort level.

It is human nature, but not all compete in all things. And as it relates to cycling on the streets I find it interesting - and sometimes dangerous. Along the SoCal coast and esp on the MUP/volley ball areas and beach areas with little kids and rec riders out there, some are way to hot headed and think they are far faster than they are. Those types - especially when the little kids are around really irk me. Other than that I save my anger for cars.

Are you guys sure you're not confusing Amish with Menonite? :foo:

Just yell, "Zone 1!".

Well, safety for one thing. I see a lot riders buried in this competitive fog/mode that you speak of doing everything they can to chase down that rider in front of them. They get tunnel vision and become oblivious to the conditions around them. Same for the Strava racers. I've seen it a lot in running groups as well. People start taking chances, making bad decisions and putting themselves in unsafe situations, just to catch that person in front or get that KOM. I pulled a runner back a couple of years ago from a would be fatal accident. He came by a group of us at an intersection waiting for the walking sign. He starts out into the intersection with a lot of cars coming by. We start yelling at him, but he is in some zombie like state. (no headphones, BTW). A car is zeroing in on him and starts blaring the horn to no avail. I jump out and yank him back at the last second onto the sidewalk. He then rolls up into a fetal position as we scream "WTF!" The dude starts crying and kind of goes into shock. He won't get off the ground. He just stays there curled up shaking. We have to get him up and I have to walk with him the rest of the way to the finish. He said he was going for a PR on that route and just zoned out. I hand him off to a coach at the finish because he is still out of it. I see him the next week and he hasn't got over it. He tells me that he is giving it up.

Now that may not be the case with most of you, but I have seen it too many times. Packs/riders blowing stop/yield signs, making bad decisions, etc. all in the name of implied competition. Then someone gets hurt and the blaming starts.

Nor do others. Which is why, as I posted, when I pass others (being of similar demographic) I notice a change of pace. Someone finds a way to pass me back - then turn right at the next intersection.

I don't think it is just "some woman". It is being passed by someone you think should be slower.
A guy on a MTB, an old guy, a fat guy, an old fat guy on a MTB and even the same of the other gender (I just couldn't type it). All will be passing targets.

Well, if you're just riding on the road, why would you care if someone passes you unless you happen to just want to do a chase for fun. But not because you somehow seem to need to react to the pass.

If you're "training" why would you care? You're training, which means you have a purpose for your ride whether that be a slow day, or some sort of program for pickups or intervals or a race-pace ride. Whatever, why would you let someone passing you interfere with whatever your training goal is for that day.

In my 40+ years of experience, I know that the huge majority of road riders could care less about racing, "training" or the humiliation of being passed by someone. No, not everyone on a road bike is competitive in any way. Not nearly everyone.

Trump just tweeted with all the controversy swirling the White House...in an effort to change the narrative, the Amish and Menonites are the same and should be treated accordingly.

Mennonites will race bikes.

that guy sounds like he will never become a Navy Seal. ;)


I have experienced what you wrote about pack riders blowing lights all too often. Playing chicken with their lives to drop a fellow rider. Can't make it up but have seen it more times than I care to. Fortunately, I haven't personally witnessed the carnage, but no doubt some of these brilliant guys have paid the price for their stupidity. Darwinism on full display.

But using Di2 is against their religion...until the kerosene version becomes available. Most ride fixies.

I wish all electronics were banned from racing.
In order, NO:
-Radios
-GPS/computers
-Cameras
-Electronic shifting
-Power Meters
-HRMs

And...(just me) follow cars.

+1

TV cameras ok, right?