DrPete 

I'm pretty sure that ES has been there, done that. I don't think personal experience counts as a pedestal.

chipcom 

Got a portable downhill or 20mph tailwind that I can keep in my saddlebag? You know, like them portable holes we used to see on looney toons?

octaneTom

So ok, what exactly is the etiquette??? I'm a newish-rider (I have like 1,000 miles beneath me) and there's 2 pretty standard routes I do from my house after work in SE Michigan. The one route I take is pretty well-roadie travelled. Once in a while, you'll come up on someone. Usually, if they're going slower, I'll pass and say "How's it going"? and keep on. If I get passed, I'll sometimes hear an "on your left" which I appreciate. Sometimes, at a light, I'll start chatting with someone and end up riding together for several miles. All good stuff. Other times, people blow by me without a word and I'm fine with it - 2 guys on TT bikes were just HAULING on Sunday morning and meant business.

But then Tuesday night this week, I'm on my return route and there are two dudes riding together in front of me in matching sleeveless team jerseys. I figure they don't want company, but they weren't going very fast and I caught up to them and rode on one of their wheels for about a 3/4 of a mile. As soon as we got through a changing light and into a flat, wide strip of traffic-free road, I passed them and got in front when I was sure I had cleared them. I cruised home wondering if I should have slowed to their pace and took a "pull" or whatnot since I "sucked their wheel" (correct terminlogy?) for a while.

Damn, it was a lot easier being a runner. You just smiled and waved.

bormoglot

That should work! Not that hard tough, you don't want him to run into you (then you both go down), you just want his front wheel to touch your back wheel (then only he goes down, you keep riding...)

GuitarWizard

I don't like strangers who I don't know drafting off of me....how do I know if they know how to ride a bike or are able to draft without running into me? I've only had a few instances of people trying to draft me after I pass them (usually going quite a bit slower than I was)....one I dropped like a hot potato on a hill sprint, and another who I was too tired to drop since I was pulling him along into a fairly brisk headwind.

I probably wouldn't mind as much if people actually asked first, and I got to watch 'em ride for a little bit first. The guy I dropped on the climb was VERY squirrely...weaving all over the place and just not steady at all. Definitely did not want him on my wheel.

Head Trip

Sometimes its just a wake up call. Sometimes when I'm just riding along by myself I start going slower because I'm daydreaming or thinking about something else. Then somebody comes along and passes me and I realize how I had been doddling along, so I catch up with them. For most people I doubt its a compettitive thing, just coming around and riding again.

jyossarian

How's this for refusing to get passed? On my way home from work, I was riding along the Hudson Greenway when two cyclists rode past me on my left. They weren't going much faster than me, but when they pulled ahead of me, I heard the 2nd cyclist scream, "On your left!" and swing out to the left to pass the rider ahead of him. At that moment, the 1st rider stood up and sprinted! I thought this should be fun to watch so I picked it up a little and stayed around 20-40 feet behind them, depending on MUP conditions. Incidentally, this is the same MUP where a cyclist was killed last month by an NYPD tow truck. I followed along, watching the 2nd cyclist repeatedly try to pass the 1st cyclist only to have the 1st cyclist do a standing sprint. This went on for 3-4 miles until I pulled off at my street. Last I saw they were still riding recklessly along a shared walking/cycling path w/ lots of kids, strollers, parents, dogs, etc. It was the stupidest bit of riding I'd seen in a while.

myclem

Imagine a passer-by observing two wispy guys trying to duke it out in brightly colored spandex, clip-clopping around on cleats and circling each other like prize roosters, then wrasslin' around like they were playing sweaty Twister.

Man, I'd pay to see that.

In that situation I'd probably get my myself whooped just from giggling like a little girl.


Back to the subject:
People suck my wheel all the time. It doesn't bother me; I just need to get home.
I think I'm motivated more by racing my wife's diminishing patience than racing other cyclists on the trail.

Mojo Slim

This is not an issue out here in rural California. Not enough riders. I think in the four years I have been riding seriously, I have had only one or two times when someone has caught up with me, and it was one of my buddies.

But I agree that some simple etiquette is in order. The few times I have ridden where more bikes are, I have found that a simple "how ya doin'?" or "Where are you headed?" is enough to determine most of what one needs to know.

Just a side note. On a long (7 day) organized ride, we were continually admonished to ride single file. But the written rules say "no drafting". There is a very fine line between the two, sometimes.

ollo_ollo

OK, you passed me but I've been riding into this head wind for 2 hours, your backside is big as a barn and I'm 66 years old. Think I'll just stay 5 feet behind you for a few miles to catch my second wind. Don

banerjek

Damn straight. If you can't pass, the problem is either that you're not strong enough to really do the job, or the other guy is working too hard -- in which case he'll burn his legs up soon enough and you can drop him like a rock.

If anyone catches me, I let up on the pace until they've gotten by me. However, it is too often the case that they don't maintain the pace they used to catch me so I wind up riding too easy. I figure if we're not going to be talking, one of us should be pulling away.

VitoVasco

I usually have no problem with people drafting me or letting me draft. I do get those guys in full spandex on carbon bikes with aerobars and a million damn wires sticking out of thier body get mad at me for being able to keep up with them. I don't look like serious cyclist (t-shirt/shorts/boots) so they think I can't ride well and say something like "don't run into me" or "keep your distance" when I ask if they mind if I draft. I usually say the same thing back to them when they try to draft me. I say if you don't like people drafting you stand up and make fart noises.

platypus

Oh well, you were just riding with Robbie McEwen then!

Granny

I know a guy like that. His personal motto is 'Don't get passed - get pissed". Pretty dumb, IMHO.

slowandsteady

I ride alone most of the time, and don't draft. But even I knew this. Really it is common sense. Invading a person's personal space whether it be tailgating a bike or a car or standing too close is just rude.

cheeseflavor

+1

I love catching someone, exchanging small talk (all the time trying not to look like I'm working hard), then sprinting away and watching them try to catch my wheel.

Cycling can be so much fun

Steve

Squint

Why don't you enter a race instead?

1955

I'm constantly amazed by how big a percentage of the populations, of roadies, are mind readers. Someone gets passed or they pass someone and instantly they know everything about the other guy and even when someone takes their regular route, it's really only to get away from you.

On my ride this Sunday with fellow BF'ers here in OC I'm going to try to read the minds of the other guys to see what they think of Brandy's bikini top. I'll report back on my findings.

You guys crack me up.

cheeseflavor

Fair question. It's just in fun anyway. Sounds like you're personally offended by this behaviour?

Steve

SesameCrunch

ROFL big time...

dutret

Maybe they're doing intervals. I passed this one tri rider close to a dozen times last week only to sit up and drop to my lowest gear fifty meters ahead of her and get passed. By the end she was giving me really wierd looks.

digger

Low self esteem, ego troubles, insecurities, take your choice.

Riding home from work one evening (it was dark) back in '99 I passed a guy on an old 10 speed, he had no helmet and no light. Hardly knew he was there and barely noticed him.

I come to a downhill and he blows past me about 1/2 way down the hill. I shake my head and think to myself - my ffriend, going so fast on a downhill even WITH a light is a tad dangerous.

Well the downhill becomes an uphill he slows right down and I pass him again.

As I pass he shouts "not bad!"

umpadumpy

A few years ago, after a tough day at work, I got passed by a couple of high-end road riders while I was commuting on my 1988 Specialized Hardrock with 1.5 slicks. It wasn't one of those "we just wanna get around you" passes, or so it seemed at the time. For whatever reason, right or wrong, I couldn't let go that they passed me, and chose to chase them.

For five miles I didn't give up, pushing 42/14 at a level nearly equal to whatever gearing they had. I just tucked my knees in toward the top tube and spun a faster cadence than I usually do. Oddly I didn't feel winded (I'm typically not a fast rider in any setting), and after another mile they both slowed down and let me go by. One quietly said, "nice pace" as I rode through.

Sure forgot about the bad day after that.

*new*guy

Agreed. Race on the weekend, not on the MUP.

Pb_Okole

I once had someone on my wheel and didn't realize they were there. Coming up on a light as it turned yellow, I hit the brakes to stop. The guy behind must have thought I was going to go through. He went through me. The results: lost skin, bent rear derailler hanger and trashed Campy Record derailleur. Sounds kinda dangerous to me....