serotta

Went out for a nice restday 30 miler today. Left around 11AM, and got back around 1PM. Beautiful day!!!!! I got within about 3 or 4 miles of the house, and a rider flashes by in full Hincapie skinsuit down on the drops of his Bianchi. Not a word, no "on your left", or "passing", or "great day isn't it" or even a "shove it you old fart, get off my road". I just can't understand how someone can be so insecure that they wouldn't extend a slight pleasantry on the way past a fellow cyclist. I couldn't stand it, he got a few hundred yards up the road and was clearly trying to drop me in a manner that showed his superiority. I jumped, then settled into my cadence. In about a mile I caught him, and carefully gathered all the wind I had left, then rode up alongside and quietly said, "Great day for a leisurely ride isn't it?" I immediately turned onto the left fork in the road so I could gasp for breathe without him hearing it.
Yes, I know, I'm a great big 60 year old baby....... but I sure did smile all the way home just seeing the look on his face when I pulled up alongside him. Of course, if I'd continued with him for another 1/4 mile he would have dropped me for good.

DrPete 

Hmm... perhaps he was training and was in the middle of an interval. I don't strike up conversation with folks when I'm in that mode either. Otherwise I'll always wave or say hi.

But whatever makes you feel better...

GuitarWizard

When I pass people, I always make sure to smile and say hi....

dmitrivich

If he was just lumbering by you, saying "hello" would probably be the polite thing to do, but I don't think it's required. But if he "flashed" by as you say, there may not have been time for a proper greeting; or he may have been out of breath or focused on his training. Besides, how do you drop someone "in a manner that showed his superiority?" You accuse this guy of insecurity - and then you make a great effort just to catch him and "show him up" in your own style. Who is insecure here?

DrPete 

Yeah, the number of times I pass someone in the middle of a hard interval is probably 1% of the time, so the other 99% I'm not "elitist."

voltman

I passed a old guy wearing baggy shorts on a mountain bike and said hi. No answer.

H1449-6

I just can't understand how someone can be so insecure that they have to post on the internet when someone doesn't say hi.

DrPete 

He just assumed you were an elitist feigning niceness.

timmhaan

the interval thing is a good point. i typically train in the park, around a loop. sometimes when i'm doing intervals i'm passing someone and then they pass me when i'm resting and then i blow by them again. it's not on purpose of course, but it's just the nature of the interval. it can be weird sometimes, but i think most people understand what's going on.

HAMMER MAN

usuallly it depends on my training schedule and how hard I am pushing, but whenever I take over another cyclist and pass, I always let them know so as not to startle them.
If I am passed since I am quite competitive I will catch up, stay up with them or pass them with see ya later.

bdcheung

I generally don't let the actions of others affect me. Unless, of course, they affect me.

botto 

i'm sorry, but who cares?

bike4life

"Great day for a leisurely ride isn't it?"

Maybe Flash was training - what? he can't call out a warning? Training does not relieve him of his obligation to ride safely.

"I always let them know so as not to startle them."

+100! Exactly my point!

johnny99

Sounds to me like he was minding is own business and you are the arrogant elitist. Did he cut you off or otherwise create a saftey problem for you? Maybe he passed you quickly because he though being near you would be a saftey risk for him.

DrPete 

Cars don't signal as they "flash" by...

It's impossible to say whether not giving a verbal signal was unsafe without seeing the road.

bdcheung

Honestly if I was riding and a car honked from behind me, i'd either: 1) get so startled and jump so high i'd do an ollie; 2) be pissed that the guy was impatient. Really, my view is no harm, no foul.

Hipcycler

Let me try to take a little softer approach than botto!

As I read your thread it occured to me that I have passed many people while out on my regular ride by myself without saying a word to them.

Maybe it's part of my personality, but I'm kind of a 'keep to myself' kinda guy.

What difference does it make if I say hi or not as I go past anyway?

Now, if someone nods, or says something to me, I will always be polite and answer back.

Again...in the case of your story...this bizzare thing inside many of us takes over and we have to give chase for some reason. Maybe the guy was just out riding hard and not out to prove anything at all by passing you. He was doing his thing. You were doing your thing. Plain and simple....yet this kind of thing happens all the time. Been there. Done that. Wonder why we can't help ourselves.

GuitarWizard

I only do climbing repeats outside ("regular" intervals I'll do on a trainer - terrain around here makes it tough to do them outside), and I've yet to see any other cyclists on the hill I do 'em on, so I'm covered

Scorer75

I totally undestand the guy in question.

When I'm cruising along, I'll say hi to everyone. Bikers, joggers, walkers, even people walking their dogs get a nod.

But when I'm giving everything I have to my bike, I'm in the drops, my heart is pumping, my brain is pounding, my lungs are screaming for more air, and the sweat is pouring off me like someone left the faucet open, please understand that I may not stop to chat or call out if you are cruising along and I'm certain I can pass you without endangering you, myself, or anyone else.

theshoemaker

I'm starting to get irritated with the "gesture requirement" mentality. It's exercise, it should not affect you negatively because someone doesn't say hi or otherwise act as you expect them to act. There are some occasions when I've been riding that there are so many riders that if I'd have given a hello gesture to each I'd undoubtedly not be able to focus on my ride.

From YOUR point of view someone could give you all of the signs of being a "pompous elitist", and not at all be one. If something bothers you, start giving others the benefit of the doubt and thinking of all of the billions of reasons that you could be wrong. There are several benefits to you in this, one of which is you will be more likeable.

GRRR!

Rowan

Seems to me there might have been a bit of competitive leapfrog going on. The fast guy sped past his "victim" (the OP) to claim another "victory"; the "victim" then hunted down the guy in front as he is recovering. Unfortunately, the OP didn't have the nouse to leave enough in reserve to swing out and to the front, while saying "Hi, nice day for a bike ride".

I've had guys go past on many occasions in their "team kit", while I have maintained my pace, and have finally caught them, or at least stayed the same distance behind for some while, which gives lie to any stories about interval training. I don't think intervals were a part of the OP's story.

patentcad

I don't even like to wave at other motorcyclists. Just not my personality. So you can hate me. Not a problem. Welcome to the club.

galen_52657

Unless the guy close-passed you, you have got no beef.

nocondorfx

i just pass other cyclists quietly. I dont wave to other drivers when im passing them.

head on, is differnt though

sentinel4675

I don't understand why some worry about such petty stuff. If he didn't say high, screw him. The only way he could ruin your ride is if YOU let him.