Swerving is condemned?
03-05-09 | 10:49 PM
#51
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The guy was an @$$hole for not anouncing his presence, but it is a little foolish to change lines or lanes without checking your shoulder. You never know if someone could be passing you, and even if they call their pass, it's not always heard.
It's made of carbon fiber, not crystal.
It's made of carbon fiber, not crystal.
All good points urbanknight. But something is still bothering me about this post...It was a little condesending. Nope that wasn't it. The creative way you spelled a-hole? Nah. That was new to me. So after many many moments of deep reflection I finally figured it out. It's your avatar picture. Something about it ain't right. (some people probably think they know where I'm gonna go with this) It's the helmet hair joined in holy union with the big $hit eating grin. Those two need to be seperated in all of your lifes kodak moments. Helmet hair+a worn out look=pure gold.
03-05-09 | 11:05 PM
#52
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The guy was an @$$hole for not anouncing his presence, but it is a little foolish to change lines or lanes without checking your shoulder. You never know if someone could be passing you, and even if they call their pass, it's not always heard.
It's made of carbon fiber, not crystal.
It's made of carbon fiber, not crystal.
checking my shoulder when lane changing is a natural instinct now, even when i'm just walking
03-05-09 | 11:23 PM
#53
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03-05-09 | 11:28 PM
#55
Over the hill
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All good points urbanknight. But something is still bothering me about this post...It was a little condesending. Nope that wasn't it. The creative way you spelled a-hole? Nah. That was new to me. So after many many moments of deep reflection I finally figured it out. It's your avatar picture. Something about it ain't right. (some people probably think they know where I'm gonna go with this) It's the helmet hair joined in holy union with the big $hit eating grin. Those two need to be seperated in all of your lifes kodak moments. Helmet hair+a worn out look=pure gold.
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It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
03-05-09 | 11:29 PM
#56
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I do it even when there's basically no chance of someone being there. I just can't help it. I've even flinched a few times when changing lanes piloting the tandem because I see someone directly behind me! 
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It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
03-05-09 | 11:43 PM
#57
It's ALL base...
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From: Los Angeles
03-05-09 | 11:46 PM
#58
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This needs to be settled with a vote. Helmet hair is ok as long as you have a warn out look. We all are well aware that you need at least 97 miles to reach that look required for a proper helmet hair photo.
03-05-09 | 11:51 PM
#59
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From: San Jose, Ca
Bikes: 09 Specialized Tricross Sport
There are @@@hole roadies like the guy behind the OP. Totally uptight, indignant, as manifested by their yelling this and that.
"Hold your line"???? The OP should've started swerving all over the path to make the guy more perturbed.
And to all those "you should be looking x' ahead of you" people, well, you can't always spot the potholes well ahead. Shadows cast earlier and later in the day, having the rising/setting sun in your eyes can make that impossible.
I'm not going to go plowing through some gaping pothole just to avoid being yelled at by some pompous "@@@".
"Hold your line"???? The OP should've started swerving all over the path to make the guy more perturbed.
And to all those "you should be looking x' ahead of you" people, well, you can't always spot the potholes well ahead. Shadows cast earlier and later in the day, having the rising/setting sun in your eyes can make that impossible.
I'm not going to go plowing through some gaping pothole just to avoid being yelled at by some pompous "@@@".
03-06-09 | 12:12 AM
#60
No matches
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From: Eastern PA
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I always just thought that was urban's haircut. I kinda liked it. Like corn rows, but cooler.
03-06-09 | 01:29 AM
#61
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03-06-09 | 02:05 AM
#62
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I find it comical the number of posts from riders who feel slighted by those who would dare to draft off them.
Is it because they don't know that a trailing rider actually improves the aerodynamics of the leader? Or is it that they are self conscious of how their @$$es (thanks UrbanKnight) look from behind?
Either way, while I generally frown upon people who yell at strangers, I also like to take an interest in the welfare of those around me.
As George Costanza so eloquently put it, "You know we're living... IN A SOCIETY!"
Is it because they don't know that a trailing rider actually improves the aerodynamics of the leader? Or is it that they are self conscious of how their @$$es (thanks UrbanKnight) look from behind?
Either way, while I generally frown upon people who yell at strangers, I also like to take an interest in the welfare of those around me.
As George Costanza so eloquently put it, "You know we're living... IN A SOCIETY!"
03-06-09 | 02:25 AM
#63
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03-06-09 | 04:31 AM
#64
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I find it comical the number of posts from riders who feel slighted by those who would dare to draft off them.
Is it because they don't know that a trailing rider actually improves the aerodynamics of the leader? Or is it that they are self conscious of how their @$$es (thanks UrbanKnight) look from behind?
Either way, while I generally frown upon people who yell at strangers, I also like to take an interest in the welfare of those around me.
As George Costanza so eloquently put it, "You know we're living... IN A SOCIETY!"
Is it because they don't know that a trailing rider actually improves the aerodynamics of the leader? Or is it that they are self conscious of how their @$$es (thanks UrbanKnight) look from behind?
Either way, while I generally frown upon people who yell at strangers, I also like to take an interest in the welfare of those around me.
As George Costanza so eloquently put it, "You know we're living... IN A SOCIETY!"
03-06-09 | 04:44 AM
#65
my brain hurts!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Oak Knoll
Bikes: Numerous bicycles.
I'm with Tom G. Warrior here on this one. The guy needed to be punched out.
03-06-09 | 06:49 AM
#66
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From: Tariffville, CT
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I thought you were at fault until I reread and noticed that the guy behind you wasn't associated with your ride in any way.
If you WERE on a group ride, I'd say you would have been at fault. I just did a line ride a few weeks ago, and our 5-man group was doing well, but passed by a fast trio. They unfortunately passed us right when a section of road hazard cone markers was lined up, and our front guy had obstructed view, so he couldn't signal to us, and had to swerve. I was on his wheel, and the moment he swerved out of the way at 21mph, I was running right into a cone. I barely made it, but the two guys behind me hit the next cones and went down hard. It's REALLY important for the leader of a line ride to signal and not swerve, because the guy behind you has no chance at survival if he's riding tightly on your wheel.
In your situation, I think the guy behind you was behind a rude dork. You never indicated that you knew he was there, and it's irresponsible to automatically latch onto solo riders and expect them to give you all the cues as if it suddenly became a group ride. If you're going to draft a solo rider that doesn't expect you there, it's fully in your responsibility that you have adequate visibility and response distance in case they swerve.
The only defense for the other guy is that he's probably used to riding mostly in groups, where doing the group signaling is natural and automatic. If you've been doing that awhile, you're sort of shocked when people don't do it automatically. This happens a bunch when I alternate riding between an advanced road bike racing group, then sometimes go on easy slow rides with a slow beginner-early intermediate tri group - I know most of the tri rookies don't know how to do the group signal thing, but it's still unnerving for the first 5 minutes with them.
If you WERE on a group ride, I'd say you would have been at fault. I just did a line ride a few weeks ago, and our 5-man group was doing well, but passed by a fast trio. They unfortunately passed us right when a section of road hazard cone markers was lined up, and our front guy had obstructed view, so he couldn't signal to us, and had to swerve. I was on his wheel, and the moment he swerved out of the way at 21mph, I was running right into a cone. I barely made it, but the two guys behind me hit the next cones and went down hard. It's REALLY important for the leader of a line ride to signal and not swerve, because the guy behind you has no chance at survival if he's riding tightly on your wheel.
In your situation, I think the guy behind you was behind a rude dork. You never indicated that you knew he was there, and it's irresponsible to automatically latch onto solo riders and expect them to give you all the cues as if it suddenly became a group ride. If you're going to draft a solo rider that doesn't expect you there, it's fully in your responsibility that you have adequate visibility and response distance in case they swerve.
The only defense for the other guy is that he's probably used to riding mostly in groups, where doing the group signaling is natural and automatic. If you've been doing that awhile, you're sort of shocked when people don't do it automatically. This happens a bunch when I alternate riding between an advanced road bike racing group, then sometimes go on easy slow rides with a slow beginner-early intermediate tri group - I know most of the tri rookies don't know how to do the group signal thing, but it's still unnerving for the first 5 minutes with them.
Group ride? You grit your teeth, bunnyhop or whatever, and go over/through the hole. If you aren't paying enough attention you deserve to break your wheel. The guy behind you should be paying attention too, so they're on their own.
Solo ride? Do whatever you like. But try not to daydream too much.
If someone not on your ride comes up behind you, you're still on a solo ride.
Bonus points for being polite, attentive, and pointing to potholes even when someone not on your ride is behind you.
Delete points for yelling at someone you're not riding with because you're absentminded.
cdr
03-06-09 | 08:39 AM
#67
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Drafting is tailgating, and is dangerous under the best of circumstances. Unaniunced behind a stranger many times more so. I've personally had morons run into the back of me even when signaling stops. When I ride I will signal stops but I won't point out hazards unless I know someone is with me.
Since I've been over here, I've been impressed with the fluidity and ease with which pacelines comprising of complete strangers can form and dissolve out on the bike roads. People use bells, signal their intentions, and call out/ signal warnings about hazards. I'd like to think that this sort of pragmatic comraderie is possible everywhere among cyclists. What I've been reading here suggests otherwise.
You probably hear this all the time, but: You Are Awesome!
03-06-09 | 08:50 AM
#68
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Tailgating is dangerous in cars, but, other than while stopped, have you ever seen a rider taken out by someone behind them? Seems to me the unannounced drafter imperils him/herself.
Since I've been over here, I've been impressed with the fluidity and ease with which pacelines comprising of complete strangers can form and dissolve out on the bike roads. People use bells, signal their intentions, and call out/ signal warnings about hazards. I'd like to think that this sort of pragmatic comraderie is possible everywhere among cyclists. What I've been reading here suggests otherwise.
Since I've been over here, I've been impressed with the fluidity and ease with which pacelines comprising of complete strangers can form and dissolve out on the bike roads. People use bells, signal their intentions, and call out/ signal warnings about hazards. I'd like to think that this sort of pragmatic comraderie is possible everywhere among cyclists. What I've been reading here suggests otherwise.
Bottom line is that coming up on someone behind them and sticking on their wheel is rude and dangerous to all involved. A paceline, group ride is different because everybody expects it and there is an implicit contract between the riders. A solo rider has no expectation that any given moment there is someone behind them that they should signal obstacles to. It is the responsibility of the person behind to maintain a safe following distance.
Edit: I have gotten into impomptu pacelines with random people on the road, but the key is that it is a shared experience. Both riders (or more than 2) are mutually cooperative and involved. On the other hand drafting a stranger is one-sided.
I simply mean that I know the fast guys in town. There are plenty (tons) of people faster than me but I know them or ride with them all the time. Once and a while an out of town person will come up on me, but they won't just suck my wheel, they will come up and pass me or work with me.
Last edited by umd; 03-06-09 at 08:55 AM.
03-06-09 | 09:11 AM
#69
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I've no affinity towards reckless, or inattentive riders. And it's a shame that guy hit you.
But I must have a different concept of rudeness.
And I've been recently socialized into the habits of always shoulder checking, always signalling, and always trying to look out for the other guy, or at least check if he's there. Even if he's too slow, old, fat, or sugar depleted to do his share of the pulls.
But maybe this populous little country wouldn't work so well if people didn't make such efforts to be sociable.
And that other bit: I was just having a bit of fun. I remember what it was like to be fast. You do get to know who everyone important is, even from a distance.
But I must have a different concept of rudeness.
And I've been recently socialized into the habits of always shoulder checking, always signalling, and always trying to look out for the other guy, or at least check if he's there. Even if he's too slow, old, fat, or sugar depleted to do his share of the pulls.
But maybe this populous little country wouldn't work so well if people didn't make such efforts to be sociable.
And that other bit: I was just having a bit of fun. I remember what it was like to be fast. You do get to know who everyone important is, even from a distance.
03-06-09 | 09:29 AM
#70
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03-06-09 | 09:32 AM
#71
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Don't get me wrong... I do know when people are there. In this case I knew someone was behind me, I signalled a stop at a stop sign, and the guy behind me decided to run the stop through me. If someone wants to come up to me and be social while I'm riding that's fine, I will reciprocate (and have done so). But coming up on my wheel and sitting there is not being social. And sitting on a stranger's wheel, you have no expectation that they know you are there, will signal, etc. I prefer not to deal with it so I will usually just ride away.
03-06-09 | 11:47 AM
#72
I've had people hit me from behind, get their wheel tangled between my wheel and the derailleur/frame, and almost take me down. Only excellent reactions from both of us prevented a spill.
The only time I expect random people to grab my wheel unannounced is when I'm part of a large group ride, like the local club or the recent Grand Fondo. Then, it's sort of implicit. Otherwise, if I feel someone on my wheel I'll say something.
On my end, I'll usually leave a few bike lengths in front of me or pass. I haven't really drafted strangers.
The only time I expect random people to grab my wheel unannounced is when I'm part of a large group ride, like the local club or the recent Grand Fondo. Then, it's sort of implicit. Otherwise, if I feel someone on my wheel I'll say something.
On my end, I'll usually leave a few bike lengths in front of me or pass. I haven't really drafted strangers.
03-06-09 | 12:43 PM
#74
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First of all, if you had to swerve, you weren't looking. You should be able to see the pothole and as you slowly move over a little, point at it.
If the pothole is not that big, just ride over it, it won't hurt you or your bike. Or just unweight your bike, a semi bunny-hop as you go over it.
Now I will rant about the idiots that swerve wildly at the slightest imperfection in the road because they don't want to hurt their precious little bikes.
If the pothole is not that big, just ride over it, it won't hurt you or your bike. Or just unweight your bike, a semi bunny-hop as you go over it.
Now I will rant about the idiots that swerve wildly at the slightest imperfection in the road because they don't want to hurt their precious little bikes.
my team has some new members who cant ride in a straight line, and nearly smack into every roadkill, pothole, whatever on the side of the road. amazes me to watch a smooth double paceline clipping along, start to move out of the way of something, and then to watch the 2 or 3 guys who dont see the group movement and then have to do something twitchy to miss an obstacle. reason is that they're staring down at their computer, the wheel in front of them, or otherwise not focusing on where their vision needs to be. I cant imagine how they drive.
lesson you should have learned, this isnt a who was right issue, it's a PAY ATTENTION to where you're going issue.
03-06-09 | 01:08 PM
#75
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Changing position without a head check is a bit of a rookie move too...you are lucky that schmuck wasn't passing you. Perhaps you need to stay on the path...not checking before changing position while on the road will give you and your Madone a really bad day.
The guy was a dweeb for saying something though...you meet those kinds when you ride Madones on the path.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 03-06-09 at 01:14 PM.