acaurora

So I don't know if I did something wrong, but here goes:

Was on my way back on my morning ride and there were these two cyclists(or should I say commuters). They were on what appeared to be hybrid bikes in that they had thin tires, but straight handlebars, and were not dressed as "cyclists" with the whole jersey and cycling shorts getup (I myself only wear cycling shorts and a sleeveless t... jersey is still on its way )...

Now on this route that I go, the way home is always faster as the entire route home is slightly downhill, so I'm going around 20+. I was slowly catching up to them, and then finally was getting behind them. I decided to pass them by pushing it and going faster and passing them within that whole 3-second rule (right?) on their left.

Now this is the weird part. They were in single file, one behind the other. I passed both of them fairly quickly, and then suddenly as I passed the guy in front he turns to me and yells (in an Asian accent, and the way I understood it as) : "GIVE RIGHT WAY-LA". I honestly had no idea what he was saying, so I kept on going. 20 seconds later, the guy that had yelled at me catches up to me(still going at 20+mph) and zooms right past me and doesn't look back. He stops at the intersection ahead and continues to not look at me. The light turns green in the direction I'm going (straight), so I just keep going and don't bother to stop.

In retrospect, I assume I probably should've said something to let them know I am approaching / passing them. I myself have been startled by cyclists while riding. But again, did I do anything wrong?

Jynx

No you were fine. I would have done the same thing.

hairnet

riding hybrids without kits doesn't make you a cyclist?

billyymc

What's a three second rule?

When I overtake someone, I try to call out "on your left" or ding my bell so they aren't startled.

acaurora

From what I've read here I always thought you need to pass a person within 3 seconds?

Tigerprawn

No idea what he wanted... but I would assume he wanted a "on your left!" or something of that nature. If they're single line they may be running pace line drills? No idea, but I always call it if I'm passing someone up.

Diegomayra

No rules. Its like Mad max out there. I never yell unless its necessary. I think once I yelled on your left. Basically if I "feel" it needs to be said for saftey reasons, I will. If not Ill pass and wave. On my way.

Grumpy McTrumpy

I seldom see anyone on a bike around here.

If I pass someone at close to my speed then I say hi.

If they are way way slower then I just blow by them (giving a wide berth).

grolby

Maybe. But F that. I had someone say something to me about that the other day. I was climbing up a hill in a local park (Percy Warner), and saw someone ahead of me climbing very slowly ahead. She was weaving a bit, but was on the right, so I figured I would just pass her on the left. As I got closer she seemed to be moving more and more to the left, which was making me nervous, since I wanted to give plenty of room. Well, she practically cut across from the middle of the road right into my intended line at a slight right turn, cut me off and forced me to practically come to a stop. I was annoyed and regained my momentum by accelerating past her on the right. And as I did it, she called out "Give heads up," or something. WTF? NO, more like you hold your friggin line and, if possible, stay to the right if you're moving slowly. The fact that I passed as close as I did to this woman was her own fault.

My point is that there should be no reason to warn people if everyone rides appropriately and you pass with plenty of room (or, if there's not plenty of room, at a slow overtake speed). "On your left," only seems to confuse people, so I go without it. If anyone has a problem with that, tough.

the_drain

He's got Tour Fever and thought you were George Hincapie...don't worry about it.

In the future however, remember to never let a hybrid commuter catch up and pass you...we may need to ban you.

coasting 

I have tour fever too. Today, I passed a tandem and I couldn't help shouting "allez allez!" at the pair.

I don't know why because I'm finding the tour really boring.

Beaker

Hi or How's it going? are the norm for me. The guy you passed does sound like a tool - you played it well by not taking the bait.

mtnroadie

The riders that I pass tend to freak out. I recently had one go off the road and nearly crash. I politely let her know that I was coming, but she was still startled. I find that most of the riders that I do pass are new riders who have trouble handling their bikes. I guess there's nothing I can do to prevent a skiddish rider from being startled,but I let them know that I'm coming for my own safety if nothing else.

ggatsby

singaporean.

reef58

The problem is you didn't dial up the wattage enough. Did you give the look? Maybe it was R600?

Richard

Kai Winters

I always whistle a bit from just enough distance to get attention but not startle. I always slow for a moment to say hello and have a nice ride. Courtesy always pays off with at least good karma.

BengeBoy 

Wow, is it that hard to say, "on your left" when passing another cyclist? Especially two cyclists who might have been focusing on drafting/pacing each other.

Like one of the posters above, I've found that "on your left" confuses people but for whatever reason if you say, "Passing - on your left" people get it.

xg43x

"On your left" would have been more appropriate than simply passing them with some unwritten rule I have never heard of.

Tigerprawn

If it were just one guy I would still call "on your left" - However, "Passing on your left" seems more appropriate and concise.

The fact it was multiple guys possibly in a pace line would be even more reason to call before passing. Mainly safety and what not and to me it's common courtesy.

Kurt Erlenbach

You give notice that you are passing and then say, "Good morning," or "How are you?" or something like that. It's just being polite.

GP 

I've had people veer left when I say "on your left".

Pugsly

+1. Sometimes I call out, sometimes I just ride on by - depends on how I think the cyclist will react based on what they are riding / wearing.

bob the nailer

Flame away all you who believe wearing anything other than 100% cotton is a sin, but how likely is it really that two people riding hybrid bikes and wearing "regular" clothes were doing paceline drills? You did nothing wrong.

umd

Nope

umd

Fwiw, I posted this in another thread (about drafting):

This kind of thing comes up a lot too about saying "on your left" because people generally can't imagine riding in an environment other than your own. It's common for people to say that of course everyone understands "on your left"... But where I ride there are a lot of migrant farm workers who ride around on old beat up bikes because they can't afford cars. They are slow and they are generally all over the road, usually don't understand English, and if you say something they are just as likely to be startled and swerve into you as anything else.