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I Suck At This Racing Thing!

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I Suck At This Racing Thing!

Old 04-26-10, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by knobster
That was a good story beanz. I enjoyed it. I don't think I go fast enough for someone to draft me so I rarely would encounter this sort of behaviour. You don't see many posers here though. Lots of racks and fenders..
Thanks! Nice to see a nice clean response!
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Old 04-26-10, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Yaniel
I think you're reading his post wrong. he's saying he's just riding along and other people think they're racing. He's not claiming to be fast, or strong enough to race. Just that other riders who are obviously not as strong as him are making excuses for why they can't keep up. I doubt he's posting this to make it seem like he's stronger that everyone, he's posting it for the humor in the excuses.


a lot of people on here are way to uptight.
Thanks! I think he finally got it though!....Maybe the thread is familiar but I just have to mix in something other than another wheel thread!
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Old 04-26-10, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz
So Saturday I get to ride alone on the trail since the wife had other plans. I get to do my pace without worring about going to fast etc. So I end up riding with some guy that I don't really want to ride with. I said no a few times but he wouldn't accept it so I did my pace. Turns out our "riding together" is me pulling for 7 miles from the start. He's gasping for air and making sounds like he want to puke or go into cardiac. I don't surge, no speed increase just a steady strong pace into a stiff headwind. I'm pretty happy he dropped off when he did because I know the guy and he's never once beenable to keep even when my wife is riding with me. There was a reason I didn't want to ride with him so just doing my pace, if he fell back, he was on his own.

Soon after I run into another dude. I met this dude about 2 years ago about stories of being the senior TT state champ. I was rather impressed with is 26 mph average into the wind as my solo efforts were 19 mph max over the 50 miles on the same trail. 26 MPH!!! Wow, I could never even imagine keeping up with this monster.

So I ride around the guy politely then the dude hops on to suck my wheel. Sometimes I would rather just ride myself but no biggie. I don't want to be a jerk like those mentioned in so many threads, so I just keep doing my thing!

So he sucks my wheel for 6 or 7 miles. Just keeping my pace when some dude hops on the trail on a 3 speed with big huge fat tires. He's commuting but he jumps in line but soon after he pulls up to the fornt and takes a pull for a couple minutes. He drops back then comes to the front again a few minutes later. Couple miles down the road he turns off. I was shocked as this dude on some huge fat tires was willing to work if even for a bit !....but the state TT champ made no attempt or offer!

But like I said, I was just doing my thing for a good workout. Another mile down the road and the state TT champ falls off my wheel on a molehill of a climb. 20 yard climb and he's gone. I keep my same consistent pace to the coast and usual rest stop, shared by several cyclist.

TT champ fell off pace about 5 miles back so he arrives a few minutes. He rides up and says,"you were doing a good pace into the headwind". I said thanks as I was proud of my effort. I don't get to open up much on the trail as my rides are usually with my wife on the weekends. Then the Champ says, you were lucky I didn't catch you. I was cut off by a lady on a bike right when I was planning to catch you"...I just laughed seeing as the guy was about a mile ahead of me when he first came into sight, but he's catching me!

So another several (like 20) minutes go by when the other rider shows up. He rolls up and immediately says," I couldn't keep your pace because I'm at a disadvantage".

"Really, Like what?" I asked knowing that it's because I ride a ton more. I ride in the mountains, I ride hills, 45 mph winds, road bike, tandem, Mountin bike and probably did 20 times the mileage that this guy did last year. That was my answer, but I didn't say anything, I just wanted to hear his answer for a good laugh.

He says he was at a disavantage because he removed his aerobars! But! But! If I don't have them, what disadvantage? He says he loses 5 mph on his overall 'AVERAGE" without them. So I compared our averages and mine was 2.5 better than his over the 12 mie section and I pulled him half of that.

"So if you had your aerobars, there was no way I could have kept up with you?" He says nope that he has hit 29 mph on the trail before. "Well I've hit 32 but what does that have to do with it?" I asked. Then he says his 29 was a sustained effort and my 32 was a max speed. True my 32 was max speed but I just laughed add let it go. Like I said, I've known this guy for years, with or without aerobars he can't keep with my wife LOL!

So after couple of minutes he says, "oh yeah, my wheel slowed me down too". So I have to ask, whatcha got? He says an Ultegra hub. So I tell him I'm riding an Ultegra 600 hub from back in 1997! "Yeah but then new Ultegra hub is a slow roller" he says.

That's it, man I have to go so I left!

So my thoughts, yeah I suck at racing! I don't even know enough to know when I am racing!

Worst part is that if I do get dropped by another rider, I'm not sure that I'd be able to think up a good enough excuse!

BTW, I do the same timed event rides that some of the other SoCal members may do. Members like JohnR, UMD, BenFR who seriously kick my arse on the ride. So if you have any suggestions for a good excuse, feel free to post them, might come in handy later on! hahaha!
haha! Love it! I will admit to getting into an "invisible race" with people I see up ahead on the road or MUP, only to get my own gumption up, to get me to HTFU and get a move on, but this guy, man.... lol!

Oh.. And nice not getting sucked in to some boardie BS!
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Old 04-26-10, 03:26 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by ridethecliche
It completely baffles me that people want to 'race' on MUP's AND that there are people who are rude enough to get on a wheel without asking and/or introducing themselves...
It baffles me when people don't get on my wheel when I pass them. Well, unless there's a large speed differential.

It doesn't bother me one bit if someone hops on w/out saying anything.
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Old 04-26-10, 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ridethecliche
It completely baffles me that people want to 'race' on MUP's AND that there are people who are rude enough to get on a wheel without asking and/or introducing themselves...
It baffles me when people don't get on my wheel when I pass them. Well, unless there's a large speed differential.

It doesn't bother me one bit if someone hops on w/out saying anything.
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Old 04-26-10, 03:27 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by ridethecliche
Beanz, that's hilarious.

It completely baffles me that people want to 'race' on MUP's AND that there are people who are rude enough to get on a wheel without asking and/or introducing themselves...

Good on you!


I'm glad you enjoy doing what you're doing. However, the point still remains that you're not racing.
What you need to learn is that what you're doing is totally okay. We 'elitist racers' have no qualms with you, but for some reason you (and others like you) always turn it into an us vs. them thing.

We don't care, and you shouldn't either. Just enjoy what you're doing and get on with your life!
He he.

No, you don't get it. I'm not criticizing you. You enjoy "formal racing". Great. More power to you.
This absolutely not an "us vs them" issue.
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Old 04-26-10, 03:38 PM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by Gluteus
He he.

No, you don't get it. I'm not criticizing you. You enjoy "formal racing". Great. More power to you.
This absolutely not an "us vs them" issue.
I don't mine informal races as long as everyone involved thinks they are racing. I do many different types of rides along the formality spectrum, they each have their place IMO.
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Old 04-26-10, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by umd
I don't mine informal races as long as everyone involved thinks they are racing. I do many different types of rides along the formality spectrum, they each have their place IMO.
Good point.
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Old 04-26-10, 03:44 PM
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Also, for the benefit of the newbies, there are unofficial MUP races like that described in this thread, and then there are race rides where all the local racers show up and try to make each other suffer. Around here, they're on Tues and Thurs evenings, and Saturday morning. If you manage to win one of those rides, you've done something.
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Old 04-26-10, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by chefxian
Wanna come out here and slay Tri dork wanna be's at Griffith Park on Saturday morning?
Count me in

Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz
Just keeping my pace when some dude hops on the trail on a 3 speed with big huge fat tires. He's commuting but he jumps in line but soon after he pulls up to the fornt and takes a pull for a couple minutes. He drops back then comes to the front again a few minutes later. Couple miles down the road he turns off. I was shocked as this dude on some huge fat tires was willing to work if even for a bit !:thumb
I was waiting at the meet point for some roadie ride when a guy in regular clothes with a single speed Flying Pigeon shows up. I was thinking to myself that it's too bad that someone so enthusiastic about the ride is going to get dropped in 2 seconds. To our amazement he was in there the whole time, he even managed just hold on during the climbs.

He did mod. it a bit for an aggressive posture, but still. I rode it afterward and I was baffled that this couch can be ridden around at 20 mph.

Last edited by hairnet; 04-26-10 at 04:22 PM.
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Old 04-26-10, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by waterrockets
It baffles me when people don't get on my wheel when I pass them. Well, unless there's a large speed differential.

It doesn't bother me one bit if someone hops on w/out saying anything.

x2.

I really don't mind having someone on my wheel. It doesn't affect my riding at all.
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Old 04-26-10, 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Yaniel
I really don't mind having someone on my wheel. It doesn't affect my riding at all.
I don't like feeling responsible for them when I want to just do my own thing, and I've had idiots run into me when I slowed for stop signs/lights.
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Old 04-26-10, 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by umd
I don't like feeling responsible for them when I want to just do my own thing, and I've had idiots run into me when I slowed for stop signs/lights.
if you latch on without saying anything, I feel no responsibility to point out obstacles. And thats true, running into you when you slow down could be a problem, but generally if someone is going to fall, it'll be them.
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Old 04-26-10, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Yaniel
if you latch on without saying anything, I feel no responsibility to point out obstacles.
That's easy to say, but the fact of the matter is that if I know someone is behind me, I feel responsible for them. I can't just switch it off. If I don't want to feel responsible for them, I will just leave them. Pretty simple.

Originally Posted by Yaniel
And thats true, running into you when you slow down could be a problem, but generally if someone is going to fall, it'll be them.
All things considered, I would rather not have someone run into me, and I would rather not take the chance that the yahoo on my wheel has no idea what the f they are doing. In a group ride or race I accept that and expect a certain base level of competency, but just riding around, who knows.
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Old 04-26-10, 05:57 PM
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I hate riding on someones wheel anyways. I'm not racing on a team. The single most annoying thing to me are guys that are "helping" me and pointing out cracks and tree shrubs and put their hands down to flag they are braking... when I'm 40 feet away!
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Old 04-26-10, 06:02 PM
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if that's the most annoying thing in your cycling then you must live in some kind of cycle heaven.

there are far more irritating things out there
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Old 04-26-10, 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by CyciumX
I hate riding on someones wheel anyways. I'm not racing on a team. The single most annoying thing to me are guys that are "helping" me and pointing out cracks and tree shrubs and put their hands down to flag they are braking... when I'm 40 feet away!
people silently pointing at things annoys you?
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Old 04-26-10, 06:30 PM
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I may be disagreeing somewhat with everyone. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to catch up to and pass another cyclist out on the road. I think it can be a fun way to challenge oneself. It can break up the grind. I do realize the other cyclist may be in the middle of a long ride, or on a recovery day, or whatever, so just because you catch and drop the other guy, doesn't mean you are a better rider. So I guess I think the "one-sided race" is fine for fun as long as you understand what it means. I bet most riders here probably speed up - maybe even subconsciously - if they see another unknown rider ahead on their route.
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Old 04-26-10, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by roadCruiser76
I may be disagreeing somewhat with everyone. I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to catch up to and pass another cyclist out on the road. I think it can be a fun way to challenge oneself. It can break up the grind. I do realize the other cyclist may be in the middle of a long ride, or on a recovery day, or whatever, so just because you catch and drop the other guy, doesn't mean you are a better rider. So I guess I think the "one-sided race" is fine for fun as long as you understand what it means. I bet most riders here probably speed up - maybe even subconsciously - if they see another unknown rider ahead on their route.
I don't think anyone is saying thats bad. The thread is about the excuses made after the fact.
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Old 04-26-10, 07:42 PM
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There are more than a couple people posting in here demonstrably incapable of good humor. It's stunning. Great story, Beanz.
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Old 04-26-10, 08:12 PM
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Yeah, well I average 37 on the flats (with a headwind)- no wind and I can maintain 42 for about 90 miles. Give me some clip on aero-bars and I can easily hold about 55mph.

Except when I ride ultegra hubs :-\ Ya know, the new ultegra hubs are slow rollers.
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Old 04-26-10, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by QuickityJacks
There are more than a couple people posting in here demonstrably incapable of good humor. It's stunning. Great story, Beanz.
Thanks guys! It's nice when some comprehend the post for what it is and enjoy it rather than being quick with the matches for a flamin'!

Some people are too funny! Only took a couple of minutes and I was in other forums looking for trouble!




Originally Posted by waanfiride
Except when I ride ultegra hubs :-\ Ya know, the new ultegra hubs are slow rollers.
Yeah! I'm thinking of ditching the DA hubs that are on my other bike! Darn things!
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Old 04-26-10, 08:34 PM
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Stuff like that does make for some good humor. I was on a charity ride this weekend. Of course, on those rides, after a few miles, people are pretty well segregated by speed, so anyone passing you after 30 miles is averaging about the same speed you are. Anyway, there was this young fit-looking guy on a nice carbon road bike going up a hill, standing on the pedals, giving the full Lance mountain-climbing effect, and I managed to pass him up. It would have made great video. After I topped the hill, he passed me and I didn't see him again, so he really was faster than me. I think he used the wrong choice of hill-climbing technique, and getting passed by a fat old man with fenders perked him right up thereafter.
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Old 04-26-10, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by CyciumX
I never do that on a MUP. In fact I've only used a MUP twice and both times on the same day (Biked and then ran). I hate them. Either people are too slow for it to be fun or they are too fast for it to be safe (impossible to be both). I don't even know why people use them for bikes at all.

Usually it happens that we are going at a decent pace and have dropped a portion of the main group so knowing there is a planned rest stop we decide to attack it and wait for the others. Might not be a pro thing to do, but it makes it a bit more fun. Get a wee better workout and we get a chance to talk about stuff we are never going to buy for awhile longer
MUPs seem to be very regional...while this sort of thing would be nuts where I live I believe beanz or someone near him posted s picture of what was a virtual bike highway, where I could see fast paced riding being a bit more acceptable and lower traffic.
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Old 04-26-10, 08:57 PM
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Raced Killington SR with Mr's Swan, Emerson, Paul Curley, etc for too many years...Jeez are they good...they are also good people too. Known Paul for nearly 20 years...taught me much both on road and off about training and racing...valuable lessons...

Much too much drama about a ride.
Wow...I wish I saw a rider or two where I live...I can do a 50 mile ride and not see another person on a bike...
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