Group rides maybe, but I wouldn't assume this out on the open road.

Thanks for making my point.

True. But I wouldn't "ask for permission" I might just call up that I'm on your wheel. If you don't like it, drop me ;-)

Yeah, but what if I can't go any faster, but don't want you behind me because I don't know the hand signals to call out road hazards and the like? Should I just start shooting snot rockets until you take the hint?

Are you kidding? If you don't know the hand signals and are too daft to talk to me, I expect your snot would end up on your own jersey ;-)

You ride faster than me only to slow down and hop on my wheel? What sense does that make? Why not just pull ahead and offer your wheel? Seems like a win-win.

Or is that you expended all your energy trying to catch someone who wasn't aware it was a competition?

This was my first thought as well. OP, are you sure they were part of the ride? Assuming they were, I would (1) avoid him from then on, and (2) warn anyone else who befriended me to stay away from him because he's skittish... within earshot of him if possible.

I am constantly amazed at how difficult some people can be with a very simple question. I am not trying to answer EVERY POSSIBLE road etiquette scenario in this thread. Just the OPs. Of course I would, and DO, pull to the front to with people I know and also those i don't. Please read the OP and choose your own course of action. Quit trolling me.

First time at the rodeo?

OP did not do anything wrong, at least from what I read. maybe the "cervelo dude" have seen something on the road, like a rock or a pot whole?
Anyway, I would ask him to clarify.

I was riding with a group of complete strangers, sometimes they draft after me, sometimes I grab a wheel of somebody else, I have been mercilessly dropped too, so what.

PS And wow, your average speed in slow ride is my average in fast day, I never had (so far) average of 20 mph.

Bingo. That and the cracks about the guys clothes. Fishy.

There is no reason to brake when you know someone is on your wheel except for true emergencies so the dude is wrong. However this is a pretty reasonable response.....

I want to repeat the "was he part of the group?" question. I don't want to perpetuate any anti-tri stuff but usually even tri-guys don't bring their tri bike to group rides. Most organized groups don't allow or at least discourage aero bars in groups.

Of course we've had a friggin recumbent show up regularly at our Wed. night rides.

were only talking 22 miles here, and thats only when we crank it out hard...most rides tend to end up around 18.5...being realistic not int3rweb bragging...were talking on good days...I like to ride hard and fast when i get the opportunities and the bigger the group the better the motivation. I noticed that when i ride with 2 or 3 people my figures tend to be way lower....by myself, i might as well be on a mountain bike with 2 flats...

I don't really have any advice, but I just wanted to let you know your signature is completely freaking me out.

lol...its soooo old

The only thing you did wrong was assume the guy might be accepting of a new fredly rider. He probably saw your DA orca with the platform pedals and couldn't come to grips with the fact that you had caught up to him so in a fit of ill-advised stupidity, he basically brake-checked you. It's exactly the same as road rage.

Now since the root of your question is etiquette, what you did (dropping each of those people who were working you) is kind of rude on a group ride unless it's understood by all that it is competitive. It would be better to gently pace them up to help form a slightly larger group and actually have a group again instead of an MS150.

Braking to discourage someone who latches on to a wheel is dangerous for all involved so that was a really silly thing to do if that was his intention. I don't mind people latching on to my wheel but I always ride my ride so I go at which ever speed I'm aiming for in spite of who might be behind. If there's unwelcome company then I slow down and wave them through.

Its OK to do it to people who drive their cars to group rides.

Y'all should try shaving off your beards.

From your description of the events, you did nothing wrong. From the attitude displayed in your overly-long post, I can only assume you must have done something wrong that your post doesn't reveal. Oh, and I suggest you find your local AA chapter.

Not that hard...I'm about to go ride now...I'm not weak by any means or a pu$$y...I like to push myself hard....my best sprint thus far has gotten me up to 30.1...which is stupid slow compared to the pros but it's my best and im ok with it. I have no reason to bulk up my numbers on here and have pics to prove it.


well it is kind of understood that the front group is a bit more competitive and it seems very friendly for the most part...in the beginning I got dropped like there was no problem with it and simply slowed my roll so i wasnt riding alone anymore


AA is for quitters first and foremost...secondly I dont drink that much...I have just had an obscene amount of birthday parties and going away events...hoping all that is passed now because I can't tolerate my alcohol like i did when I was 22