Best wind up when someone tries to be a hero whilst you’re riding.

[Rusty Nails]

My New Year's resolution is to try and look as if I can ride fast enough to make someone think it might be a challenge to overtake me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

This time of year does seem to bring out the Superman brigade. I’ve had a couple of rides in the past couple of days, where I’ve been chopped by someone who’s consequently ‘blown up’ a couple of yards later. The two things I’ve found that winds them up is to re pass them whilst slow clapping sat bolt upright with both hands off the bars, and saying “If I thought it was a race I’d have made an effort”. It’s fun winding choppers up.

The beauty of an Xtracycle is that it looks big and heavy so I look much fitter than I am, even if people are passing me on lightweight bikes.

A bigger problem here is in summer when a lot of Mercedes drivers get on their bikes for the annual ride and forget that they aren't on an autobahn: they charge at 40-50 km/h along shared use paths full of families with little children and dogs and expect them to scatter like good little pedestrians.

 

[Racing roadkill]

It might be because my fitness is gone and I'm so far down on pace and power compared to even a couple of years ago, but nowadays if I get overtaken I'll let them go, even if I'm dawdling and they're only going slightly faster than I am, I will slow down further and allow a gap to open rather than tucking in or accelerating to get past them again.

I used to love spying a target some distance out and reeling them in (measuring the gap in seconds using road-side landmarks as I did so) and once had an epic 10 mile long not-race with a fellow CC Ecosse member on Islay, but nowadays I just don't feel it

Aha, but I’m referring to the idiots that barge past, busting a lung to do so, then instantly run out of everything, which invariably leads to a closing speed, which necessitates a re overtake. I don’t care about people on a mission who want to crack on. I’m planning on using the Hybrid a lot more next year, it doesn’t seem to be such a chopper magnet. That’s less stress, and more fun.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I think, if we're honest, we all know the difference between someone who overtakes you because they are just simply faster, and some p*** taker who gives it everything they've got for 100 yards just to "prove" they can beat you, before running out of steam. You see exactly the same behaviour amongst drivers. None of the vehicles I drive are exactly "fast", although I'm not one of those clowns who dawdles along everywhere at a pious, goody goody 28 mph staring straight ahead, oblivious to everything around them. If I've got a clear road I aim to make decent progress, but I still fully expect to be overtaken by other drivers with a good bit more power under the bonnet, and it doesn't bother me when they do. What I can't abide, is the kind of erratic idiot who will perform a dangerous overtake, only to then hold me up once they've got in front. Their IQ is on a par with the show-off cycling equivalent.

Exactly this.

 

[Milzy]

Theres fun to be had with heroes, but it takes a good awareness and fine judgement.

Keep an eye out all round - as you should anyway, although ok many riders have their heads rigidly facing forward- in order to spot them early coming in from behind. Let them make some initial ground, but as they get close gently, and I mean gently, start to accelerate your own pace. By the time they're with you youfe almost travelling at the same speed as them but they've been working a lot harder. You now have the choice to open up the taps and leave them dispirited and behind you, or let them get by and then take them straight back - my favourite option is the former. They've been working harder and longer and will struggle to do anything about it, and thus a heavy, middle aged rider like me can have their day against a racing snake half their age. With great age comes great capacity for treachery

Yes Yes! I have a cat eye bar end plug mirror on so can look for them coming because my bike is not UCI legal yeah yeah.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Is this really a thing?

I’ve never been passed by anyone other than a better rider.

When I pass people I either give them a wee wave or if i’m not in the hurry i’ll ride along for a few minutes to pass some pleasantries before riding on.

That’s not a problem. I can’t be arsed most of the time, I’m just trying to do my ride. I had a prime example of the sort of idiot I was referring to on yesterday’s ride. They came past ( at a relatively slow speed ) were huffing and puffing then ( once past ) slowed up so quickly I nearly rammed them. If they’re stupid enough to give the passive aggressive “morning” as well, that’s even more irritating.

 

[Slow But Determined]

Thought I was reading BR for a moment there!!!

 

[cisamcgu]

This^^. I had exactly that yesterday, so just eased off a bit and took a diversion to the planned route. No big deal.

You really went a different route because someone over-took you ?

 

[Rusty Nails]

That’s not a problem. I can’t be arsed most of the time, I’m just trying to do my ride. I had a prime example of the sort of idiot I was referring to on yesterday’s ride. They came past ( at a relatively slow speed ) were huffing and puffing then ( once past ) slowed up so quickly I nearly rammed them. If they’re stupid enough to give the passive aggressive “morning” as well, that’s even more irritating.

Were they huffing and puffing and still said Morning?

So cyclists are miserable sods if they don't acknowledge other riders, but passive aggressive if they do .

Is there an inoffensive greeting that can be used by someone like me, who is normally quite sociable when riding or should I just shut up and cycle on?

 

[Mugshot]

Is there an inoffensive greeting that can be used by someone like me, who is normally quite sociable when riding or should I just shut up and cycle on?

Just take no notice of people like RR and you'll be fine

 

[classic33]

Were they huffing and puffing and still said Morning?

So cyclists are miserable sods if they don't acknowledge other riders, but passive aggressive if they do .

Is there an inoffensive greeting that can be used by someone like me, who is normally quite sociable when riding or should I just shut up and cycle on?

Last idiot that did what the OP describes ended his ride twenty foot further on. So intent on having a go at showing off, he failed to notice the now stationary lane of cars in front of him. He realised/remembered there were other vehicles on the road fairly fast when he hit the rear. Me, I gave my details to the driver, as a witness, and then went on my way.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Last idiot that did what the OP describes ended his ride twenty foot further on. So intent on having a go at showing off, he failed to notice the now stationary lane of cars in front of him. He realised/remembered there were other vehicles on the road fairly fast when he hit the rear. Me, I gave my details to the driver, as a witness, and then went on my way.

That’s Karma.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Best wind up is to overtake someone on a hill, say good morning as you pass, then pull in front of them, huffing and puffing, then slow down. Boy do they hate that.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

Best wind up is to overtake someone on a hill, say good morning as you pass, then pull in front of them, huffing and puffing, then slow down. Boy do they hate that.

It`s best if you do that on a really steep hill and then asking the person you just passed if they would mind giving you a shove to get started again - I find that they are always willing to help........

 

[Shortandcrisp]

Is RR indulging in a little satire at his own expense, or is he being serious?
Never had this happen to me. On occasion, I’ve overtaken a cyclist and had them increase their speed to sit on my back wheel. Now that really is irritating and a little childish!