Why be competitive on a ride to work?

[lejogger]

I said a cheerful 'good morning' to him again and got blank stare back. I haven't seen him since. Good. I really don't like sharing the road with ignoramuses who can't even say hello when they overtake.

Maybe I'm too needy, but fellow cyclists not saying hello, waving or even slightly nodding their head in my direction really gets my goat! Especially when they're on the opposite commuter run to me and I see them practically every day morning and night.

A couple of months ago I was having difficulty at the side of the road with my very old ht mtb commuter. A 'roadie' flashed past on black carbon with bullhorns, looked at me, blanked me, and carried on his way without bothering to question if I needed any help. (I always slow to offer when I see anyone who looks like they may be stuck).
The week after, due to the mtb being out of action I was commuting on my carbon boardman and saw him in the distance... engaged the target in my sights, hunted him down, sniggered at the look of shock on his face when I steamed by, and left him for dead... obviously making sure I shouted a cheery 'afternoon' to him on my way past...

 

[LosingFocus]

I just don't understand why. This guy was obviously no cyclist. A proper roadie should/would

My my, don't you deserve a big pat on the back. What a big, clever fellow you are.

Maybe this chap had only started out cycling very recently? But of course, if that was the case he is not a proper cyclist like yourself...

Pass me the sick bucket.

 

[goo_mason]

My my, don't you deserve a big pat on the back. What a big, clever fellow you are.

Maybe this chap had only started out cycling very recently? But of course, if that was the case he is not a proper cyclist like yourself...

Pass me the sick bucket.

I don't think the OP meant it in the way that you seem to have taken it, LosingFocus.

Anyway - on the topic of the thread, I have to admit to being guilty to the odd spot of commuter racing on the ride to and from work. Mainly it helps to make the ride a little more interesting and it stops me from getting too lazy and settling into a slow pace when I should be working a little harder to work off all the excess I eat! If I see someone up ahead in the distance on a bike (which is admittedly quite rare just after 6am on my route), I like to see if I can catch them up. Once I do, I'm usually settled into a comfortable but fast rhythm and going at a decent enough lick to sail by them with a cheery 'Morning!' Similarly on the way home, but it's more usually a car up ahead after the way has been cleared when the vehicle between us has turned off at a junction.

 

[Inertia]

Maybe I'm too needy, but fellow cyclists not saying hello, waving or even slightly nodding their head in my direction really gets my goat! Especially when they're on the opposite commuter run to me and I see them practically every day morning and night.

A couple of months ago I was having difficulty at the side of the road with my very old ht mtb commuter. A 'roadie' flashed past on black carbon with bullhorns, looked at me, blanked me, and carried on his way without bothering to question if I needed any help. (I always slow to offer when I see anyone who looks like they may be stuck).
The week after, due to the mtb being out of action I was commuting on my carbon boardman and saw him in the distance... engaged the target in my sights, hunted him down, sniggered at the look of shock on his face when I steamed by, and left him for dead... obviously making sure I shouted a cheery 'afternoon' to him on my way past...

Im not too worried by people overtaking and not saying anything, very rarely does anyone say anything when they pass me so I assumed that was the norm (only been cycling agan for 2 years)


I DO get annoyed when I pass a regular who blanks me though, one guy used to nod and occasionally say hi when we crossed paths but then one day I realised he hadnt said jack in weeks. I would nod, smile or say hello and I would get no reaction, I blank him now . maybe it was something I said but it irritates me when I smile and be polite to get no reaction back.

I was also passed a few weeks back by a roadie, I was on my commuter with panniers and he shot passed without a word, he dissapeared into the distance and I assumed I wouldn't see him again. I caught him up about 3 miles on, his seat had broken! I did actually stop and ask if he was ok but as I don't have spare seats I just had to sympathize and carried on. The bugger passed me again further on, but at least that time he smiled and said hello.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I also find this strange, but I think part of the problem is to do with semantics and relativity. The term "Good morning" to me means something like: "hello, we appear to be using a similar mode of transport and I'd like us to acknowledge that in a friendly manner". But by the time it has undergone the necessary Lorenz transformations into their inertial reference frame due to the enormous speed difference, it has become: "take this you weak legged wimp, and just try catch me if you can". Simple physics really.

 

[chillyuk]

You wont meet many people on roadbikes less competitive, or even able to be competitive, than me. That's not false modesty. However, the other day I came out of a lane at a "T" junction and turned right onto a more main road. Looking left before making the turn I saw a guy on a hybrid coming towards me. I took off like a scalded cat. A quarter mile up the road is a longish uphill drag, and I struggle a bit on hills, but I went up that hill like it wasn't there. At the top I risked a glance behind and there was no sign of him. I reckon he turned right into the lane I turned out off. I was glad. I was able to return to my usual sensible speed.

 

[400bhp]

Lots of Cycling Gods here

 

[MrGrumpy]

My my, don't you deserve a big pat on the back. What a big, clever fellow you are.

Maybe this chap had only started out cycling very recently? But of course, if that was the case he is not a proper cyclist like yourself...

Pass me the sick bucket.

I`m with you on this one, me thinks there is not enough room for the ego on here

 

[VamP]

My my, don't you deserve a big pat on the back. What a big, clever fellow you are.

Maybe this chap had only started out cycling very recently? But of course, if that was the case he is not a proper cyclist like yourself...

Pass me the sick bucket.

Harsh IMO.

 

[lejogger]

I`m with you on this one, me thinks there is not enough room for the ego on here

Apologies if it seemed like I was being egotistical - the point of my post was regarding lack of friendliness or consideration from other cyclists, not trying to boast at chasing down a roadie.
If I was that good I'd have caught him on the MTB and not had to use the carbon or bust a gut to catch him up!

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

And just to be clear, this

due to the enormous speed difference

was intended to be ironic, for comedic effect.

 

[SquareDaff]

Lots of Cycling Gods here

In my case "Budha in lycra" which was the point of the OP. I don't look like a threat to anyone! I'd have been happy to say "Hello".

 

[DrSquirrel]

That said - it was great fun

Sounds like someone else was being competitive too...


I like seeing others around, its a bit of an incentive to go a bit faster for a while...

 

[SquareDaff]

I'd originally thought it was someone I used to see on the commute (and on the train on the way there) and was going to catch up for a "catchup" then realised it wasn't and slowed the pace again.

I only sped back up after the gauntlet had been well and truely thrown. And as I said - it is fun

 

[BentMikey]

Goodness me, calm down dears!! I just read that the OP was having some fun on his bike, lighten up.