Why be competitive on a ride to work?

[LosingFocus]

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

So why the chiding of the other cyclist? It added nothing to the discussion, just added to the elitist undertone on this site that is used by some when sneering down on newer cyclists. Sorry, not "cyclists", bike riders.

 

[SquareDaff]

So why the chiding of the other cyclist? It added nothing to the discussion, just added to the elitist undertone on this site that is used by some when sneering down on newer cyclists. Sorry, not "cyclists", bike riders.

I ride a hybrid with front suspension and panniers. I've no room to be elitist. The original question was "having seen me behind for the 1st time - what on earth possessed this person to suddenly set off at breakneck pace". He didn't know me, I wasn't approaching at speed, I looked like I was commutting and I wasn't coming across as threatening or looking like I wanted a race. Why would you do that?

 

[Adasta]

Trying to beat someone who is approaching from the rear (ahem) is foolish.

 

[Cubist]

I tried a new route on Wednesday. It's not as steep until the last mile, so I thought I was having a nice relaxed ride home which only climbs 500 feet in 5 miles. I still thought I was making reasonable progress when a young skinny lad on a road bike glided past, head down, all the cadence thing going. No sweat, he's clearly a very fit young cyclist and thoroughly deserves to glide past me, all 16.5 stone of me, and good luck to him. Just finished those lovely thoughts when the bike behind him overtook me as well. Middle aged guy in all the kit, but aboard a nailed looking old hybrid commuter with panniers. Twat.

 

[BlackPanther]

Personally, I take it easy on the way to work and ride home fast for a workout. What better workout than to get into a bit of a race? I absolutely slaughtered my record last week due partially to a nice tailwind, but mainly 'cos I overtook a fellow road biker. He was doing 20-ish for well over a mile. when I passed him at 22, he upped the pace.....as did I. The result? A very satisfying, flat out 3 mile finish. Very enjoyable!

 

[DrSquirrel]

The other day I came up to a rural T junction and I was turning left, I saw just up the road a rider, with drops... I casually upped the speed as I "didn't want to be overtaken", if they are fast I don't mind but it can be a little embarassing to be passed.

Another time I followed a more hardcore looking rider down a descent they were takin g abit slow, it was a bit twisty so I held off passing until the bottom, of which I did... but they passed me again later on - I wasn't trying to pass them early on but they were going at it a bit slow, felt a bit stupid though being repassed.

Some time back I passed a person I see often, on a soft hybrid with rack and rack bag, I was tired to hell at the end of a 40 mile, wanted to pass them on a climb but my speed must have only been 1mph more than them... but I didn't want to take a million hours to pass them so I picked up a bit of speed - this killed me, and I was passed just after the top, what annoyed me is they came within a foot of me, said my light was on - scaring me out of my skin. I took it easyish for a while with intent to take them again on the flat but it just wasn't happening (and he turned off too soon.... chicken shoot ).


Sometimes I do ease up behind someone I am slowly catching up, just so I have the energy to pass quickly and gain a bit of distance before returning to my rythmn.

 

[Glow worm]

The other day I came up to a rural T junction and I was turning left, I saw just up the road a rider, with drops... I casually upped the speed as I "didn't want to be overtaken", if they are fast I don't mind but it can be a little embarassing to be passed.
.

I can't see how being overtaken by someone on a bicycle can possibly be 'embarrasing'? At my stately 9-10mph average, if I was cursed with the competetive gene, I guess I'd be permanantly embarrassed! Each to their own as they say, but give me a slow pootle, enjoying the countryside at leisure anyday- whether commuting or not. I sometimes feel a bit sorry for the speed merchants, they always look so thoroughly miserable.

 

[DrSquirrel]

It isn't really - that much, maybe its the wrong word but I think a lot of people get what I mean.


I ride fast to work, enjoy it, and I get to see the scenery too... and im smiling half the time, even when its pissing it down (which isn't often).

 

[BlackPanther]

Why be competitive on a ride to work?


Agent Smith. "You must know it by now. You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting. Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist? "


Neo: "Because I choose to."

 

[Glow worm]

It isn't really - that much, maybe its the wrong word but I think a lot of people get what I mean.


I ride fast to work, enjoy it, and I get to see the scenery too... and im smiling half the time, even when its pissing it down (which isn't often).

My legs have been playing up this week so I've been even slower. If that's possible - about 8.5
Still, it beats driving anyday- even with the pain! Hopefully I'll be back up to speed so to speak next week for some white knuckle 10mph stuff

 

[gb155]

I think you might have answered your own question right there!

+1

 

[515mm]

Ahhhhhhhhhh.........

The age-old dilemma.

I'm catching him up slowly, do I pass?

Do I draught?

Do I draught then pass?

Do I pass but take the wind for him? I'll do that, it's the polite thing to do. It is windy.

Oh! He's dropped back by two bike lengths so it doesn't look like he's draughting me, even though I've just overtaken and then matched speed, he now thinks I'm too tired to pull away and he's dropping back to spare my blushes. What a nice bloke.

I feel guilty now.

And I was doing him a favour too.

Bastard.

 

[c2c]

Trying to beat someone who is approaching from the rear (ahem) is foolish.

Thats funny that is.....chortle...

 

[Arfcollins]

... they came within a foot of me, said my light was on - scaring me out of my skin.

That's why I don't usually say anything to people that I'm passing (either those rare occassions on my own side of the road, or those passing on the other). When I'm struggling for breath (as I often am) my 'good morning' could be anything between a wheeze and an incomprehensible bellow, and I'd hate to cause an accident.

I was overtaken by a middle aged lycra clad unagressive urban roadie a few weeks ago and he said nothing, but keeping his left thumb hooked on his bar he raised his hand as he came past. I thought that was pretty sensible and cool, so I do it now so I can pretend to be sensible and cool too.

 

[format]

It's rare that I see anyone that cycles the same route as me but any time that I do, if it's an effort to overtake or to avoid being overtaken I like to just sit behind them. That way I have the personal challenge of keeping pace with them but I don't have to worry about overtaking them or being overtaken.