Originally Posted by DorkDisk (Post 21835030)

OP, you're using cyclists in front of you as motivation, not competing with them.

Originally Posted by Koyote (Post 21835150)

It's an especially weird affectation, given that bike racing is not difficult: all you have to do is get out of bed early and show up, pay a few bucks, and ride your bike -- and you're an actual "bike racer."

Originally Posted by tomato coupe (Post 21835549)

Bike racing not difficult??? Getting out of bed early makes it very difficult!

Originally Posted by mstateglfr (Post 21835137)

I would call that the closest thing cycling has to a meet cute if it were in a rom-com.

Originally Posted by Reynolds (Post 21835075)

Suppose I'm riding at my normal pace and someone passes me. He's not going a lot faster, so I say, hey, don't mind if I draft you? That's OK, he answers. So I follow him and he begins to up the pace, looking back a couple of times to see if I'm still there. I struggle but keep at his wheel. He tries to drop me but he can't. He eases up a bit, now it's my turn. I pass him and the play begins again. This stretch of road leads to town, there's a big billboard at the entrance. We slow down a bit, looking at each other. With 80 meters to go we start the sprint. Any one of us wins. We smile and say good bye.
How would you call that?

Originally Posted by pattrick (Post 21836197)

If you feel you need to chase that is fine. If you need to pass me that is also not a problem. But I still have a bit of a competitive nature and if I feel inclined I will give you something to try and chase. Yes I do feel it is somewhat impolite not to at least nod your head, lift a finger or show any sign that there is another biker present. In my area we are far and few. Maybe it's an age thing with manners. But if it was all about the chase I can only feel they were fine with the competition.

Originally Posted by Koyote (Post 21836365)

I think all of this arguing about how to greet (or not greet) other riders is probably location-specific. I've lived in an area that was thick with cyclists -- Colorado's Front Range. On a sunny Saturday, I might see several dozen other cyclists on a 50-mile ride. I still think a nod or a slight wave is polite, but not everyone does it, and there were probably times when I didn't either.

Originally Posted by Reflector Guy (Post 21836375)

I agree. On some of the popular bike routes here in the Chicago area, I'd look like one of those Bobblehead dolls if I nodded at every cyclist.

Originally Posted by downtube42 (Post 21836430)

At Paris-Brest-Paris 2019, the first finisher commented after the ride he was glad when night finally fell during his return to Paris. Usually people prefer riding in the light, but he was getting tired from waving at the approximately 4,999 people still headed to Brest.

So basically, dude drops 5,000 people on the way out, then waves at them all on the way back.

To put icing on the cake, of the front runners who treat PBP as a race, he was the only one who did not have a support crew. He seriously kicked some butt.

Originally Posted by Reynolds (Post 21836749)

But was it a real race? Or was he just pretending it was?
Oh wait...

Originally Posted by Kapusta (Post 21835142)

Sounds like you were a legit Cat 6 racer. :)

Look it up.

Originally Posted by rubiksoval (Post 21834734)

What does this even mean? How are you competing against someone that isn't competing against you?

Originally Posted by wphamilton (Post 21839576)

Maybe one rare guy, who has no idea what real competition is about or what it takes and has some Dunning-Kruger going on but that's not what anyone is talking about here. Literally no one is comparing a chase-down to an actual race.

Originally Posted by wphamilton (Post 21839576)

Sometimes he is, sometimes not. Either way it doesn't matter, because you're not competing with him - you're competing against a goal which you set arbitrarily.

I do get your attitude. It could feel like it's demeaning to formal competition, actual wins that took talent and hard work to achieve, when someone refers to a casual chase as competitive. But you need to realize that no one is making that comparison. Maybe one rare guy, who has no idea what real competition is about or what it takes and has some Dunning-Kruger going on but that's not what anyone is talking about here. Literally no one is comparing a chase-down to an actual race.

Originally Posted by downtube42 (Post 21840316)

Recreational chase-downs are to racing what BF threads are to real life discussions.

Originally Posted by AlmostTrick (Post 21842687)

Yes, I often notice competitive cyclists attempting to catch me. :D

Originally Posted by rsbob (Post 21834119)

In auto racing it’s called the ‘red mist’ and it’s the urge to compete and excel. I know there is a good percentage on this board, who ride strictly for the pleasure, fitness, etc, and have zero issue with it. I also know they will comment here even if this thread doesn’t pertain to them, such being the nature of forums.

In my 30s I was an aggressive rider but when I rode, I rode hard and would chase down anyone I could, even momentarily just to catch them. Now in my mid-60s I still am unable to lose that drive to chase, but now don’t catch but back off.

I do it because I think it’s fun, no matter how painful it can be at times. I like to test myself and push myself. I know this is MY thing. No judgement (Others I am sure will add theirs :innocent: )

Just wondering how many ‘mature’ (heh) riders still have that drive and how many have given it up and moved on and continued cycling for other reasons?

What’s your story?

Originally Posted by Reflector Guy (Post 21842730)

Do they randomly shout at you for no reason?