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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway
View Poll Results: The first thought in your mind when you see a cyclist ahead of you is:
Gotta catch him/her ... gotta pass him/her!!!
65
44.52%
Oh look, another cyclist ... how nice. I wonder if he/she is enjoying the lovely scenery too.
33
22.60%
Is that?? ... No .. it can't be ... Yes it is ... it really is another cyclist!! WOW!
41
28.08%
<<yawn>> ANOTHER cyclist.
10
6.85%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 146. You may not vote on this poll

Your first thought ....

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Old 06-05-06, 10:22 PM
  #26  
Jakey
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Another soul to crush.
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Old 06-05-06, 10:59 PM
  #27  
fishmel
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Originally Posted by Machka
Well ... what if the other cyclist has no interest in racing whatsoever ... wouldn't you look/feel a little silly coming roaring up from behind like you're a Lance wannabe only to discover that the other person is just out for a casual cruise?



It seems you might be making more out of this than it really is, its not about getting someone to race you, its mainly just something to do when your out riding. Have you never found yourself speeding up when you see someone up ahead, even ever so slightly? I, like alot of others, seem to have a hard time not wanting to try to catch someone up ahead. Just remember, its like breaking up with someone, "its not about you, its me that has the problem."
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Old 06-06-06, 05:32 AM
  #28  
baj32161
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Originally Posted by fishmel
It seems you might be making more out of this than it really is, its not about getting someone to race you, its mainly just something to do when your out riding. Have you never found yourself speeding up when you see someone up ahead, even ever so slightly? I, like alot of others, seem to have a hard time not wanting to try to catch someone up ahead. Just remember, its like breaking up with someone, "its not about you, its me that has the problem."
You're right....it IS you. Maybe everyone should be like me...I can't catch ANYBODY!!
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Old 06-06-06, 05:38 AM
  #29  
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"Look, up ahead, it might be The Knave!"
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Old 06-06-06, 05:46 AM
  #30  
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1) Is it a girl?

2) If yes, then wonder if she's cute?
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Old 06-06-06, 06:29 AM
  #31  
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Unfortunately... I try to catch just about anything on the road - rollerbladers, bikers, cars, pogo sticks, whatever.

If they're not trying to race me it's because they're incompetently weak and morally suspect.
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Old 06-06-06, 06:35 AM
  #32  
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I try to pass and not look tired while doing it.... Doesnt usually happen that way though
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Old 06-06-06, 06:45 AM
  #33  
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#1. I am the same way with running. I am competitive and want to use them as a sort of challenge to make me better. Don't get me wrong, I'm very appreciative that they are out there with me!
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Old 06-06-06, 07:18 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by fogrider
first, when I see another rider, I note the form of the rider...are they riding smoothly, and their speed. as I get closer, I note the bike and componets. I must admit, I am a bit of a snob. if they're moving well and they've ride on a custom frame with campy componets...I'll ride up an give them a hello. If they're on a product bike with 105 and moving...I'll stay back about 15 yards...just within striking range. stock them a little and determine the best way to eat them alive. I won't pass until I know I can put them away. if there is a climb, I'll stay with them til they show weakness. once they'll working hard, I'll get in close to make sure they know I'm there. when they completely out of breath, I make my move! Stand to get some speed but sit just before I go by and go by them at twice their speed...and make sure I don't slow until I get out of sight.
Compensating for something???
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Old 06-06-06, 07:31 AM
  #35  
big john
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On the 4th day of a 5 day tour, we had our toughest day. Hours of gravel trucks in the hills and a bee sting with reaction left us on PCH facing 40 miles of headwinds. This would be an 11 hour day on loaded touring bikes and I was so tired I convinced my stronger friend to do some long pulls. We encounter some locals out for their evening rides and I realize my friend is trying to catch one of them. "What are you doing?" Well, my friend couldn't bridge up to the victim so I had to take a pull and I got us close, then my friend took over and we finally got him. We got a good laugh out of that later. It's just fun stuff.
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Old 06-06-06, 07:36 AM
  #36  
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I just have to catch them to let them know they have a tail light out
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Old 06-06-06, 07:38 AM
  #37  
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I live in such a small town, Im like "Wonder who it is!!!" As I shift and send the cadence meter through the roof, only to see them dissapear lol
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Old 06-06-06, 08:08 AM
  #38  
Hill Climber
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I voted number three because around here it's unusual. I'm not talking about people riding bikes, but actual cyclists. On Sunday while on my ride I encountered two, and that is unprecidented.
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Old 06-06-06, 08:15 AM
  #39  
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This morning on the bike lane on Bergen St in Brooklyn, "wow, she smeels perty."

When I caught her all I could think about was the little bit of lace peeking out the top...

(So, I guess the choice about the view.)
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Old 06-06-06, 08:18 AM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by nobrainer440
Mine is sort of a combination of the first three. I think "Wow! Another cyclist! I'm so glad they love riding too. Hmmmm... I wonder if I can catch them." It's just a way to challenge myself, an immediate, concrete goal, instead of "15 more miles to go..." Chasing someone is just more of a challenge and more fun.
+1......I use a rider ahead of me to pick up my pace. Not to race him, but to challenge myself to see if I can catch up.
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Old 06-06-06, 08:29 AM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by Machka
Well ... what if the other cyclist has no interest in racing whatsoever ... wouldn't you look/feel a little silly coming roaring up from behind like you're a Lance wannabe only to discover that the other person is just out for a casual cruise?
What if they do?

Not at all, I got a high level push in to catch them, caulk it up to good training. Plus I know most of them anyway, might find a riding partner to help me catch more victims.

As for being a 'Lance wannabe' I resent that. Not all of us ride a bike hoping to find others to sing Kumbaya with. Most of us have careers, kids, and commitments and our training time is limited. This is our competitive outlet. I don’t randoneer, but I would never call you a wannabe_anything because that is the style of riding you like. Please show the majority of us the same consideration.
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Old 06-06-06, 08:44 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Machka
The first thought in your mind when you see a cyclist ahead of you is:
Rabbit
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Old 06-06-06, 08:47 AM
  #43  
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Old 06-06-06, 08:50 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by Hill Climber
I voted number three because around here it's unusual. I'm not talking about people riding bikes, but actual cyclists. On Sunday while on my ride I encountered two, and that is unprecidented.
Same, but that just makes me want to pass more It's such a rarity that I just have to try
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Old 06-06-06, 08:56 AM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by Extort
For me it is not about racing the other cyclist. I am just trying to push myself to catch them, then I slow down, say hello and chat for a few minutes to get my breath back, then I am off again (after wishing them a nice ride) to catch the next cyclist up ahead. In SoCal, there is always another cyclist up ahead...

Do I care if they want to race? No. Because I do not want to race them, only catch them.

Do I ever think bad about them because I passed them? No. Because their goals are not my goals.*
*This gives me free reign to choose everyone on a bicycle as the next target, little old ladies, full kit roadies, and little kids on BMX's...
+1 For me, it's more about challenging myself than about challenging the other rider. I know there are plenty of riders who could drop me. I'm often one of the first to get dropped on our club training rides (lots of folks who finish rides with avg speed in the 20's), so I have no illusions about being a great racer or anything. I just like to ride, and attempt to improve.
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Old 06-06-06, 09:03 AM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by nobrainer440
I think "Wow! Another cyclist! I'm so glad they love riding too....
unless they are riding against traffic, on their cell phone and going through a red light... then my first thought is.... not allowed to be posted here
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Old 06-06-06, 09:04 AM
  #47  
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There should be another choice in your poll:
Damn, it turned out to be a (rural) mailbox!
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Old 06-06-06, 09:12 AM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by Cypress


Well played, sir. Well played.
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Old 06-06-06, 09:37 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by Olebiker
"Look, up ahead, it might be The Knave!"
Took the words right out of my water bottle sir!


And Cypress has way too much time on his hands....now making detailed charts of his responses.

What happens when you can't catch them?

Oh wait, that's never happened I'll bet.
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Old 06-06-06, 09:54 AM
  #50  
merlinextraligh
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Originally Posted by Extort
Do I care if they want to race? No. Because I do not want to race them, only catch them.
Sort of like my dog. She doesn't want to kill the rabbit, only catch it and play with it.
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