KColeman32

Golfer says: Ouch... But, not many fat golfers walking and carrying their bag (as golfer/biker does).

WhyFi

No, she was trying to get away from the creep.

rubiksoval

Do you immediately start tailgating all the people that pass you on the interstate?

This makes absolutely zero sense to me.

If you want to compete, do a hard group ride or race where everyone else wants to do the same. Jumping after random strangers who have nothing to do with you is so asinine in so many ways.

caloso

I grew up near Beale so we'd see them all the time. You'd think you'd get used to them, but everytime one went over you'd stop and stare.

OldTryGuy

Too bad you didn't fly the SR-71.

Marci

Having a lung condition I just yell back see ya at the top. But I am going to be getting one of those hill topper wheels.... They who be smiling all the way up the hills.... LOL Besides, I have the cookies.

WhyFi

I bet. I've only seen 'em in museums and they're worth staring at when sitting still.

Eiko

You guys obviously are referring to this and know the story but here's the link if anyone else is interested: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/favor...ory-1079127041

rubiksoval

That was a fantastic read.

Random11

SR-71 pilots don't get to park next to slower planes. Then again, neither do I.

downtube42

Oh, you're right, that was the Blackbird.

The space shuttle story I was thinking of was a phone in to Car Talk.

oldbear63

I realized that I have an important purpose in life: I am someone to pass.

It is my place in the scheme of things, my raison d'etre, my function.

The old guy you can beat.... just remember that I am 65 and most of you are not.

bfaIllini

Living in Boulder CO it happens regularly and often. Just shake my head, smile and pedal on as I get passed by younger, smaller, older and larger riders, often with backpacks, flat shoes and small cassettes. Actually keeps me motivated

AdkMtnMonster

That wasn’t shame you felt. It was lactic acid. Make friends with it and you’ll be a beast.

upthywazzoo 

I don't object to people jumping on my wheel, and I've jumped on a fair amount of wheels myself. In either case I'm usually working much harder than I normally would alone and that benefits my training. Never had anyone tell me that they were bothered by this; instead I've ended up having a lot of cool conversations this way. Overall, positive experiences.

rubiksoval

Benefits your training? Clearly you aren't "training" if the only time you go hard is when some completely random stranger passes you.

Again, this is terrible etiquette.

AudioSQ

I only worry about trying to do better than my identical twin brother. Most of the rest are better than me and I'm ok with that.

growlerdinky

is "Johnny the Wad" taken as a username yet?

upthywazzoo 

Hah, this is clearly a sore spot for you. I guess we'll just have to disagree on this one.

tobey

Agree. When I do get passed I'll often try to start up a conversation (pre-Covid) and would sometimes casually mention that I will be 70 next year.
Almost every time they seemed surprised and it turns the table a bit. Most remark they hope to just be riding when they turn 70 and we'd have a nice conversation. Of course with COVID that doesn't happen anymore!

rubiksoval

No, not really.

But I've seen enough horrendous bike handling in groups of actual experienced riders who know people are on their wheels that I absolutely don't think it's anything random people out for a stroll should engage in. That you think it's perfectly acceptable is bizarre, but perhaps you can't jump on the wheel of people that would care, anyway.

upthywazzoo 

You really do have a taste for these snarky little putdowns, lol. They're not necessary to this dialogue and just make you seem insufferable, which I'm sure you aren't.

I think context matters here. On an open road with few riders, sure--I can see the need for asking the question. I tend to ride on relatively populated/popular roads in the city where there's a bike lane wide enough for one rider. So, I find myself in front of or behind people very often. I would put forward that given the road conditions, it would be a reasonable expectation that drafting is going to happen at some point during the ride.

I see myself as being a pretty social rider and will always talk to people around me. I understand that not everyone is like me or sees random conversation or grouping up as a desirable thing. But if I come up behind someone and say hi, I really don't consider that to be a huge affront to the person ahead. You would be perfectly within your rights to tell me to go away and I would respect that. But this has never happened to me once. And I've never told someone to stop wheel-sucking either. So again--only positive experiences from drafting/getting drafted. Maybe cyclists here are just naturally chatty 😀

guadzilla

I have found that the type of people who are able to draft you REALLY close (ie, paceline/racing type of drafting) generally know enough to ask before jumping on. Pretty much every stranger who has grabbed my wheel has drafted me at enough of a distance to not bother me at all.

rubiksoval

Context always matters, and as such, the context in which I initially replied to you was your assertion that jumping on random people's wheels that passed you benefited your training because you go harder. That's the context.

At the end of the day, you're going to do whatever. My hope is that there is a clear understanding that while you may find such behavior acceptable, many others don't, and that, in general, despite your own personal anecdotes, this is not proper etiquette/behavior. One, for safety concerns for the person you're riding behind, two, for the need for them to now be concerned about your own safety (swerving away from potholes or debris last second, something very commonly done solo, is quite dangerous when not), and three, imposing yourself into their space/activity.

Again, there are meet ups, group rides, and races for those that need to ride with others for "training" or "motivation" or "competition".

If you're cruising to the coffee shop chatting up every person you see at 12 mph, then that's not the issue here. But that wasn't the context of your initial post, nor is it the context of this thread.

Litespud

Wow - hearing Tommy and Ray is bringing tears to my eyes - and a great call also.