Am I not “racy” enough?
#51
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- what physical issue does the person have that keeps them from riding an upright bike.
- why so many 'bent riders wear goofy hats and clothing(ironic, given what have on when riding).
- if the rider is quirky and therefore chooses the bike style or if the bike style makes them quirky.
I dont think a 'bent has ever triggered anyone to want to race. Just get to the next hill and a 75yo walking will beat the 'bent up the hill.
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Only time I want to be ahead of the bent or a tand is when the light is red. They are typically positioned in a manner along the crosswalk staging area that blocks any other ped traffic from flowing. The lights do not permit much time to cross, & by the time they "clip" in, it's flashing don't walk.
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Seeing a 'bent usually makes me wonder...
- what physical issue does the person have that keeps them from riding an upright bike.
- why so many 'bent riders wear goofy hats and clothing(ironic, given what have on when riding).
- if the rider is quirky and therefore chooses the bike style or if the bike style makes them quirky.
I dont think a 'bent has ever triggered anyone to want to race. Just get to the next hill and a 75yo walking will beat the 'bent up the hill.
- what physical issue does the person have that keeps them from riding an upright bike.
- why so many 'bent riders wear goofy hats and clothing(ironic, given what have on when riding).
- if the rider is quirky and therefore chooses the bike style or if the bike style makes them quirky.
I dont think a 'bent has ever triggered anyone to want to race. Just get to the next hill and a 75yo walking will beat the 'bent up the hill.
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The first rule of Bike Race Club is: You do not talk about Bike Race Club. The second rule of Bike Race Club is: You do not talk about Bike Race Club. Third rule of Bike Race Club: Someone yells "Stop!", bonks, flats out, the race is over. Fourth rule: Only two guys to a bike race...one must be riding a flat-bar.
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#57
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Only if you have a beard and aerobelly. Of course, the hormones embedded in the seat of the 'bent get you to growing yours rapidly upon purchase if you lack either, and, once you can document both are fully grown, you are eligible for your free cap.
#58
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Only thing that triggers me is an E-Bike. If I see an E-Bike I have to drop it. Maybe keep the racing kit, but start riding an E-Bike?
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Every morning (almost literally) I wake up, put on spandex, and go out riding one of my “Tour de France-type” drop bar bikes. Every day I pass flat bar bikes of all sorts - mountain, hybrid, whatever. Not one of them has ever tried to race me. None has ever passed or dropped me. Do I just not look racy enough to get them fired up, or is there something else I’m missing about all these stories here from flat-bar riders?
Part of that rationalization for a small subset of that group is going on the internet to tell those stories. Part of that rationalization for "shaving legs" for roadies might be a plethora of "road rash, culture, looks". Instead of just saying "because I like it"
The #1 time I actually come across this "race you" thing is when I'm running. I run for some "balance" to my exercise. I'm not remotely quick at it at all, but given the bike racing I'm not super slow either. I'll typically do a 10k in the 8:30/mi range for some "sweetspot/tempo" running. It never fails you go to pass that one Boston runner who's on more of a "volume" run in the slower range and they can't resist dialing up the stupid to 11 for a 1/2 mile to show you up. I just let em go. I've also been running up some of the hills where some folks not gifted at climbing on bikes will give themselves a heart attack to prevent you as a runner passing them up a hill.
It's super rare I "give in" because doing so would typically ruin a planned workout. And I'd rather win my TT than beat some schmuck on a training ride.
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Seeing a 'bent usually makes me wonder...
- what physical issue does the person have that keeps them from riding an upright bike.
- why so many 'bent riders wear goofy hats and clothing(ironic, given what have on when riding).
- if the rider is quirky and therefore chooses the bike style or if the bike style makes them quirky.
I dont think a 'bent has ever triggered anyone to want to race. Just get to the next hill and a 75yo walking will beat the 'bent up the hill.
- what physical issue does the person have that keeps them from riding an upright bike.
- why so many 'bent riders wear goofy hats and clothing(ironic, given what have on when riding).
- if the rider is quirky and therefore chooses the bike style or if the bike style makes them quirky.
I dont think a 'bent has ever triggered anyone to want to race. Just get to the next hill and a 75yo walking will beat the 'bent up the hill.
#61
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You may have awesome anaerobic power, strong competitive spirit, and grit.
But an E-Bike has a button.
I tried to pace a 'bent rider up a climb recently. Soon, I was at my "can't keep this up much longer" pace. He just casually pedaled away.
Turns out, he recently had added the power option to his 'bent (hard to tell by looking at it, all 'bents look weird). At the regroup, I asked him how much power it could generate.
His answer: "Anything from 0 to 800 watts".
Might as well have been chasing a car.
Last edited by terrymorse; 06-30-21 at 09:31 AM.
#62
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#63
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Whilst posted as a humorous suggestion to the OP, most E-Bikes I encounter seem to cut out assist about 20 mph. Although it takes a bit of effort, it is not that difficult to leave one behind. The ones that assist up to 28 mph or are unregulated, however are a different story!
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Very interesting you mention this. Just this morning while getting in some miles, I decided to just hammer it from a green light. A 2nd gen Equinox that was sitting at that light didn't seem to like eating a cyclists dust, so they nailed it. As they passed, I could see the driver's face as they were mirror driving after a 2' passing of me. With a slight curve in the road, the driver came really close in doing a curb check.
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How does that work out for you?
You may have awesome anaerobic power, strong competitive spirit, and grit.
But an E-Bike has a button.
I tried to pace a 'bent rider up a climb recently. Soon, I was at my "can't keep this up much longer" pace. He just casually pedaled away.
Turns out, he recently had added the power option to his 'bent (hard to tell by looking at it, all 'bents look weird). At the regroup, I asked him how much power it could generate.
His answer: "Anything from 0 to 800 watts".
Might as well have been chasing a car.
You may have awesome anaerobic power, strong competitive spirit, and grit.
But an E-Bike has a button.
I tried to pace a 'bent rider up a climb recently. Soon, I was at my "can't keep this up much longer" pace. He just casually pedaled away.
Turns out, he recently had added the power option to his 'bent (hard to tell by looking at it, all 'bents look weird). At the regroup, I asked him how much power it could generate.
His answer: "Anything from 0 to 800 watts".
Might as well have been chasing a car.
#69
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Are you saying females can't race or how about those not gender affiliated or someone Trans like Molly Cameron (a CX racer and bike shop owner who is trans)? Why do they have to be boys all the time? The future is female. But hey yeah race up the hill and beat all the "racer boys" that you encountered in your imagination while the "racer girls" and those who race and do affiliate with gender are going to be at the top not feeling the need to race a barcalounger on wheels.
#70
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Yeah, the second most popular sport in Europe, behind soccer, is cycling. Amazing to go to bars there and seeing them packed with people watching cycling. Watching the TdF this year and the crowds are back. They must be the less than 2%. And exactly where do you get your figures from? I am guessing it is a very dark place.
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The other day two roadies tried dropping me on my gravel bike (I had gravel slicks on), so I upp'ed my cadence and drafted them for a few miles until we hit a stop sign, at which point they looked gassed out and I just kept on going. Actually I was also gassed out keeping up with them and burned energy I was planning to save for a hill climb! On my way to the hill, a roadie on a titanium bike left me in the dust, since I was still recovering from racing the other pair of roadies!
Nothing is more fun than imaginary bragging rights! Lol
Nothing is more fun than imaginary bragging rights! Lol
#74
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I have been following cycling professionals for 40 years. To enjoy the sport you need to learn the sport and follow the riders. In today’s world it’s easy with YouTube and Twitter and Instagram.
I enjoy watching riders at the top of their game. I will never be able to ride as fast as they do but I do ride the courses on Rouvy. So I know the effort requires to ride up the climbs and roads in the tour.
I enjoy watching riders at the top of their game. I will never be able to ride as fast as they do but I do ride the courses on Rouvy. So I know the effort requires to ride up the climbs and roads in the tour.
#75
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^^^ Is Rouvy like Zwift in that the "climbs" are about half as difficult as real life? Even if that's the case, it's cool to get even a taste of what they experience.