Once Competitive Always Competitive?
12-16-20, 11:18 AM
#51
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Particularly on hills. I can ride 6-7 hours easy at a decent (18-20mph on my recumbent, 22-24 in the velo) pace on level ground, but as soon as I start going into hills where higher output is needed, I poop out fast. I try to push myself, but it's a little easier if there's something to chase that I can see.
It also helps that I can usually catch even a fast rider once it levels out, at least in the velo.
12-16-20, 11:53 AM
#52
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Bike racing not difficult??? Getting out of bed early makes it very difficult!
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12-16-20, 11:57 AM
#53
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12-16-20, 04:21 PM
#55
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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?
How would you call that?
Good job!
Edit: and right after is mstateglfr with the same idea.
Last edited by Unca_Sam; 12-16-20 at 06:53 PM.
12-16-20, 05:41 PM
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Man, did not expect that response
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.
12-16-20, 05:59 PM
#57
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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.
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12-16-20, 07:43 PM
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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.
Since then, I've lived in more rural areas -- where, on the rare occasion I spot another cyclist, I will chase him/her down (or slow down, whatever) to introduce myself and chat a bit. I think it's happened four times in the past three years.
Since then, I've lived in more rural areas -- where, on the rare occasion I spot another cyclist, I will chase him/her down (or slow down, whatever) to introduce myself and chat a bit. I think it's happened four times in the past three years.
12-16-20, 07:50 PM
#59
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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.
12-16-20, 08:34 PM
#60
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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.
12-17-20, 06:06 AM
#61
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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.
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.
Oh wait...
12-17-20, 02:47 PM
#62
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It is legally and by rule not a race. There is a maximum speed, beyond which you'll have to wait at a control point until it opens. There is no winner, and finishers are listed alphabetically.
But then you talk to someone from the front group, and they'll tell you it is absolutely a race. And we have what we call the first finisher.
But then you talk to someone from the front group, and they'll tell you it is absolutely a race. And we have what we call the first finisher.
12-17-20, 11:30 PM
#63
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More like Il-legit. 
But did belong to the CASCADE ANIMAL TRAINING SERIES which was the best of the best non-racer types. What’s the saying? Never so good as I was then. 
But did belong to the CASCADE ANIMAL TRAINING SERIES which was the best of the best non-racer types. What’s the saying? Never so good as I was then.
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Last edited by rsbob; 12-18-20 at 12:27 AM.
12-19-20, 07:46 AM
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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.
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12-19-20, 08:17 AM
#65
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I think there are multiple people in this thread that are doing just that. The OP even qualifies his "racing" with statements that others think he can "start as a Cat 3".
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12-19-20, 10:10 AM
#66
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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.
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.
12-19-20, 05:42 PM
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Recreational chase-downs are to racing what BF threads are to real life discussions.
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12-19-20, 06:28 PM
#68
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I was never competitive minded even when I was racing. 
I just enjoyed hanging out, the team rides, being in pretty good shape, and getting out for the races. Someone has to be in the middle of the pack and I was happy to be that guy.
I just enjoyed hanging out, the team rides, being in pretty good shape, and getting out for the races. Someone has to be in the middle of the pack and I was happy to be that guy.
12-19-20, 10:34 PM
#69
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12-21-20, 12:18 PM
#70
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I did the same for 30-40 years then realized I like a ride no matter how fast I’m going. A nice 12-15 mile ride in an hour makes me happy and I’m fresh to do it again tomorrow if I feel like it.
12-21-20, 12:38 PM
#71
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Yes, I often notice competitive cyclists attempting to catch me.
12-21-20, 12:55 PM
#72
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12-21-20, 01:16 PM
#73
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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
)
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?
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
)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?
12-21-20, 01:20 PM
#74
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Beats me. How would I hear 'em over my ear buds? 
12-21-20, 02:01 PM
#75
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I ride an old steel frame, and I'm pretty old myself (70), so I spend my cruising time (48x20 on flat roads) enjoying the fresh air of the Atlantic Ocean and the thought, as I ride, of having seen my racing days gone by. These days, no numb hands, no numb feet, no numb nether region of the body -- just breathing the air that moves the fronds of palm trees. Doubtless this point of view seems overly tame to guys succumbing to the red mist. But what can be done with decreased heart rate and a spaghetti-like frame (relative to modern frames)? I see young guys cranking away on their ultra-stiff specialissima frames, and I bid them adieu: I was them 40 years ago. It's a relief to recognize that the racing phase of life is over.
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