Too aggressive for a group ride?
#1
pan y agua
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Too aggressive for a group ride?
Wednesday night ride. Moderately fast group ride, but mostly people who do not race.
There are 4 points that the front of the ride sprints for, just based on history.
We, on the tandem, take the front about a kilometer before the last sprint point. Wind is coming from the right, so I move to the left, just inside the center line, and gradually ramp it up.
My plan is to make anyone who wants to come around have to go right, into the wind.
About 200 meters from the line, the guy behind yells "get off the center line". I stay put, hold my line, and just dig for it.
No one comes around, but after we sit up, the guy that was yelling comes around yells F you multiple times, flips me the bird and rides off.
Apparently he was pissed because I didn't give him room to go around to the left.
Was I wrong to not let him around on the left?
There are 4 points that the front of the ride sprints for, just based on history.
We, on the tandem, take the front about a kilometer before the last sprint point. Wind is coming from the right, so I move to the left, just inside the center line, and gradually ramp it up.
My plan is to make anyone who wants to come around have to go right, into the wind.
About 200 meters from the line, the guy behind yells "get off the center line". I stay put, hold my line, and just dig for it.
No one comes around, but after we sit up, the guy that was yelling comes around yells F you multiple times, flips me the bird and rides off.
Apparently he was pissed because I didn't give him room to go around to the left.
Was I wrong to not let him around on the left?
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You could hit a tree and die.
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#2
Senior Member
I personally do not think you were wrong.. If anything you were doing the right thing holding your line in a sprint type of situation. Sound like the guy was off his meds for being that upset at losing a group ride sprint
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when i used to road race motorcycles it was common knowledge that is was the trailing riders responsibility to make a clean safe pass... the lead rider was simply to ride his/her race... nothing about getting out of the way unless you were a lapped backmarker...
caveat - I know next to nothing about group ride etiquette, so take that with a grain of salt
caveat - I know next to nothing about group ride etiquette, so take that with a grain of salt
Last edited by bonz50; 06-02-11 at 09:10 AM.
#4
Throw the stick!!!!
I don't see anything wrong with that. I've never had people that I was trying to sprint around try to make it "easy" on me. As long as you aren't making sudden moves then I don't see how you can be accused of being dangerous.
However, with his attitude he would not be welcome back in our local group rides.
However, with his attitude he would not be welcome back in our local group rides.
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#5
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M, I don't know, you did preclude him from collecting those valuable group-ride sprint points.
Last edited by Tio; 06-02-11 at 09:08 AM. Reason: Grammar
#6
Descends like a rock
I have no idea what the "rules" are in a situation like that. I know in general people like to pass on the left. What I do know is that even if you were wrong, that guy was nuts to get so pissed about something that really doesn't matter. Its not like you were putting anyone in danger. Group rides are for fun and camaraderie. I'd blame it on roid rage
#7
You Know!? For Kids!
Whose bike was nicer? Who was wearing the more expensive kit? Who drove a nicer car to the ride? Really not enough info to answer this question.
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#8
pan y agua
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I think the problem may be that this group has evolved from a group that was relatively slow, and very safety conscious. A former leader used to preach about not passing on the right.
However, I haven't known that to be observed in the sprints by the people who are now riding at the front of this group.
So he couldn't go left ( there was oncoming traffic) and he felt constrained somehow about going right. But even then you have the choice of just not coming around so I didn't see anything unsafe to get pissed about.
However, I haven't known that to be observed in the sprints by the people who are now riding at the front of this group.
So he couldn't go left ( there was oncoming traffic) and he felt constrained somehow about going right. But even then you have the choice of just not coming around so I didn't see anything unsafe to get pissed about.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#9
pan y agua
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And the most significant piece of missing information is that he's my wife's boss.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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#11
You Know!? For Kids!
Was your wife the stoker? If so, it may not be about the bike.
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#12
Descends like a rock
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The understanding they might have is that you don't pass on the right (I know a group where everybody has agreed to it to avoid crashes). If you're riding next to the center line you're forcing the guy wanting to pass you to sprint into the incoming traffic lane. I can see how that would be irritating, but the guy's reaction appears too dramatic.
I seems that the "tactics" (forcing people passing you to go into the wind) would be more appropriate for a race, than an informal group ride.
I seems that the "tactics" (forcing people passing you to go into the wind) would be more appropriate for a race, than an informal group ride.
#17
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Wednesday night ride. Moderately fast group ride, but mostly people who do not race.
There are 4 points that the front of the ride sprints for, just based on history.
We, on the tandem, take the front about a kilometer before the last sprint point. Wind is coming from the right, so I move to the left, just inside the center line, and gradually ramp it up.
My plan is to make anyone who wants to come around have to go right, into the wind.
About 200 meters from the line, the guy behind yells "get off the center line". I stay put, hold my line, and just dig for it.
No one comes around, but after we sit up, the guy that was yelling comes around yells F you multiple times, flips me the bird and rides off.
Apparently he was pissed because I didn't give him room to go around to the left.
Was I wrong to not let him around on the left?
There are 4 points that the front of the ride sprints for, just based on history.
We, on the tandem, take the front about a kilometer before the last sprint point. Wind is coming from the right, so I move to the left, just inside the center line, and gradually ramp it up.
My plan is to make anyone who wants to come around have to go right, into the wind.
About 200 meters from the line, the guy behind yells "get off the center line". I stay put, hold my line, and just dig for it.
No one comes around, but after we sit up, the guy that was yelling comes around yells F you multiple times, flips me the bird and rides off.
Apparently he was pissed because I didn't give him room to go around to the left.
Was I wrong to not let him around on the left?
Please?
#18
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
The only rule I know of is to hold your line, which you did. Of course, if he is your wife's boss he probably expected deference. He's a jerk in any case.
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Am I missing something? You're all the way to the left of the lane, leaving him the entire lane and he has a problem with this?
If I read this right it was tactically the correct move (if you want to be on the front) and also the safest. He has the whole fricken' lane. He just has to deal with the wind but so what, it's a sprint. If he was so worried about safety he wouldn't be sprinting at all!
Too bad he's your wife's boss...
If I read this right it was tactically the correct move (if you want to be on the front) and also the safest. He has the whole fricken' lane. He just has to deal with the wind but so what, it's a sprint. If he was so worried about safety he wouldn't be sprinting at all!
Too bad he's your wife's boss...
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Yes.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-02-11 at 09:51 AM.
#21
Portland Fred
In a ride like that, your job is to hold your line and not do anything stupid. You have no obligation to kowtow to the whims of jackasses, a category that includes any cyclist who flips out because others didn't go out of their way to accommodate him.
My condolences to your wife. I'll bet the guy is a blast to work with...
My condolences to your wife. I'll bet the guy is a blast to work with...
#22
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Does flipping someone off count as a wave? If it does then he was fine. If not then yeah - a-hole status for sure.
I would have yelled, "It's called guttering B****!"
Nothing wrong with what you did - as you already know. That said I have found I have no patience for people that treat a group ride like the only race of the week anymore (meaning the other guy). Ride competitively, do things like guttering, etc....that's what group rides are great for, but it's uncalled for to act like he did. Tell him to STFU and pay for a number on the weekend before complaining about anything.
I would have yelled, "It's called guttering B****!"
Nothing wrong with what you did - as you already know. That said I have found I have no patience for people that treat a group ride like the only race of the week anymore (meaning the other guy). Ride competitively, do things like guttering, etc....that's what group rides are great for, but it's uncalled for to act like he did. Tell him to STFU and pay for a number on the weekend before complaining about anything.
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#24
VeloSIRraptor
I can only assume that you'd made some sort of prearranged deal to lead him out, and then to let him through on the left
You sir, are you are the worst piece of bird-doo-doo to ever walk the earth.
Other Rider: DON'T GIVE ME THAT, YOU SNOTTY-FACED HEAP OF PARROT DROPPINGS!
Merlin:What?
if that was not the case, he's a drooling cretin and should keep right on riding by himself (the path he seems to have already chosen)
the correct option is clear I think?
You sir, are you are the worst piece of bird-doo-doo to ever walk the earth.
Other Rider: DON'T GIVE ME THAT, YOU SNOTTY-FACED HEAP OF PARROT DROPPINGS!
Merlin:What?
if that was not the case, he's a drooling cretin and should keep right on riding by himself (the path he seems to have already chosen)
the correct option is clear I think?
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Unless you were swerving and almost ran him off the road, there is absolutely no reason to curse at anyone. And even if you were swerving all over the place, that is still no reason for a temper tantrum. If you are a regular with this group and if there is a leader or president of some sort, I'd report the guy. There is no need for that and he shouldn't be riding in friendly groups rides.
Did he know who you guys were when he was yelling at you? Has he apologized to your wife? I'd confront his ass in a polite manner.
Did he know who you guys were when he was yelling at you? Has he apologized to your wife? I'd confront his ass in a polite manner.