Getting passed by Road Bikers while on a Hybrid
#26
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,613
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10956 Post(s)
Liked 7,486 Times
in
4,187 Posts
#27
Newbie
Thread Starter
Flipper was a GREAT show. I remember watching it on our black and white TV when I was a young buy. I guess my main question to the OP is, what is your true motivation to ride? In my younger days I used to pass other road riders. My motivation then was competitive. My motivation today is to ride for enjoyment and stay in shape. I'm just as happy now as I've ever been riding my bike.
Likes For Flipper_:
#28
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26413 Post(s)
Liked 10,379 Times
in
7,207 Posts
My solution so far has been to momentarily slow down, so they can get as far ahead of me as possible in the brief time we share the road together. YMMV
__________________
Likes For 3alarmer:
#29
Newbie
Thread Starter
reminds me of a time I was on a long paved trail. I had roadified a hybrid, w/ tires, saddle & drop bars. it was comfortable, I was healthy & about 15 yrs younger than I am now. at the time, a pretty efficient rider. anyway, I was passed & passed others. no big deal. but then I passed this one guy, who then caught up to me to pass me intentionally exclaiming: "I'm not gonna get passed by a hybrid, that's a hybrid, right?" as he looked at the front shock I locked out. then not long after, w/o extra effort, I passed him again
our speed is our speed. we're all built differently. he was considerably shorter than I am, maybe that had something do do w/ it as well? I have a relative that I hike/walk with sometimes. he's taller & seems to just stride faster w/ little effort, while I seem to require more effort to keep up. it's mildly annoying, but not for ego reasons, I have to work harder to keep up
at 63, the older I get, the more I get passed. sometimes have to remind myself if I can't deal w/ that, I've got to adjust my attitude
if I was in my 20s ...
our speed is our speed. we're all built differently. he was considerably shorter than I am, maybe that had something do do w/ it as well? I have a relative that I hike/walk with sometimes. he's taller & seems to just stride faster w/ little effort, while I seem to require more effort to keep up. it's mildly annoying, but not for ego reasons, I have to work harder to keep up
at 63, the older I get, the more I get passed. sometimes have to remind myself if I can't deal w/ that, I've got to adjust my attitude
if I was in my 20s ...
#30
Guest
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,888
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 3,270 Times
in
1,439 Posts
#31
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,102
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3427 Post(s)
Liked 3,563 Times
in
1,790 Posts
Likes For terrymorse:
#32
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
I've ridden a comfort hybrid and a fitness hybrid. I passed and dropped plenty of road bike riders who obviously thought we were racing on the fitness hybrid. The fitness hybrid (2017 FX 3) was especially great for climbing on a road.
I'm definitely a little faster on my road bikes, but the FX was a lot closer to a road bike than it was to a comfort bike. They're just not the same type of bike at all.
A few years ago, I encountered a young guy riding a Walmart MTB in Worcester, MA in the mid-20 mph range while I was riding my road bike (I honestly don't remember which bike I was riding). I passed him as I was coming into town and didn't think much of it, and then I suddenly realized he was right with me about 10 minutes later when our routes diverged at the other end of town. We had a very quick laugh when we both commented on being surprised how fast the other guy was.
I'm definitely a little faster on my road bikes, but the FX was a lot closer to a road bike than it was to a comfort bike. They're just not the same type of bike at all.
A few years ago, I encountered a young guy riding a Walmart MTB in Worcester, MA in the mid-20 mph range while I was riding my road bike (I honestly don't remember which bike I was riding). I passed him as I was coming into town and didn't think much of it, and then I suddenly realized he was right with me about 10 minutes later when our routes diverged at the other end of town. We had a very quick laugh when we both commented on being surprised how fast the other guy was.
#33
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,098 Times
in
5,054 Posts
Likes For livedarklions:
#34
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,960
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10424 Post(s)
Liked 11,896 Times
in
6,094 Posts
It all depends on what you want out of riding a bike. Sometimes all I want is to be outside, enjoying the fresh air and the scenery. Sometimes I want to go as fast as I can down a sharp descent. Sometimes I want to getas aero as possible and pound along the flats for a couple miles. Usually, all in the same ride. I don't try to compete with other riders, but most of us will mark someone ahead of us as a motivator. If I catch and pass them, it doesn't mean I "won" against them. It means I succeeded at a challenge I set for myself.
I ride road bikes, not just because they're faster and more aero, but because they're more comfortable - I have my choice of hand positions, the weight balance between butt and hands is better, and with the right saddle and fit, I can ride for miles comfortably in the drops.
Where I live there are A LOT of cyclists. Every ride, you'll encounter riders who are younger than you, and older. Skinnier than you, or fatter. Faster than you, or slower. My personal goal is to be the "Older, Fatter, Faster" rider for as many folks as possible.
And then some older, fatter dude passes me.
I ride road bikes, not just because they're faster and more aero, but because they're more comfortable - I have my choice of hand positions, the weight balance between butt and hands is better, and with the right saddle and fit, I can ride for miles comfortably in the drops.
Where I live there are A LOT of cyclists. Every ride, you'll encounter riders who are younger than you, and older. Skinnier than you, or fatter. Faster than you, or slower. My personal goal is to be the "Older, Fatter, Faster" rider for as many folks as possible.
And then some older, fatter dude passes me.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#35
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26413 Post(s)
Liked 10,379 Times
in
7,207 Posts
.
...if you ride an older, more colorful, and nicely restored road bike, sometimes the people passing you will slow down a little to look at it and comment on it. That's the best I got.
...if you ride an older, more colorful, and nicely restored road bike, sometimes the people passing you will slow down a little to look at it and comment on it. That's the best I got.
__________________
Likes For 3alarmer:
#36
Senior Member
I get passed all the time by people on ebikes, e-scooters and uber eats.
Riding slowly helps avoid getting right-hooked sometimes.
Riding slowly helps avoid getting right-hooked sometimes.
Likes For Daniel4:
#37
Banned.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
There's always someone faster.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,235
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18411 Post(s)
Liked 15,531 Times
in
7,327 Posts
I finished what I consider the last day of a nearly four-month, unsupported trip across the U.S. and then some by participating in a charity event to reach the New Jersey shore. I was still carrying all my gear. I had people drafting me. Oh, to be 34 again.
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,235
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18411 Post(s)
Liked 15,531 Times
in
7,327 Posts
Likes For indyfabz:
#42
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
I think you should just focus on enjoying riding your bike and stop worrying about getting passed...Upgrading to a better bike is nice, trying to get fitter and faster is good too... but you need to remember that no matter how nice your bike is or how fast you are or how fit you are, there will always going to be somebody out there who is faster, fitter and stronger rider than you.
Likes For LarrySellerz:
#44
Senior Member
And sometimes you're just about out of steam, at the end of a very long ride, trying to make it that last mile to make it home.... That's when it seems everyone comes out of the woodwork to pass you. It just is what it is.
Likes For Reflector Guy:
#45
-------
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tejas
Posts: 12,795
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9653 Post(s)
Liked 6,365 Times
in
3,505 Posts
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,599
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times
in
436 Posts
Just the opposite here-- I keep getting passed by hybrids while on my road bike! Possibly because they're 30-40 yrs younger? Or maybe I'm just cruising along enjoying the ride.
Likes For freeranger:
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
haha yeah. was out riding in the forest w friend & we kept inching forward of the other each time making us both faster. by time the ride was over we both had a solid ride. I think I didn't snack or drink as much as I usually do & I was really toasted at the end
Likes For rumrunn6:
#48
Senior Member
Can someone please tell me what the hell a "MUP" is?
You bring up an interesting point, the height difference. I'm 5'4" but I'm pretty strong. I like riding because it's a good way to convert strength into speed. But I struggle to keep up with guys, even with my strength. I know guys tend to have more upper body strength but I don't think, pound for pound (or gram for gram), your legs are that much more powerful than ours. So I'm left to conclude that the height difference is a significant factor. But I can't figure out the mechanics of it. I mean, generally speaking, aren't cranks fairly standardized? I know there are different lengths, but don't those tend to be more specialized? If I'm 5'4" and riding a bike with the exact same wheel size and crank throw as a guy who's 5'10", but he's faster than me, is it a strength issue? Or is it a leverage issue? How would having longer legs on the same length crank be an advantage?
I get where you're coming from. I don't consider it a race, but I always like to either pass or keep up with someone who passes me. It's not about a race, it's about pushing myself harder than I would if nobody was around. I tend to use other riders, when I come across them, as "rabbits". Keeps me from getting lazy.
Interesting info. Thanks for posting.
That's how I finish all my rides, wishing they were just a couple miles shorter.
reminds me of a time I was on a long paved trail. I had roadified a hybrid, w/ tires, saddle & drop bars. it was comfortable, I was healthy & about 15 yrs younger than I am now. at the time, a pretty efficient rider. anyway, I was passed & passed others. no big deal. but then I passed this one guy, who then caught up to me to pass me intentionally exclaiming: "I'm not gonna get passed by a hybrid, that's a hybrid, right?" as he looked at the front shock I locked out. then not long after, w/o extra effort, I passed him again
our speed is our speed. we're all built differently. he was considerably shorter than I am, maybe that had something do do w/ it as well? I have a relative that I hike/walk with sometimes. he's taller & seems to just stride faster w/ little effort, while I seem to require more effort to keep up. it's mildly annoying, but not for ego reasons, I have to work harder to keep up
at 63, the older I get, the more I get passed. sometimes have to remind myself if I can't deal w/ that, I've got to adjust my attitude
if I was in my 20s ...
our speed is our speed. we're all built differently. he was considerably shorter than I am, maybe that had something do do w/ it as well? I have a relative that I hike/walk with sometimes. he's taller & seems to just stride faster w/ little effort, while I seem to require more effort to keep up. it's mildly annoying, but not for ego reasons, I have to work harder to keep up
at 63, the older I get, the more I get passed. sometimes have to remind myself if I can't deal w/ that, I've got to adjust my attitude
if I was in my 20s ...
That's a great window into exactly what I'm getting at. It's all relative, but I sometimes think we're all racing, whether we realize it, accept it or like it. I actually think that's kind of the fun- good for that dude for going all out (I probably would have kept my Hybrid comments to myself) good for you for retaking him, good for both of you to be on the trail and getting after it. I'm 8 years and 5 surgeries past my earlier prime (am 51 now) but I actually can barely quantify the joy of being back out there- now on limestone as well as flowy MTB- it's amazing beyond words.
That's how I finish all my rides, wishing they were just a couple miles shorter.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
MUP = multi-use path
Likes For caloso:
#50
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26413 Post(s)
Liked 10,379 Times
in
7,207 Posts
Can someone please tell me what the hell a "MUP" is?
__________________
Likes For 3alarmer: