Fredo76

When I was maybe 17 and my new-to-me Crescent frame was being painted in Tucson Wheelmen colors (baby blue), I went for a ride with my dad, out to Saguaro National Monument. He was on his new bike, a Romana 300 racing bike, and I was on his old bike, a Raleigh Sports model with a 5-speed SA hub (Sprite?) with shifters on the top tube. As we neared the monument entrance, a couple of older racers passed us pretty easily. I asked my dad if he minded if I chased after them, and he said no, go ahead. As I began to close the distance, they began to look back at this crazy kid chasing them on dad's old 'English racer', fenders rattling and the chain banging against the chain guard, with the crazy kid pedaling standing up most of the time. I kept up with them halfway around them monument, to the big hill, and I showed up within a minute at the end, where they recognized me and expressed surprise nonetheless. I had a pretty good 'engine' at that time.

Forty five years later, I can barely make half as fast as I used to ride, and haven't yet gone half as far. I'm a LOT better than when I started again two years ago though, and feel great for the first time in years. Two hip replacements helped with that, as well.

Getting passed is relative.

urbanknight

That's the guy I cite when people ask me if Olympians and national/world champions ever go on to do great things for society.

indyfabz

He won the first Corestates race in Philly, making him US pro champion. He was in the hunt at the sprint the following year but ripped the upper of a shoe off its sole. Now that was power.

I ran into his sister when I was in high school. A group of us were hiking Camel’s Hump in Vermont. One of the adults with us was from Minnesota and had gone to college with her. Beth was out for a trail run with friends. She passed our group, and our guide and Beth recognized each other. They chatted for a bit, then Beth ran off. Our guide turned to us and told us who she was.

Flipper_

Early in my time with that bike, I realized I needed proper shorts. I also made the rookie mistake of going strictly by the sidewall markings and made sure to keep the 700X28 tires at 115+, Jesus help me! I eventually reduced pressure, which improved things but that bike always was a jittery handful

I sold it early this year thinking my time on this limestone trail was done and I have a great MTB for the intertwined, modestly rough single/double track that crosses the rail trail repeatedly. Really a nice system.

Now I’m back and riding my wife’s comfort bike, getting passed righteously and looking as Sirrus X, Sirrus or Trek FX, thinking 38c tires minimum, probably a modest riser bar.

bikehoco

I love it when I pass road bikers on my hybrid …. though it’s highly unlikely they knew we were racing.

wolfchild

Congrats on winning an imaginary race.

Flipper_

Exactly! I don’t pass road or gravel bikers but when I pass children on Wal-mart FS bikes I try to make it subtle so they don’t wick it up a notch and then pass me.

rsbob 

Not to be too insulting, but when I see a hybrid I think of a bike that doesn’t know what it wants to be. It’s not a racing bike and it’s not a trail bike but can do both but neither of them really well. It is the ideal compromise for someone who wants to do both and doesn’t want two specialized bikes. Not surprising if you are getting passed.

rumrunn6

haha yeah. somehow I narrowed down my stable to 3. light road bike, heavier entry level 29 style MTB & an early Trek FX. the hybrid was useful on vacation cuz I could ride w/ the family & take some solo time to explore off road dipping my toes in the rough stuff, just enough for some fun

indyfabz

In the foothills of the North Cascades Highway while crossing the country on a hybrid. He rode in sneakers.

koala logs

Yea like trying to walk around a big spider very carefully trying not to startle it and make a dash towards you.

livedarklions

So? It's a bike for people who aren't racing or riding on trails. The vast majority of people on the road aren't racing.
My FX was terrific for riding on the road. Absolute crap on the trail, however.

rydabent

Dont worry about being passed. Everyone gets passed unless you are the winner of the Tour de France.

Flipper_

I think these peeps would burn me down with an audible track on the order of : "Hi", "On your left", "ding ding, ding ding", "Keep trying", "Those last 3 Sam Adam's were too much","Boy, that sure was a good run back there, glad we've backed it down"....etc, etc...


Yes, loose children can be FAST. Families on the other hand tend to stay in an orbit that I can usually grunt past, swerving if needed.