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Am I not “racy” enough?

Old 06-30-21, 06:39 AM
  #51  
mstateglfr 
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Though the point of the thread eluded him, Mr'bent popping in made me wonder. Would seeing a 'bent trigger a flat bar/hybrid/mtb racer?
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.
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Old 06-30-21, 06:40 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Though the point of the thread eluded him, Mr'bent popping in made me wonder. Would seeing a 'bent trigger a flat bar/hybrid/mtb racer?
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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Old 06-30-21, 06:59 AM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
No disrespect, but the flat-bar/hybrid assassins must sense you are a tri-geek and are afraid you'll crash in front of them or try to pee off the bike or something.
Post of the day.
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Old 06-30-21, 07:00 AM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
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.
I think you get a free "Foreign Legion" flap cap with each 'bent purchased.
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Old 06-30-21, 07:08 AM
  #55  
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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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Old 06-30-21, 07:08 AM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I think you get a free "Foreign Legion" flap cap with each 'bent purchased.
And a free AARP membership.
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Old 06-30-21, 07:22 AM
  #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.
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Old 06-30-21, 08:24 AM
  #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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Old 06-30-21, 08:44 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
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?
It's rationalization. Even when folks are plenty happy doing what they do, they still tend to have little mental snippets about "why" they do something.

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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Old 06-30-21, 09:12 AM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
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.
Wrong on most counts. Nothing triggers a racer boy than seeing a bent ahead of him. Locally I have caused them to bust a gut so to speak, riding up a hill into a 35 mph wind.
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Old 06-30-21, 09:21 AM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by SalsaShark
Only thing that triggers me is an E-Bike. If I see an E-Bike I have to drop it.
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.
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Old 06-30-21, 09:28 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by burnthesheep
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"
How it started, how it's going...you've encapsulated it perfectly.
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Old 06-30-21, 10:04 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by rydabent
Wrong on most counts. Nothing triggers a racer boy than seeing a bent ahead of him. Locally I have caused them to bust a gut so to speak, riding up a hill into a 35 mph wind.
Nope. This hasnt happened.
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Old 06-30-21, 10:09 AM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by burnthesheep
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"
'cause my legs are ******' sexy.
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Old 06-30-21, 10:13 AM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
But an E-Bike has a button.
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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Old 06-30-21, 10:14 AM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
How does that work out for you?
Originally Posted by terrymorse
Might as well have been chasing a car.

I have chased cars, it almost never works out, but I keep hoping one of them will watch me in their mirror and crash into a tree.
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Old 06-30-21, 11:19 AM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
I have chased cars, it almost never works out, but I keep hoping one of them will watch me in their mirror and crash into a tree.
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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Old 06-30-21, 11:40 AM
  #68  
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
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.
When I encounter one, I attempt to drop it as fast as I can. Those things are heavy! I can get it up above my head to put it on a roof rack, but not for long. It will come crashing down.
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Old 06-30-21, 07:36 PM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by rydabent
a racer boy.
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.
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Old 06-30-21, 10:06 PM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by rydabent
You have to understand that probably less than 2% of cyclist think that racing is a big deal.
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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Old 06-30-21, 10:16 PM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by Bah Humbug
...Do I just not look racy enough...
What makes you think they even see you?
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Old 06-30-21, 11:28 PM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by zandoval
What makes you think they even see you?
He's not riding a 'bent.
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Old 07-01-21, 12:17 AM
  #73  
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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
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Old 07-01-21, 04:00 PM
  #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.
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Old 07-01-21, 05:46 PM
  #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.
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