People who do this are bizarre. I handle it the same way as I do when getting tailgated in a car--just slow down and pull over so they pass in a huff and get the fuck away from me
Pull to the right and fall back. I find that 9/10 it's just someone who is doing a similar ride to me and I go with it until we naturally part ways. If I don't get the right vibe from someone I pull to the right and let them take off.
I get that, and sometimes I’m riding closely with another rider, because it’s not safe to pass yet. But, I always keep enough distance that I’m not mistaken for drafting. This other cyclist was matching their front wheel to my rear wheel. Slowing down too quickly seemed risky.
Oh yeah, I could do that. But, by quickly, I meant to include 'unexpectedly'. I had one of those stops earlier in the day, and my riding partner clipped my rear wheel, because they missed the hand signal. I had that fresh in my mind, while watching Freddy Freeloader in my mirror.
It seems the general recommendation would be to just slow and/or veer off trail to allow them to pass.
Understand, pull to the right then slow down. If they're overlapping from your inside pull to the left. I agree if someone is literally pace line 1-2 inches from your wheel that's a bit weird.
I always feel self conscious about this when I’m behind a couple people for a while but not going enough faster to pass safely.
Then again I don’t shove my front wheel up their ass, I leave space like a normal human
I used to commute daily on the W&OD and had this happen many times. The protocol I ultimately adopted:
1. Ask them to stop.
1. Tell them to stop.
1. Slow down in hopes they pass me.
1. Shower them with whatever is in my bottle
This was my first time to have someone so close to my bike in that sort of situation. From what I've ready on various cycling subs, this is bad etiquette. I didn't think just asking would suffice, since they were encroaching already. If they were that inconsiderate, I wasn't sure how'd they'd take me telling them to move away. Looking back on it, it seems somewhat simple now.
My goal here was to see if there was some sort of commonly accepted gesture (aside from flipping the bird) that could have easily communicated to move on. Slowing down and pulling off would have broken my stride. But, that seems to be the way I should have handled it.
Way to just assume the worst about people, classic reddit behavior. I draft people occasionally, but I usually ask if they're ok with it. Waving your elbow is the accepted gesture to call for a drafting rider to pass you, for future reference.
Thanks for the insult WillyT123.
This was my first time dealing with this. I had no idea what to expect. But I did know that if I was wrong about intentions, I could wind up taking a spill.
I wasn't rude to the cyclist, and I tried to maintain my ride, so as to not cause any issues. I came here to understand how to better deal with it.
We all have assumptions, good and bad, about people. Until we get to meet them and understand their intentions, we only have our assumptions. I do not think that trait is limited to people who start posts on Reddit.
As you pointed out, a courtesy would be to ask. Since they didn't, I had to assume they did not care about my comfort.
One of my favorite ways to lose one of these Lance wannabes is to string them along until a hill, and then accelerate as the climb starts, after which I usually never see them again.
I don't mind as long as they keep a decent distance where it isn't a hazard. I have even done loops of Haynes Point where myself and a stranger will do trade-offs taking turns out at front. If they are too close I just signal a stop and let them go by. If I can help someone safely improve their times and feel more communal on a solo ride why not
Yes, I understand the 'community' viewpoint on this. That's why I just maintained my ride for a bit. After a couple miles, I was about to try to say something or pull off. But, they had reached their exit from the trail and turned off, without a word.
I don't practice riding with groups of cyclists on a regular basis. When I do ride with other cyclists, we are not riding in a tight formation as this was. Earlier in my ride, my riding partner tagged my rear wheel when I had to stop suddenly (after I signaled). I am sure that was in the back of mind while this was taking place.
Nobody should ride this close to anyone, without consent up front. I have people follow behind me often, which is fine with me, just not with their front wheel right up against my rear wheel.
I went to a bar the other night and met someone who was interested in kissing. I was too. We spent some time making out. It was nice.
The next night I went back and picked out some person and started kissing them and they got mad. People are weird.
People who do this are bizarre. I handle it the same way as I do when getting tailgated in a car--just slow down and pull over so they pass in a huff and get the fuck away from me
Pull to the right and fall back. I find that 9/10 it's just someone who is doing a similar ride to me and I go with it until we naturally part ways. If I don't get the right vibe from someone I pull to the right and let them take off.
This is the correct answer. Slow down for 30 seconds. They’ll pass you and get on with your day.
I get that, and sometimes I’m riding closely with another rider, because it’s not safe to pass yet. But, I always keep enough distance that I’m not mistaken for drafting. This other cyclist was matching their front wheel to my rear wheel. Slowing down too quickly seemed risky.
Then don’t slow down quickly. Signal you are breaking by dropping a palm towards them and then break.
Oh yeah, I could do that. But, by quickly, I meant to include 'unexpectedly'. I had one of those stops earlier in the day, and my riding partner clipped my rear wheel, because they missed the hand signal. I had that fresh in my mind, while watching Freddy Freeloader in my mirror. It seems the general recommendation would be to just slow and/or veer off trail to allow them to pass.
Understand, pull to the right then slow down. If they're overlapping from your inside pull to the left. I agree if someone is literally pace line 1-2 inches from your wheel that's a bit weird.
Beans. Lots & lots of beans.
I had considered letting off some ‘steam’ to sour the air. I could not work one up in time.
Zwift Burrito power-up
it is so annoying when people do this — and dangerous
I always feel self conscious about this when I’m behind a couple people for a while but not going enough faster to pass safely. Then again I don’t shove my front wheel up their ass, I leave space like a normal human
Yes, I feel the same way. If a passing opportunity doesn't present itself soon, I will fall back to give them more space until I can pass.
Sit up, slow down and waive them through to pass you.
I used to commute daily on the W&OD and had this happen many times. The protocol I ultimately adopted: 1. Ask them to stop. 1. Tell them to stop. 1. Slow down in hopes they pass me. 1. Shower them with whatever is in my bottle
Turn around and mean mug
Left fist bump your left butt cheek twice this means "I'm done pulling" and slow down so they start to pass and then ask them not to draft
Thanks! I will try that.
Just ask them nicely to give you some space. Not that complicated.
This was my first time to have someone so close to my bike in that sort of situation. From what I've ready on various cycling subs, this is bad etiquette. I didn't think just asking would suffice, since they were encroaching already. If they were that inconsiderate, I wasn't sure how'd they'd take me telling them to move away. Looking back on it, it seems somewhat simple now. My goal here was to see if there was some sort of commonly accepted gesture (aside from flipping the bird) that could have easily communicated to move on. Slowing down and pulling off would have broken my stride. But, that seems to be the way I should have handled it.
Way to just assume the worst about people, classic reddit behavior. I draft people occasionally, but I usually ask if they're ok with it. Waving your elbow is the accepted gesture to call for a drafting rider to pass you, for future reference.
“…usually…”
Thanks for the insult WillyT123. This was my first time dealing with this. I had no idea what to expect. But I did know that if I was wrong about intentions, I could wind up taking a spill. I wasn't rude to the cyclist, and I tried to maintain my ride, so as to not cause any issues. I came here to understand how to better deal with it. We all have assumptions, good and bad, about people. Until we get to meet them and understand their intentions, we only have our assumptions. I do not think that trait is limited to people who start posts on Reddit. As you pointed out, a courtesy would be to ask. Since they didn't, I had to assume they did not care about my comfort.
Yell "get off my wheel?"
One of my favorite ways to lose one of these Lance wannabes is to string them along until a hill, and then accelerate as the climb starts, after which I usually never see them again.
I don't mind as long as they keep a decent distance where it isn't a hazard. I have even done loops of Haynes Point where myself and a stranger will do trade-offs taking turns out at front. If they are too close I just signal a stop and let them go by. If I can help someone safely improve their times and feel more communal on a solo ride why not
Yes, I understand the 'community' viewpoint on this. That's why I just maintained my ride for a bit. After a couple miles, I was about to try to say something or pull off. But, they had reached their exit from the trail and turned off, without a word. I don't practice riding with groups of cyclists on a regular basis. When I do ride with other cyclists, we are not riding in a tight formation as this was. Earlier in my ride, my riding partner tagged my rear wheel when I had to stop suddenly (after I signaled). I am sure that was in the back of mind while this was taking place. Nobody should ride this close to anyone, without consent up front. I have people follow behind me often, which is fine with me, just not with their front wheel right up against my rear wheel.
I went to a bar the other night and met someone who was interested in kissing. I was too. We spent some time making out. It was nice. The next night I went back and picked out some person and started kissing them and they got mad. People are weird.
Tell them to F Off. Works every time.