I've read the pool thread with great amusement and today while on a couple hour ride (all on a bike path) I started thinking about some other areas you see some pretty odd things. I'm going to include some running stuff since they hang out on the paths too.
The 'No idea what they are doing'- Normally riding a cruiser or Mtn bike, helmet on backwards or none at all, no water, seat bottomed out or so tall they can't reach the pedals, weaving all over the path and barely avoiding collisions.
Closely related is the 'Too much money for their own good'- Functionally the same as above, but with the most expensive/nicest gear possible. Carbon fiber everything, Di2, racing skin suit, the whole deal. Normally identified because they still can't ride in a straight line, still have tags on their clothing, or fall over at stops because they don't know how to unclip their feet yet.
'Who do you ride for?'- Difficult to identify by sight, as they go by so fast all you see is the logos on their back. Easily identified when they give you a polite 'on your left' pushing twice your wattage while you're in the middle of testing your 30 second FTP.
'Which gear am I in?'- Identified due to pushing at <120 or >50 rpm and 15mph at best. While sometimes this is someone working on drills, it's normally pretty easy to tell.
'Look at me!'- This is generally more of a gym thing, as on the bike path there is a real risk of actually sweating. This person is doing everything they can to make sure everyone knows how hard they're working, while also trying not to work any harder than they absolutely have to. I've seen this type of person everyday in the last few weeks, he stands in one of the parking lots with hand weights, headband, full track suit, and paces back and forth with the music in his car blaring. As soon as he sees somebody coming down the path he starts furiously shadow boxing or jogging in place (normally both).
Somewhat related is the 'Overachiever'- Goes out for a 10 mile ride with the same amount of gear most people would use for Kona. Difficult to tell if they're doing this to test a setup, or are just chronic overpackers.
'The Gandalf'- Can be a biker or a runner, or sometimes a group of them, who are absolutely determined that 'YOU SHALL NOT PASS'. Either rides or runs taking up as much room as possible, and if you do pass them, immediately work to sprint out ahead of you before dying and immediately getting passed again. Sometimes the really bad ones will actively work to block you from passing, turning the path into a small NASCAR circuit. Groups of walkers and runners can be really bad about this, going 4-5 abreast and completely ignoring those trying to pass.
'You're wearing THAT?'- Occasionally you see someone riding or running wearing clothes that just don't make any sense. The guy jogging in slacks, collared shirt, and tie. The bicyclist in full winter clothing, including gloves, and it's 85 degrees.
The 'No idea what they are doing'- Normally riding a cruiser or Mtn bike, helmet on backwards or none at all, no water, seat bottomed out or so tall they can't reach the pedals, weaving all over the path and barely avoiding collisions.
Closely related is the 'Too much money for their own good'- Functionally the same as above, but with the most expensive/nicest gear possible. Carbon fiber everything, Di2, racing skin suit, the whole deal. Normally identified because they still can't ride in a straight line, still have tags on their clothing, or fall over at stops because they don't know how to unclip their feet yet.
'Who do you ride for?'- Difficult to identify by sight, as they go by so fast all you see is the logos on their back. Easily identified when they give you a polite 'on your left' pushing twice your wattage while you're in the middle of testing your 30 second FTP.
'Which gear am I in?'- Identified due to pushing at <120 or >50 rpm and 15mph at best. While sometimes this is someone working on drills, it's normally pretty easy to tell.
'Look at me!'- This is generally more of a gym thing, as on the bike path there is a real risk of actually sweating. This person is doing everything they can to make sure everyone knows how hard they're working, while also trying not to work any harder than they absolutely have to. I've seen this type of person everyday in the last few weeks, he stands in one of the parking lots with hand weights, headband, full track suit, and paces back and forth with the music in his car blaring. As soon as he sees somebody coming down the path he starts furiously shadow boxing or jogging in place (normally both).
Somewhat related is the 'Overachiever'- Goes out for a 10 mile ride with the same amount of gear most people would use for Kona. Difficult to tell if they're doing this to test a setup, or are just chronic overpackers.
'The Gandalf'- Can be a biker or a runner, or sometimes a group of them, who are absolutely determined that 'YOU SHALL NOT PASS'. Either rides or runs taking up as much room as possible, and if you do pass them, immediately work to sprint out ahead of you before dying and immediately getting passed again. Sometimes the really bad ones will actively work to block you from passing, turning the path into a small NASCAR circuit. Groups of walkers and runners can be really bad about this, going 4-5 abreast and completely ignoring those trying to pass.
'You're wearing THAT?'- Occasionally you see someone riding or running wearing clothes that just don't make any sense. The guy jogging in slacks, collared shirt, and tie. The bicyclist in full winter clothing, including gloves, and it's 85 degrees.
