Out for a long bike ride this weekend with a friend of mine. A solo bike rider about 100 yards in front of us was constantly looking back to check if we were gaining on him. Our little group was riding along chatting away and only going about 17 mph. We’d start going a little faster and the guy riding in front of us kept looking back and would speed up, for some reason. The guy I was riding with kept asking what the idiot was doing constantly looking back at us and speeding up, and I explained the unfortunate existence of “weekend warrior rogue racers.” I explained that some people “get off” on this and do not want their pride wounded by “getting passed.”
We then concluded that therefore he must be passed.
And passed as authoritatively as soon as possible: that, if you look back, like that, you must be inviting us to try to pass you. So, off we go, hammering down, going faster and faster, and dude up in front was scampering like a mad rabbit to keep the distance. It seemed like after 10 minutes we got in 40 yards and were catching him and it was just a matter of time.
Just at this was happening, my friend said, “look back there, holy shit.” And in a matter of seconds this huge long train of Cat 1 riders from Chainwheel here in Little Rock, blew by all three of us losers, us and the guy we were trying to catch, and all I could hear for about three minutes was “whizz…whizz…whizz…” from all of the hardcore roadies just flying by my left shoulder. They must have been going over 26-30 miles an hour, about 3 inches from us. I actually was worried about swerving one inch to the outside. Around they go. See ya…
After that was over with, our chase ended: we had all learned a valuable lesson that in the relative scheme of things, we were jackasses.
dude was ASKING to get dusted, all that checking just reeks of insecurity that MUST be reinforced! … honestly though, i want to pass everyone - but it’s like point to point motivation to keep up the pace, (like counting license plates on a road trip) … it doesn’t always happen, but it gives me something to focus on while my quads are burning …
conversely, if i happen to notice someone gaining on me i probably will put in a solid effort, but more to give a good accounting of myself, when i’m caught i’ll just say “hi” as you cruise on past. i don’t think you can “win” a training ride, can you?
I couldn’t agree more. Constantly looking behind you is the mark of the feeble and soon-to-be-prey. It is a sign of waning security and confidence. It means you are fading.
When someone looks behind themselves they have exposed their soft white underbelly. It is only a matter of time before something with a full compliment of razor-sharp talons lays their entrails out for baking in the sun.
Yeah. Looking behind is bad. It doesn’t accomplish anything constructive.
for 20 years I’ve worked under the rule: if they come into view you have to pass them.
The annoying part is when people you pass start drafting about an inch of your rear wheel and don’t say a word. Someone did this to me last year and then ran into my rear wheel when I slowed to make a turn. Luckily they went down and I didn’t.
Fair comment. IF it’s Bryce I’ll take him to the barriers, whether it’s on a bike or on a run. The spectators like the spectacle of a 5’8" 155 lbs pushing out a 6’3" 190 lbs guy
Hell, for some of you guys, you would have passed us, the guy we were trying to pass, AND the roadie paceline, or it would have been a bad day.
There must be nothing more pleasurable to see the look on a large paceline of above average roadies getting smoked by a Blade or P3 with discs on it: “whomp, whomp, whomp, whomp…”
They probably don’t say anything but just sit there and take it.
A little chasing. A little racing. A little socializing. It’a all good. A good ride should involved all of that. It’s supposed to be fun, right?
Why didn’t you just jump on the back of the roadie train? That’s what I would have done.
Last weekend, I saw a guy off in the distance. Chased hard to catch him over about 1K. I caught on and he upped the pace a bit, but not crazy so. That’s OK because, I wanted to sit in for a bit, but keep it rolling. I did this caught my breath and then, came around and asked if wanted to roatate for a bit. He said sure as he was hoping to catch back up to a group that had dropped him earlier, so we both worked hard taking couple minute pulls for the next 15 - 20 minutes, keeping the pace near maximum. I had to back off a bit to keep it together on a slight climb, but no big deal. We eventually caught his companions and then it was time for me to turn off. That was fun. I like rides like that.
That’s funny… reminded me of a bit of my race log entry:
“After the turnaround, I spot Yossi. Yossi can run pretty good, but I’m now determined that he will not pass me. Down the trail to the beach, I’ve picked up my pace and I’m actually passing others. I hit the second 150 foot ramp and proceed to run up it until my heart said, “I’m going to stop functioning if you keep this up!” I start to walk, but I refuse to take a look back to see where Yossi is. That’s a sign of fear, and if he was right there, I’d probably puke. I also figured if Yossi did run the ramp, he’d have gone anaerobic. I figured, I’d be able to take him for the last quarter mile to the finish. I reached the top and still didn’t look back. I put just about everything I had to finish this thing. Yossi didn’t beat me.”
We then concluded that therefore he must be passed. … After that was over with, our chase ended: we had all learned a valuable lesson that in the relative scheme of things, we were jackasses.
Hilarious - I have no coffee to spill
If it is an easy day then I let them have their fun, but it is terribly annoying and a sign of insecurity.
The thing that gets me is when you are going easy and some wanker sucks your wheel without announcing he is there, then rests up to pass you. You say hi and ask how it’s going - he says nothing and passes you as if it is a race. WTF? Then you hit a climb and go past him without speeding up or any real additional effort because he used everything to pass you and cannot climb. Then he looks over - horrified and out of breath as you cruise by smiling. Happens all the time on the bike trail out here.
JasonD, the bike trail racers are fun. A co-worker of mine is one. He ONLY rides the trail. Times himself over the same section multiple times per week. He said he never gets passed. Heck on my recovery days (12-14mph) I never get passed.
A guy I train with sees people and likes to catch them. No matter who they are. I ride with him on hard days, so it is good motivation.
No reason to look back, you are going forward, why care about what you have already pass, that is what I say.
