It happens every few months: I’m out running and suddenly there’s some guy running behind me breathing all heavy, killing himself to pass me. Somtimes I pick up the pace, other times I purposefully slow down to get away. But I can never think of anything good to say, one of my friends says “pass please” when it happens to her. Sounds nice but directive.
Any good lines?
That has not happened to me running, but it does happen on the bike trail all the time. Depends on how I am feeling or what the planned workout is. If it is a slow easy day and someone pulls up to draft without announcing it, I just sit up and let them go by with a “how’s it going”. 90% of the time people say nothing. If I am feeling good or it is an intensity day then sometimes I’ll slowly tighten the screws and make them suffer a bit to test em. In general though, runners seem to be more friendly than bikers.
This would be a lot more fun if it had something to do with greener grass.
Huh! I rode past this guy the other day on my long ride, he was going up a hill real slow. I said hi and rode off, then I hit this minor downhill and flat, and I was holding about 35/40Ks, not hammering, and I had completely forgotten this dude when I sit up for a nosh, about 10 mins after passing him, and he ‘appears’ on my right! I nearly died - the dude had been behind me the whole time, getting a big old draft. Thing is, I had no idea he was there, and was certainly not riding mindful of any twit being behind me. Then he passes me and motions for me to get into his skinny little draft! Here’s me, training for draft free half ironmans…what good is a draft?
But shit that guy gave me a fright.
My grass is green and anyone going around talking about soulmates needs a cold shower and some time alone to work things out if you know what I’m saying.
Congratulations - you have just discovered one of the best ways to train for no-draft triathlon cycling - working together and drafting off another cyclist in training. Who knew?
Well, some of us actually need some time with a plastic surgeon, but ya, I know what your saying.
Hmmm. This must come off as kinda mean but I say drop 'em.
Yeah, that is something I often wonder about. All my roadie mates are always trying to get me to join thier big pack rides…but sitting at the back being dragged along at 40ks, only pedalling a bit, surely does me a lot less good than riding on my own, fighting the wind etc under my own steam, and perhaps going slower. So I ride alone.
I assume most triathletes do the same. Am I correct?
Never let anyone pass you, running or biking, even if it blows your training plan for that day.
Booth, what say you are doing a 3.30/30 bike run brick, and some idiot is out hammering it for an hour. Surely, you do your training and leave him to his?
Never let anyone pass you, running or biking, even if it blows your training plan for that day.
Amen, and pass everyone you can see (if possible).
Yep.
frank
I agree, all wanna be competitors must be destroyed. I would just like something witty to say while I’m leaving tehm in the dust.
Beep-beep ala road runner isn’t cool.
Making the L sign on my forehead wouldn’t work since they’re behind me…
Seriously, I want the ultimate line to say to these guys. OK there’s one guy in particular who I see out running and at the weight room. One day I’m running intervals and he stayed on my shoulder the whole time, even when I busted into a sprint. I want something good to say the next time that happens!
there is a scene in prefontaine where pre is running around the track with some little kids. one dashes off in front and pre reels him in. can’t let a losing mentality creep in.
coincidentally… i know of a very heavy breather that happens to be at my exact level of fitness. we are always battling it out at local races. i HATE having to listen to that the whole way. as long as i’m feeling good when he creeps up on me… i’m gone.
Sorry gentlemen - disagree.
The reason I don’t ride in packs is because I don’t want to be doing the workout of the guy setting the pace. Rather, I want to be doing my own workout. The same with passing people - if going harder and passing them fits with my workout, all well and good. If not, then why is my ego bruised by someone passing me doing and entirely different workout? What has their fitness level or training for that day got to do with me and mine?
So, I leave them be. Sure, I pass plenty of people on both path and road, but only if doing so does not alter my rhythm.
kiwipat,
I used to train (riding) alone, almost exclusively. I tended to go at AT for as long as the ride lasted, shower off and pass out for a few hours then get up and cook dinner.
Now I train with relatively similar speed mates and have a blast. Different days, different mates are feeling good or crap so the course, pace, leader, speed etc constantly varies from week to week I commute to and from work on my bike, alone, so that’s enough solo time for me.
Sure there is the potential problem with getting a lesser workout sitting at the back, but in theory, you should be taking your turn facing the wind from time to time so it’s not all a pleasure cruise. Group rides (at the correct speed) can be excellent recovery rides. They are also good social activities and also a good way to meet new mates etc. If the group is a good one, you actual speed will be higher than you rsolo speed so youmay actually end up using the same wattage overall so don’t get too bent out of shape about cruising occassionally. I tend to go riding in the rain if it’s a pre-arranged group ride but not if it’s a solo ride, so while they may be easy miles, at leat you’ve got your bum in the saddle so that’s gotta be some benefit.
Yeah, those are good points.
But I guess I am a difficult bastard at heart and so I find it hard to compromise on what I plan to do for my workout. Riding solo I can go whenever and wherever I please - there is a delicious freedom in that which doesn’t occur elsewhere in my life.
This all came out because of the guy drafting me by surprise the other day. Do you think it is rude to suck someone’s wheel and they don’t know you are there? I mean, not in a race? I find when I ride in a group I am aware that the safety of some in front of me and all behind me depends on me riding straight, doing nothing in a hurry etc. so I ride differently around others than I do alone. Not greatly differently, but there is a subtle difference. This guy the other day gave me no chance to try and be safe with him, because he jumped on by stealth! Cycling etiquette gurus, what do you think?
The etiqette of drafting silently depends on whether you’re the one in front or back 
On the very rare occassions that I actually catch someone, I usually take the free ride for a short while, depending on the speed differential.
Before I announce my presence vocally, I will usually change gears, or spit or cough or something, as I approach so I don’t freak out the person. After a bit I just say something like. “I’ve been out for 7 hours and I’ve got 4 more to go. Is it OK if I suck wheel for a while?” Then about a minute later I do the pass and then turn off at the next road! Works a treat. Makes the person feel good first, that they can help me out, then makes them feel like crap for being passed by a fat bastard, then pisses them off by denying them the draft. Great way to mess with someones head.
Yes I’m a prick at heart
Why is some that other person an “idiot”?
“and some idiot is out hammering it for an hour”.