Overtaking Other Road Cyclists - Abuse

El Zomba

haha, you think thinking you're f'ing clever ... it's not an f'ing race you know ...bla bla <expletive> bla bla etc.

Since when has being intelligent been a prerequisite for overtaking someone?

I'd probably slow down a bit, explain the principals of fitness and training, chuck in some pseudo-scientific guff about power-to-weight ratios and aerodynamics, and draw to the conclusion that while I do think I'm ef'in clever and it's most kind of him to notice, this time round it's more to do with me being fitter and stronger.

Then I'd speed up and drop the plonker like he was a hot coal.

wod1

I like it when people overtake me as it gives me an idea of how much faster its possible to go.. and what I should be aiming for.

I agree, usually helps spur me on, not to give chase but that I could be working harder and getting lazy

Rushmore

dee4life2005 wrote:

How do you respond?

i'd say something like " My apologies my good man... "

Then slow right down, sit behind him and whistle Carly-Ray jepson all the way up...

That would then give him what he wants... not being over taken, but annoy the heel out of him aswell once he realises what he's said... :oops:

muzzan

There are 2 things I dont like about overtaking:

1. It can turn into a race as the post above says & I really just want to do my own thing @ my own pace, so...
2. I always try & acknowledge the person I am over taking , because I know that I dont like it when someone wooshes past without a glance, seems arrogant to me.

Yesterday I stopped at a set of lights behind a pretty serious looking guy on a Bianchi who then proceeded to move off at high cadence but fairly low speed. Because I was only about 1/2 mile from home I didn't bother overtaking, but his riding style was a bit odd. Could have been at end of 100-miler for all I know.

Also yesterday I broke rule 2 by overtaking a guy without acknowledgement (it was dark & the road was quite busy so had to concentrate a bit, but couldnt be bothered tbh) . Anyway, when I had to turn right & got stuck waiting he passed & gave me a meaningful look, cant blame him.

ddraver

I was on the MTB on a fietspad (standard dutch city bike path) and over took a roadie once, a few k later and there was a kid on one of the big sit up and beg bikes that I had to work as hard as I could not to be overtaken by.

There's always someone faster, and always someone slower....

zekizeki

Riding back from a spot of MTBing recently I became aware of someone on a bike catching up with me, a glance over my shoulder revealed a granny on her shopper complete with basket and closing quickly. Aghast i stepped on it but it was no good, she caught me and even rang her bell as she went past. With slight relief I saw that the bike had an electric motor on it.

dynamicbrick

zekizeki wrote:

Riding back from a spot of MTBing recently I became aware of someone on a bike catching up with me, a glance over my shoulder revealed a granny on her shopper complete with basket and closing quickly. Aghast i stepped on it but it was no good, she caught me and even rang her bell as she went past. With slight relief I saw that the bike had an electric motor on it.

Riding back along the seafront one evening, into the face of a 25mph headwind. Elbows in, head down, knees in, just trying to reduce frontal area. Wind was so strong I was on the small ring and really having to grind it out with gritted teeth. Became aware of someone approaching behind then slipstreaming. This went on for a few miles, until I got fed up and lessened the tempo to force the other rider past.

Some sit up and beg Dutch style step-through, complete with panniers and kiddie seat, nonchonantly piloted by some bloke in a Parka (fully inflated) breezed by. Determined not to be shown up by this chap, I swung in behind for the slipstream.

He put up with my wheel-hugging for several hundred yards before glancing over his shoulder and putting the hammer down. How he could manage that in that wind I'll never know - just couldn't stay with him; when I lost his slipstream it was like riding into a wall.

I'm using the electric bike reason now...

charlie_potatoes

I assume that anyone overtaking me is on EPO.
So I am content with the fact that, whilst slow, I am doing it 'clean'
I always say Hi though as I don't want to be bullied

simona75

tiredofwhiners wrote:

It wasn't me judging by your location, but when I am overtaken (frequently) I rarely hear someone on a bike coming up behind me and go through various stages of shock - where the F did he come from', spluttering because my breathing rhythm has been disrupted.

I'm the same, sometimes I nearly jump out of my skin when someone comes past me on a quiet road. Maybe it's time for wing mirrors....

TakeTurns

declan1 wrote:

I don't like overtaking people - it looks like I'm showing off or something.

I agree with this. I don't want to make the person feel bad either, especially when I see them struggling on a climb. You can always see them staring at you while you overtake in your pheriphrial vision. I've thought of passing some words of encouragement in the past or a thumb up? -but that seems a bit smug.

I was once overtaken by a guy who'd been sucking my wheel for about 200meters while I was doing 25mph~ on a flattish road, then he pulls out and does 27-28 going past me and turns right a few seconds later. Doubt he'd be able hit that speed without shelter in the first place, tw*t!

chrisaonabike

TakeTurns wrote:

I was once overtaken by a guy who'd been sucking my wheel for about 200meters while I was doing 25mph~ on a flattish road, then he pulls out and does 27-28 going past me and turns right a few seconds later. Doubt he'd be able hit that speed without shelter in the first place, tw*t!

Heavens, it doesn't take much to be marked as a tw*t does it.

Rookie I may be, but this all sounds very silly to me. How on earth am I supposed to second guess everyone's reaction, in order to avoid being a tw*t.

Case in point - I came up behind someone the other day, I sat behind him with a gap of about a bike length for half a mile or so. Which was nice, since it made things a bit easier for me. Then I thought, perhaps naively, well perhaps I should do some of the work, so I overtook him and carried on at about the same speed, as far as I could tell, and he sat behind me for a while.

So then he accelerates hard and comes past me very fast... and about 100 yards later stops completely at the side of the road. I thought he had some sort of problem, so as I passed, I said "You ok there?". He said nothing, and then a minute or so later, comes hurtling past me and turns right at a roundabout where I was turning left.

So there was me trying to be nice as a beginner, probably unwittingly doing completely the wrong thing.. and for all I know am now a tw*t.

I think this is all a lot more about stuff going on inside people's heads than actual etiquette.

I mean seriously - so what if I can't do x mph without sitting behind someone? If I'm a decent distance behind, not endangering them, and then decide I want to go past, why does anyone really care whether they're overtaken or not.

I could understand if drafting slowed down the guy in front, as someone (apparently wrongly) told me recently, but they don't, it seems, so I don't understand why it's any kind of a big deal. I take it as a compliment if someone sits on my wheel - it doesn't happen very often yet

TakeTurns

Your case is different. It sounds quite odd and I don't think you did anything wrong.

Point is, he was sucking my wheel. Okay, I don't mind much if its an open road, however it wasn't. He was too close which I found endangering. I don't want someone who I don't know drafting behind me at that speed without knowing their experience. What happens if he's staring down my wheel and I have to slow down.

It would be courteous to at least say 'thanks' before you pull off, as many do. Furthermore, whats the point in out pacing me when he was going to have to slow down to turn right seconds later. Considering the speed we were already doing, to me it seems blatant that he was trying to prove a point.

chrisaonabike

TakeTurns wrote:

Your case is different. It sounds quite odd and I don't think you did anything wrong.

Well no - not in my head, at any rate. I just wonder if he thought I was wheel-sucking, then cutting in. It's not impossible that I slowed down a tiny bit too much, and he took that as slowing him down. If that's what happened it wasn't my intention - and I did check when I was in front that he wasn't really close, as if I'd cut in too soon.

I can't know for sure how he perceived it - and for all I know, he's posting on a forum somewhere about some tw*t trying to prove a point.

TakeTurns wrote:

Point is, he was sucking my wheel. Okay, I don't mind much if its an open road, however it wasn't. He was too close which I found endangering. I don't want someone who I don't know drafting behind me at that speed without knowing their experience.

Yes, I totally get that. If he's really close then it's going to be off-putting for sure.

It would be courteous to at least say 'thanks' before you pull off, as many do.

That hadn't occurred to me - good tip, I'll do that in the same situation again.

Furthermore, whats the point in out pacing me when he was going to have to slow down to turn right seconds later.

Yes I take your point. Unless he was on his way, and suddenly realised 'that's my turning'... yes, perhaps not that likely

Captainlip

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NewTTer

Captainlip wrote:

This is a great thread with interesting reading, I have been abused a couple of times for overtaking one recieving actual verbal abuse, my reply to him was the best move ive ever made and will I wont refrain from doing it again.

after some abuse going for the pass I did not respond with words, a quick glance his way, unclipped and a swift boot to his waist, this resulted in knocking him off balance and clipping the curb and going over his handle bars in a heap.

safe to say I will continue to use this on any of those arrogant pricks who think that because im young I can be spoken to like a piece of shoot.

its time to sort this attitude out that roadies have, I hope some of you reading this learn as there will be a swift boot to anyone who dares give me lip again.

Oh dear, who woke Charles Bronson up, be careful young man someone may just turn on you and you will live to regret it, either ignore them or concote a smart verbal reply, kicking someone, then scooting off makes you some what worse than them, and may end up worse for you.

Secteur

Captainlip wrote:

This is a great thread with interesting reading, I have been abused a couple of times for overtaking one recieving actual verbal abuse, my reply to him was the best move ive ever made and will I wont refrain from doing it again.

after some abuse going for the pass I did not respond with words, a quick glance his way, unclipped and a swift boot to his waist, this resulted in knocking him off balance and clipping the curb and going over his handle bars in a heap.

safe to say I will continue to use this on any of those arrogant pricks who think that because im young I can be spoken to like a piece of shoot.

its time to sort this attitude out that roadies have, I hope some of you reading this learn as there will be a swift boot to anyone who dares give me lip again.

Sigh....

Please dont anyone feed the troll...

chrisaonabike

Secteur wrote:

Sigh....

Please dont anyone feed the troll...

Oops, I nearly did. :oops: :oops: :oops:

Captainlip

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TakeTurns

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

Well no - not in my head, at any rate. I just wonder if he thought I was wheel-sucking, then cutting in.

If you had one bikes length while behind him like you said, it's unlikely he would've known your existence unless you have disc wheels.

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

It's not impossible that I slowed down a tiny bit too much, and he took that as slowing him down. If that's what happened it wasn't my intention - and I did check when I was in front that he wasn't really close, as if I'd cut in too soon.

As long as you gave space and did a safe overtake, there's no problem with that. However, if he was going faster than what you were able to maintain when you took lead, then yes, he may have been annoyed. Also considering the fact that he'd be putting less effort in when you're in front.

IMO, if you're going to overtake, just do it and maintain your speed so the overtaken person isn't inconvenienced. If you want to work together with someone and conserve energy, tell them about it. Otherwise just sit behind them.

Mikey23

Hmm Manchester... Being kicked off your bike by an 18 year old for being a grumpy bar steward. Sounds like a fun place

chrisaonabike

TakeTurns wrote:

As long as you gave space and did a safe overtake, there's no problem with that.

Definitely. I left plenty of space.

However, if he was going faster than what you were able to maintain when you took lead, then yes, he may have been annoyed.

Well no, I'd been catching him up for some time. It was only when I got to him that I took a break for a bit.

Also considering the fact that he'd be putting less effort in when you're in front.

That's possible I guess. I didn't go faster, so while I was ahead he might have then been putting in less effort than he wanted to. I hadn't thought of that.

IMO, if you're going to overtake, just do it and maintain your speed so the overtaken person isn't inconvenienced. If you want to work together with someone and conserve energy, tell them about it. Otherwise just sit behind them.

All food for thought, thanks.

Captainlip

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Joeblack

Captainlip wrote:

Mikey23 wrote:

Hmm Manchester... Being kicked off your bike by an 18 year old for being a grumpy bar steward. Sounds like a fun place

you obviously cannot read posts very well, im almost double 18, saves you having to go back and read it, if I come across another grumpy sod ill kick him off to until all these roadies with attitudes finally look at themselves and see that they are the issue with this sport.

I'm almost double 18 and you sir, give all us decent almost 18 year olds a bad name.

Further to that you do realise that what your suggesting is illegal? And bragging about kicking someone off a bike hardly makes you the big man,

TakeTurns

Captainlip wrote:

Mikey23 wrote:

Hmm Manchester... Being kicked off your bike by an 18 year old for being a grumpy bar steward. Sounds like a fun place

you obviously cannot read posts very well, im almost double 18, saves you having to go back and read it, if I come across another grumpy sod ill kick him off to until all these roadies with attitudes finally look at themselves and see that they are the issue with this sport.

It's attitude like this why this world is corrupt. You can't make things right with violence.

butcher of bakersfield

Captainlip wrote:

Mikey23 wrote:

Hmm Manchester... Being kicked off your bike by an 18 year old for being a grumpy bar steward. Sounds like a fun place

you obviously cannot read posts very well, im almost double 18, saves you having to go back and read it, if I come across another grumpy sod ill kick him off to until all these roadies with attitudes finally look at themselves and see that they are the issue with this sport.

It seems that irony is somewhat lost on you.

chrisaonabike

Captainlip wrote:

you obviously cannot read posts very well, im almost double 18, saves you having to go back and read it, if I come across another grumpy sod ill kick him off to until all these roadies with attitudes finally look at themselves and see that they are the issue with this sport.

Makes mental note... be super friendly to everyone, just in case it's CaptainLip and he mistakes my wheezing attempt at the hill as grumpiness. Though if he's serious about kicking people off bikes, with any luck he'll be in prison by the time I might have encountered him.

Must admit the image of someone getting arsey just cos someone overtakes, and then getting kicked off his bike by Captain Lip (you do wear a suitable super hero costume, right?) is quite appealing, but not so much so in the real world.

Joeblack

Captain lip

Is this you? - http://www.itv.com/news/west/2012-05-14 ... d-scuffle/

nweststeyn

dee4life2005 wrote:

I was out for a 100km ride, and about 40 miles in I was heading up a 2.3 mile 2% climb. I was just keeping a steady cadence going up this hill, trying to get a bit of a breather, so was only doing about 13.5 mph with a heart rate of 150ish - still plenty in the tank. I see up ahead that there is a fellow road cyclist and it looked like I was starting to close the gap, although I wasn't trying to.

Anyway, about 30 seconds later I pulled out to do a safe overtake, giving him a good 3-4 feet of room and just as I was about to give a cheery "good afternoon", I was met with a "haha, you think thinking you're f'ing clever ... it's not an f'ing race you know ...bla bla <expletive> bla bla etc." ... I felt like stopping and asking what his problem was, but I just dropped a couple of cogs and put the power down. I was out of sight pretty quickly

What is it with some folk? It was a nice sunny and warmish day for a bike ride ...

First abuse I've experienced from a fellow roadie ... anyone else ever get this ? How do you respond?

Cheers
Steve

Sorry about that Steve... I was in a bad mood and your BeOne is whiter than mine!

Bhoy1888

I passed a lassie the other day on my commute back. I was doing a decent pace and passed quite quickly and with plenty of room. As I passed I said 'evening', I received an 'evening' or 'hello' back which was quite good.

I must admit I have been overtaken once, this isn't down to my fantastic guile and speed this is purely down to lack of riders at my riding hours.

As I was passed I thought 'B*stard, now I'm going to have to improve'. :x

There will always be someone faster/fitter than me and I will always try and improve in order to reach that next level. I see it as a challenge if I am overtaken. :P

Captainlip

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