Great Moment of Cycling Etiquette

The_Gate

Hi all, first post here.

I am a lone cyclist, so don't get much interaction with other cyclists other than a cheery wave, but I was out on Sunday and experienced a great bit of camaraderie that I wanted to share.

I was out early (just before 6am) in South East London. It was gusty and a bit cold. I was on a long stretch of flat road but directly into the wind. Up ahead I saw another brave soul, and as I got closer, I saw that it was a gentleman of around 75 years old, on an old steel framed Specialized, wearing a flat cap. Given that I am 41 years old, I wasn't surprised to overtake him. I called myself through and as I passed, I said "I guess this will be easier on the way home", assuming that he had just gone out too. He said "I am on my way home, been out since before 5am, couldn't sleep". Making a mental note that I hope that I am doing that at 75 years old, I soldiered on. After a few hundred metres, I noticed that he was right behind me, in the slipstream. I really don't know what the etiquette is here, whether he should have asked, or at least informed me, but I didn't begrudge him one bit as I was younger, fresher (in terms of minutes on the road) and the conditions were difficult.

The long straight become a reasonably steep hill, direct into the wind, and it was a real struggle for me. I have only been seriously cycling for about 6 months, and despite living close to Biggin Hill, I am a little too heavy to be a great hill climber. I ran through the gears, onto the granny ring, and started slowing. I then had a bit of gear trouble as the chain started to come off the big cog at the back. I rescued the situation but had slowed considerably.

At this point, my unknown cycling partner overtook me, dancing out of his saddle, and he took over for the rest of the hill. It then became clear to me how professional cyclists record such fast average times when travelling in a pack. The effect of the slipstream had a massive impact on the amount of effort I needed to expend and the speed that I was able to travel. It was at this point that I noticed that this elderly gentleman was on a fixed gear, and it looked bloody small to me. He was out of the saddle and really working hard, and "repaying me" for the work I had done earlier. I was totally in awe, and immensely greatful.

At the top of the hill, he peeled off to go his own way and I shouted my thanks to him. Somehow, out of the saddle, he still managed to remove his hat and wave at me.

I know this may sound "fluffy", but it was really the best moment I have had on a bike since I started, and wanted to share.

chrisaonabike

Aww

Nice one.

lc1981

That's a nice story. There's not usually much of a slipstreaming effect on hills as the speed is too slow, but it does help to have someone in front of you going into the wind, and to pace you up the climb.

markhewitt1978

I always go much faster on climbs when there is someone in front of me; not because of slipstream, just because I put more effort in to keep up

But yes it does make a big difference on the flat / gentle hills. Which is why those on club runs get much higher mph average than I can manage on my own -- at least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

Ride hard

Respect to pops. Dancing on the pedals like a pro - on a fixed gear no less.

I don't think it sounds 'fluffy' at all as we've all got our little moments in cycling that make us smile - like the old dude with a flat cap I used to see several times a day in Putney on an old mountain bike with odd wheels, slowing making his way up the high street with a very low cadence. The jury's still out on guy I see in a Mario Cippolini-esqe flesh coloured skin suit most days in Sarf East Londinium though :shock:

Each to their own.

wishitwasallflat

Nice story - I got passed on a local hill by an old guy on a folding bike a few months back - he just glanced back and then buggered off up the hill leaving me to my shame :oops:

smidsy

I bet he was muttering 'bloody kids' under his breath as he went past and towed you up the hill :-)

socistep

I've noticed the slipstream thing on sportives, I did one a couple of months back in the Yorkshire Wolds, at one point we turned into a headwind on an uphill gradient but only slight, I was finding it tough going and 3 blokes all wearing the same tri club top came past me quickly, taking it in turns to go at the front. The route then turned into a section with some steep climbs and at that point I overtook took them 2/3 hills in - the pattern repeated itself for a while, they'd come past quickly on the descents/flats then I'd go past on hills but eventually they pulled away from me - I guess it makes sense, I'm working 100% in the hills whereas they are taking their turn - generally also they were better riders then me but I definitely enjoyed passing them uphill!