General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Give unsolicited advice? Rss Feed  
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2011-02-12 10:23 PM

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Expert
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Maui, Hawaii
Subject: Give unsolicited advice?
Over the last several weeks I see this guy riding his bike on the highway near home.  He is cranking his way up a fairly decent incline and exerting some serious energy.  How can I tell?  Each pedal stroke he takes makes his butt see-saw on the seat.  His seat is (get ready for it)... WAY TOO HIGH.  I can't imagine how this poor guy walks when he gets home.

I am no experienced cyclist myself, but every time I see him I want to pull over and strike up a conversation with him and somehow mention that maybe, if he lowered his seat a bit (or went to the LBS for a fit adjustment), he might have a more comfortable ride.  

Just keep my mouth shut?

If you've had a similar experience and said something, how did it turn out?

 


2011-02-12 10:29 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Veteran
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Salt Lake City, UT
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
I actually think that it would be a nice gesture to let him know. If I were in his position and an experienced cyclist pulled over and gave me a simple tip that could really help my form, I would be grateful.
2011-02-12 10:30 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
You might help him, and if he ends up hating you, do you care?
2011-02-12 10:35 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Master
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Sedona, AZ
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
When you say pull over, are you in your car or on your bike? If you are on your bike, more power to you. Nobody wants to hear from some know-it-all in their car while they are killing themselves climbing a hill though.
2011-02-12 11:10 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
I'm pretty inexperienced as a cyclist and before learning how important getting a bike fit was I just did it myself...the LBS I went to never even offered it.  I always welcome advice from cyclists who know more than I do (which is most of them!).  It turned out a fireman in the fire engine behind me, who I am guessing was a cyclist, got on the engine's megaphone and told me my hips are rocking and that I needed to lower my seat.  I thought it was funny but I happily took his advice!  You never know...he may be happy to learn something but like AdventureBear said, would you care if he got upset?
2011-02-13 8:05 AM
in reply to: #3352399

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Champion
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Butler
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?

I tend to keep my mouth shut unless I know the person.  Who knows, mayb the guy has been riding for 20 years and this is the way he feels most comfortable.  I see people all the the time swimming doing some basic thing wrong and I would say something but just never do.  Mainly because I am not an expert swimmer.

If I know you I will say something though.  For example, a  guy I work with has lost over 150 lbs.  He run on the treadmill everyday.  The other day I was talking to him and he mentiond that he run with the treadmill on 10% grade at 10mph for an hour while holding on for dear life.   I explained to him that he would get more benefit by running on less of a grade and slower.  After explaining why he tried it and said it was much more enjoyable.



2011-02-13 9:48 AM
in reply to: #3352399

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Bronze member
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
When I first started swimming for fitness a swim instructor at the pool stopped and asked me if I wanted some help with my stroke. I was very thankful! Not offended at all.
2011-02-13 9:53 AM
in reply to: #3352399

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
I find that a lot of free advice is resented until requested.  But that could have as much to do with the person trying to give the advice...Undecided
2011-02-13 10:04 AM
in reply to: #3352399


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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
DiOnMaui - 2011-02-12 8:23 PM Over the last several weeks I see this guy riding his bike on the highway near home.  He is cranking his way up a fairly decent incline and exerting some serious energy.  How can I tell?  Each pedal stroke he takes makes his butt see-saw on the seat.
 

Depends a lot on how you broach the subject but how would you react if some guy told you he'd been watching your butt see-saw on your bike for the last several weeks?
2011-02-13 10:09 AM
in reply to: #3352399

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
I haven't read any other replies, so I'm likely echoing others. I say to just stay silent, or just wish the guy well, and offer up advice only when asked for.

Last time I tried it, I only got as far as "Mind if I give you a pointer?" and got a diatribe of how I didn't know poop about anything and should just mind my own business (this as I passed the person while hauling my daughter in a trailer).
2011-02-13 10:11 AM
in reply to: #3352661

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
RChung - 2011-02-13 10:04 AM
DiOnMaui - 2011-02-12 8:23 PM Over the last several weeks I see this guy riding his bike on the highway near home.  He is cranking his way up a fairly decent incline and exerting some serious energy.  How can I tell?  Each pedal stroke he takes makes his butt see-saw on the seat.
 

Depends a lot on how you broach the subject but how would you react if some guy told you he'd been watching your butt see-saw on your bike for the last several weeks?


Flattered, but not interested.

If I'm doing something obviously wrong, please tell me. If he doesn't like your advice, he doesn't have to take it. Just be polite and helpful and I can't see how it would go badly.


2011-02-13 10:44 AM
in reply to: #3352399

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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
I usually don't bother giving unsolicited advice.  In my experience, the people getting said advice just tend to get annoyed.
2011-02-13 10:53 AM
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?

I think it would be more acceptable of you are on a bike as well giving the advice vs pulling over in a car.  Maybe ride up to him and give a pointer or two and then take off. However, timing might be critical, say in a flat section or something.  "Have you tried lowering your seat, it might help you ride the hills faster"  Personally, I would love to hear tips during my swim training, but its as quiet as a library. I guess everyone likes to be in their own zone in the water.

2011-02-13 12:11 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Veteran
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Ft Campbell, Kentucky
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
If it is someone you see frequently, I would.
2011-02-13 12:18 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
Di, don't take the chance of ticking him off.  My wife and I consider ourselves experts at handling that sort of thing.  A couple round trip tickets from Seattle and we'll have him all corrected for you!Smile
2011-02-13 12:47 PM
in reply to: #3352661

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Expert
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Maui, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?

 

Depends a lot on how you broach the subject but how would you react if some guy told you he'd been watching your butt see-saw on your bike for the last several weeks?

LOL!  True!  Perhaps if I see him when I am out riding.  It probably wouldn't do to jump out of the bushes when he rides by, nor pull over in my truck.   

I do like tamason's idea, though - too bad I spent all my $$ on tri gear. Surprised



2011-02-13 1:37 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
Darn it.  I'll tell my wife to stop packing.Cry

Todd
2011-02-13 3:03 PM
in reply to: #3352661

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Master
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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
DiOnMaui - 2011-02-12 8:23 PM Over the last several weeks I see this guy riding his bike on the highway near home.  He is cranking his way up a fairly decent incline and exerting some serious energy.  How can I tell?  Each pedal stroke he takes makes his butt see-saw on the seat.
 


If a girl broached the subject I'd be pretty chuffed that a girl was interested in watching my a** for a while. 



Edited by sand101 2011-02-13 3:03 PM
2011-02-13 4:47 PM
in reply to: #3352399

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Master
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Gold Coast
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
I really think its all about how you tell him but I'm sure he would appreciate the advice. If he doesn't then, like someone else said, no matter to you anyway.

I actually think about my bike fit a lot as I never really had a proper fit but I seem to go well on the bike, have no problems at all and its comfy so I am loathe to change anything. I pulled up along a cyclist the other day, we chatted briefly before we went our own ways, but he mentioned that my bike looked a good fit (no prompting from me), so I was pretty happy with that. I feel if he had said maybe my seat was too high/low/whatever, I would have been happy to take his advice on board as he was obviously more experienced than me.
2011-02-13 5:14 PM
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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
No, I actually get a kick out of watching people suffer.
2011-02-13 7:10 PM
in reply to: #3352399


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Subject: RE: Give unsolicited advice?
In reality, if you are driving, you have no true idea whether is his seat is too high or just right.
How about watching the road instead. 


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