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2013-03-04 12:20 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

Nothing to be gained by being confrontational.  Probably best just to let it go.  I agree with the suggestion to just speed up or slow down to get away from the guy if you're uncomfortable riding close to him. 

While in a perfect world everyone would call "on your left" when passing, I've seen too many times when it just confuses newbies and they end up swerving left into the path of the passing rider.  Best solution is to just use your best judgement and always ride defensively.

Mark 



Edited by RedCorvette 2013-03-04 12:21 PM


2013-03-04 1:13 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
Wow.  I think I would've said, "hey, what's up, didn't realize you were there?"  Then dropped him or slowed down so he wasn't riding next to me.
2013-03-04 1:30 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

Coach Gil - 2013-03-04 12:10 AM Today was a great day for the local canyon.  Lots of people out, weather is perfect.  First 5 miles or so is mostly a climb, nothing huge at all, I generally use it to warm up if I haven't hit the trainer first.  Cruising along, few guys spaced apart, guy comes up next to me, like a foot away, doesn't say a word, kind of startled me. 

I still don't understand if this was a group ride, a common route or a bike race - but on an admittedly popular/crowded route, especially on a climb section, I would not have announced "on you left" or any such silliness.  The OP should have either been aware of his surroundings or hold his line. That being said, it doesn't sound like the OP necessarily overreacted.

 

 

 

2013-03-04 1:38 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

Just my opinon but I think you should keep your comments to yourself, its not your place to tell the dude how to ride.  On your left, and hold your line are bike snobbery for I am a better rider than you.

 

2013-03-04 1:52 PM
in reply to: #4645788

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

ChrisM - 2013-03-04 12:13 PM Wow.  I think I would've said, "hey, what's up, didn't realize you were there?"  Then dropped him or slowed down so he wasn't riding next to me.

This^^^.  It's all a question of tact.  The dude that came up without announcing himself is in the wrong but you are also in the middle of a climb and he obviously wanted to pass but didn't have enough to do it quickly.  That was probably not the best time to be correcting anybody on anything.  The dude screwed up but this is the worst time to try to teach him a lesson.  Just let him know he surprised you, slow down, ignore him if he's still rude and go on. 

I actually like to yell out "good morning" (or afternoon) as I approach other riders, which 9 times out of 10 turns out in meeting some pretty cool people on the ride.

2013-03-04 2:01 PM
in reply to: #4645837

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
oldtown - 2013-03-04 12:38 PM

Just my opinon but I think you should keep your comments to yourself, its not your place to tell the dude how to ride.  On your left, and hold your line are bike snobbery for I am a better rider than you.

Not really. It's similar to expecting cars to stay in their own lane and signal when you are driving......

I don't see why it's a big deal.....when I first started biking I didn't know the 'un-written' guidlines of biking. I was passing people as we were going up a canyon and I wasn't saying a word. After startling a couple of people one of them said to me you should have let me know you were coming. I apologized and conintued on. A more experienced biker then explained the 'on your left' idea. Anytime I am going to pass someone who I think doesn't know I am there or wouldn't be expecting it I give them warning. I like when people do the same for me.

I think the OP was fine in telling him to let him know he was coming....but might have over reacted just a bit in the end.....Wink

 



2013-03-04 2:10 PM
in reply to: #4645867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
Lock_N_Load - 2013-03-04 2:52 PM

ChrisM - 2013-03-04 12:13 PM Wow.  I think I would've said, "hey, what's up, didn't realize you were there?"  Then dropped him or slowed down so he wasn't riding next to me.

This^^^.  It's all a question of tact.  The dude that came up without announcing himself is in the wrong but you are also in the middle of a climb and he obviously wanted to pass but didn't have enough to do it quickly.  That was probably not the best time to be correcting anybody on anything.  The dude screwed up but this is the worst time to try to teach him a lesson.  Just let him know he surprised you, slow down, ignore him if he's still rude and go on. 

I actually like to yell out "good morning" (or afternoon) as I approach other riders, which 9 times out of 10 turns out in meeting some pretty cool people on the ride.

That's a pretty cool way to handle it without having someone misunderstand what you are trying to say.  Ability to meet new riders is always a plus since you now know they are riding  the same time you do.  Gonna have to put that approach into my vocab.

2013-03-04 2:51 PM
in reply to: #4645788

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

ChrisM - 2013-03-04 2:13 PM Wow.  I think I would've said, "hey, what's up, didn't realize you were there?"  Then dropped him or slowed down so he wasn't riding next to me.

This.  Like they say, it's all in the delivery.  And...you catch more flies with honey.  I get that you want to promote safe riding along your training route but you have to find a way to win the rider over to see your point of view, which is a logical and smart one.  Pizz him off and he'll be so cranky with you he won't see your point no matter how valid.

2013-03-04 3:02 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
The only time I'll use "on your left" is with someone that obviously cannot hold a line, otherwise I see no need for it.  If I have to suddenly swerve I obviously wasn't paying close enough attention.  I wouldn't have swore at you but I definitely would not have appreciated your attempt to tell me how to ride.  
2013-03-04 3:14 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
I say good morning or afternoon when I'm even with a rider. The last thing I want is a doode who can't hold a line look over his left shoulder and swing into my as I'm approaching him.

2013-03-04 5:20 PM
in reply to: #4645594

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

dcomiskey - 2013-03-04 11:40 AM The OP was not the one being an a-hole. I've voiced my opinion on bike etiquette before. The guy who came up on him was in the wrong and equally as impolite after being called on it.

It is all about how close he was while passing.  Make that 1 foot a few feet and it should be no problem.  But coming up shoulder to shoulder isn't typical in a non-roadie pack ride and I'd be surprised by it if someone unknown did that. 



2013-03-04 5:51 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

I'd never threaten anyone. ever. What if he did something stupid like pushed you off your bike? Then it doesn't matter who was right. You'd be the one with the sprained/broken/bruised whatever. 

I find when I lash out at someone, I only end up hurting myself more. And here you are posting about it.

Which means it's eating at you... Not worth it. 

2013-03-04 6:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

ChrisM - 2013-03-04 5:13 PM Wow.  I think I would've said, "hey, what's up, didn't realize you were there?"  Then dropped him or slowed down so he wasn't riding next to me.

This a great. If I were the ninja passer/approacher I'd feel bad about surprising you because I know what it feels like to jump out of my skin watching someone whiz by that I didn't know was coming.



Edited by Blanda 2013-03-04 6:26 PM
2013-03-04 7:41 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
You were absolutely reasonable - don't doubt yourself. Roadies gonna hate! A mountain biker would never have given you that kind if attitude. :-)The guy probably doesn't use his turn signals in his car either.
2013-03-04 8:13 PM
in reply to: #4646412

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole

Tricycle - 2013-03-04 7:41 PM You were absolutely reasonable - don't doubt yourself. Roadies gonna hate! A mountain biker would never have given you that kind if attitude. :-)The guy probably doesn't use his turn signals in his car either.

A mountain biker would have just gone off the road to the right, around a road sign and a tree, and come back in in front of you.

2013-03-04 8:50 PM
in reply to: #4646437

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
sand101 - 2013-03-04 9:13 PM

Tricycle - 2013-03-04 7:41 PM You were absolutely reasonable - don't doubt yourself. Roadies gonna hate! A mountain biker would never have given you that kind if attitude. :-)The guy probably doesn't use his turn signals in his car either.

A mountain biker would have just gone off the road to the right, around a road sign and a tree, and come back in in front of you.

Hey, I resemble that remark!  Wink   (you might want to throw in a bunny hop as well for good measure).



2013-03-04 10:56 PM
in reply to: #4645837

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
oldtown - 2013-03-04 2:38 PM

Just my opinon but I think you should keep your comments to yourself, its not your place to tell the dude how to ride.  On your left, and hold your line are bike snobbery for I am a better rider than you.

 

"On your left" in no way indicates superiority or inferiority. There is far too much going on out there. What if you are doing intervals and I'm doing a long steady effort? I might pass you on your easy intervals and then you might blow by me during your speed interval, while I'm all the while maintaining about one effort level. Not every ride is a competition. We are all training for our own purposes, and unless it is a group ride, those purposes are rarely going to be aligned.

If "on your left" equals snobbery to you, then I hope you are a damn fast rider who rarely gets passed.

2013-03-04 11:12 PM
in reply to: #4646610

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
leedyb - 2013-03-04 11:56 PMNot every ride is a competition.
Wrong.
2013-03-04 11:18 PM
in reply to: #4646628

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
Goosedog - 2013-03-05 12:12 AM
leedyb - 2013-03-04 11:56 PMNot every ride is a competition.
Wrong.
lol should've seen that coming.
2013-03-04 11:57 PM
in reply to: #4644867

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
2013-03-05 12:12 AM
in reply to: #4645837

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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
On your left is common courtesy not snobbery. There are many places where riding 2up is dangerous and it's illegal in others. The OP offered his opinion to the guy and he was a dick and the OP dished some of the same back at buddy, hence my previous comment... Meh. " for I am a better rider than you"Snobbery?


2013-03-05 5:32 AM
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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
oldtown - 2013-03-04 2:38 PM

Just my opinon but I think you should keep your comments to yourself, its not your place to tell the dude how to ride.  On your left, and hold your line are bike snobbery for I am a better rider than you.

 



Honestly... it's about safety and has NOTHING to do with your abilities. You call it out so the person knows your coming up on the them and you won't startle them and if there's anything in the road, they can call it out for you.
2013-03-05 7:49 AM
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Subject: RE: Fair or am I just an A hole
Thread Hijack alert.

I am a mediocre (at best, but I am trying to fix it) swimmer and a much better cyclist/runner. At a big race, by the time I get out of the water, there can be hundreds of people in front of me. Add in a multi-loop bike and I might pass a thousand people in a race (I'm not an uberbiker, but I sure am working hard at cycling too). I am not saying, "on your left" to everyone I pass in a race. I would have no breath left to ride. I give people a wide berth, maintain situational awareness, and just pass when it is safe. In a race people should expect others to be around them and check before they change their line. I do.

Back to the thread subject; I would definitely warn someone that I was approaching out on a daily (not a race) ride, but I wouldn't get too bent if someone else didn't offer me the same courtesy.
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