Passed a roadie on my hybrid! Got it on video!

[luv2climb]

Well, I think I know why I didn't get any responses to this thread (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=41666) I started back in February. It's probably the fact that the video started off with lots of heavy breathing, which may have been a shock to the viewer. Since then, I have made sure to edit my videos a little better so they don't start out that way:) They're still raw, so eventually you're gonna hear some though. That's just the reality of climbing.

I've also lost a bit of weight and gained strength since that video was made, so I'm climbing a little better now. Nothing earth-shattering, but better than before.

Last week I finally got around to installing super-low climbing gears on my Specialized Sirrus hybrid that I bought used last summer. It only had a 24-tooth largest rear cog, so I replaced the cassette with a Shimano MegaRange 11-34. I also replaced the stock 28-tooth front chainring with a 24, and replaced the Shimano Sora rear derailleur with a Shimano Deore long-cage mtb derailleur. I did all the work myself so the only cost to me was the parts.

Of course, what better way to make sure the new drivetrain's working properly than a climb, right?:D

The guy you see in the beginning of the first video started his descent right before I did. I passed him on the descent. About a minute later he passed me on the same descent. I got my revenge on the next climb though:p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXh-oO75xYc

The next climb was a very steep one that I'd never ridden before, with lots of 13% and a maximum of 17% according to my Garmin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UoYR4Awhfk

Garmin Connect data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78514622

Here's my Sirrus at the top of the climb in the above video:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5065/5608103749_7a2285d794.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29998767@N07/5608103749/)
Specialized Sirrus near top of Ridgeview Drive (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29998767@N07/5608103749/) by kittyz202 (http://www.flickr.com/people/29998767@N07/), on Flickr

A little later on in the ride:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5608103375_dd9e07c88e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29998767@N07/5608103375/)
Specialized Sirrus next to Folsom's 'Bicycle Friendly Community' sign (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29998767@N07/5608103375/) by kittyz202 (http://www.flickr.com/people/29998767@N07/), on Flickr

[marni]

congratulations on the weight loss, drive train and passing a roadie.

However, unless you had the sound turned off while filming, which the noise of a passing car later in the video as the down hill began seems to contradict, I didn't hear you call out an "on your left" warning, or even a "good morning," "hi there" "nice day" "how are you", "hows the ride?"" or anything verbal at all.

If it had been me being passed you would have gotten an (in my mind anyway) well deserved sarcastic comment about "thank you for letting me know you are there," "thanks for the warning", or the like.

Just saying......

[luv2climb]

congratulations on the weight loss, drive train and passing a roadie.

However, unless you had the sound turned off while filming, which the noise of a passing car later in the video as the down hill began seems to contradict, I didn't hear you call out an "on your left" warning, or even a "good morning," "hi there" "nice day" "how are you", "hows the ride?"" or anything verbal at all.

If it had been me being passed you would have gotten an (in my mind anyway) well deserved sarcastic comment about "thank you for letting me know you are there," "thanks for the warning", or the like.

Just saying......
I don't know how things are in Texas, but here in California I get passed on every climbing ride by other roadies who also don't say a word to me. I don't give a darn if they say anything to me or not. Some do, some don't. If they don't I certainly don't take it personally. This guy didn't say anything to me when he passed me on the descent. Who cares.

The reason I held back for a few seconds before passing is because I started recording at the bottom of the climb and I figured the guy was just gaining momentum and would soon ride away from me. When it became obvious he wasn't going to speed up I passed.

Sorry if you took offense to my thread title, but I'm pretty stoked that I was finally able to pass someone for a change. Usually it's the other way around. Besides, I ride on the road too, but I don't call myself a roadie because I don't wear the typical roadie kit.

[ridebikeme]

Congradulations on losing weight and feeling stronger on the bike; that's exciting!!::D

I'll be honest and say that I don't understand the "need" to vocalize passing other cyclists. I've always been a competitve athlete, and will always be that way. I have defintiely used cyclists who have been in front of me as motivation to ride harder, pass them, but that's where it ends. I don't feel the need to tell my friends, put my achievement online etc...

There have been days where I have pased another cyclist, and I know they are riding easy... perhaps a recovery day from a race, or perhaps from a tough week at work. What I have learned is that "I" may have been having a good day and passed someone, but it isn't about anyone or anything else... it's about me. I compete with myself and myself alone. While I do ride with people that are faster than me, it definitely makes me a faster cyclist and I still know what my limitations/ability levels are. It is truly very exciting to become a stronger cyclist, and it's wonderful to share with friends, and keep the motivation rolling for the next ride.

Although I'm more than likely in the minority here, I think posting such events are crazy. The reality is that at one point or another, we will become the cyclist that we just passed. It's wonderful when we can meet our goals and ride to the next level, that's an addiction all in inself... and something that I know that I strive for. I also know that in tomorrows ride, I might be the person that someone else passes and I could be having a good day.. or a bad day... again it's simply about "ME".:D

[paiger81]

It might just be a Texas thing...when I just started getting into cycling (in Corpus Christi in '06) I got reemed out good by a cyclist for not saying "On your left". I learned my lesson quick and it doesn't matter what situation I'm in, I call out. I sometimes get funny looks, but it's better than the alternative, IMO :p

[KnottedYet]

Here in the city there are enough bikes around that vocalizing ("passing on your left" or just a "hello") is a safety issue.

If the bike you are passing doesn't know you are there, they could kill you.

Imagine happy little Knott tootling along on her single speed mixte. She spots her prey ahead, a slightly tired roadie in full spandexed glory on a "crabon" infused plastic bike. As she silently stalks him, her front wheel overlaps his rear wheel, then gets to his cranks... then he swerves to his left to a avoid a patch of gravel and knocks into Knott's front wheel throwing her into the traffic. Mayhem ensues.

Ooopsy.

I looooooove passing racer-boys while I'm on inappropriate bikes. (passing the dude used as an example above is a highlight in my little world: going uphill on a ss mixte wearing sandals FTW!) It helps if they are tired and I'm not. And I always let them know I'm there so they don't kill me.

There have been many times I've been startled by said dudes passing quite close to me with no warning. They are fast and they are concentrating. I generally yell out "ON YOUR RIGHT, HONEY!!!!" Since I'm old enough to be their mother, I can call 'em "honey" or "sugar" or "sweetie." And since they are young enough to be my children, they usually say "sorry." And since I'm a damn good rider and have been on bikes since before they were born, I manage not to startle so bad that I swerve into them.

The big city is a dangerous place for bikes. (some chubby ol' biddy on a ss mixte might shame you! :D )

[Eden]

I doubt you are in the minority.... most of us just don't bother to say anything....

I've found being in a race kit puts a target on your back - lots of yahoos out there think just because they see you they must be racing you... Just remember while you are being all self congratulatory that you passed [a man] [a racer] [insert your "achievement"], that you don't know their story at all. They might be cooling down, on a recovery day, they might be coming back from an injury or an illness, they might just not give a flying patootie about you..... you can pat yourself on the back all you like, but they may be spinning up that hill in zone 2, while you are busting a gut. If you want to measure your achievement, go do the same hills - see how you feel and how long it takes you or enter a real race - where all the other participants actually know they are racing....

As far as vocalizing goes - I prefer roads and I prefer just passing as a car should pass - leave 3 feet, no yelling necessary.....

[Biciclista]

Eden, i think you are missing the point. We know they might be in pain, or at the finish of a long grueling ride, or listening for a noise on their bike, but we get passed SO many times that it's fun to pass someone else every now and then. When you're at the slow end of the continuum, like it or not, passing someone else that is not on a little kid's bike with trainers IS an event.

[Crankin]

I appreciate it when someone announces they are passing me, even here on the country/suburban roads I ride on. I can usually "feel" a rider approaching, the same way I can with a car, but there have been enough times that someone (always a guy) comes up behind me, going about 25-30 to my 18 or 20 and it scared the crap out of me. This has mostly happened on one particular straight road that is a slight down hill, kind of a false flat when I am riding it to go home. It's an extremely popular route for cyclists.
I always announce myself when passing others and I usually say hi, no matter who it is. I don't feel like I "have to" say hi, but I like to.
But I don't make any big deal about passing others. When DH rides with me, he could be going a lot faster and people pass us. Those riders don't know how fast he really is... and they shouldn't care. I've been passed by old guys, wearing jeans, riding a mountain bike, with a backpack on. Yeah, they're stronger than me.

[PamNY]

When you're at the slow end of the continuum, like it or not, passing someone else that is not on a little kid's bike with trainers IS an event.

+1. That's the whole story in one sentence. I was trying to think of a way to say this, but now I don't have to. :D

[ridebikeme]

OOPS! I think my reply was bit confusing, so let me clarify. I DO think that we should announce to a cyclist that we are about to pass.

My earlier comment was definitely confusing... must be early morning without some caffeine.:D What I truly meant was that I don't think we need to vocalize to the entire world that we just passed someone.. what does that prove? I know that it's exciting, but as plenty of others have mentioned... we truly dont' know what their goal was for the day.

Although I think the internet has given us lots of options/information; I do think that the ability to let others know each time that we blow our nose or pass someone on a bike is a bit extreme. But again, that's MHO..

[Geonz]

I doubt you are in the minority.... most of us just don't bother to say anything....

I've found being in a race kit puts a target on your back - lots of yahoos out there think just because they see you they must be racing you... Just remember while you are being all self congratulatory that you passed [a man] [a racer] [insert your "achievement"], that you don't know their story at all. They might be cooling down, on a recovery day, they might be coming back from an injury or an illness, they might just not give a flying patootie about you..... you can pat yourself on the back all you like, but they may be spinning up that hill in zone 2, while you are busting a gut. If you want to measure your achievement, go do the same hills - see how you feel and how long it takes you or enter a real race - where all the other participants actually know they are racing....

As far as vocalizing goes - I prefer roads and I prefer just passing as a car should pass - leave 3 feet, no yelling necessary.....

Hey, whatever makes ya feel good. Some people feel good passing somebody; others obviously feel good being superior, serious racers who are "above" all that.

On my Xtracycle I need a lot of room to pass and a lot of momentum... so usually I don't announce 'cause I'm giving at least the 3 feet a car would ... and, now that I think of it, because my huge visual imprint is usually noticed (and I may have stuff rattling around, or my bear bell on the top tube ;)) If I'm moving faster, I"ll usually announce.

I know some racer-types and racer wannabees in my community think I'm a yahoo -- but I've got more to do than worry about it. The first million times I passed people I *assumed* they were going slower than usual... then I realized I'd gotten strong in my old age :) Still, I'll leave the actual racing to those who like to be pitted against each other. And if I keep doing yoga, I may soon be able to pat myself on the back, and I *shall* do so.

[Norse]

When you're at the slow end of the continuum, like it or not, passing someone else that is not on a little kid's bike with trainers IS an event.

++1 One of my happy memories from my pre-road bike days, when I rode a lumbering hybrid that is now my trail bike, is out-climbing two skinny young things on their road bikes who had zoomed by me earlier on the flats. :p As to calling out, around here, it all depends on the circumstances, conditions, location... Sometimes it makes sense, especially on narrow trails so yes, and sometimes no.

[Cataboo]

Luv2climb, that's awesome you got the gears swapped out on your bike and it's helping so much with your hill climbing!

It always does feel like a minor victory when I manage to pass someone on a climb instead of being the one that's being passed.

It's also kinda cool when someone drafts behind me up a hill and they look like a stronger rider than I consider myself to be.

I tell someone that I'm passing them, if it's not obvious that they know I'm there. You know how you can see someone glance back when they hear a gear shift or something, if I see them do that and know they know I'm there, I might just say hey as I'm passing, but if I can't tell they know where I am, I do the on your left thing a couple times just in case.

[Geonz]

OOPS! I think my reply was bit confusing, so let me clarify. I DO think that we should announce to a cyclist that we are about to pass.

My earlier comment was definitely confusing... must be early morning without some caffeine.:D What I truly meant was that I don't think we need to vocalize to the entire world that we just passed someone.. what does that prove? I know that it's exciting, but as plenty of others have mentioned... we truly dont' know what their goal was for the day.

Although I think the internet has given us lots of options/information; I do think that the ability to let others know each time that we blow our nose or pass someone on a bike is a bit extreme. But again, that's MHO..

Welp, that guy with no lights who was coming up behind me the other night *almost* got landed on by a snot rocket...

[KnottedYet]

lots of yahoos out there think just because they see you they must be racing you...

I have no illusions that I'm racing anybody. I'm a 205 lb middle-aged chick who rides steel touring bikes with BMX pedals and saddles with springs and hardly ever gets going faster than 16 mph.

These boys have to be damned tired for ME to pass them!

It is just a hoot to bust a gut on my inappropriate bikes and pass these exhausted young things who usually breeze right by me without a thought.

Just like it's a hoot when some guy my age calls me "Miss" instead of "Ma'am."

It's all in good fun, and it's all in the privacy of my own head. ;)

[zoom-zoom]

I let riders know I'm passing as common courtesy. I know how startled I've been in the past when a rider has come seemingly out of nowhere and passed me without notice--and I have a small bar-end mirror, but during some lighting conditions it can be hard to see anything with the mirror.

[Grits]

I know exactly how you feel! It is a rare event that my little riding group overtakes and passes a fellow roadie, so when we do, we wait a respectful distance so he/she doesn't hear us, and then we definitely do a little celebrating! Of course, we usually follow that with some remarks like "well, they were probably finishing up a century ride" or maybe "I'll bet they are recovering from some injury" just to keep us humble ;)

As far as calling out, it depends. If I overtake someone who doesn't obviously know I am there, then I always call out. If we have been passing back and forth or riding fairly close together and are aware of each other, then not necessarily.

I was on a big organized ride last weekend and rode a little while with a lady who drove me crazy! She called out EVERYTHING... I appreciate that up to a point, but she was a just annoying after a while.

[luv2climb]

Thank you to those who understood why I was excited that I finally was able to pass someone (who had passed me earlier himself). I don't race and don't have any illusions of being a racer. I'm a sucky climber due to being overweight and I am used to being passed by roadies on every ride, even though I'm normally also on a road bike instead of my hybrid.

The road I was on was not in the city. It was a nice wide, safe, suburban road. Plenty of room.

Let me remind those who are criticizing me that this guy made a conscious effort to pass me first on the descent I had just passed him on. He didn't say a word to me as he passed me. As far as I know, he was racing me. If that's the case, it's game on, baby:p

Roadtrip started a similar thread here (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=41889) on 3-16. I didn't see a bunch of people criticizing her for being proud of passing a guy. Why is that, hmm?

I may be a newbie here, unlike Roadtrip, but I'm not into the whole "initiation" thing. I can hold my own:p

[Veronica]

There is no initiation.

Veronica

[luv2climb]

There is no initiation.

Veronica
I was being half-serious, hence the ":p". I just thought it was odd that I got negative reactions and Roadtrip didn't. Maybe because I posted the video?

[Veronica]

Since you asked...

I didn't read her thread until you linked to it. I think it was a tone thing. My perception was that she proud of how far she has come and acknowledged that maybe the guy wasn't "racing". Your post made me think you were gloating. Not that's there's anything wrong with that. :D I've been known to gloat. That may or may not be what you intended. But communication occurs in the mind of the listener (reader.)

Veronica

[luv2climb]

Since you asked...

I didn't read her thread until you linked to it. I think it was a tone thing. My perception was that she proud of how far she has come and acknowledged that maybe the guy wasn't "racing". Your post made me think you were gloating. Not that's there's anything wrong with that. :D I've been known to gloat. That may or may not be what you intended. But communication occurs in the mind of the listener (reader.)

Veronica
That's the problem with the printed word vs. speaking with someone face-to-face. This isn't the first time my posts on the internet have been taken out of context. No, I wasn't gloating. I was just happy to finally be making progress. Especially since I am experiencing a weight loss plateau right now, which is frustrating.

[Grits]

I didn't think you were gloating. You seemed to be happy at an achievement, and many of us use this forum to celebrate individual achievements. Don't worry about it. Keep riding and celebrating when you pass a roadie! I'll celebrate with you.

[luv2climb]

I didn't think you were gloating. You seemed to be happy at an achievement, and many of us use this forum to celebrate individual achievements. Don't worry about it. Keep riding and celebrating when you pass a roadie! I'll celebrate with you.
Thank you:) You hit the nail on the head;)

[PamNY]

It wasn't so very long ago that I celebrated passing people who were running.

[Biciclista]

It wasn't so very long ago that I celebrated passing people who were running.

I still do. :D:D:D

[moonfroggy]

every time someone passes me and announces it i jump a bit and get very startled. i have a very strong startle response though and i realize most people don't. i really prefer people say nothing when they pass me.

[Trek420]

I was on a big organized ride last weekend and rode a little while with a lady who drove me crazy! She called out EVERYTHING... I appreciate that up to a point, but she was a just annoying after a while.

Hey! That was me :confused: :rolleyes: ;) :D "car back" when there's nobody near me, pointing out stuff on the road "tracks :eek: pop tart wrapper :rolleyes: pez dipsenser :cool:" calling out "on your right" as people pass me.

I'm so slow I'm having my name legally changed to "on your left". I get called that so often. I apreciate all of you calling out. OTOH it's a hoot on those rare times I get to pass someone. Especially when I'm on an innapropriate bike like commuter loaded with produce and groceries. :p

It's rare but fun when it happens.

[m.eliza]

I don't understand the point of the criticism. This is supposed to be a supportive community. IMO if you can't be supportive or encouraging, keep your comments to yourself.

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter if the guy was spinning as hard as he could or having a rest day. You accomplished something that made you proud of yourself. That's cause for a mini-celebration in my book :)

[luv2climb]

I don't understand the point of the criticism. This is supposed to be a supportive community. IMO if you can't be supportive or encouraging, keep your comments to yourself.

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter if the guy was spinning as hard as he could or having a rest day. You accomplished something that made you proud of yourself. That's cause for a mini-celebration in my book :)
Thank you:) We need a "thumbs-up" smiley here;)

I guess I should have titled this thread differently, then the criticism would have been limited to me not saying something to the guy as I passed. I still don't regret not saying anything to him though. Whether I say anything to a rider on the few times I actually pass depends on the circumstances. If someone passes me and says hi to me I ALWAYS say hi back.

Those who criticize need to remember that some men hate being "chicked". Him passing me on the descent after I had passed him first gave me that impression. Therefore I felt it was my duty to have a little fun with him:D:p If I'm wrong, so be it. It was still fun.

[Grits]

Hey! That was me :confused: :rolleyes: ;) :D "car back" when there's nobody near me, pointing out stuff on the road "tracks :eek: pop tart wrapper :rolleyes: pez dipsenser :cool:" calling out "on your right" as people pass me. .

Hey, that WAS you!:D

[Crankin]

There are some people in the group that I ride with that call out every crack in the road... I try to stay away from them, for fear their constant calling out will distract me and I'll hit them (or someone else)! Use hand signals... at least for stuff in the road.
Pam your comment made me chuckle. Both DH and I were once dropped by an inline skater going up Oak Hill in Harvard, MA. This is a major training hill for roadies. And the guy was as least as old as me. I could see dropping me, even though I was not going 5 (maybe 9-10?), but dropping DH, who was a little ahead of me :eek:. When I met him at the top of the hill, DH was like, "What the hell was that?" It was hard to tell at first, since the guy was wearing a bike helmet.

[ACG]

My favorite thing to call out is "Road Kill".

Seriously on some of the bike lanes that take us to the beach from Pasadena there are tons of families, walkers, runners, usually on the way back.

We have to call out because they take up the entire lane and we don't want to spook them, their dogs or grandma.

Normally it's like "passing on your left, thank you."

Everyone passes me by the way....I've got asthma, a cell phone and a credit card I can take care of myself.

[luv2climb]

Here's an example of me warning riders before passing:p

This is our local Second Saturday art festival Midtown Cruise. The first one was last month, and they plan on having these rides every month. Since I was shooting video and wanted to get good footage of all the cool rat rod, chopper, and tall bikes in the ride, I had to get ahead of a bunch of people. I start passing at 1:20 in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-sFlUUXCRI

[Artista]

Pam your comment made me chuckle. Both DH and I were once dropped by an inline skater going up Oak Hill in Harvard, MA. This is a major training hill for roadies. And the guy was as least as old as me. I could see dropping me, even though I was not going 5 (maybe 9-10?), but dropping DH, who was a little ahead of me :eek:. When I met him at the top of the hill, DH was like, "What the hell was that?" It was hard to tell at first, since the guy was wearing a bike helmet.

An inline skater smoked my husband & me about a month ago. I was astounded. This guy was really fast but I was still bummed by being passed by a guy on skates. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I passed someone else on skates. Made me feel a little better about the 1st experience...until he PASSED ME about 20 minutes later:)

[Velocivixen]

Well, I'm very new to this forum, so here's what I thought. The title of the thread made it sound like you were primarily going to talk about passing someone, however reading what you wrote about changing your own gears and taking it out for a test ride, then showing a video about it made me think that you obviously did a great job with installation and that you had a successful test ride. I wasn't even thinking about you passing someone.
It sounds like in different places and in various situations, calling out is appropriate/expected or inappropriate/not expected.
Overall, I think it's great that you've got a bike with gears that let you climb better and that, as you mentioned, your fitness has improved.
Cheers.

[westtexas]

I just want to say congrats to you on passing someone on your bike!!! I did the same thing tonight for the first time and I was going to post about how strong I feel after 6 weeks of riding and what progress I've made, but it's much more fun to share. This was a young guy (probably younger than me, which is scary since I just turned 25) and he was definitely struggling up the hills. But he had all the aero bar gear and a computer on his bike so I suspect he was doing some kind of cadence or heart rate training as I powered past him on a steep hill (and never saw him again).

So congrats to you and here is to many more small accomplishments that may bring on bragging but feel really good :)

[emily_in_nc]

I appreciate it when someone announces they are passing me, even here on the country/suburban roads I ride on. I can usually "feel" a rider approaching, the same way I can with a car, but there have been enough times that someone (always a guy) comes up behind me, going about 25-30 to my 18 or 20 and it scared the crap out of me. This has mostly happened on one particular straight road that is a slight down hill, kind of a false flat when I am riding it to go home. It's an extremely popular route for cyclists.

Exactly why I love my Take-a-Look mirror. I nearly always see cyclists coming up behind me on the road -- and very few of them say a word. A gal I used to ride with didn't wear a mirror and would practically jump out of her skin when people passed us unless I announced their presence (which I tried to remember to do!)

[luv2climb]

Thank you to all those who understood what I was trying to say in my OP. I really appreciate it:)

I've learned a couple lessons from this thread. One, always follow my instincts. If I have even a shred of doubt that what I say will not be taken out of context, word it differently.

Two, have an audible warning device other than my voice available to me when I ride my hybrid or road bike. Like people here and in other forums have said, people don't always hear things like "on your left" correctly, resulting in possible dangerous situations when passing. Those two bikes were the only ones in my fleet that didn't have bells. I dug around in my parts bin and found an extra Incredibell Brass Solo, which has a very nice tone compared to other small bells. Here it is on the hybrid (click to enlarge):

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/th_incredibellbrasssoloonhybrid.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/?action=view&current=incredibellbrasssoloonhybrid.jpg)

I had to buy one for the road bike. The only small, lightweight one I could find that will fit the 1 1/4" diameter bars is the Incredibell Adjustabell:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/th_incredibelladjustabellonroadbike.jpg (http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/?action=view&current=incredibelladjustabellonroadbike.jpg)

I'm not going to ring my bell on every pass. Like I said before, it depends on the situation. But there have been times I've been on my road bike and wished I had one.

I also use a Take-A-Look mirror. I wouldn't ride without it.

[crazycanuck]

Since no one else in Perth seems to announce themselves when they pass me, i rarely do now either. If it's safe to pass, i pass..If not, it doesn't take a genius to wait a few seconds.

I expect people to pass me without warning & am used to people zipping on past. What BOTHERS me is people riding two abreast on the bike path...that's when i think.."excuse me..do i exist here??..hellooooo"...

There's a well known group here known as the "over 55" cycling club & they don't even announce themselves...:rolleyes: THey're some of the MOST dangerous riders around becuase they ride two abreast on the bike path, don't call out etc.

THis is why I avoid most bike paths like the plague....!!!!

[Crankin]

And then there's the high school x country ski team who practices on my street on skates, (a very steep downhill/uphill) throughout the summer and fall. Although the coach is with them, it's scary. One time, I thought I was going to be dropped by one of them, going UP the hill. I think I was coming home from a commute. I was able to keep ahead of the guy, but it is kind of amazing that they can skate so fast up a 12% grade. Even if they are 16...

[luv2climb]

Since no one else in Perth seems to announce themselves when they pass me, i rarely do now either. If it's safe to pass, i pass..If not, it doesn't take a genius to wait a few seconds.

I expect people to pass me without warning & am used to people zipping on past. What BOTHERS me is people riding two abreast on the bike path...that's when i think.."excuse me..do i exist here??..hellooooo"...

There's a well known group here known as the "over 55" cycling club & they don't even announce themselves...:rolleyes: THey're some of the MOST dangerous riders around becuase they ride two abreast on the bike path, don't call out etc.

THis is why I avoid most bike paths like the plague....!!!!
+1

I seldom ride on the local bike trail anymore. Joggers running three abreast taking up the entire trail, pedestrians doing the same, and cyclists weaving erratically across the entire trail cause me to use my bell every time. The thing that really irked me was the joggers running three abreast going downhill while I was about to climb the steepest part of the hill. I had to stop in the middle of the hill for them!

Like I said earlier in this thread, I really don't care whether people announce themselves when passing me or not. I have nice Mountain Mirrycle mirrors on most of my bikes, and a Take-A-Look for the times I'm riding the Sirrus hybrid or road bike. I'm aware of my surroundings;)