In awe of "Real Cyclists"

**spokewench** · 09-08-2006, 11:03 AM

I usually and almost always say on your left or passing or hi, or whatever when i am on a path riding my bike and want to pass, but HELLO, what is wrong with some people?

Just this morning, I was riding to work - I was in a hurry so I was movin right along but this incident happened on a slight uphill so I wasn't goin that fast! This fit looking girl with long blond hair is walking up the hill on the FUTS trail near the community college. As I come up on her a little ways behind her, I say "On your left" in a pleasant but to be heard voice. She looks over her shoulder to her left looks right at me and jumps as fast as she can into the left hand side of the trail!

I shook my head and thought maybe she really is a true blond! (Sorry for the blond joke, but I couldn't resist thinking it).

For that matter, I've been a blond before too, actually a real one as I was growing up!

Anyway, you can understand why riders going fast don't want to say anything - and have the person they are trying to pass jump in front of them

**Bluetree** · 09-08-2006, 11:22 AM

I honestly think they don't notice much else when they're flying along in a group like that. I've seen guys blow past me in a pack, and then I've seen the same guys waving and saying hello to me in the mornings when they're coasting alone.
Where I live, there are a lot of pros who train so I'm getting used to it. Plus, I can always hear that rumble-hum when they're approaching.
(KSH... Pirahna Packs, that's a good one.)

On the good side, they give me a VERY nice view to look at as they speed away!

Joy

**VeeVee** · 09-08-2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Bluetree

On the good side, they give me a VERY nice view to look at as they speed away!

Joy

Now that I've started exercising and getting more fit, I have noticed that I have been noticing and appreciating really fit-looking bodies (especially men's bodies!) more than I ever have before I started exercising. This is new to me. Has anyone else ever felt this way? Or is it just my hormones kicking in?

**Kano** · 09-08-2006, 05:48 PM

First time I saw a team pedaling together, I told DH it was a pod of borg bikers!

They all had the exact same pedaling pace -- pretty astonishing!

Karen in Boise

**pyxichick** · 09-08-2006, 06:56 PM

The coolest thing is to be a part of a huge group like that and it's all women

p.s.
Next time the peleton goes by, try to catch a ride!

**velogirl** · 09-08-2006, 09:35 PM

And I can't tell you how many stares and how many "it's a bunch of chicks!" we get. When I started the club in 2002 it was unusual to see large groups of women together, especially riding in a pack. It's a little more commonplace now, but still turns a bunch of heads when 30 or 40 of us ride by together.

**Bluetree** · 09-09-2006, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by Kano

First time I saw a team pedaling together, I told DH it was a pod of borg bikers!

Resistance is futile. Can I be absorbed?

Joy

**SunnyHazel** · 09-08-2006, 11:22 AM

I really consider all of you real cyclists, I just don't consider myself one. Yet! I really do love it, even though I've only logged about 20 miles since I got my bike.

I too get really nervous when I'm passed by more than one person. I tend to freak out a bit when anyone gets close to me. I'm always afraid I'm going to wobble and cause someone to crash. I would feel so horrible.

And talking about the woman jumping into the left lane - I can totally see my daughter doing that. She's 8, and when we all ride, I ride behind her and remind her to stay to her side of the path when people come along. If someone were to say "on your left" to her, she'd probably think she was supposed to move there. Perhaps I need to make sure she understands the difference between me telling her to stay to the right, and other people speaking when passing.

**recycle613** · 09-08-2006, 11:25 AM

I had that happen to me once. On a local paved trail, about 20 roadies flew by. It was the coolest sound and beautiful. I was really struck by the blur of gorgeous colored jerseys. They were beautiful sailing along!

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 09-08-2006, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by spokewench

Just this morning, I was riding to work - I was in a hurry so I was movin right along but this incident happened on a slight uphill so I wasn't goin that fast! This fit looking girl with long blond hair is walking up the hill on the FUTS trail near the community college. As I come up on her a little ways behind her, I say "On your left" in a pleasant but to be heard voice. She looks over her shoulder to her left looks right at me and jumps as fast as she can into the left hand side of the trail!

I shook my head and thought maybe she really is a true blond! (Sorry for the blond joke, but I couldn't resist thinking it).

I am not hard of hearing, but lots of times when people come up behind me and shout out something, I will only hear the last part of what they said. This girl sounds like she heard you say "(mumble mumble)..LEFT!"
I am sure this is what happens a LOT when we come up behind people to pass them. I have a classic sounding bike bell (brring-brring!!) and I use it well ahead of when I'm coming up behind people either walking or on bikes. Because it's a classic bike sound, they instantly know there is a bike coming, they look back and step out of the way in a logical direction. No confusion, and I'm not seeming to give them weird instructions on what direction to move to.

**SunnyHazel** · 09-08-2006, 11:52 AM

I kinda like the bell idea. It would be very helpful for me not because I'm fast and passing people, but because there are a lot of families out wandering on the trails and it would be nice to grab their attention before I get to them.

**spokewench** · 09-08-2006, 12:06 PM

Hi Sunny Hazel

With an 8 year old, it would be expected that she go the wrong way - I'm always super careful with kids! I'll stop and talk to them. The jump into the left hand lady this morning was quite old enough to know better - and not too old to be confused!

And, I'm sure you are a real cyclist - anyone who rides a bike is!

**SunnyHazel** · 09-08-2006, 12:16 PM

Thanks, SpokeWench!

I find myself saying, "what is wrong with people" more and more. I can't imagine blocking a bike on purpose. What kind of unhappy would I have to be to treat people the way some folks do?

Luckily, seems like everyone here is great!

**betagirl** · 09-08-2006, 03:14 PM

One of the coolest things in life (to me anyway) is being in the middle of a pack like that and the hum of the tires and the sounds of people cranking in unison. When you're in a group of people you know, and you know how they ride and hold their lines, you can ride with less anxiety and just let the pack pull you along. It's very cool. And amazing how fast you can go. It is a sight to see, and even more amazing to partake in. Then you get spit out the back and have to hammer to catch up again

All you can think is "gotta get back on....gotta get back on....please let me get back on...."

**Bicyclette** · 09-08-2006, 10:09 PM

To me, there is nothing like wathing a peloton go by- we get a lot of clubs riding where we live and I just love to watch them as they go past my house ..... I was also fortunate enough to go watch part of a stage of the Tour de France this year and watching all of them fly by just put a lump in my throat - it was SUCH a thrill!!

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