Loner Manners?

[MM_QFC!]

If someone was 6 feet off my butt without permission, whether they thought they were being cute or not, I would be very pissed. Pulling stuff like that is not only rude, it is dangerous!

If you want to pace, hang back 20 feet or so. If you want to draft, ask first. And don't be surprised if someone says "no." Being drafted by an unknown rider is a hazard not everyone wants to take on.

I've had numb-nuts draft off my heinie without asking. I throw a temper tantrum. (and if they don't know enough to ask if they can be that close, I have to assume they also have no clue what my cues and signals mean, either. Thereby making me believe they are EXTREMELY dangerous to have on my tail.)

well-said, Knott..it IS dangerous.

[KnottedYet]

I'm in a bad mood, sorry if I sounded harsh there.

[RolliePollie]

I get really annoyed if someone drafts off of me without asking. I am not a very experienced rider and it makes me a nervous wreck to have someone back there. On that same note, I would never draft off of a stranger because I'd feel like I was putting us both at risk.

There was recently a serious head-on colision on our local bike trail and three riders went to the hospital, all with broken bones and one with abdominal trauma. I'm not 100% sure of the exact circumstances, but evidently one rider swerved, causing the rider drafting behind her to crash into oncoming bike traffic. I have no idea if these people were drafting with or without permission from one another. But if it was anonymous-not-asking-first stranger-drafting, then I bet everyone was pretty angry.

I would much rather have a stranger ask me than to just have someone attach themself to my back wheel. Then I could tell them that they're taking their life into their own hands if they want to risk riding behind me.

[Trek420]

Yer not s'posed to hang onto 'em, yer s'posed to lose 'em. Hard. Or die trying.
Cause if yer goin' for the chase you gotta make the kill.



(and then pull over for some fictional reason and hold it....hold it....hold it....ok, he's gone...keel over from lack of oxygen)

I agree. I don't race, I'm not fast, I suck at climbing. Yet I do have a competitive streak in me. When on my road bike I assume I should be able to to catch and pass any mountain bike. Not true yet if they look never like not such good form or cadence, or newer or road or mountain the chase is on.

Especially if they are guys, even more if they are younger, best if they are on road bikes .... so on.

Often I can't pass them or even reel 'em in but the sprint and effort is worth it.

But I don't get close unless I can to pass. If there's nothing left in the tank it does not matter. If I can't pass or it's not safe to do so why bother. and you never know, some riders are not familiar with signals and your cheery "on your left " can be interpreted as "you must do an immediate sharp left "

I've seen it happen. So back off, I hardly know you

The one time I chased a guy down and was not going to let him get away was on a training season opener for ALC. A rider nearly caused a horrific crash when our route crossed the course of the "Escape from Alcatraz" Triathlon and he crossed the street smack dab in front of a racer.

If you're lurking and were descending I can't get your screamed "noooooooooooo!" outta my head. Glad you are ok, nice handling skills

He was on a new carbon race bike, I on my tank of a commuter. Once we were clear to cross the street safely without racers on a closed course with an only in San Francisco style steep hill flying towards us I set off and chased him up the same hill. I was determined.

When I caught up I motioned him over. Once I could breath and calmed down I gave him a stern lecture. A new rider he did not know bikes can go 60-70, he'd never heard the term "closed course" and thought the racers had a stoplight , he just didn't know.

Another rider rolled up introduced us and told him I'm an experienced ALC'er. Then with my permission he rode with me. When we returned he said he'd just been doing everything I did; if i shifted he shifted, if I signaled he did ... but I knew he was there, and knew he was new.

[MM_QFC!]

I know that it's the person in the rear who would go down, if tires touched, but I figure that it's OK to expect some semblance of manners on the road and a stranger presents unknown dangers. Also, I have enough to do in dealing with those who fancy themselves 'elites' or above silly voice warnings or turn signals and blow past me w/o any notice; then there are the variety of users on the multi-use trails that I've called out to and am trying to negotiate my way around wayward roller bladers, chatting strollers walking 3 across who MOVE LEFT when I call out 'on your left', young children on bikes who ride the entire breadth of the trail, etc...as well as those coming in my direction - lots to think of already, so I am not concerned with waving some selfish and silent wheel sucker off or hurting their feelings. I know of an experienced rider's death from head injuries when an inexperienced rider lost control of their bike and hit him, sending him into an endo and suffering fatal injuries...those things stick with me and I won't apologize to anyone for trying to keep myself safe and alive...

[MM_QFC!]

good points and story, Trek...I remember offering to take a newbie who was training for an AIDS ride in Montana out for one of his first rides EVER - never mind first ride of the season. We rolled along a local trail and then I took him off it to get in some back roads...of course I was using signals, pointing out hazards, and chatting too...after we went over some really rough railroad tracks, (so, after my R/R tracks arm signals), he called out to me, and I slowed for him to pull alongside...and he said, "what the h*ll are you doing? are you giving me signals or something? I have no idea what anything means!"...That was just the kick I needed to be reminded to not assume anything...always kind of review 'ground rules', so to speak, before a ride - even with 1 other person - as I thought he had some more experience than that...oh well, can always learn to communicate better!

[KnottedYet]

I'm a b*tch and not ashamed to screech "On your RIGHT, Thank YOU!!" at the poseur weekend racer-boys who pass me without using bell or voice.

And it's almost always poseurs who pass without notice. Not seasoned Freds/Fredwinas on beloved battered steeds. Not women. Not team guys in full kit. (actually, the best groups that pass me are the Recycled Cycles team men, whose leader hollers out that they are passing and how many are in his group. I love him/them.)

Communicate with the riders near you, whatever you are doing. Drafting, passing, wanting to chat, wanting to race, wanting to ask for a date. If they know what you are up to they won't waste precious resources or time trying to figure out what game you are playing, and they can respond to you.

[Trek420]

I know that it's the person in the rear who would go down, if tires touched

Yeah, a family friend died that way. Experienced riders, all knew what to do, what to do if the wheels touch (don't just bounce away, ride together and slooooowly separate the wheels), all wearing helmets ... their wheels touched on a descent, he fell and hit his head on just the wrong spot. 8-(

And when did people stop learning hand signals? Sure it's still on the drivers test but if you're under 30 you don't just know what they mean

[OakLeaf]

+1 to not drafting without permission. Heck, if I've taken a break, got a phone call, gotten dropped whatever, when I catch back up to the group I was with I will always yell "On your wheel!"

Sara, that's an example of why pacelines belong on the road and not multi-use trails. Yes, things can happen anywhere, but fast riders in a group where only one of them can see ahead, don't belong on a narrow path where the safe speed is 10 mph or less, and traffic is undisciplined, uneducated and multidirectional.

MM_, I've been riding for a long time and I didn't know there was a hand signal for tracks! Everyone I've always been with just yells "Tracks!" What is the signal???

[uforgot]

I'm with Lisa on this one. I ride alone, but rarely encounter another biker. Just not many around here, so no one ever passes me. I'm not sure about cycling etiquette, but if I DID pass someone and they then made an effort to stay up with me... I absolutely would not like it. Enough so that I would turn around, stop or take another route. Doesn't matter if it's on foot, bike car, etc. I tend to be a loner anyway, and my space would definitely be invaded. I realize not everyone has to have as much space as I do, but if you don't know the person, then you have no idea whether it bothers them or not. Also, why do you always feel the need to be competitive? Can't you just relax and enjoy the ride?

And Knotted...harsh? You? You have to be one of the most even-tempered, positive members of this forum! You're everyone's cheerleader!

[Geonz]

OMG, that was...AWESOME!!!

Yea, I'd forgotten about it 'til this thread

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm a b*tch and not ashamed to screech "On your RIGHT, Thank YOU!!" at the poseur weekend racer-boys who pass me without using bell or voice.

I like to holler out after them: "Thanks for the heart attack!"

[firenze11]

I'm really thankful for this thread because I'm so new at this and haven't ever encountered anyone on the road yet. Reading all of your stories and insights helps me become a better cyclist. I've rarely even come across cars on my roads but I always practice hand signaling - even if there isn't anyone else around to see them. Should I come across another cyclist one day and have to pass him/her I'll make my presence known and give them their space

I know I would be freaked out if someone was drafting me without asking.

MM_QFC I'm curious as well, what is the signal for railroad tracks? I tried looking it up online but couldn't find it.

[ttaylor508]

here is a list of hand signals including the one for railroad tracks

http://www.inlandempirecycling.com/C...nd_signals.htm

Just to be safe, I use both hand signals and voice.

[Trek420]

I wanna say it's feeling a little like we're piling on the threadstart'er blondiebiker and that's not the intent. It's not wrong, it's good to be competitive, it's good to sprint, it's especially fun to catch up with guys .... just be safe