Men, aren't they funny...

[shootingstar]

In reading this whole thread over last few days, I mulled over my dearie who has never competed in any bike race, but has done some cross-country touring rides on his own and has done some group rides, where I know he was near the front of the group ride.

What he is now compared to what he was like as a cyclist when I first met him..over 17 yrs. ago., has changed. But even then, and even now, all along he has no hesitation to tell me of situations and stories where some fred-like cyclist passed him (keep in mind, he probably looks fredlike to many roadies ) or any woman passing him. To him, the greatest thing was simply to see people on bikes, regardless of their age, size or shape.

I'm wondering if also because he was never boy wonder athlete as a kid/teen, and the fact that he had a string of childhood illnesses plus his lifelong problems on tinnitus, sleep disorder, etc., makes him and other men (with similar health histories), who just know being on a bike, is a gift itself, makes them less upset when "passed" by another cyclist.

If a guy doesn't get upset on the bike, then perhaps he's just competitive or competent, in another sphere of his life.

It does bother me abit to get passed, but I also know for myself, one has to build up momentum to make it up a hill, etc. What I do dislike is that suddenly cyclist passes me very closely and I had no idea they were even around behind me because they did not warn me at all. I've had some close calls.