ghost riders

[marni]

I warn you in advance- this is definitely a vent!~

Dear ghost rider pack that passed our group today driving two of our off the shoulder and into the ditch.


I realize that we are lowly riders who dare to attempt the same rides at 18 mph that you complete at 22 mph. I apologize for the fact that since we ride for pleasure, that our jerseys don't always match our shorts, helmet, socks, shoes and bikes. I accept that it is presumptuous that mere mortals like us should even think that since we don't stop at rest stops until we have ridden 30 miles or more and so have the temerity to end up in front of you on occassion, that we should expect an occasional shout out of "on your left" or some sort of warning as you streak by , glaring and swearing as you pass on our left close enough to drive us off the 6 foot shoulder and into the gravel. I understand that we should feel honored and proud if individuals from your pack deign to suck our wheels in recovery mode without so much as a "may I draft," or" hi there, I'm on your wheel " for a number of miles before you pull out leaving us in your dust once again without so much as a "thank you" or an offer to actually do your turn pulling us.

In many states, it is not unmanly to let a rider ahead of you know that you are passing. Nor is it a "chick" thing to share the ride politely and courteously with other riders who are not as nattily attired, rude or delusional as you seem to be.

In fact many of us manage to ride several hundred miles a week solo and in small groups , self supported and independent of team affiliations, fashion coordinated clothing and the latest greates bike and bike gee , in a timely and organized fashion,without running people off the road, yelling and swearing at other riders we pass, spitting and spraying our water bottles all over the sidewalk in front of the local convenience store, leaving our energy gel packs and wrappers along the road,and being rude and impatient with the locals and their "dumb" questions.

Yes I know you and I know who you are because I have encountered you on every organized ride I have done. I also enjoy the rather dubious pleasure of having you hammer by me on weekend rides. I may not go as fast as you, but as a cross country and long distance rider, as are most to the ladies in the group I was riding with today, I can guarantee that I can ride your little fashion clad latex butt into the ground over time and distance and I can do it without raising my voice, swearing, leaving a mess or alienating the locals.

The next time you pull that cute little trick of passing on the left without warning and riding close enough to elbow me or any member of my group into the gravel, I fear my left foot might just accidentally unclip. Even if I go down with you, it would be so worth it.

Marni, survivor of yet another charity ride with the requisite number of idiot hammerheads doing their usual ride.

Sugar Land
texas

[Tri Girl]

Yikes, Marni. I hope you are OK. Sorry about those jerks.
I could have written the same thing about my ride in August, but I only travel about 12mph to their 22. Two HUGE packs passed me within (what felt like) millimeters. Not a word as they brushed by uncomfortably close. I think putting a leg out would be quite justified. They must assume speed gives you the right to be an a#&...

[shootingstar]

Yes I know you and I know who you are because I have encountered you on every organized ride I have done. I also enjoy the rather dubious pleasure of having you hammer by me on weekend rides. I may not go as fast as you, but as a cross country and long distance rider, as are most to the ladies in the group I was riding with today, I can guarantee that I can ride your little fashion clad latex butt into the ground over time and distance and I can do it without raising my voice, swearing, leaving a mess or alienating the locals.

The next time you pull that cute little trick of passing on the left without warning and riding close enough to elbow me or any member of my group into the gravel, I fear my left foot might just accidentally unclip. Even if I go down with you, it would be so worth it.

Marni, survivor of yet another charity ride with the requisite number of idiot hammerheads doing their usual ride.

Sugar Land
texas

I have to say, that the training so-called spandex packs with hammerheads, in our area are pretty ok. But then maybe the hard core packs are somewhere else. Like regularily going up the mountains or something similar.

Actually some of the guys seem to notice me..and smile as we pass by or warn me of their back-end approach. Same for the hammerhead gals. It's ok.

We have to find ways not to be overly defensive of the type of cyclist we seem to be to other types of cyclists.

Maybe I'm at an age I don't give a poop. So I don't notice much or I'm a cycling dolt.

[OakLeaf]

OTOH....

I'm not justifying it. It's rude to draft without permission, and it's rude and dangerous to pass unannounced.

But you could think of it as a compliment. If they thought you were squirrelly or inattentive, they wouldn't have passed you so close. If they thought you weren't smooth, they wouldn't draft you.

[katluvr]

I have just one thing to say Marni...Ahmen!

Why, oh why, can't people (fast packs) say on your left?
or even "cool" (so they think) "fast" (so they think, there is always someone fater) single minded, single riders just utter a simple "left"??

(OK, that was more than 1 thing...sorry!)

[marni]

oakleaf said that maybe it was a compliment that they didn't think the gI the group I was with was squirrely. I'd like to give them the benefit of the dobt except that this was a) listed as a family ride, and b) I watched them do the same thing to several other riders who were obviously not as experienced .

I thin, based on other rides with the same sort of groups and experiences, that these guys are just egocentrically *** like in their behaviour.

As for not being the type of rider they are, I am extremely careful to not repeat behaviour that irritates me. I am inn here for insanity not stupidity.

marni