Ultra competitive commuters

Charlie Stick

Long time lurker first time... etc etc

I reckoned that my sedentary lifestyle was eventually going to kill me so I got up off my increasing flabby arse and bought a Giant FCR3 + goodies from Wiggle & CRC for my 20k round trip commute to work. Best thing I’ve ever done.

One thing I’ve noticed though is the bizarre ultra-competitive nature of some of my fellow cyclists. Every couple of days I’ll donder past some dude (invariably on a MTB) only to hear the distinctive sound of crunching gears and have him wiz past me, up out of the saddle, sprinting like a header. Only yesterday in the pissings of rain I had a guy fly past me after I over took him at a set of lights. He even glanced back several times to see if I’d “taken his wheel”.

I consider it a success if I can get home without feeling the need to vomit so I have neither the inclination nor the fitness to be on the attack every time someone passes me.

Or is it just me?? :rolleyes:

Lumen

Charlie Stick wrote: »

I consider it a success if I can get home without feeling the need to vomit so I have neither the inclination nor the fitness to be on the attack every time someone passes me.

That's loser talk.

t0mm

Do a search for the "commuter races" thread, you'll find your in the minority here.:P

ROK ON

Funny what you see. About two weeks ago heading home from work thru the park. Cycling into a headwind, a guy in full An Post gear (plus a rucksack on back) took my wheel and drafted, for more than a while. I got annoyed, and sped up, so did he. So then I motioned him to come thru and take a turn - he wouldnt. I was annoyed at that stage, and saw no reason why I should do all the work at the front.

I went up the gears and started to go very very slowly, in order to see would he jump ahead. He actually go annoyed and said to hurry up. There was plenty of room to pass me out.
Needless to say, I slowed a little further. He eventually got the message and moved out in front.

At the time I was annoyed that he was drafting like in a race on a commuter run.

seamus

The only reason I actually push past anyone is because most people seem to have quite poor stamina. So they blast by you out of the lights but 500m down the road are struggling to maintain 20km/h, meaning that I have to overtake them. Cue next set of lights, and the exact same thing again.

WithCheesePlease

http://www.itsnotarace.org/

petethedrummer

What I do to someone who has busted a gut to pass is hang back about 20 yards and hold the distance. The guy will glance back every now and then to see if you're still there. Don't let him drop his pace until he cracks, then pass with your mouth closed to indicate you haven't made any effort.

Charlie Stick

seamus wrote: »

The only reason I actually push past anyone is because most people seem to have quite poor stamina. So they blast by you out of the lights but 500m down the road are struggling to maintain 20km/h, meaning that I have to overtake them. Cue next set of lights, and the exact same thing again.

I had one guy blast past me at the bottom of a hill only for him to get off half way up and walk the rest of the way. He decidedly refused to catch my eye as I passed.

barrabus

Charlie Stick wrote: »

Long time lurker first time... etc etc

I reckoned that my sedentary lifestyle was eventually going to kill me so I got up off my increasing flabby arse and bought a Giant FCR3 + goodies from Wiggle & CRC for my 20k round trip commute to work. Best thing I’ve ever done.

One thing I’ve noticed though is the bizarre ultra-competitive nature of some of my fellow cyclists. Every couple of days I’ll donder past some dude (invariably on a MTB) only to hear the distinctive sound of crunching gears and have him wiz past me, up out of the saddle, sprinting like a header. Only yesterday in the pissings of rain I had a guy fly past me after I over took him at a set of lights. He even glanced back several times to see if I’d “taken his wheel”.

I consider it a success if I can get home without feeling the need to vomit so I have neither the inclination nor the fitness to be on the attack every time someone passes me.

Or is it just me?? :rolleyes:

to me it is a question of degree ... rules of the road should be adhered to, which means cycling with due care and attention and showing proper consideration for other road users ....

A few weeks ago a commuter in race gear (name sticker on bike in proper euro style with initials of GM) was taking crazy risks weaving in and out and hitting the side of cars to get them out of his way.
IMHO that is a bit much. People are trying to get to work it isn't war...if you want to race do it in a proper forum - namely a bike race where those participating have consented to the risks.
I really don't believe in exposing other road users to additional risks to beat someone in a race that is really a bit of a fiction.

Imho aggressively hitting cars to get out of the way is the cycling equivalent of rolling down your car window and shouting at someone to get in the bike lane ... which is an obstacle course on the path ...

ROK ON

petethedrummer wrote: »

What I do to someone who has busted a gut to pass is hang back about 20 yards and hold the distance. The guy will glance back every now and then to see if you're still there. Don't let him drop his pace until he cracks, then pass with your mouth closed to indicate you haven't made any effort.

I also make a poin of looking away from them as I pass. DOnt even acknowledge them. Its just like passing an obstacle on the road.

I am sad, very very sad.

petethedrummer

Charlie Stick wrote: »

I had one guy blast past me at the bottom of a hill only for him to get off half way up and walk the rest of the way. He decidedly refused to catch my eye as I passed.

It's moments like these that make all the hard work in training seem worthwhile.

petethedrummer

ROK ON wrote: »

I am sad, very very sad.

A win is a win. however small.

blorg

ROK ON wrote: »

I also make a poin of looking away from them as I pass. DOnt even acknowledge them. Its just like passing an obstacle on the road.

You are doing it wrong

kenmc

gearoid_healy wrote: »

http://www.itsnotarace.org/

That's clearly bollox. It is a race - to the showers and the space on the end of the bike rack on the end where you won't have POBs scratching your beloved steed.

Raam

I take it as a personal insult if someone tries to pass me on my commute, unless I'm on a "go slow day" which is every day these days since I'm on a training plan. So I have to grin and bear it when Mr High Vis grinds his way past with his rusty chain and gaa shorts (sexy!). Discipline is key as it's always tempting to blast past. I've discovered that there is actually a pleasure in dropping people even when riding in zone 1... mind you, they probably don't give a fiddlers and aren't actually trying to keep up anyway.

ednwireland

petethedrummer wrote: »

then pass with your mouth closed to indicate you haven't made any effort.

classic sign of epo use i'm afraid !

If there's plenty of room I prefer the classic 'Increase speed and overtake them while not pedalling' routine.

Raam

Dónal wrote: »

If there's plenty of room I prefer the classic 'Increase speed and overtake them while not pedalling' routine.

One foot pedaling is the next step after that

blorg

To be honest the ones that really annoy me are the guys OBVIOUSLY slower than me that overtake me at the lights and sit in front of me... As a general rule I don't do this to anyone, no matter what they look like. I will move over to sit beside another cyclist if I reckon they don't really have a hope, but I still won't plonk myself in front of them, that is just rude.

Vélo

This morning I passed my second commuter in a year. It's not that I'm slow it's just nobody seems to commute my way. It's very rare I get to see anyone.

Malari

I have a nice light bike and a really short commute and on days like yesterday, when I forgot my rain-jacket, I zipp along with one eye on that big black, heavy cloud above me chanting "don't rain for 5 minutes, don't rain for 5 minutes" under my breath.

I passed one of these knees-out, high vis types on an rusty mountain bike, but he pulled up right next to me at the next junction and said "hi, do you have the time?" All red-faced and trying not to pant.

I mean, it's all very well being overtaken by a lycra-clad chap on a "racer" but a girl?! Well, it's simply not cricket!

uberpixie

blorg wrote: »

To be honest the ones that really annoy me are the guys OBVIOUSLY slower than me that overtake me at the lights and sit in front of me... As a general rule I don't do this to anyone, no matter what they look like. I will move over to sit beside another cyclist if I reckon they don't really have a hope, but I still won't plonk myself in front of them, that is just rude.

+1 really hate the ones that insist on breaking the lights in a really stupid manner or like to cycle up the left hand side of a bus/HGV like they are in a huge rush, yet peddle like grannies.

I stop at the traffic lights or merge with traffic for a while and I still end up hugging their wheel after 3 mins from the lights and I am not even cycling flat out :mad:.

Whats the point in taking huge stupid risks if you are still peddling so slowly my granny would pass them out if she was on the ground dragging herself home by her eyelids!

Stopping at the lights and peddle a tiny bit faster and you would make exactly the same time without trying to kill yourself at every set of lights :mad:.

Lumen

Remember: you lose points for bitching at the rule-breakers unless you're wearing a green jersey and your opponent is English.

If you do succumb to the temptation to moan, you must then ride to the front and complete your commute in a solo breakaway, demonstrating your all-round superiority to the spectating pedestrians.

Canis Lupus

If I get passed on my commute I'll break my balls to either A: Pass the offender out and leave him for dead or B: Get on his wheel and make bloody sure I don't look like I'm knackered when he looks behind.

Once and once only I had a very definite race with a bloke. He was better than me and tried his hardest to drop me and I hung in there dying till the last minute before my turn off. Was great fun as are all commuter races.

It makes going to and from work fun even if it is extremely childish

Malari

I actually find racing the cars more fun. They do everything in their power to get past you, then get stuck and the lights and it breaks their hearts to see you float by them and straight to the top of the queue.

Liamo08

I've actually had a few pretty funny "training races" in the last few weeks. I was on my way back into town from Howth a couple of weeks ago and going along at about 28km/h, next thing I hear something behind me so I assumed it was someone out training as well and was expecting them to come up beside me or just go straight past me but the guy just sat on my wheel for about 3km I obviously increased the speed a bit and he still stayed there. So eventually I pulled out and made him come through at which point he tried to up the pace and drop me, I of course responded by putting it into the big ring we hammered it back to Fairview when I had to stop at ligths. He came past breaking the ligths and I of course looked serene even though my pulse was over 180 BPM at the time.

Also had a guy on a MTB attack me on the hill at the back of the Phoenix park on Monday night after I overtook him, I took great pleasure in sitting on his wheel till he cracked and I headed on.

kenmc

Malari wrote: »

I have a nice light bike and a really short commute and on days like yesterday, when I forgot my rain-jacket, I zipp along with one eye on that big black, heavy cloud above me chanting "don't rain for 5 minutes, don't rain for 5 minutes" under my breath.

I passed one of these knees-out, high vis types on an rusty mountain bike, but he pulled up right next to me at the next junction and said "hi, do you have the time?" All red-faced and trying not to pant.

I mean, it's all very well being overtaken by a lycra-clad chap on a "racer" but a girl?! Well, it's simply not cricket!

Presumably your answer was "It's time to get a better bike"?

Malari

kenmc wrote: »

Presumably your answer was "It's time to get a better bike"?

Wasn't that cruel. Gave him the time, then said "time to go" as the lights changed.

These guys that sit on your wheel, ever challenge them? I was out one weekend a few months back and passed a triathlete, who was obviously setting up his HR monitor or something. He was creeping. I passed and said hi. Next thing he's on my wheel. Y'know just in case I thought he couldn't go faster. After a minute I just turned round and said "nice and sheltered there is it?"

Peterx

barrabus wrote: »

A few weeks ago a commuter in race gear (name sticker on bike in proper euro style with initials of GM) was taking crazy risk weaving in and out hitting the side of cars to get them out his way. .

I'm pretty sure that could be a lad I know, the most chilled out individual until he gets his arse up on a saddle and then he turns into this raging car hating maniac, it's funny and sometimes embarrassing to be near him.

I commute nice and slow these days, I think when I stop racing I'll probably go back to commuting like a loon but for now going fast is for when I've a number pinned on...

ROK ON

Some evenings heading out of town via the canal, I have come across TT Man.
Full gear, TT Bike, in the aero position on the TTbars all the way down the canal.
Big bloody rucksack on his back.

Charlie Stick

ROK ON wrote: »

Some evenings heading out of town via the canal, I have come across TT Man.
Full gear, TT Bike, in the aero position on the TTbars all the way down the canal.
Big bloody rucksack on his back.

Saw a guy in civvies recently on a banged-up-but-still-cool Quintana Roo, balancing something big wrapped in a black plastic bag on the aero bars. Looked like a LCD TV.

BostonB

Charlie Stick wrote: »

...
I consider it a success if I can get home without feeling the need to vomit so I have neither the inclination nor the fitness to be on the attack every time someone passes me.

Or is it just me?? :rolleyes:

I'm in a similar situation though the vomit phase passed last year. I found concentrating on a more consistent but slower pace worked best.

The thing that annoys me about these "commuter racers" they take off, or pass you like a rocket, usually break the lights. 3 or 4 mins later, usually you catch them and they've slowed right down and break your rhythm until you pass them. Then they do it again. Usually by jumping you at the lights. I tend to drop a gear to keep my pedaling rhythm the same.

blorg

Charlie Stick wrote: »

Saw a guy in civvies recently on a banged-up-but-still-cool Quintana Roo, balancing something big wrapped in a black plastic bag on the aero bars. Looked like a LCD TV.

Makes a lot of sense, I often balance large stuff on the bars on my road bike if that is what I have with me, not a lot of other places you could put an LCD TV on a TT bike in fairness. Aero bars actually make it a lot easier compared to a straight road bike.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

Makes a lot of sense, I often balance large stuff on the bars on my road bike if that is what I have with me, not a lot of other places you could put an LCD TV on a TT bike in fairness. Aero bars actually make it a lot easier compared to a straight road bike.

I've carried a pair of Zondas home and also the frame of a bike into town while cycling. Ya get some weird looks!

DirkVoodoo

I like to race people, nothing personal it's just good practice when you see someone in the distance and use them as a pace setter.

I was sitting at the lights on the UCD flyover once, waiting to turn onto the N11 southbound when a guy on a very nice steel colnago cycled past. He looked like he knew what he was at, not the usual wobbly commuter who takes offence when you try and let them know you are passing on their right, so I decided to have a go.

I decided when I got to the lights outside the Radisson hotel I would go after him and try and beat him before he got to the booterstown avenue junction.

It makes an otherwise dull commute all the more entertaining, especially in summer when the traffic is moving too fast to show off my smugness as I breeze past at rush hour.

It's the little victories you have to take...

Charlie Stick

blorg wrote: »

Makes a lot of sense, I often balance large stuff on the bars on my road bike if that is what I have with me, not a lot of other places you could put an LCD TV on a TT bike in fairness. Aero bars actually make it a lot easier compared to a straight road bike.

Still, it did look like he'd recently "commandeered" both the Quintana & TV.

silvo

blorg wrote: »

To be honest the ones that really annoy me are the guys that overtake me at the lights and sit in front of me...

This happens to me EVERY day. Although, I take it as a challenge to get quicker off the mark than them when the lights turn green and push them out of the way.

It really grinds my gears (well my non-existent gears when I get the new bike set up - I'll show them...)

blorg

Charlie Stick wrote: »

Still, it did look like he'd recently "commandeered" both the Quintana & TV.

Ah right, I'm normally carrying a big sack of laundry on the bars so probably doesn't look so suspicious... The big LCD monitors thus far I have employed one of my bikes with a rear carrier.

BostonB

blorg wrote: »

... The big LCD monitors thus far I have employed one of my bikes with a rear carrier.

Sounds very like Pimp My Ride.

Must look out for a Triumph 20 with about 20 LCD monitors on it.

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

Makes a lot of sense, I often balance large stuff on the bars on my road bike if that is what I have with me, not a lot of other places you could put an LCD TV on a TT bike in fairness. Aero bars actually make it a lot easier compared to a straight road bike.

Garmin 705 HD?

barrabus

Peterx wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that could be a lad I know, the most chilled out individual until he gets his arse up on a saddle and then he turns into this raging car hating maniac, it's funny and sometimes embarrassing to be near him.

I commute nice and slow these days, I think when I stop racing I'll probably go back to commuting like a loon but for now going fast is for when I've a number pinned on...

i think he was in school ahead of me.
harolds cross bridge?
visual media sort?

blorg

Popped to the shops with the aero bars there for the first time, they make it seriously easy to carry stuff on the bars, sort of like a wicker basket but more euro.

kennyb3

did my 1st commute yesterday a nice 40k round trip. manage to pass 3 commuters on way in and one on way home. non that exactly looked anywhere near club standard admittedly

kenmc

blorg wrote: »

Popped to the shops with the aero bars there for the first time, they make it seriously easy to carry stuff on the bars, sort of like a wicker basket but more euro.

Hmm, aerobars on a fixie, wait till the couriers see that, all the cool kids in school will want one!

Chips Lovell

Racing commuters is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Racing commuters is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Ah come on....................... it's much easier than that

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

Ah come on....................... it's much easier than that

You're right. There's no honour or sport in it.

AstraMonti

blorg wrote: »

Popped to the shops with the aero bars there for the first time, they make it seriously easy to carry stuff on the bars, sort of like a wicker basket but more euro.

Haha this epic, fixie with aero bars, brooks saddle and grocery bag

petethedrummer

el tonto wrote: »

You're right. There's no honour or sport in it.

Depends on your machinery:

Race Report:
I had my first proper commuter race with a middle-eastern gentleman this morning. Neither of us was pretending not to race. I over took him after Fairview on the flat but got blocked by a mountain biker. His better line let him over take me on the incline on the North Strand Road. A wrong gear choice or a case of the bonk let me re-take him at the summit. I was duly crowned King of the Mountains (in my head).

I was on the high nelly carrying a spare wheel for the road bike. He had a rubbish hybrid. Can't wait for round two.

Harrybelafonte

blorg wrote: »

Popped to the shops with the aero bars there for the first time, they make it seriously easy to carry stuff on the bars, sort of like a wicker basket but more euro.

Roy Fox's eh? Posh

Anybody who's heard "My Civic killed an Aston Martin at the lights" knows it's only a race if the other person could be bothered? If that makes sense.

I do find that pick someone in the distance and try and catch them technique great, Setanta-style

blorg

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Roy Fox's eh? Posh

Great fruit and veg and a hell of a lot cheaper than the supermarkets too...