Passing etiquette
Last Thursday evening I caught up with a cyclist heading north along Seaview Rd out of Henley Beach. He was going slightly slower than I wanted, so after sitting on his wheel for a short time I passed him.
About 500m later I turned right onto Granges Rd. He had been sitting on my wheel, and proceeded to give me a mouthful 'what's the point, why not just sit on my wheel instead of passing'. He got a bit upset about it.
So I'm wondering if I did the wrong thing? I would have stayed on his wheel if it had only been 100m or so, I thought 500m was enough not to have to slow to his speed?
If I did the wrong thing apologies to whoever you are…
Please let me know what you think.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt "Boz" on -
It reminds me of one of my first big solo rides - was heading along the coast towards Glenelg from Brighton, and came across a group of 8 of so riding two abreast with an old man on the rear giving directions to the group.
I hang back a few metres wondering if I should ask to join in as I had never done a group ride or pace line riding - but seeing the group was only doing about 20 kmph, and was very disorganised with riders moving off and on the paceline on the inside, middle and outside. So when the the road was clear of traffic in both directions, I yelled out overtaking, and then went pretty much down the centre of the road to give them plenty or room - and got abused by some of them as I went past.
I Shrugged it off as figured they hadn;t heard me yelling out and proceeded further up the road - where a few minutes later a massive removalist truck was blocking the road both ways trying to a U turn - so not knowing much about hand signals at the time, and knowing I was a long way ahead of the group now - and how could miss this massive truck, I slowed slowly to a stop. A minute later the group was on top of me, and two of them starting abusing and swearing at me saying the old lines like you need a drivers license to drive on the road, and I was the reason bike riders needed to get a license before been allowed on the road - I was could believe it - I just replied God gave you eyes and common sense - why don;t you use it - which didn't go down well, and got plenty more abuse back. The truck cleared out of the way, so I took off, but two of the riders from the group kept overtaking me, then pulling in front of me and slowing down - I couldn't believe it! Eventually the old guy from the group told them to quit it and I left them to whatever they were trying to achieve.
Sure left me in shock that road rage existed between cyclists - and felt sad for the novices in this group that where been taught group skills and etiquette by these muppets.
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Permalink Reply by Brendan Clover on -
There is a trick that old timer track riders will tell you is perfect for dealing with morons like them. It involves riding very close beside them and as your knee comes up on the peddle stroke, it hits the drop of their handlebars.
Lets just say they would have learnt their lesson once they have dusted themselves off.
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Permalink Reply by colin ware-lane on -
@ brendan and its a really stupid idea to even think about trying it,i will take it you meant it as a joke because i dont want to believe a fellow rider would purposely knock someone off the there bike and risk them being seriously injured and themself just to score bragging rights.
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Permalink Reply by Brendan Clover on
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Of course Colin. Tongue was firmly planted in cheek as I typed it.
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Permalink Reply by Shav Bird on -
Omg are u serious? They are morons. u had every right to pass and u did so with room to spare. I don't understand how people get on their high horse when u were in your right to do as u did. I shake head at the elitist attitude these people displayed.
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Permalink Reply by Derek Hasel on -
I guess to be the 'Devil's Advocate', if he was going slower than you then presumably you would have come up behind him. Why not overtake then. I would think that unless you know another rider, don't sit on their wheel. And if you do sit on their wheel and get a nice rest and then overtake them , please don't then slow down. I would probably have said something too. Politely , of course !
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Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on -
You did nothing wrong mate! OMG if I abused everyone who passed me, I wouldn't have a cycling friend in the world!
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Permalink Reply by Darren Bosanko on -
WTF! You can get abused for overtaking now? How the hell do you get anywhere? Don't worry about it. I pass whole pace lines (the faster they are going or the heavier the head wind the more satisfying) on the TT bike.
I would, however, not recommend sitting on the wheel of the back of a group unless you know them. You can get the same benefits (if that's what you're after) sitting several meters off the back.
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
Maybe he needs his medication reviewed?
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Permalink Reply by Greg Graham on
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If that is the biggest thing in life that troubles him, he is a very fortunate man.
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