Being overtaken

[Dogtrousers]

I have more of a problem with overtaking people. Being overtaken happens all the time, and is not a problem - it's normal. There are a lot of quick riders out there.

But on the rare occasion when I see a rider up ahead, and I'm going a bit faster, it really bugs me. I have to make sure I put in extra effort to get it over with, and maintain that extra effort for a few km. I don't know why, but I do. Or else I turn off and re navigate.

 

[Mile195]

Don't worry about it. You get passed by the people that are faster than you. But bear in mind, anyone who you are faster than, you will never see because they will never catch you up, so it will always FEEL like you're the only one being passed.

And quite honestly, I find that if someone passes me it's usually because I've taken my eyes off the ball and slowed down a bit without realising. It's excellent motivation to start pushing and get my speed back up to where I feel it ought to be on a given stretch of road. Sometimes it even turns into a bit of a friendly race... I like that because it not only gets me working harder but it gets me home quicker too!

 

[Scoosh]

Speed will increase with time and miles under your wheels. Just keep enjoying your riding and enjoy the time when you get the jump on someone !

All of these - and, if (when) you do find yourself whooping and cheering as you overtake your first ever - be kind and DON'T tell them WHY ... or else tell them*, then encourage them* and say* it won't be long before they achieve the same level of supreme fitness you have just managed to achieve !


*if there is any 'spare air' left to talk ...

 

[RoubaixCube]

I overtake folks on boris bikes all the time. Though I got overtaken by a guy on big fat tyres on an MTB who was just bombing it past me on some flats.

My legs were pretty shot though and i was coming to the end of a long week. last mondays commute was particular grueling for me as I was already/still knackered from cycling the previous 4 days, 10-13mile commute to work thurs-saturday, 30-35mile Sunday london ride and work monday. I cycled yesterday too on my day off when i said i would rest but I only went out for a 4-5mile pootle around town so it wasnt so bad.

Sheer persistence & being mentally motivated is the key. Dont think about it as a race, Just think about getting to your destination.

"Maximum effort..." - is what deadpool would say (what an awesome movie )

 

[Milkfloat]

When overtaking I prefer a nonchalant 'good morning' whilst trying to hide the fact I am internally dying from the effort.

 

[Jody]

I keep getting overtaken on the road, and I am well aware that most of these people will be seasoned cyclists compared to me, a beginner, but still, I mean I thought I was putting in quite a bit of effort and had a decent pace. I regularly get overtaken on the road by other cyclists, and I've yet to be the person speeding past another cyclist..

Just go at your own pace. It doesn't matter one jot as long as you are out there cycling. When I started back in the saddle 2+ years ago I was walking up quite a few hills but now I can ride up most, even some over 20+%. To echo what others have said, the plus side was just being out doing more than those watching TV, gaming, drinking etc

 

[Racing roadkill]

I am the slowest cyclist on CC. So everyone overtakes me........but I'm happy on my bike.

Clearly not 'one of the best' though.

 

[Racing roadkill]

a nonchalant 'good morning'.
.

This will get you 'orbited', on a mission or not.

 

[123456789]

I remember one day having a real tussle with another cyclist. I caught up OK but it was quite an effort getting there I stayed behind them a while but when they dropped their teddy I knew it was my chance. I went past like a flash, good job too the noise of those spokey dokeys and them stupid tassels at the end of their grips was starting to wind me up.

 

[potsy]

I am the slowest cyclist on CC. So everyone overtakes me........but I'm happy on my bike.

I have it on good authority that you're only one of the slowest

 

[raleighnut]

Getting overtaken doesn't bother me. What bothers me is if someone comes past, then sits in front and goes slower than I was (a wheel sucker who suddenly realises what a difference 30 odd percent draft makes). If I get one of those, I have to 'orbit' them for a while, then sail away from them once I'm bored. If someone is genuinely on a mission, and they want to get past and clear off, fair play.

I used to get this a lot, my way of 'dealing' with them was to then 'wheelsuck' em to the top of the incline whilst getting my breath back/resting then when it flattens out shoot past with a cheery "Thanks for the tow" as I go past. BTW this used to happen a lot first thing in the morning when I was on my way home after a 12hr night shift with an 8-9 mile commute either end of it, also if someone went by and continued to pull off I wouldn't kill myself trying to catch em up.

 

[mjr]

I regularly get overtaken on the road by other cyclists, and I've yet to be the person speeding past another cyclist. Has anyone else experienced this and has it put you off?

I regularly get overtaken on the road by other cyclists but after 30+ years, I have sometimes been the person nipping (speeding would be overstating it) past another cyclist. Funniest is when I can crank a London hire bike up enough to get past some hipster on a squirrely underbraked narrow-tyre bike who has to take it cautious over a potholed street. I believe it's sometimes known as "cat 6 racing" and is very very silly.

Being overtaken again and again and again doesn't put me off. It would be kind of boring if we all cycled along in a fixed line like those dull motorists, wouldn't it?

 

[mjr]

It's excellent motivation to start pushing and get my speed back up to where I feel it ought to be on a given stretch of road.

Really? I often think "naff off, I'm enjoying riding at this speed" and watch them drift into the distance. Sometimes if I'm in a rare rush, I might kick to get alongside, ask if I may draft for a while and if so, sit behind them, brakes covered and ready to steer to one side if they mess up. I think I've done that once in the last two years - I find it pretty exhausting watching the bike in front that closely.

 

[mjr]

the noise of those spokey dokeys

You just reminded me that I've still got some of those ready for a group ride this spring... but do I put them on my bike or sneak them onto someone else's?

 

[Racing roadkill]

I used to get this a lot, my way of 'dealing' with them was to then 'wheelsuck' em to the top of the incline whilst getting my breath back/resting then when it flattens out shoot past with a cheery "Thanks for the tow" as I go past. BTW this used to happen a lot first thing in the morning when I was on my way home after a 12hr night shift with an 8-9 mile commute either end of it, also if someone went by and continued to pull off I wouldn't kill myself trying to catch em up.

There must be something about the post 12 hr night shift commute. It nearly always happens on my way home at 6:00 am. Very strange that