Overtaking

[Xiorell]

Basically I always feel bad somehow overtaking other cyclists.

On the way home tonight for example there was a guy on a MTB up ahead, older chap but not crawling along, anyway I was travelling faster, wanted to get home to get my dog out and didn't really wanna hang around behind him, so I passed him, no cars about, gave lots of room etc.
But I always feel as if I am breaking some unwritten code or something. I think this applies more to the commuting/leisure aspect, as I wouldn't feel dodgy if I was all lyrca-clad and training or whatever.



Am I just being daft or does anyone else feel a bit... "mean", overtaking other cyclists?

 

[Glow worm]

Am I just being daft or does anyone else feel a bit... "mean", overtaking other cyclists?

As a slow cyclist, being over taken doesn't bother me one bit to be honest. I'm more than happy pootling along and letting the rest of the world race about as if their arse is on fire. Just give plenty of room, or if it's say on a narrow cycle path, a ring of the bell or shout before passing can help so as not to startle.

 

[ianrauk]

doesn't bother me in the slightest just as much as it doesn't bother me if I am over taken...(much)

 

[corshamjim]

I do know what you mean, although I only very rarely cycle fast enough to overtake other cyclists.

I always say a cheerful 'hello' as I go past. I do think it's rude to overtake a fellow cyclist without even acknowledging their existence (except the ones riding at night without lights - it's important for them to understand that they are invisible - even though they usually aren't - or at least the ones I've seen haven't been).

 

[gaz]

If i couldn't overtake other cyclists i would never get home!
I'm rarely overtaken but through out the commuting day i probably pass 100 cyclists.

 

[Adasta]

You can't know everything about the person you're overtaking. It's possible that s/he has cycled 50 miles and that you pass them on the last leg of their journey, when they're tired. For all you know, s/he could destroy.

A fact of life, in a very fundamental sense.

 

[Xiorell]

You can't know everything about the person you're overtaking. It's possible that s/he has cycled 50 miles and that you pass them on the last leg of their journey, when they're tired. For all you know, s/he could destroy.

A fact of life, in a very fundamental sense.

Oh this is not at all about "slow people piss me off" or anything like that, people should go whatever speed they are happy with, it's just about me feeling somehow like I've broken the rules when I do pass another cyclist lol

 

[RedRider]

Daft, but I know what you mean.

Here in London there's so many cyclists going all sorts of speeds on different missions you just get on your own pace most of the time. You wouldn't have a heart though if you didn't get a pang sometime when overtaking.

 

[John90]

I don't ever aim to scalp other cyclists but I ride at a pace that I like - that keeps me fit - and it means that I overtake some and get overtaken by others. I'm usually on a MTB and it isn't like I'm overtaking many lycras on road bikes (or anyone else come to that).

I know what you mean about feeling uncomfortable when overtaking, but what really gets my goat is when I overtake someone who feels affronted and then tries to retake the lead immediately on my inside. Happened twice last week, forcing me out towards the incoming traffic and resulting in a stupid game of 'chicken' to see who would slow down first (which I did of course). Some people just get very macho about it I guess and saving face takes precedence over safety.

I'm too old for those games and one of the reasons I prefer a MTB for commuting, apart from it providing more of a workout, is that being on a road bike is like being a gunslinger - someone will always want to take you on.

I haven't thought about saying hello to anyone I overtake. I suppose it might be seen as adding insult to injury if they are the undertaking sort. Nobody has ever said anything to me when overtaking. I'm not bothered by cyclists going past me, but I will admit to a slight feeling of 'damn he's fitter than me' when I get dusted by another MTB.

 

[slowmotion]

Daft, but I know what you mean.

Here in London there's so many cyclists going all sorts of speeds on different missions you just get on your own pace most of the time. You wouldn't have a heart though if you didn't get a pang sometime when overtaking.

That's exactly how I see it. I know I'm a slow cyclist compared to loads and loads of people. On the rare occasions when I do pass someone, I feel a bit of a fraud because they might think I'm trying to appear fast. Silly really. I don't give a monkeys if I get passed, so why should they?

 

[Jan Ullrich]

I sometimes say a hello to my fellow two wheeled enthusiast

 

[ClichéGuevara]

How do some of you racers feel when someone like me on a short commute on an old MTB tucks up behind (but not too close) you to get a pull and up my pace for my little bit of their longer ride?

I try not to do it if i can avoid it because I feel it's a bit ill-mannered plus I'd find a stranger 'stalking' me unsettling as I wouldn't know their riding habits/ability, but every now and again it's a challenge to test my pace. It tends to be when I catch someone at the lights and I'd noted their pace on the approach was near my upper limit.

 

[Andy_R]

IF ( and that's a big IF) I ever get to the point when I'm going to overtake someone, I like to pull alongside and start a conversation if possible. How's it going, where've you been, how far have you gone, etc. I always like to lie about where I'm going "just a bimble after work for a couple of miles" so if they pull away from me then that's cool, and if they can't then at least they think I'm at least at the same level of fitness as them (often I'm not!) or just really fresh after just doing a couple of miles. Hopefully that way no-one gets silly testosterone bike stupidity!

 

[slowmotion]

Social interactions between cyclists on the open road and on busy urban commutes are chalk and cheese. Most urban commuters in London exist in a bubble as regards strangers.

 

[al-fresco]

Social interactions between cyclists on the open road and on busy urban commutes are chalk and cheese. Most urban commuters in London exist in a bubble as regards strangers.

As you'll know if you've ever had to ask for directions!