Scalping....

[Peter Armstrong]

Does anyone else feel bad about scalping? When I go out on my bike, I’m usually trying to go as fast as I can for whatever distance I’m doing, so when I see another cyclist in the distance and catch them up what do you do?
I ask because most times they are just plodding along not putting any effort in enjoying it, and I’m tear arsing it about. I feel like I’m going “ look at meee, im faster” so I slow down and sit a little back, or pass slowly, them speed up once iv passed them further down.
I past a group of plus 30 riders at weekend, looked like a fun ride of some sort, they all had Hi-Vis on and a mix of MTB and Road bikes, they was spread over half a mile or so, I felt so bad passing them all. I said Hi to a few and good morning, but is this worse?

 

[black'n'yellow]

the worst thing of all is that you refer to it as scalping - as though you have scored some kind of victory...

 

[Peter Armstrong]

the worst thing of all is that you refer to it as scalping - as though you have scored some kind of victory...

Why does the word "Scalping" mean victory?

 

[Berties]

As long as you are polite and courteous it should not bother any one , I am slower down hills than some and was scalped last week and then scalped him going up the next hill, and if I have just ridden 50 miles and you have done 5 then you are more than welcome to join me or bomb past , it's all a bit of pride provado,I always acknowledge other riders ,remember we ate all at different stages of our cycling story

 

[Ethan]

I don't think anyone gives it much thought. Before my serious road cycling days I got scalped by roadies all day long, the only thing that popped into my head was 'fair play to him - He's going for it'.
Since getting a road bike and becoming far, far quicker I still get scalped from time to time, still find my self thinking 'fair play to him - He's going for it'.

I've never felt bad about passing someone, I'm sure most people don't give much of a damn if you pass them. And those who do, we'll perhaps they should spend less time worrying about why they are being passed and more time enjoying their ride.
We all ride for different reasons, some people enjoy a 10 mile potter around, some people enjoy a 100 miler, some enjoy a 50 miler at high speed. Hell, some folk even seem to enjoy making their bikes jump off ramps and things! I genuinely don't see why someone who got their satisfaction for pottering around at 10mph would be bothered at all if you scalped them!

I do slow down for people but that's generally to avoid surprising them and giving my self time to slow down should they swerve into my path.
Not preteens on their bmx/mountain bike with a card in the spokes though, I sprint past them because I am reliably informed that its 'SO COOOOOOL!'

 

[black'n'yellow]

Why does the word "Scalping" mean victory?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalping

 

[BSRU]

Why does the word "Scalping" mean victory?

You can only "scalp" a cyclist with same or lower FCN, anyone else is just an overtake. A scalp is only really meaningful if the other cyclist was also giving it some beans as well.

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I supose I dont feel bad, I just dont want them to think im being a dick, and if theres a "correct way to Pass" or is it, if you gonna pass, make sure it sticks?

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I stand corrected, I mean a "overtake" then

 

[Rob3rt]

Concentrate on what you are doing, not what they are doing (other than to the degree which is required for safety reasons) and blow past at whatever pace you are doing!

 

[black'n'yellow]

Concentrate on what you are doing, not what they are doing (other than to the degree which is required for safety reasons) and blow past at whatever pace you are doing!

preferably giving them some kind of acknowledgement or greeting as you ride past....

 

[DRHysted]

I always like to call out a cheery good morning, afternoon, evening (whichever is appropriate). Always ensuring I've taken enougth breath for it not to sound forced, as if I ride this pace every day without problems!

 

[Peter Armstrong]

I should stop spitting water at them and shouting, Move!

 

[Lee_M]

I always say hi as I go past, and must admit I get a bit put out that those passing me dont do the same.

It's not hard to be polite, and it also lets people know you are there.

There's nothing worse than someone rushing past really close without any sort of warning

 

[Peter Armstrong]

Ive had one guy just stare at me when Ive passed and said hello, WTF?