Scalping

[ohsoslow]

Scalping , is there any etiquette ? . Do some scalps not count , are some scalps worth double .

I always get " scalped " at the same place on my way home from work , I stop at the lights at the bottom of a hill and as soon as the lights change the other cyclist comes hurtling down the hill and whooosh straight past while I'm still trying to clip in , now surely that CAN'T count .

And last night I passed some one going uphill , now that's got to be worth double .

 

[John the Monkey]

The canonical guide[1] is on the site explaining the Food Chain Number, as explained here.

In that system, passing at lights doesn't count.

[1] Or the one I use, innit.

 

[ChrisKH]

As with a real scalping, it only counts if the other person actually has hair.

Baldies can't be 'scalped' as they are sex Gods that can do no wrong.

 

[John the Monkey]

...but I think I'm going to switch to Chris KH's system, as it seems far more rational.

 

[zacklaws]

Cannot see what the facination with "scalping" is, its not as if you have said to someone one "fancy a race". When you "scalp" someone do you ever consider that the other cyclist/s may have a reason to be going slower than yourself? They may have done a long ride and may be just going slow to unwind, may be just pedalling slow enough to keep their heart rate in the fat burning zone, may be just slowly warming up for a ride or just loitering, waiting for someone. Many reasons why someone may be going slow.

Never heard the term used with motorist's when they overtake anyone?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...but I think I'm going to switch to Chris KH's system, as it seems far more rational.

Me too - can't fault the logic!

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Cannot see what the facination with "scalping" is, its not as if you have said to someone one "fancy a race". When you "scalp" someone do you ever consider that the other cyclist/s may have a reason to be going slower than yourself? They may have done a long ride and may be just going slow to unwind, may be just pedalling slow enough to keep their heart rate in the fat burning zone, may be just slowly warming up for a ride or just loitering, waiting for someone. Many reasons why someone may be going slow.

Never heard the term used with motorist's when they overtake anyone?

... you always getting scalped then, huh?

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

As with a real scalping, it only counts if the other person actually has hair.

Baldies can't be 'scalped' as they are sex Gods that can do no wrong.

+1

 

[John the Monkey]

When you "scalp" someone do you ever consider that the other cyclist/s may have a reason to be going slower than yourself? They may have done a long ride and may be just going slow to unwind, may be just pedalling slow enough to keep their heart rate in the fat burning zone, may be just slowly warming up for a ride or just loitering, waiting for someone. Many reasons why someone may be going slow.

I feel terrible now.

I'm going to change my naughty scalping ways.

 

[jimboalee]

I was 'scalped' ( as you call it ) the other day.

Some guy on a MTB tore past me.

I thought "W****r".

 

[John the Monkey]

I was 'scalped' ( as you call it ) the other day.

Some guy on a MTB tore past me.

I thought "W****r".

To turn around Zack's comments, I think it's entirely possible that people aren't trying to scalp others. If I'm having a good day, and want to push myself a bit (not often lately) I overtake slower riders where it's safe, no conscious scalping intended.

 

[Hont]

I'm with Zacklaws.

I caught I guy up on a hill not so long ago. Feeling good about myself I slow down and have a chat, only to find that he's about 20 years older than me and it turns out he's doing 80+ miles compared to my quick 2 hours.

Chastened I was.

 

[garrilla]

OK, so there appears to be no ettiquete about scalping.


Is there an ettiquette of 'hanging back' ?

 

[ohsoslow]

Hang back and prepared to be scalped .

 

[jimboalee]

OK, so there appears to be no ettiquete about scalping.


Is there an ettiquette of 'hanging back' ?

Why should there be?

Both of you are trying to get to where you want to go.
One of you will be the faster rider. If it is you, overtake.

The guy on the MTB chased me down all the way through Warwick. Why would a guy puffing and panting on an MTB wearing council overalls think he should catch and overtake a guy on an aluminium sports bike wearing proper cycling kit and a Garmin Edge on his handlebars?