Todays Scalp

[addictfreak]

Well im often out and about on the bike(s), and without sounding big headed its not often I just passed by another cyclist its usually me doing the passing. I never claim them as scalps because they not racing me.

Today however after work I decided to do two laps around a coastal route I use, 23 miles. Just as I started the second lap i caught sight of a cyclist about 150 metres ahead. Ah I think, a target to chase down. So I catch him, and exchange nods. At the next set of lights we stop and exchange a few words and the lights change so off he goes in front of me. Within about 100m I pass him again, (he is riding a very nice cervelo). He tucks in behind, no worries if he is going the same way may be he will take a turn at the front (its quite windy in places). NO CHANCE he sits behind for 3 miles despite me flicking my elbow. Now Im not really to bothered about doing the work, after all I had set out on my own and was wanting a good work out.
Anyway after the 3 miles I think sod it, and on a short incline I just put in a little extra effort and drop him. Very satisfying

 

[gb155]

<br />Well im often out and about on the bike(s), and without sounding big headed its not often I just passed by another cyclist its usually me doing the passing. I never claim them as scalps because they not racing me.<br />
<br />
Today however after work I decided to do two laps around a coastal route I use, 23 miles. Just as I started the second lap i caught sight of a cyclist about 150 metres ahead. Ah I think, a target to chase down. So I catch him, and exchange nods. At the next set of lights we stop and exchange a few words and the lights change so off he goes in front of me. Within about 100m I pass him again, (he is riding a very nice cervelo). He tucks in behind, no worries if he is going the same way may be he will take a turn at the front (its quite windy in places). NO CHANCE he sits behind for 3 miles despite me flicking my elbow. Now Im not really to bothered about doing the work, after all I had set out on my own and was wanting a good work out.<br />
Anyway after the 3 miles I think sod it, and on a short incline I just put in a little extra effort and drop him. Very satisfying <img src='http://www.cyclechat.net/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

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Sounds just like the guy on a madone who grabbed my wheel for 4 miles to avoid the head wind

 

[Garz]

I caught site of a guy not long ago in the distance one ride, I made the mistake of putting in the effort - descending at break neck speeds to catch him on the sharp immediate uphill section and my momentum keeps me ahead. Realising that as my gear selection wasn't as crisp as it could have been and the extra effort from the rider not wanting to be beaten he puts in a herculean effort to stay on my wheel.

A mile of incline later hearing his heavy breathing right behind, I managed to shake him on the next descent where I get my HR under control and ending up waiting at least a minute when the next set of lights came up. He exchanged words and he looked glad we weren't going the same direction. It does add a bit of excitement (albeit with pain) during a solo run.

 

[steve52]

i have a question? is it wrong to grab a wheel of a better ,fitter cyclist and try to hold it for a bit? maybe he couldent take a turn on the frount ? i do both ill share the load if im able and if not i hang on till im dribbling stringy shoe laces and my legs stop working,

 

[deggers]

Im newish to road cycling and must admit I dont fully understand the etiquette involved when following someone. often come up behind someone doing similar speeds and I'd like to pass but worried they'll think I'm a show off etc-so tend to sit behind them-guess I should take my turn in front?. whats the form?

 

[Garz]

Sitting behind is fine but when the guy in front gives you a gesture (as he's probably wanting a hand or a welcome rest) then try and take the pace. If you cant then at least let the poor guy know your going to blow out otherwise he will assume your just sucking his wheel which can seem rather un-sportsmanlike. There is a time and a place of course and it probably wouldn't annoy me most of the time.

On one sportive I caught up a guy (not long after a feed stop) and followed his wheel for a few kilometres no more than say two miles, a tiny bit of wind and some light rain. He flicked his elbow so gladly took over and done my share. However after about 8 miles and a few flick of elbows later, I got annoyed and decided I would give it a 'spartacus' and managed to create a mere 50m gap for a while before I eventually forgot about it.

It's not worth falling out with a stranger over it but is certainly comical later on when you reminisce.

 

[GrasB]

Im newish to road cycling and must admit I dont fully understand the etiquette involved when following someone. often come up behind someone doing similar speeds and I'd like to pass but worried they'll think I'm a show off etc-so tend to sit behind them-guess I should take my turn in front?. whats the form?

Generally if asked even if it's for a few 100m try to take the lead, this is often enough for the lead rider just to recuperate so the pace can be maintained. If you're just holding on to the wheel & it's a real problem taking the lead a call of 'spent' is usually enough to give the other rider the idea you're really struggling.

 

[BSRU]

Im newish to road cycling and must admit I dont fully understand the etiquette involved when following someone. often come up behind someone doing similar speeds and I'd like to pass but worried they'll think I'm a show off etc-so tend to sit behind them-guess I should take my turn in front?. whats the form?

You should also remember being behind someone so close puts you in more danger than being on your own, as your view of the road ahead is obscured and if you touch wheels the person in front will stay upright but the person behind is probably going down.

 

[adds21]

You should also remember being behind someone so close puts you in more danger than being on your own, as your view of the road ahead is obscured and if you touch wheels the person in front will stay upright but the person behind is probably going down.

An acquaintance of mine had a nasty crash on the Bristol/Bath cycle track by doing this. Had to be rescused by the Avon Valley steam train because the paramedics couldn't land the helicopter near enough (they were worried about back injury). Thankfully, although he suffered broken bones elsewhere, his back injury wasn't serious.

Edit: Link

 

[titch124]

one of the last times i was out i caught up with a guy, both going into a really strong headwind , i thought ill take the lead , carried on for a few miles, till i got tired, then he shot of and left me, bloody chaming.....

 

[MLC]

I get a little edgy when anyone drafts me I don't know out on the open public road. It's not that I hate it or get wound up I just get a little nervy. They may well be more skilled than me or they may not but I wouldn't know either way, so I tend to drop off the pace a bit to let them overtake. Likewise I will never draft someone I don't know either. I play this by ear of course and on Sportives/organised rides/races etc you tend to end up behind riders of the same ability and then you can get in a very informal chain gang to pull each other along but this is very different to riding on the open road.

I will admit that I did latch on the back onto a group of riders once after stopping at lights to get me up to speed but then I dropped back.

I regulalrly ride in a group and will take a pull at the front even if it is only for 30 seconds or so if I am struggling. I would feel guilty if I didn't.

Just after my return after my very minor op I went out with my usual group but really struggled. At the end of the ride when we all went our separate ways I Limped home. I had someone wheel suck me whilst riding into a stiff headwind. I was able to maintain an OK 15-16mph pace on the flat but as soon as the road went up by 0.05% I huffed, puffed and really, really struggled. As this guy wheel sucked me for a while I hoped he would recognise that as my pace had dropped considerably on the uphill he would notice I was struggling and would give me a little pull up the hill as a thank you. No such luck he had his rest and went round me at a rate of knots. Cheers! so Titch 124 I sympathise.

EDIT: If I do have someone draft me I will always point out potholes and other hazards. If I was drafting someone I would be aware that they may not point of the hazards and I would be prepared to offer a pull especially if they flick their elbow.

 

[deggers]

Generally if asked even if it's for a few 100m try to take the lead, this is often enough for the lead rider just to recuperate so the pace can be maintained. If you're just holding on to the wheel & it's a real problem taking the lead a call of 'spent' is usually enough to give the other rider the idea you're really struggling.

thanks for the tips chaps. will try to do my bit in future!. Guess thats why i've been cycling along behind my mate thinking 'this is a piece of p*ss!'-oops. no wonder he stopped asking me!

 

[chewy]

I 'scalp' a work colleague most mornings at ten to six, but then he is usually halfway through a cigarette by then ;-)