Comments on: Fellow Cyclists – Stranger or Friend?

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:49:57 +0000

I’ve been overtaken recently a couple of times by more grey haired cyclists only to catch them up later, then overtake, then notice the big battery and the larger than normal hub. There are people taking electric bikes up some pretty big hills the type of which would have me scared the battery will fail leaving me with a 30kg bike and a big hill.

I always nod or smile at someone going the other way, say hello if they’re going the same way, have been known to join others and talk a while. People are generally friendly around here.

By: jonty pritchard

jonty pritchard — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:29:21 +0000

at my age i talk to everybody and anybody (ON A BIKE ) because there just like me and you they are out there trying to get fit and enjoy riding i stay away from the elite riders though jonty

By: jonty pritchard

jonty pritchard — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:21:24 +0000

i used to love being a grimpeur in my youth all of my 7or 8 stone of me taking on the challenge and invariably feeling good that you had just ridden up a 1in 3 or i in 4 gradient most of my massed start racing was in the hills so it was second nature to ride them i was young i was very fit and very enthusiastic buxton and derbyshire were my favourite courses but i loved riding the macclesfield to leek hilly time trial they used to hold the event in november early 1960s very cold usually snowed it was fun though !!! i was wondering does anybody still ride over the brickworks i still ride !!! but i’m in my 70s now cya jonty merry xmas

By: D.

D. — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:51:14 +0000

I’m just starting commuting by bike. One week and counting. I’m in Bristol and we have a *lot* of cyclists here – but I don’t say hello or wave to anyone at the moment, because I’m so out of puff I don’t have the energy. First day I cycled, mind, I spoke to a bloke at the traffic lights and said it was twenty years since I’d cycled, and he laughed, congratulated me and said welcome back (which was very encouraging).

@Labann – my car is an old VW Beetle, and all aircooled VW drivers *do* wave at each other!

By: Tacky

Tacky — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:35:55 +0000

Being Caught by a Cyclist
e)When seeing the shadow of a fellow cyclist behind you: most importantly don’t look around, start ramping up the pace and hope that you drop them before blowing a lung!

By: tejvan

tejvan — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:00:59 +0000

thanks Wheezer sounds like a good way to start a club

By: Wheezer2

Wheezer2 — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:19:29 +0000

My club Welwyn Wheezers CC, are originally 6 soloists that pulled alongside for some ‘banter’ whilst out on the roads. We are now all good mates and regularly get kitted up for a ‘living the dream’ ride around the countryside, 50-60 miles of mini-racing and chatting………….miles better!!!!

By: Labann

Labann — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:55:29 +0000

Wrote a blog entry a while back about this very thing…
http://web.mac.com/labann/Bike_%26_Chain/Blog/Entries/2011/5/26_Brusque_Ingrained.html

I ask, though, do motorist wave courteously to each other? Practically never. Sometimes I wave at cyclists, but only to encourage apparent newcomers. The guy with 50 plastic bags draped over his bars? Well, no, nor the skinsuit scorcher down in the drops.

By: tejvan

tejvan — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 07:12:02 +0000

Thanks for comment

‘but get to any sort of hill and I am cannon fodder to a six year old on a tricycle.’ – nice way with words

By: Jonomc

Jonomc — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:58:10 +0000

Loved this post! A there is a lot of me in what you have written.

The other issue I have is I can seem to bomb along on the flat with proficient riders – but get to any sort of hill and I am cannon fodder to a six year old on a tricycle.

I hate hills, but I loved this post!