So, what would you do? What HAVE you done or said in this sort of situation? I just want to know some good simple phrases to say. I think. But if you want to know why I ask, read on...
I love taking solo rides during the day. But the last two solo rides, I found some guy dogging me. The first time wasn't a big deal: he was obviously a commuter (on a mtn bike), and I was riding in the a.m. It was more annoying than anything because he kept catching up to me, then I dropped him on the hills, and it was clear he was enjoying "beating past me"--whatever. I wasn't going to out-pace myself just to keep him behind me, and our paths split after just a mile or so anyhow.
Last Sunday, I found another guy dogging me. He was far far more trouble because he didn't just pass me (so I could drop him on the hills), he stayed with me when he could and tried to talk me up. [I mean, he was killing himself trying to keep up--I thought he'd have a coronary.] Well, he was on a hybrid (meaning, he couldn't keep up with me), and I was on an endurance ride, and the last thing I wanted was to deal with this dude. He actually asked me point blank what my ride plan was, how far I was planning to go, and what my final destination was. I mean, come on!
argh! That's the sort of thing you ask when you're on a stretching break by a bench or a water fountain, not while you're biking, right next to me (crowding me as a matter of fact) in the most hazardous way.
So once I shook him, I just went on my own way. Then, I caught up with, but could not pass, two guys on road bikes. Well, that's no wonder--I'm just not that strong or fast. But they went just fast enough for me not to pass, but not fast enough, you know? I ended up taking a walking break for about 20 yards to get rid of them. Of course, in this case, you could say it was ME dogging THEM. But I didn't talk to these guys, and at the red lights, I respectfully stayed a length behind them.
I suppose guys deal with this too, but I thought I'd post this on the women's forum first...
Thanks!
I love taking solo rides during the day. But the last two solo rides, I found some guy dogging me. The first time wasn't a big deal: he was obviously a commuter (on a mtn bike), and I was riding in the a.m. It was more annoying than anything because he kept catching up to me, then I dropped him on the hills, and it was clear he was enjoying "beating past me"--whatever. I wasn't going to out-pace myself just to keep him behind me, and our paths split after just a mile or so anyhow.
Last Sunday, I found another guy dogging me. He was far far more trouble because he didn't just pass me (so I could drop him on the hills), he stayed with me when he could and tried to talk me up. [I mean, he was killing himself trying to keep up--I thought he'd have a coronary.] Well, he was on a hybrid (meaning, he couldn't keep up with me), and I was on an endurance ride, and the last thing I wanted was to deal with this dude. He actually asked me point blank what my ride plan was, how far I was planning to go, and what my final destination was. I mean, come on!
argh! That's the sort of thing you ask when you're on a stretching break by a bench or a water fountain, not while you're biking, right next to me (crowding me as a matter of fact) in the most hazardous way.
So once I shook him, I just went on my own way. Then, I caught up with, but could not pass, two guys on road bikes. Well, that's no wonder--I'm just not that strong or fast. But they went just fast enough for me not to pass, but not fast enough, you know? I ended up taking a walking break for about 20 yards to get rid of them. Of course, in this case, you could say it was ME dogging THEM. But I didn't talk to these guys, and at the red lights, I respectfully stayed a length behind them.
I suppose guys deal with this too, but I thought I'd post this on the women's forum first...
Thanks!