How to politely say F* off?

[taffy]

I was riding my regular 25 miles at the "picnic loop" at our local park. It's a 1.25 mile loop that is pretty traffic free which is why I ride there.  I'm not comfortable around cars or  a lot of other bikers. I was riding along at around 22.0 pace with about 8 miles to go when this guy asks if he can get in behind me. What I wanted to say was no, go away and let me ride without worrying about anything but suicide squirrels. What I said was. Ummm, I'm not a great rider ....and kept riding.  I honestly thought he got the hint and didn't get behind me. I kept glancing back but didnt see him. So I finished my ride and hammered the last 5 miles. I was going around 24.8 (i only kept that for about .5 miles!!!) when I finished and sat up out of my aeros to turn into the parking lot when I hear whoa, whoa and see the guy come up on my right I had to seriously swerve to avoid him. I had no idea he was back there.  He kept riding and I stopped in a common area where this other rider pretty much said what a jerk that guy was and he would never ride that close to someone. 

2 questions....what should I have said and why ride that close?

(also I put how fast I was going purely because I'm proud ....it's faster than I've ever averaged before and I'm excited.....also I couldn't walk the next because I  hurt so bad.  )

[texassmith]

Tough situation. In theory I'd like to think I'd say something like "no, I'd prefer if you didn't draft off me." In reality I have no clue what I would have said. As an aside, I'll never have this problem as I piddle around Picnic Loop going 14mph on my hybrid, lol.

[joenali]

My question is that you ride around 25 ish times? I think you need to find a better place to ride. That would drive me bonkers. It also seems from your description that is a heavy use path, which at the speeds you are going could be dangerous. I say find a new place.

[sadlebred]

Separate issue....I always say that "Sorry, I prefer to not have anyone draft off of me. I am not comfortable with it." and leave it at that. In reality, I'm fine with it except for squirrely riders.

[taffy]

It's a big path.....I've gone around riders riding 3 across. It isn't an issue unless its a turn. It's usually pretty empty ...on a regular ride I'll see 7-8 other riders. I try to avoid weekends when there are more riders. Oh and don't get me wrong......I get passed by faster riders. It's a popular cycling loop. Like I said, traffic scares me. This is Houston and there are not a lot of options.
And yes, riding a loop 20 times is boring....but safer than having a beer can thrown at me which happened while riding George Bush State Park which is open to traffic.  

[texassmith]

Honestly, I'm irritated on taffy's behalf at these responses. The unsolicited, rude advice about riding in a different place is so aggravating.

[taffy]

Jun 13, 2013 21:19:09 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Tough situation. In theory I'd like to think I'd say something like "no, I'd prefer if you didn't draft off me." In reality I have no clue what I would have said. As an aside, I'll never have this problem as I piddle around Picnic Loop going 14mph on my hybrid, lol.

That's what dh said I should have said.  "I'm not comfortable with you drafting". That or "ok, but I had Mexican food last night. FYI"

[gumi]

Jun 13, 2013 21:37:46 GMT -5 taffy said:

It's a big path.....I've gone around riders riding 3 across. It isn't an issue unless its a turn. It's usually pretty empty ...on a regular ride I'll see 7-8 other riders. I try to avoid weekends when there are more riders. Oh and don't get me wrong......I get passed by faster riders. It's a popular cycling loop. Like I said, traffic scares me. This is Houston and there are not a lot of options.
And yes, riding a loop 20 times is boring....but safer than having a beer can thrown at me which happened while riding George Bush State Park which is open to traffic.  

That's the best riding option?!!  No bike lanes?  Is there at least places to run??

I would be pissed if someone drafted off me while I was in aero position.  It's reckless to do that.  And, I am like you, I dont feel comfortable with someone drafting off me unless I know their skill level.  I would have moved over and let him pass me.  

Odd that he asked - normally they don't -- next time just say no.  Tell him you are doing intervals and will be quickly speeding up and slowing down.

[foundmylazybum]

You should have said "No, I don't feel comfortable with anyone riding that close to me, but I appreciate you asking, thanks."


You can't assume anyone would get "the message" that you were trying to put across by saying "um I'm not a great rider." That says...nothing really.


He was riding close b/c you didn't tell him clearly what you wanted.

[trigal]

When that happens, I do one of three things...
1. Try to drop him.
2. Sit up and let him go by because he wants to go faster.
3. Insist on sharing the work.

Which one i do depends on my mood and the type of ride I'm doing.

[shauni27]

Jun 13, 2013 23:24:08 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

You should have said "No, I don't feel comfortable with anyone riding that close to me, but I appreciate you asking, thanks."

I think this is really well said.  I would say exactly that.  Though I think the likelihood of that happening again is slim.

Also, congrats on your speediness!  Nice work!

[katinthehat]

Jun 13, 2013 21:59:36 GMT -5 gumi said:

Jun 13, 2013 21:37:46 GMT -5 taffy said:

It's a big path.....I've gone around riders riding 3 across. It isn't an issue unless its a turn. It's usually pretty empty ...on a regular ride I'll see 7-8 other riders. I try to avoid weekends when there are more riders. Oh and don't get me wrong......I get passed by faster riders. It's a popular cycling loop. Like I said, traffic scares me. This is Houston and there are not a lot of options.
And yes, riding a loop 20 times is boring....but safer than having a beer can thrown at me which happened while riding George Bush State Park which is open to traffic.  

That's the best riding option?!!  No bike lanes?  Is there at least places to run??

I would be pissed if someone drafted off me while I was in aero position.  It's reckless to do that.  And, I am like you, I dont feel comfortable with someone drafting off me unless I know their skill level.  I would have moved over and let him pass me.  

Odd that he asked - normally they don't -- next time just say no.  Tell him you are doing intervals and will be quickly speeding up and slowing down.

It's the best in town riding option, if you want to focus on speed and not worrying about jerkoff drivers.  There are very few bike lanes and they are on very busy roads, designed for commuters.  And they are shared lanes, not dedicated lanes.  There are tons more running options in town, but not suitable for doing a proper bike workout on them.

taffy  I've started up a group of women and we ride out in the country every other Saturday, anywhere from 9 to 27 miles (it's a 9 mile loop.)  I also rode out there twice this week with friends.  I'm always up for a bike partner and it's a drive, but it's well worth it to get the heck off of picnic loop (because if I'm not out in Hockley or on the trainer, I'm down there too.)

[joenali]

Jun 14, 2013 8:26:30 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

Jun 13, 2013 21:59:36 GMT -5 gumi said:

That's the best riding option?!!  No bike lanes?  Is there at least places to run??

I would be pissed if someone drafted off me while I was in aero position.  It's reckless to do that.  And, I am like you, I dont feel comfortable with someone drafting off me unless I know their skill level.  I would have moved over and let him pass me.  

Odd that he asked - normally they don't -- next time just say no.  Tell him you are doing intervals and will be quickly speeding up and slowing down.

It's the best in town riding option, if you want to focus on speed and not worrying about jerkoff drivers.  There are very few bike lanes and they are on very busy roads, designed for commuters.  And they are shared lanes, not dedicated lanes.  There are tons more running options in town, but not suitable for doing a proper bike workout on them.

taffy  I've started up a group of women and we ride out in the country every other Saturday, anywhere from 9 to 27 miles (it's a 9 mile loop.)  I also rode out there twice this week with friends.  I'm always up for a bike partner and it's a drive, but it's well worth it to get the heck off of picnic loop (because if I'm not out in Hockley or on the trainer, I'm down there too.)

That's too bad that there aren't more options. Time for your women's group to start advocating for some bike love in the city! Seriously!

I feel pretty lucky where I live. It's for the most part very bike friendly. While I don't like riding in the city proper, there a so many places to ride trails and roads that a for the most part safe. But we also have a lot of bike advocacy here.

[katinthehat]

houston has some amazing run/walk/pedestrian advocacy groups. Unfortunately (well, that might not be the right word) most of the inner loop/inner city riders on either of the cruiser mind set that are safe riders to share paths/sidewalks with or of the idiot single speed let's ride with traffic like we're riding in a crit mindset.

There are three groups that do 25-30 ish miles mid week inner city rides, but they all average well about 20+mph so not for the new/average cyclist.

But yeah, good urban area for running and walking. Not so good urban area for fitness cycling.

[taffy]

Kat that sounds great....weekends are difficult because I rarely have them off. Also dh does his long rides but please keep me in mind and let me know!!

[texassmith]

Jun 14, 2013 9:58:48 GMT -5 taffy said:

Kat that sounds great....weekends are difficult because I rarely have them off. Also dh does his long rides but please keep me in mind and let me know!!

taffy, If you PM me your email address I think I can invite you to our FB group without us actually being FB friends. Not sure on that though.

[finallykrisb]

Texassmith, I couldn't figure out how to make that happen.

[texassmith]

Jun 14, 2013 11:04:32 GMT -5 finallykrisb said:

Texassmith, I couldn't figure out how to make that happen.

She's in now

[katinthehat]

taffy the girls are in school this summer T, W, R, so I'm often open for mid week rides as well. runclt and I did 28.5 up there on Thursday.

[taffy]

Yay, I'm in on the FB page, would love to join in on a ride. I only have a tri bike though (I know some groups don't like that)

[texassmith]

Jun 14, 2013 16:50:20 GMT -5 taffy said:

Yay, I'm in on the FB page, would love to join in on a ride. I only have a tri bike though (I know some groups don't like that)

We don't care. runclt rides a tri bike and I ride her trusty hybrid. All levels of riders and we still manage to mostly stay together and have fun