The somewhat unwritten laws of cycling...

[Blodwyn Pig]

You'll have a head wind on the way out. And again on the way back.

^^^ This.  Commonly referred to as 'an  againsterly'

[eckagain]

Don't The Rules say that there's no such thing as a tailwind. It's either a headwind. or you're going well. 

[freeflow]

No matter how much research you do. The oh so desirius n+1 becomes available the day you ride n for the first time.

[Paul H]

The more unusual the colour you choose for a respray, the more likely is is to be the commonest the following year.

[L CC]

No matter how much research you do. The oh so desirius n+1 becomes available the day you ride n for the first time.

Also true for Garmins and power pedals, IM recent E

[Mr Larrington]

Climbing is earning, descending is spending. Wind is income tax.

Have you ever considered becoming a The Chancellor of the Exchequer?

 

[Lightning Phil]

If you see a cyclist ahead up a hill you’ll most likely speed up and try and catch and pass them just before the top.  You’ll then think of some reason to stop or turn off before they can pass again. In your head you’ve won a race. Your heart rate tells the truth.

[T42]

Climbing is earning, descending is spending. Wind is income tax.

Have you ever considered becoming a The Chancellor of the Exchequer?

 

If only I knew how.

[imajez]

Anywhere with the word 'down' in its name is, in fact, up.

Downdinner Hill Whitby.

[imajez]

Have you ever considered becoming a The Chancellor of the Exchequer?
 

If only I knew how.

Ignorance of subject has never been a barrier to important Government positions.*


*[wishes I was joking]

[McWheels]

In fear of pursuit
I press on into the wind
Quietly weeping

[Andrew Br]

Expanding on a theme already started up thread: all long rides are 20km too far*.


*A respectful nod to Tail End Charlie for espousing this particular wisdom to me on one of the audaxes that we rode together.

[Blodwyn Pig]

If you see a cyclist ahead up a hill you’ll most likely speed up and try and catch them...

Then, just as you catch them, they turn off, or stop, and you think sh*t!

[Lightning Phil]

Your current favourite bike will be cast aside and gather dust when you buy your new favourite bike.

[T42]

Your current favourite bike will be cast aside and gather dust when you buy your new favourite bike.

Alas yes. My old warhorse reposes on the turbo these days, and the odd spider has found the front wheel and the bottle cages.

[Lightning Phil]

People hate getting overtaken on hills by someone they consider to be too old, unsuitably dressed, looks less fit than they consider themselves to be, on a bike they think should be slower etc etc.

[Hot Flatus]

Just make sure to smile and say hello as you pass, then everything will be ok.

[Peter]

People hate getting overtaken on hills by someone they consider to be too old, unsuitably dressed, looks less fit than they consider themselves to be, on a bike they think should be slower etc etc.

Phil, do you KNOW this, or are you just hoping?!

[Lightning Phil]

People hate getting overtaken on hills by someone they consider to be too old, unsuitably dressed, looks less fit than they consider themselves to be, on a bike they think should be slower etc etc.

Phil, do you KNOW this, or are you just hoping?!

If my experience of overtaking riders uphill when on my Brompton or Recumbent is anything to go by I KNOW this.  I had to listen to some verbal diarrhoea this week when, on my recumbent, I overtook a roadie on a 11% hill. Something about overtaking them on that THING, how was it possible etc. Luckily didn’t have to listen long as I pulled away.

When you are on an unconventional bike you get to hear a lot of preconceptions.  People see the bike and not the rider when making judgements on relative performance.

[Peter]

I'm sorry if that's a regular occurrence.  But if it is, take heart that you regularly pass people!  It's true, however, that some people say the oddest things.  I was once passed in The Lakes by some bloke rehearsing for the Fred Whitton suffer-fest.  He was on a carbo-frame and I was on a hire-bike and he said, as he passed, "I wish I had your gears" which was pleasant enough but I had to resist the temptation to retort, "I wish I was your age, instead of 40 years older," which would have been the politer alternative to "You've just passed me, you don't need my ******* gears!"  But I still think it's better for my peace of mind and general enjoyment not to rise to it!

All the best.

Peter

[quixoticgeek]

Slogging up the Cauberg in bottom gear and wondering if I should just give up and walk, Oma and Opa pass me. In my head I swear loudly. Then as they start to pull away I notice the tell tale battery packs on the rear rack. Phew.

J

[Mr Larrington]

People hate getting overtaken on hills by someone they consider to be too old, unsuitably dressed, looks less fit than they consider themselves to be, on a bike they think should be slower etc etc.

Phil, do you KNOW this, or are you just hoping?!

If my experience of overtaking riders uphill when on my Brompton or Recumbent is anything to go by I KNOW this.  I had to listen to some verbal diarrhoea this week when, on my recumbent, I overtook a roadie on a 11% hill. Something about overtaking them on that THING, how was it possible etc. Luckily didn’t have to listen long as I pulled away.

When you are on an unconventional bike you get to hear a lot of preconceptions.  People see the bike and not the rider when making judgements on relative performance.

The really galling thing is making fine progress on the flat on your laid-back machine before falling away as soon the road finds a Cotswold or Down to go up.  And then watching the equally laid-back Tigerrr otp overtaking swarms of uprights on the ascent, as happened to me and Von Broad on the Marlborough Connection.  The git.

[Adam]

People hate getting overtaken on hills by someone they consider to be too old, unsuitably dressed, looks less fit than they consider themselves to be, on a bike they think should be slower etc etc.

Phil, do you KNOW this, or are you just hoping?!

If my experience of overtaking riders uphill when on my Brompton or Recumbent is anything to go by I KNOW this.  I had to listen to some verbal diarrhoea this week when, on my recumbent, I overtook a roadie on a 11% hill. Something about overtaking them on that THING, how was it possible etc. Luckily didn’t have to listen long as I pulled away.

When you are on an unconventional bike you get to hear a lot of preconceptions.  People see the bike and not the rider when making judgements on relative performance.

Very true.  5 years ago I climbed Mont Ventoux on my modified Bickerton (conventional bars + Brompton wheels & 8 speed SA hub).  I overtook quite a few carbon bikes with puffing riders who muttered a few things.   Some did then (slowly) overtake me, just to make a point. 

[Redlight]

Very true.  5 years ago I climbed Mont Ventoux on my modified Bickerton (conventional bars + Brompton wheels & 8 speed SA hub).  I overtook quite a few carbon bikes with puffing riders who muttered a few things.   Some did then (slowly) overtake me, just to make a point.

In my fitter days, I rode the Etape du Tour (Gap - Alpe D'Huez) on my Audax bike -  complete with steel frame, mudguards and a rear rack as I had cycled to the start with panniers -  and took great pleasure in climbing, albeit slowly, past pipe cleaner-thin continentals walking their featherweight bling machines up the Col D'Izoard and the Alpe itself 

[perpetual dan]

Anywhere with the word 'down' in its name is, in fact, up.

While places called “Mount Pleasant” are generally a bit tatty and on a small rise.

Also, I only seem to notice them while cycling.