Following on from the 'Competitive Commuting' thread, sometimes you can get embroiled unintentionally, such as happened to me this morning.
I was just about to start the climb up to and then through the Innocent Tunnel when a chap went past me, closely followed by a girl. He was Claud Butlered, multi-geared, cycling shorts (I think), big calves and helmet; she looked serious - hub-geared nice audaxy style bike, in bib-longs, shades and helmet. Seems I'd acted as a hare, though probably not much of a capture given I was bare-headed, with a sort-of-Bermuda-shirt on under my half done up cycling jacket and 3/4 troos.
Anyway. I thought they were together, but she said something jovial to him as she carried on past him as well. The chap had slowed dramatically as we headed uphill. Having gears lets you change down - me, I found myself trundling on his tail wondering at what point it would be polite to re-pass him. The way he was weaving occasionally he obviously thought I'd been left behind. Half way through the tunnel I eased by, knowing I usually put the hammer down at the top to ease out the gradient. He was wheezing by this point.
I should say at this point that I didn't go any faster than my usual pace, I was riding my own ride by now and simply in the mood for that and no more. I was gradually picking up the girl in front, then got helped by lights that took all three together. We all headed into the Meadows, me in the middle of an overtaker-sandwich. Again, I have to say I was NOT racing - I know this because I was going more slowly than normal through here. Pondering overtaking, but thinking that might make we look like some sort of competitive twerp. Instead she kept looking back and seeing me, having already moved to the right to go past a slower rider I'd seen ahead, she making the move much later. Thankfully she turned off just before Tollcross, and I think he did as well, so I was able to speed up (and get every green light through Tollcross and down Lothian Road!).
I'll bet I still looked like a competitive twerp to them. But if you're going to go past me make sure you can maintain it! I caught and held you going slower than my usual pace!
posts
