Single speed psychological manipulation

[Sven]

Has anyone else experience this lately or ever?
I'll give you an example of what I am trying to convey.

A while back, before COVID, I was following ( on my coaster brake , '55 Schwinn Corvette) a gentleman , dressed in his [ power ranger ] cycling clothes on a nice looking Trek multi - gear bike. We were both traveling south on the Three Notch Trail. He was about 100 or so yards ahead of me and going a pretty decent speed. For some reason, I had in my mind to try to catch up to him. Don't know why.
Well I kept my eye on my target and started rolling, pedalling faster and faster. As I was closing in, I believe he sensed that someone was approaching. He is shifting gears and pedaling faster. So I pedal even faster.
I did eventually catch up and got beside him and started a conversation. He kept looking at and studying my rattish Schwinn Then he asked in a confused tone " Is that a single speed?" After confirming it was, that seemed to have psyched him out so much that he just started to slow down. And then I said" Well I gotta go, enjoy the rest of your ride. " and pedaled a little faster and pulled away. I haven't seen him on the trail since.

I don't know if I had a good cadence and or rhythm pedalling along with a built up endurance, or he just didn't know how to utilize his gears wisely. But it was fun.

Since then I may have done this twice to unsuspecting riders.

I understand that now there are new riders on the trail because of the COVID bike boom. So my victim pickings are few and far between now LOL

 

[Mr. Monkeyarms]

I like to do that with people/roadies that act like jerks on bike paths. Bike paths aren't a good place to train to be the next "Lance". That's what roads are for. It's good to be humbled when you think your farts smell like roses.

 

[AndyA]

Nuthin' wrong with riding a high-tech road bike if that's what you like. But don't confuse style with exercise. If you want exercise, try getting up on the pegs and pumping a 40-pound coaster-brake cruiser up a hill.

 

[tripple3]

Yes. @Sven it's a ton-O'-Fun

Nice thread Title too!

 

[BFGforme]

Love blasting past the rudies with a beer in my hand and a smoke in my mouth!! Nothing like the looks on there face....

 

[1motime]

HA! Inhale, pass them and exhale... Makes them think

 

[Miq]

I’ve definitely seen this same thing here on the canal rides I do. The multi gear roadies are not happy about my ND coaster rat keeping up or catching them. Big head winds seem to be a big equalizer too. Once they have to down shift into the 2:1 ratio gearing I’m stuck with, they are f’ed. My legs are used to pumping 800 times a second but they’re not.

I‘m not the fastest lightweight on the path by any means, but I‘m not the slowest even with one hill climbing gear. It’s not always the bike that’s important, it’s the rider. Riding everyday is way more important than who’s logo is on their spandex, regardless of the bike.

Im happy lots of people are exercising, no matter how fit they are. It’s just fun to show another way to be a fit biker with my sandals, 1941 tourist bars and mudguards. Ride on.

 

[BFGforme]

I’ve definitely seen this same thing here on the canal rides I do. The multi gear roadies are not happy about my ND coaster rat keeping up or catching them. Big head winds seem to be a big equalizer too. Once they have to down shift into the 2:1 ratio gearing I’m stuck with, they are f’ed. My legs are used to pumping 800 times a second but they’re not.

I‘m not the fastest lightweight on the path by any means, but I‘m not the slowest even with one hill climbing gear. It’s not always the bike that’s important, it’s the rider. Riding everyday is way more important than who’s logo is on their spandex, regardless of the bike.

Im happy lots of people are exercising, no matter how fit they are. It’s just fun to show another way to be a fit biker with my sandals, 1941 tourist bars and mudguards. Ride on.

Yup

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

Cory Foulk’s wild rides

Cory Foulk’s barefoot beach cruiser ride at Kona, his fixed gear Ironman 13 years later, and how hip resurfacing enabled him to reach 47 Ironmans, 21 Ultramans – and go for more.

www.slowtwitch.com

SurfaceHippy | Cory Foulk – Ironman and Ultraman, 12/21/05, Dr. Vijay Bose | Hip Resurfacing, BHR, Birmingham Hip, Ironman, Ultraman World, Cory Foulk, Hip surgery, arthritis, AVN, Marathon, OA, Total Hip Replacement, Running, Triathlon

On November 30, 2008 Cory Foulk finished his Lifetime 17th Ultraman, 5th since his hip resurfacing surgery on 12/21/05, holding strong to his title of 2nd most Ultraman finishes in the world and earning the title of 2nd in the world for his age group. See below for the details of an Ultraman...

www.hipresurfacingsite.com

Cory Foulk and The Cruiser Bike - Babbittville - Babbittville

Cory Foulk, who lives on the Big Island, takes us through the year he completed the Ironman on a 61-pound Schwinn Typhoon that he bought for $15.

babbittville.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfoulk

Finishing The Hawaii Ironman On A $15 Bike

Kona's Cory Foulk proves it's not about the bike.

www.triathlete.com

If you've never heard of Cory Foulk doing an IRONMAN in 1996 on an old heavy beach cruiser, you should read about it.
The links above have some information about it. You might find other older articles that cover that feat in greater detail.
I am surprised that no one has considered making a made-for- broadcast television movie about it or loosely based on the story.
It could make for a good family friendly two hour movie that could be done cost effectively, yet would probably get decent ratings
during the networks' sweeps period.

 

[fattyre]

You mean I’m not the only one who dose this? Thinks it’s awesome when you smoke someone on a 50 to 80 year old ballon bike??? Sounds like we all need the same tattoo!

Most fun for me is the agro bike path (Roadie look) rider who’s trying everything just to pass.

I’m just riding along doing my thing someone creeps up. They’re persistent. Then they make their move... They proceed to be stupid in front you. Can’t hold the pace, pick terrible lines, jack the brakes or get shady at intersections thinking that’s gonna be we’re they put a gap on you. Is a good show for a minute

Just wish I had real brakes sometimes. Maybe on the next build.