The Red Mist: the never ending battle to control the competitive urge

the competitive spirit dwells in all riders to some degree, even on a mundane commute the urge to pass another cyclist drives the meekest of us to unleash our inner Cannibal... "the red mist"...I confess to having an uncontrollable red mist, my ride will be marred if I am passed by someone on my commute and will make me seek redemption...or even just to wheelsuck for a while to annoy them, coz I am damn sure it annoys me...and then there's "the passhole™", the jerk who passes you just to slow down once the pass is made.
And Strava is just like red mist heroin..."oh I'll just try and improve my time, just move up that leaderboard...JUST ONE MORE...ONE MORE!

this is normal, right?

Number on your back? No? Meaningless.

Number on your back? No? Meaningless.

Ineresting idea for "speed dating".

normal.

all can be experienced in richmond park during one lap.

Don't forget that the pensioner who overtakes you with consummate ease is probably riding an electric bike.

Bike Radar >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't forget that the pensioner who overtakes you with consummate ease is probably riding an electric bike.

Not being a big head but I ride fast, rarely get overtaken. About once a month I would get dropped and left for dead on a slight uphill on the way home, Ruckholt Road in Leyton. This guy would drop me, he had calves like burnished walnut and was around mid sixties. He knew exactly what he was doing, he did to me what I usually do with others, nary a glance, zero acknowledgement, steam past, the geriatric bastard.

Least favourite thread. Nerging all nodder pros.