Why do some cyclists feel the need to try and give it the big I am, passive aggressive "morning" etc.Then a way too close pass?

Well when I went out for a quick blast this morning no one past me or sucked my wheels. So before you lot say it. Yes I am a smug bastard !

Out in Surrey you get loads of riders out on the weekend. I always say "good morning" to people when I go past them, it strikes me as rather rude to ignore them if you ask me.

I am of course entirely ambivalent as to whether they respond in kind, though the vast majority do so in good cheer.

You would probably find a more receptive audience complaining about cyclists on a motoring forum.

http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/torque/index.php might be a good start.

yeah I think you're reading too much into it. I know that I've sometimes surprised people by passing and saying 'morning', the problem is you can't hear bikes coming, so they might not have known you were there. What I consider a friendly encounter might be interpreted as 'passive aggressive guy trying to show off' - in fact nothing could be further from the truth.

This may be amplified if the speed differential is greater and it appears like I'm 'flying past' trying to prove a point. I'm really not and there's a strong chance you might catch me when the road turns uphill anyway

Most people I meet riding are in good humour and rightly so - exercise gives endorphins which makes you feel good!

Perhaps you were having a bad day?!

Who are these "other riders" you speak of? I hardly ever meet anyone else riding! It would be lovely to be wheelsucked/overtaken/waved at in a friendly manor a little more often!

Did you note whether or not all these wheelsuckers etc were wearing helmets ?

Although there's no excuse for sitting on a wheel without asking - Rule 19, as Colin said - maybe he thought he was helping, giving something back after having taken a tow from you. You just never know what's going on.

I was out recently with a chap from our club who is seriously good - like, aiming to get on a pro-team level of good.

He was telling me he'd been out training, just warming up before doing a series of one minute maximum effort intervals.

He'd been aware of someone on his wheel, which he didn't mind - it's in a dedicated cycle park, not an open road, so it isn't unusual. But just as he was about to start his intervals the guy started coming around him to do a turn on the front. Before he could get there Matt just burns away.

So we were thinking there's some poor guy who's probably telling his mates he was just trying to do a turn but this touchy bloke got so offended at being overtaken he sprinted past.

The problem I have with wheelsuckers is that I'm not a practiced team rider; I'm just a commuter and I'm not comfortable with someone sitting inches off my wheel using me as a windbreak. I don't want to have to worry about what will happen if I have to brake suddenly or swerve and some strange roadie is RIGHT behind me.

Sounds to me the attitude of the people you meet on your ride are not your largest issues... hey, just me maybe - although you'll probably call me 'poppet' too, beats the stigma of talking to 'em or telling someone you're a bit knackered eh ?

I like how light hearted subjects quickly turn into serious debates.
The OP vented a little steam and we all dowsed him with extinguishers thinking it might have been an inferno.

He's probably over on Bike Radar now, posting about how some nobhead couldn't take being passed and turned himself inside out to get back in front.

You have got some issues. If you can't go for a bike ride without hating everyone around you go find a different hobby.

Personally I never ride a wheel if I'm out on my own. You just don't know what you are dealing with and if you need a wheel you're not getting the best from your training.

I only look to overtake if I'm going faster and can sustain. Going 'big balls' for the overtake looks pretty stupid if 2 miles down the road they then overtake you again....though you'd be forgiven if the gradient changes.....some of us are puncheurs, some of us climbers. They road caters for both but not all the time.

The Rules cater for this anyway: Rule 19 covers it perfectly.

Stop moaning, you don't know how long the guy was there, he was probably gaining on you and then you slowed to stick your arms up shortening the gap.

It's totally normal to get close before overtaking, I give the 'morning' as I pass, or some other salutation just as I start passing, would you rather I shouted 'hold your line' instead? It's just son you know you're sharing the road with someone.

.....but if you can't or aren't going to pass, leave some braking space.

Cool story Bro.*

*as they say on IMDB when they don't believe you. Sure you've never sucked a bit of wheel yourself and never had any glee from an overtake?

wheelsuckers annoy me too

Almost hit one in the face when i didn't realise he was there and i stretched my arms backwards, think it gave him a little shock and he backed off lol

Why do people think its acceptable to ride up behind someone and sit inches away from their rear tyre??

Do it in a car and its called tailgating and can cause an accident

Its just as dangerous on a bike imho especially if you have to avoid a pot hole or brake quickly for something in the road and the person sitting on your arse doesn't have time to react and goes into the back of you

Nothing wrong with being a miserable git

I go out on my road bike to get away from people and have some peace and quiet, the last thing i want is to have complete strangers try and talk to me or every person i pass saying hello and taking offence when i don't say hello back