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Sandbaggers are the worst. Seem to be actually not that good at the start of the ride so you can turn the screw a bit and revel in your god-like riding abilities.
Then when you're feeling all smug and think you've got the measure of them they start keeping up with you. As the ride progresses they start chatting easily on the steepest climbs and waiting at the end of the severest gnarfest with a cheery smile and a 'well that was fun'
At the end of the ride when your legs are on fire and you are really suffering they suggest 'extending' the route because they are enjoying it so much
As you prepare to die they ask you if you're ok?
Not that this ever happens to me
As soon as you start off, ride absolutely as fast as you possibly can. really turn yourself inside out doing it.
Even when you're crying in pain, keep going.
This will impress him and show him that even if you are the slower rider, you have spunk.
Let him play, I'm sure he'll be fine. He's got a Lapierre not a Halfords special.
Normally speak before hand, outline your plans (if you want to stick to them say you don't really know much else up there but have researched these routes) They will involve carrying and some technical descents.
It's going to be a bit remote do you have enough spares - tubes, patches, mech hanger, mountain clothes?
I once got let down by my riding buddy for a Polaris winter event and had to find somebody at short notice. I think it might even have been through this forum that I linked up with a guy named Lloyd who was interested in taking the place. He turned out to be much younger and faster than me so I felt bad all weekend holding him up. Still, I think we managed a respectable placing, somewhere in the top 30% in our category.
Some of the best riding I've experienced in my life is because people better than me let me ride with them despite me being a shit rider and I'm always grateful they indulged me.
I'd go along with that ^^^ - and I'm always happy to ride with someone who isn't as "good" (it's all relative...) as me, too.
Even if the ride is slower than I would have been on my own so what? It's only riding pushbikes, after all, and sometimes the social aspect is as important as the riding.
If your just looking for a weekend's solo riding and don't want to be lugged with a Derek then just let him know
Was gonna say something - then I saw the above. WTF does [i]that[/i] mean?
Derek's an [i]insult[/i] now? Punch in the nose coming your way pal.
I've been riding bikes on and offroad for 35 years, and have no idea what forks I have, don't care either so long as they work!
surroundedbyhills - ...Pedro...
Do I know this bloke? If I do, you'll be fine. Not an amateur by any means. Didn't know he had a Lapierre though.... ❓
Hiya Ox - unfortunaltey for me it's not that Pedro! If only it were I'd be a happier camper.
Ok so I feel like I've done as much as I can, I showed the guy the OS map of the routes etc and gave him outline details of times and what I expect of the day. I've heard from the wider group that (this) Pedro is always keen sign up for stuff but then generally fails to show, so I'll just have to see what happens.
And for those who don't know the type of fork you have (which I used to illustrate the point, not to define the guy) fair enough but if you you give me ZERO other indicators that you know what you are talking about then I get concerned. I doubt those that I consider to be several skill notches above me would chose to take a hard tail into the type of country I heading for.
Could be worse, Dez, could be called Colin.
Or Joey.
Where's this Pedro from?
Do folk on here honestly seriously not know what fork they ride (make, travel, etc.)? I find that quite difficult to believe.
Yea but it's cool not to know, it's all about being cool.
is he on strava?
I'm going up two days early to ride and then be social
So, go up two days early, ride, if Pedro makes it, pretend you don't know him or ignore him completely. He'll never invite himself along with you again.
actual lol at DezB, not [i]at[/i] DezB though, I don't want a punch in the nose 😉
Do folk on here honestly seriously not know what fork they ride (make, travel, etc.)? I find that quite difficult to believe.
I have SIDS, that's as much as I know. I think they're 100mm. Model year, all the various internal combinations? No idea. I just set everything to the middle and ride them.
Ok! So Pedro now can't make. Stand easy, chaps!
Wonder if Pedro ever takes his Lapierre off some sweet jumps...
VOTE PEDRO!
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[/img]Well tbh it was a let off!
Not only did my epic day out, following the Ben Fadha route as posted up here titled [b]"Is this the best route in the UK"[/b], turn out to be a 4½hr bog fest with 45mins of top riding... Pedro turned up the next day on an entry level Lapierre with Suntour forks and no brand rims/hubs etc... First time we went off to look for a trail after 15mins of hike a bike he mumbled something about being self employed and not wanting to have an accident so we turned round and went on a road ride to the pub so it was sonething of a win; Sunshine beer and chips with a view of Eilean Donan Castle 😀 . Saying that he was nice bloke and good company, just a bit over enthusiastic!