when is it ok to give friendly advice?

[Metro Commuter]

I ask this question as there have been a number of times in recent races when I see other riders in my grade doing fundamentally wrong things, and reflects a lack of experience and would not be tolerated at all in a higher grade and could, in some circumstances, be unsafe.

Not my job to educate others, but when I have made mistakes that were newby errors I was told what I did wrong and what I should do.  If I make mistakes now I happily accept constructive comments.

However, some seem not to appreciate comments, and so I tend not to comment.  But then I'd hate for people to have a fall because the did something dumb.

So, when is it ok to provide some advice, and when do you keep your mouth shut?

[Bill Cox]

Metro, I think it's OK to give advice when it's needed.  Timing and tone of voice can often be taken as criticism, so I try to pick a suitable time.  Often after the race or when the pace is easy enough, probably after the race for you, I will ride up beside people and offer friendly suggestions or point out the dangers of what has been done.  I rarely get told to shut up or mind my own business when I do this.  I have been known to yell at times, but usually apologise as soon as I can and explain my reaction.  So far, in 44 years, I've managed to avoid being hit!!!   Give advice when you think it's appropriate and remember to smile while you do.

[Commuter]

Let me start by saying Bill, nice dig at Metro .............. after the race ha ha ha (snicker snicker)


Metro your post reminds me when of a time in the Gunnedah to Tamworth, at about the 90K, I was in the middle of the bunch and the bloke in front of me quite visibly was starting to feel the effects of the day as he was over reacting to the movement of the bunch and was swerving all over the road, as a matter of bunch safety and mainly my own I caught his attention and asked if he was ok and he needed something to eat and maybe have rest don the back of the bunch..... I know its not that much easier but at least he would be behind the majority of the bunch. Well apparently he didnt like my suggestion and was alittle forth right in his reply, so I made my way forward in the bunch and proceeded to get in front of him, Unfortunately a couple of K's down the road my lazy side kicked and I found myself in the middle of the bunch and just so happens a couple of wheels behind old mate, when there was a attack & old mate didnt handle it all and he went down like a sack of potatoes taking down several other riders and sending my self off he road through long grass doing the cyclocross thing ......

The thing is Metro you can give friendly advice at the right time, but the person has to be accepting .................. So my advice to you is; only one bowl of Cocca Pops , are you accepting

[Metro Commuter]

I buy extra dollop milk for when we buy cocoa pops. Yum yum.

[spandexcstacy]

I rely on the advice of other riders in order to learn.
I have often fired up unnecessarily in response to some of the "utterances" that get thrown around
during a race (esp as one bunch is passing another grade).

My reaction is a result of not really understanding the race tactics and methods properly.
(will blame the recessive ranga gene for the "tude").

I am grateful to those that have taken the time to explain things to me.
Bill C is right, ...."timing and tone".

  but the person has to be accepting .................. 

Maybe cyclists are a little too precious and need to chillax ..
(I need to take note of my own advice there...I am such a hypocrite  ).

Spandy

[Commuter]

See what I mean, one can give advice but obviously it cannot be heard above the snap crackle and Pop

[Metro Commuter]

For one to accept advice one has to believe the giver of the advice has greater knowledge than the receiver of that advice.  On matters dietary, most might think that Commuter has much to learn and little to give . 

I had Coco Pops and extra dollop again this morning.  Gave me enough high GI carbs to get me all of 10k to III Beans. Snacp crackle and pop indeed.

[Commuter]

Not quite Metro, just because someone is not as experienced in a field an observation can save  a great deal of heart ache and pain............

[Daddy Walrus]

Metro C,

I ride in C and welcome advice. Having ridden in D grade for over a year the only advice I got once was in a combined C/D grade when I rode up the inside and got yelled at by someone.
I also get particulary nervous when the pace slows and the group rides 4 or more abreast, there are bikes all over the place.
I also find myself sprinting then coasting then braking a lot on Friday nights.
What sort of advice have you got?

[Bill Cox]

Daddy Walrus,
My advice would be to try to relax in the bunch, while being observant of what's happening in front of you.  Learn to look further ahead than 1 or 2 riders and anticipate what is likely to happen.  watch for erratic riders and try to keep away from them.  Riding smoothly uses less energy than if you are tense and reacting to every little movement in the bunch.  Learn who the more experienced riders are and watch how they position themselves in a race, when they put in an effort and don't be afraid to ask questions.  We all continue to learn from mistakes, hopefully, although you have to wonder with some.  Last piece of advice, don't put too much pressure on yourself and continue to enjoy it.  Hope this helps a bit.

[Proudly hairy-legged]

Seeing as asking questions is ok, I have one of my own.

When you have done a turn at the front and have pulled off (into the wind, of course), when is it appropriate to jump onto the wheel of the person who's just hit the front? Sometimes, after doing a big turn, I'm a bit rooted so am looking for that wheel, although when I jump on, I find nobody has come through to take over from second wheel, meaning I am now second wheel and have to do another turn. Sometimes I think people see me going for the wheel and let me hang there to be cruel. I'd probably do that.

Cheers

[Metro Commuter]

I also find myself sprinting then coasting then braking a lot on Friday nights.

I agree with what Mr Cox esp has typed.  I spend a lot of time watching what guys like Bill do when they race, for they have forgotten more than I will ever learn. 

The only thing I would add is that there are very few reasons to brake at KI on a Friday night - one is to go around the witches hat and the other is in an emergency.  You should be regulating your pace to match that of those around you by anticipating what is happening, without braking and without surging.  If someone is repeatedly changing their pace then that creates potential danger and generally stuffs the race up.  It is one of the reasons why I find C grade more danagerous than B grade.

4 abreast is not of itself dangerous.  It only becomes dangerous if people do dumb or unpredictable things, or in anything under B grade, get too close other riders and those other riders over-react.

[2ndwheel]

Proudly hairy leged

After you have done your turn and swung across to the windward side ease of the pedals and let the next rider roll through dont be in any hurry to fill gaps left bt the second or third wheel rider as the will be quite happy to see you do another turn straight away as they are trying to wear you out before the sprint ( it is a race rember not a benifit ride for them) as you slow rides will understand the you'r not going to fill their gap for them and if the suguest that you fill ther gap politely decline as you are under no obligation to do a turn, only race etequete sugests that you do your fare share.

Always rolling through.
 
2nd wheel

[key]

personally i am happy to listen to advice whenever seeing as i still have alot to learn

I too seem to have the problem of having to tough my brakes alot even when i coast way before the rider before me coasts, must be a byproduct of my low drag

[spandexcstacy]

This is all brilliant stuff comrades!

But who is going to advise me on my anger management issues??

I do so miss The Ferret...sigh



Spandexcstacy.