The Shoal Report

[nikki_d]

@83(b) 61075 wrote:

I’ve taken to just executing an aggressive aggressive pass. That usually inspires better behavior at the next light.

Lucky you. I did that last night to the hipster fixie couple that decided to shoal me at one red light then completely not move out of my way on the green b/c hipster dude was too busy meandering the intersection on the phone. Unfortunately, I was stupidly heading toward the heart of hipster-ville so they of course caught up to me many blocks and a turn later at another red where they did it again without the slightest bit of remorse. Shoalers are like cats… absolutely no concept of guilt.

[83b]

Apparently the double-shoal is a thing! I had a gabby couple headed to work do it to me on East Cap this week. Pulled right past me at the light–one to either side–and then proceeded to soft-pedal along while chatting idly and taking up 100% of the bike lane.

I was sorely tempted to push right back up the middle of them and, being a bit of a jerk regarding this particular issue, probably would have had they not been toting both of their kids in child seats! Your hipsters totally deserved a cow catcher interjected into their phone call.

[nikki_d]

I love this thread. I feel like I have found my tribe. 😎

[bobco85]

@83(b) 61104 wrote:

Apparently the double-shoal is a thing! I had a gabby couple headed to work do it to me on East Cap this week. Pulled right past me at the light–one to either side–and then proceeded to soft-pedal along while chatting idly and taking up 100% of the bike lane.

I was sorely tempted to push right back up the middle of them and, being a bit of a jerk regarding this particular issue, probably would have had they not been toting both of their kids in child seats! Your hipsters totally deserved a cow catcher interjected into their phone call.

New idea for dealing with double-shoalers (may work with shoalers in general):

Ring your bell when you pass. Every. time. you. pass. It interrupts their conversation without making you look aggressive. If they claim you’re being rude, you can just say, “I’m just calling my pass in a safe manner,” while trying to hold back your sinister laughter

[kcb203]

I understand the frustration with shoalers who are slow after the light changes, but what about when I know I’m going to pass them soon anyway? For example, I’ve been rapidly gaining on someone before the light turns red. It seems that passing when stopped at a light is the safest place to do it.

[consularrider]

@kcb203 61186 wrote:

I understand the frustration with shoalers who are slow after the light changes, but what about when I know I’m going to pass them soon anyway? For example, I’ve been rapidly gaining on someone before the light turns red. It seems that passing when stopped at a light is the safest place to do it.

Let the person know that’s what you are doing and there should be no issue if there is no oncoming traffic waiting to cross as well.

[83b]

@consularrider 61191 wrote:

Let the person know that’s what you are doing and there should be no issue if there is no oncoming traffic waiting to cross as well.

Agreed. No harm done there if you were already looking for the safest time to scoot around them. Asking is especially nice; I’ve never seen anyone take the time to do that.

Though I would recommend being sure that you’re actually faster. I regularly get “preemptively passed” by people on road bikes who–even though I’m already stopped and waiting–assume that I’ll be slower since I’m riding an upright mountain bike with fat tires, a big front crate, and loaded saddle bag.

[mstone]

@83(b) 61206 wrote:

Though I would recommend being sure that you’re actually faster.

Yeah, make sure they weren’t just slowing down because of the light…

I also get passed slowing down for things like pedestrians, etc.

[DismalScientist]

@83(b) 61206 wrote:

I regularly get “preemptively passed” by people on road bikes who–even though I’m already stopped and waiting–assume that I’ll be slower since I’m riding an upright mountain bike with fat tires, a big front crate, and loaded saddle bag.

I LOVE getting shoaled by these folks. Their pain is exquisite when you crank up the juice and take them down a peg.:rolleyes:

[birddog]

@kcb203 61186 wrote:

I understand the frustration with shoalers who are slow after the light changes, but what about when I know I’m going to pass them soon anyway? For example, I’ve been rapidly gaining on someone before the light turns red. It seems that passing when stopped at a light is the safest place to do it.

I would WAIT until it’s safe to pass AFTER the intersection.

[Popsicleian]

@mstone 61214 wrote:

Yeah, make sure they weren’t just slowing down because of the light…

Very important to remember. It seems to be a pretty common occurrence that people shoal me just because I’m not racing to an obviously red light. Drives me nuts.

[Terpfan]

I did PA Ave for the first time in a couple weeks last night and I’m not even going to report the number of shoalers because everyone was doing it. It made the folks on 15th St look like angels!

[Vicegrip]

Got shoaled at Gallows and W&OD a couple of days ago. Was close to the road foot down chilling and my guy slid right up past me by 3/4 a bike. Light finally changes and off we go. He fires of a good start then sadly settles into a pace just under what I was using. I was in basic travel mode and not “Oh boy this is fun!” mode too. So, I just sit there behind him. Not on his wheel or 1/2 wheeling but a bike or 2 back just puttering along. You want the front please be my guest. Not trying to give a lesson or be a donk. I am sure he has a mom somewhere for that I just did not feel like dialing it up for a pass only to be wheel sucked by someone I don’t know. He only looked back about 15 times before I turned off.

[DismalScientist]

This morning I and about 3 other cyclists got shoaled by about 4 runners eastbound on the WOD at Columbia Pike. For some reason, these runners decided to take off quickly through the detour on the south side of Columbia in front of all the cyclists. I mean, REALLY????

[consularrider]

@DismalScientist 61741 wrote:

This morning I and about 3 other cyclists got shoaled by about 4 runners eastbound on the WOD at Columbia Pike. For some reason, these runners decided to take off quickly through the detour on the south side of Columbia in front of all the cyclists. I mean, REALLY????

Were they actually quick?

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