Hi,

I do encounter the occasional slow traffic. I see no reason to stay close behind them, so I will usually be several lengths behind. Mostly, I just take the time to view whatever is there to see, and wait until we go different ways. If I'm in a hurry, which happens sometimes, I wait until I see a spot coming up where I can use the gap between us to create overtaking speed, and quickly pass.

On the other hand, I often have cars hanging behind me, and usually I let them pass as soon as I can, even if there may be an opportunity for them to do so on their own later on. Gets me a fair amount of thank-you waves.

But some people have minds that are geared differently, and I'd say that's the reason not to challenge them with lights and things like that: Not too long ago, a car stayed behind me; I could not slow down drastically, to use some escape off the road, as they would have driven into me. I would make as much room as I could but even with no other traffic present they would not pass. Where my speed went down as I went uphill, theirs would go down as far as mine.

Eventually, having lost some speed - don't recall through what road feature - I steered into the grass, put down one foot, and pivoted while pulling my bicycle from the road. They drove passed and accelerated.

Fortunately, there was no need to continue the manoeuvre by cycling the other way while they stopped. I did decide to take an early lunch break to calm down a bit, though. Now, obviously, someone who stays behind my bicycle like that, does it to displease me; there's no other explanation. There must be something in their minds that tells them to do so, but I don't know what. But since their minds work differently, it's probably wisest not to challenge them.

Bye
                                                                Mysha