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I pass more then most and try to get through life having fun without necessarily pissing off everyone else.
However there are cars who hate being passed so whenever you do it they will hate you. When a bike is behind my truck I wave him by. Often discovering he/she is slower then my truck.. oh well. Many will be annoyed by being startled (me too) but life has its rubs.
Note : All passing is followed by the cheerful royal wave.
so...
If I close on a car already doing 20 mph faster and the road has some room I just go by at the same speed. A lot of bikes feel obligated to ride his bumper for at least a minute before going by.
I am ready to pass...
When at the end of a no pass zone (curves) or when there is oncoming traffic. Be ready to be in your bikes power rev range. A lot of times this is down 2 gears. Lay back about 3 car lengths.
I am always surprised how often I observe 3/4 of a straight passing zone being consumed by either forgetting what your doing, indecision, or getting ready. Finally the pass is performed almost where there is no longer room.
As soon as you see some room nail it and pull out. If your bike is loud hopefully you can get the speed up before your along side. Cruise by without a lot of noise at your higher speed reducing the startle factor.
BUT Pass decisively don't ride alongside leisurely it just increases every ones danger.
Lastly leave time and room for anybody following... If there is someone behind you keep going fast till your 2 or 3 car lengths ahead then pull in so those behind can also pull in.
If your following a passer you are responsible for yourself. You should observe the passers style before your up their buts. Often when a leader passes politely the car will pull over and let you by so life is easy give extra cheerful waves. If the guy in front of you does what you think is dangerous then just wait till the pass is complete and adequate room for you appears. If this is repeated every time then maybe you are not compatible riders. No need to decide who is a maniac or a slug.... just different.
If your the leader of a middling group then try to be conscious of your route. Everyone bikes and cars alike will be crazy after the struggle to pass only to have you make a turn a mile later with the car still insight.
Multi car passing ...2 or 3 can be treated as one just be careful if it is a long legal pass zone that one of the following cars may pull out of its own. See it is sometimes safer to pass on the double yellow.
If it is a parade with like 8 cars following buses or segways or worse harleys then everyone should just loop them 1 or 2 at a time. I have often found that the long suffering cars behind the parade leader will almost cheer you on.
End of essay oh I almost forgot always do your best wheelie passing in towns with street fairs.