This discussion reminds me of an interesting
situation I was involved with once. My horse and I were alone toward the
end of a 50-miler. Along came another rider and I politely let her go
ahead, thinking this was the gracious thing to do. After a bit, she
told me that it wasn't fair for me to "draft" off her horse and that I
should do my part in leading. I was flabbergasted, as I thought I was
being polite. It seemed inconsiderate to me that I should go in front
of her (I'm more polite than competitive.) So, I did as she said and took
the lead. I don't remember in what order we finished, but it
wasn't important enough to have made an indelible impression.
In another ride and a different horse, I was
having serious trouble with my mare, as she was being hysterical about the
start. This was her first ride, and I asked a couple of late starters if
they would help me out by allowing me to start and ride with them until my mare
settled down. I told them where I was camped and asked them if they would
look me up and then I would start with them. They agreed, but while I was
getting my mare, they took off down the trail without me, leaving my mare more
hysterical. I finally caught up with them, or at least rode behind them
for a bit. They were talking between themselves and it was pretty obvious
that they didn't want me around. I would rather they had told me up front
they didn't want me around, rather than agreeing to it and then taking off
without me. After a bit, they starting speeding up and pulling away
from me. At that point, I realized my mare wasn't that concerned about
being left alone, so we just allowed them to pull farther away until they were
out of sight. After that, I contentedly rode most of the ride alone and
learned a lot about the mare. I think we finished last, but it was a
perfectly successful completion and I was happy. The mare seemed proud of
herself.
Jody you are not a grinch...I totally understand. I
HATE folks that pass you and then slow down.
I like to ride alone too and I also always ask if I come up behind a
rider or group of riders and I want to stay behind them. If they are at
a good speed and I want to stay there I'll ask "do you mind if I ride with
y'all a bit" and am not the least offended if the person or group wants to
ride alone. But boy does it irk me when someone does what you described
to me.
Come to think of it maybe you are a grinch...but if so, I guess I am too!
LOL.
