Hi y’all from the UK
I generally road ride in small groups, 2-5 people, and love little competitions to add a fun competition vibe to the rides.
The one we play most is village signs, it has to have a sign on both sides of the road, which most villages in the UK seem to have, and you get a point for each one you get through in first place.
Anyone got any other similar games?
Well, sounds like you’re the only one having fun out there.
Town sign sprints are probably the main attraction though.
We used to spice up fixed gear rides with some max-speed challenges, but that isn’t really as fun on a normal geared bike with a freewheel.
Also trying to steal eachother’s saddlebags or other bike-mounted accessories without being noticed.
Similar but more low key we use school crossings.
These are only in operation for small windows of the day before and after school times. So the rest of the day they’re beautiful sprint points with a white line across the road and red/white striped poles on either side of the road.
They’re all over the place, so pop up regularly on a ride. The ideal scenario being your mate doesn’t realise and you can just inch your wheel in front of theirs as you roll through side by side without much effort. What results is that cheeky side eyed grin and their head drops knowing you got one up on them. No words spoken but each doing the tally.
On the flip side if you both notice the crossing and there’s no traffic it’s all out war as you both do your best Champs Elysee impression.
A number of years ago a buddy from Southern California introduced a few groups where I live in Austin, TX to the “speed limit points game” where points are earned based on the speed limit value on each sign with the “winner” being the one with most accumulated points. It can be grueling depending on the route and competitiveness of fellow riders but it also rewards the old hands who have ridden every road countless times and recall where all the signs are 