Catching the draft... how close is too close?
07-14-20, 10:15 AM
#126
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I am still thinking of what @RChung said about drafting yourself.... do i need to give myself permission to do so?
07-14-20, 10:19 AM
#127
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I am still thinking of what @RChung said about drafting yourself.... do i need to give myself permission to do so?
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07-14-20, 10:25 AM
#128
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But I felt guilty about it afterwards....
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07-14-20, 10:26 AM
#129
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I think riding in groups can made some rides more enjoyable, and if all parties are willing, then I don't see the harm. But the key word is 'willing'. Different strokes for different folks. You have to communicate.
And sure, I might only be able to ride a given route at 18mph solo, but riding it at 21mph in a group incorporates some different elements that relieves some of the monotony of road cycling. I often push myself harder in fast groups than I would riding solo as well.
I like a long solo ride as much as the next guy, but groups rides are good, too.
And sure, I might only be able to ride a given route at 18mph solo, but riding it at 21mph in a group incorporates some different elements that relieves some of the monotony of road cycling. I often push myself harder in fast groups than I would riding solo as well.
I like a long solo ride as much as the next guy, but groups rides are good, too.
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07-14-20, 10:31 AM
#130
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I generally dont have any issues with people jumping on my wheel if they are, say, a wheel length behind me. If they are right up against my rear wheel, I would expect them to ask first - but in my experience, the people who are experienced enough to draft to closely also are experienced enough to not draft a stranger, So far, most times i have had people jump on my wheel, they've stayed far enough behind that it really doesnt bother me or infringe on my comfort zone. YMMV.
I agree it isnt nice to draft without asking, but if that's common in someone else's neck of woods, have at it.
I agree it isnt nice to draft without asking, but if that's common in someone else's neck of woods, have at it.
07-14-20, 10:38 AM
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07-14-20, 10:40 AM
#132
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07-14-20, 10:48 AM
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If asked whether drafting is safe, the more vocal posters here will say it's absolutely unsafe at any distance. I think as a cyclist you assume certain risks while riding and ultimately it's up to you and the person/people you're drafting to decide whether the risks are worth the enjoyment. It's dickish to latch onto a wheel unannounced just as it would be to randomly slide in next to someone on the sidewalk and put your arm around their waist. Ask first. But if everyone is a consenting adult--well, that's no one else's business.
Interestingly, there's some legal literature about drafting that's explained here: https://www.zifflaw.com/ny-bike-acci...ion-of-ny-law/.
Interestingly, there's some legal literature about drafting that's explained here: https://www.zifflaw.com/ny-bike-acci...ion-of-ny-law/.
07-14-20, 10:49 AM
#134
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I confess to once grabbing the last wheel of a passing group of riders, but in my defense, it was mile 98 of the first century I'd ever ridden, and I was facing the usual SF Peninsula afternoon headwind. And I only sat on for about 1/2 mile.
But I felt guilty about it afterwards....
But I felt guilty about it afterwards....
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07-14-20, 10:49 AM
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07-14-20, 10:57 AM
#136
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The debate is not about if drafting is safe but rather jumping on some strangers wheel risking both him and yourself. Last thing I want on a solo ride or outing with my friends is some yokel of questionable ability sitting on our wheel. If you want company find a local riding group and join them. As stated earlier it’s usually the writers of questionable ability to jump on a random groups wheel. Competent riders if they want a group will find one or will ride alone.
All that said--can you do it? Sure--but you assume the risk--both physically and legally.
07-14-20, 10:58 AM
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I guess I didnt realize the uniqueness of the North Shore scene. This past weekend Three guys passed me and I jumped on their wheel. With the four of us total age probably exeeded 250 yrs. I allowed them to rotate the lead, I hung in the back. We were all similar build so I was getting an excellent draft. When they picked up the pace is when I tucked in close to the wheel in front of me to get maximum draft effect. I only ride on weekends so my conditioning is not the best. So riding really close can make my effort considerably less. And thats when I started thinking, hmm how close is too close?
Maybe its the abundance of riders with abundance of experience that makes it accepted to draft at will. Or maybe its the parade-like atmosphere. So many riders all with somewhat the same intention. Its just commonplace to jump in to any group that passes. From responses this is not the norm. Here in my neighborhood its just what we do.
Maybe its the abundance of riders with abundance of experience that makes it accepted to draft at will. Or maybe its the parade-like atmosphere. So many riders all with somewhat the same intention. Its just commonplace to jump in to any group that passes. From responses this is not the norm. Here in my neighborhood its just what we do.
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07-14-20, 10:58 AM
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07-14-20, 11:02 AM
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07-14-20, 11:03 AM
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I am still thinking of what @RChung said about drafting yourself.... do i need to give myself permission to do so?
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07-14-20, 11:06 AM
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Last thing I want on a solo ride or outing with my friends is some yokel of questionable ability sitting on our wheel. If you want company find a local riding group and join them. As stated earlier it’s usually the writers of questionable ability to jump on a random groups wheel. Competent riders if they want a group will find one or will ride alone.
07-14-20, 11:20 AM
#143
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Think of it as a kind of motorpacing. I'm getting great training out if it. When a rider rotates back I layoff the back and let the rider drop in ahead of me so not to get in there way. Get it?
If I took a turn I would only hinder their progress. The other guys pointed out road debris fir me and had no issue with me hanging on.
If I took a turn I would only hinder their progress. The other guys pointed out road debris fir me and had no issue with me hanging on.
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07-14-20, 11:32 AM
#144
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I shamelessly wheelsucked for a whole half a mile this morning-- moving along around 27-28mph. But it was a twin-trailer sand 'n gravel truck, so I don't think he minded... or even saw me. He made a left and I continued straight. Took about 500W to get into his slipstream. No guilt.
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07-14-20, 11:37 AM
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I shamelessly wheelsucked for a whole half a mile this morning-- moving along around 27-28mph. But it was a twin-trailer sand 'n gravel truck, so I don't think he minded... or even saw me. He made a left and I continued straight. Took about 500W to get into his slipstream. No guilt.
07-14-20, 11:46 AM
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07-14-20, 11:50 AM
#147
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07-14-20, 12:03 PM
#148
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Its also staying out of the way of their ride. If they are way faster than me I dont want to disrupt their ride. If I appear stronger than the others then I participate and rotate thru. But basically I look for the faster riders to get the best workout.
Last edited by big chainring; 07-14-20 at 12:09 PM.
07-14-20, 12:22 PM
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07-14-20, 12:30 PM
#150
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I can imagine that the records folks would say that you can't have a fan pointing at the track for obvious reasons, but are there any explicit rules about a random fan (not particularly close) pointed away from the track in the direction the rider is going? If you can detect the effect of drafting yourself, it seems like it wouldn't take much of a fan (or just the right door opened in the right spot) to have an effect.
In track racing, racers have complained for years about one country turning ventilation fans on/off when their/others' athletes were racing.