Etiquette for “impromptu” drafting
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And he told me he picked up the pace when he saw me on his wheel. But he didn't understand drafting and just didn't stay close enough to get any benefit.
if you don't like it being done to you, either drop the hammer... if you can, or wave the rider around. Doing neither leaves you with nothing to complain about.
The only reason I see to be annoyed at someone drafting is they are too close and it makes you feel unsafe. If so, wave them around.
#30
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If you don’t think there’s a cost of having someone on your wheel (in terms of all the extra things you have to concentrate on, safe line, avoiding hazards, steady pace, etc.) then you really don’t understand riding with other people.
People on my wheel don’t annoy me. It bothers when people take advantage of others.
People on my wheel don’t annoy me. It bothers when people take advantage of others.
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If you don’t think there’s a cost of having someone on your wheel (in terms of all the extra things you have to concentrate on, safe line, avoiding hazards, steady pace, etc.) then you really don’t understand riding with other people.
People on my wheel don’t annoy me. It bothers when people take advantage of others.
People on my wheel don’t annoy me. It bothers when people take advantage of others.
Now on a public road with debris, potholes, cars, turns and pedestrians is a different story.
If you're uncomfortable with someone behinds you.. wave them around. How do you deal with people behind you when driving?
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#33
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A bike length or more back on a empty MUP 12' wide on flat ground and straight as an arrow. Yes, I felt safe, if I didn't I wouldn't do it.
Also wind was coming from 2:00 so I was slightly to his left and had a clear view.
Also wind was coming from 2:00 so I was slightly to his left and had a clear view.
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He actually save about 3% by having you draft behind him. You would have disrupted the slight vacuum he created behind him. You both benefited. And that's the great thing about drafting.
As far as etiquette goes, as long as the person you're drafting is okay with it, and you find out by asking, then it's fine.
We had a situation yesterday where my guys (eight of us) were in a line moving at a decent clip on a road that's used by lots of cyclists, some slow some fast. We passed a whole bunch of groups as well as solo riders. At some point during a long stretch between lights I noticed that there were only 5 of us, plus some other guy. Apparently, as I found out later on, he cut into our line in front of three of our riders. I'd have said something right away, if I'd noticed it right away, but by this time 3 of our group had dropped back. Anyway, the dude stayed on our wheel for another couple of km before we hit a light.
Personally, I don't want some random stranger tagging on to our group ride. I don't know the dude, and so I don't trust him. I don't want to ride with someone I don't trust. Period.
Those of you who are comfortable with drafting random strangers, you're kind of playing with fire. Saving a few watts isn't worth the risk in this case.
As far as etiquette goes, as long as the person you're drafting is okay with it, and you find out by asking, then it's fine.
We had a situation yesterday where my guys (eight of us) were in a line moving at a decent clip on a road that's used by lots of cyclists, some slow some fast. We passed a whole bunch of groups as well as solo riders. At some point during a long stretch between lights I noticed that there were only 5 of us, plus some other guy. Apparently, as I found out later on, he cut into our line in front of three of our riders. I'd have said something right away, if I'd noticed it right away, but by this time 3 of our group had dropped back. Anyway, the dude stayed on our wheel for another couple of km before we hit a light.
Personally, I don't want some random stranger tagging on to our group ride. I don't know the dude, and so I don't trust him. I don't want to ride with someone I don't trust. Period.
Those of you who are comfortable with drafting random strangers, you're kind of playing with fire. Saving a few watts isn't worth the risk in this case.
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I agree if you have a pace line then you should ask or drop off.
The rules change by the situation.
The rules change by the situation.
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I see the future of cycling: Your drafting preferences / requirements are stored in your bike computer. Whenever you get within a few bike lengths of another rider, your computer connects to the other rider's computer and determines if you are "compatible" drafting partners, and sets the parameters of the draft arrangement.
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I see the future of cycling: Your drafting preferences / requirements are stored in your bike computer. Whenever you get within a few bike lengths of another rider, your computer connects to the other rider's computer and determines if you are "compatible" drafting partners, and sets the parameters of the draft arrangement.
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I see the future of cycling: Your drafting preferences / requirements are stored in your bike computer. Whenever you get within a few bike lengths of another rider, your computer connects to the other rider's computer and determines if you are "compatible" drafting partners, and sets the parameters of the draft arrangement.
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My problem is not the etiquette for impromptu drafting, but rather rolling up on someone on a downhill, or the flat, and KNOWING that rider will smoke me on the hill just up ahead. It seems rude to pass someone only to make them pass me again only quarter or half a mile later. But I also hate braking before a hill though I usually end up doing it. AND I stay far enough off their wheel, and to one side, so I'm not drafting at all. So, I hang out behind them, not drafting, often freewheeling, till we reach the base of the hill where they'll drop me.
I imagine it's annoying, grinding along and hearing someone freewheeling behind you, but I can't help being fat and having good hubs!
I imagine it's annoying, grinding along and hearing someone freewheeling behind you, but I can't help being fat and having good hubs!
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#42
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Yeah, as noted by others, the big thing missing in OPs description is communication. If some silent guy tried to work with me I'd be a tad annoyed, but if the guy talked a bit and made their intentions clear, and also noted how far they wanted to go then it's much better.
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Don’t accelerate off the front. Keep a steady pace. This is a common newbie mistake.
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He actually save about 3% by having you draft behind him. You would have disrupted the slight vacuum he created behind him. You both benefited. And that's the great thing about drafting.
As far as etiquette goes, as long as the person you're drafting is okay with it, and you find out by asking, then it's fine.
We had a situation yesterday where my guys (eight of us) were in a line moving at a decent clip on a road that's used by lots of cyclists, some slow some fast. We passed a whole bunch of groups as well as solo riders. At some point during a long stretch between lights I noticed that there were only 5 of us, plus some other guy. Apparently, as I found out later on, he cut into our line in front of three of our riders. I'd have said something right away, if I'd noticed it right away, but by this time 3 of our group had dropped back. Anyway, the dude stayed on our wheel for another couple of km before we hit a light.
Personally, I don't want some random stranger tagging on to our group ride. I don't know the dude, and so I don't trust him. I don't want to ride with someone I don't trust. Period.
Those of you who are comfortable with drafting random strangers, you're kind of playing with fire. Saving a few watts isn't worth the risk in this case.
As far as etiquette goes, as long as the person you're drafting is okay with it, and you find out by asking, then it's fine.
We had a situation yesterday where my guys (eight of us) were in a line moving at a decent clip on a road that's used by lots of cyclists, some slow some fast. We passed a whole bunch of groups as well as solo riders. At some point during a long stretch between lights I noticed that there were only 5 of us, plus some other guy. Apparently, as I found out later on, he cut into our line in front of three of our riders. I'd have said something right away, if I'd noticed it right away, but by this time 3 of our group had dropped back. Anyway, the dude stayed on our wheel for another couple of km before we hit a light.
Personally, I don't want some random stranger tagging on to our group ride. I don't know the dude, and so I don't trust him. I don't want to ride with someone I don't trust. Period.
Those of you who are comfortable with drafting random strangers, you're kind of playing with fire. Saving a few watts isn't worth the risk in this case.
But it doesn’t take long watching someone ride to determine if they’re worth drafting or not. If they’re riding at about the same speed as me, they’re more than likely of a certain level of cycling competence (I’m no elite racer, but at the same time complete noobs don’t roll along at 18-20 mph) and there are always tell-tale signs to spot the loose cannons.
I was on a century ride once and there was a tandem riding close to our group. The captain was obviously unfamiliar with his vessel, as they couldn’t hold a straight line. But we couldn’t drop them, and they wouldn’t take a hint and pull ahead. We were getting to the point of telling them to give our group space, when they had a loud blowout. “Sorry everyone, you won’t have our draft now” he said, as we all kept rolling and chatting about the bullet we had collectively dodged.
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A few weeks ago I was in a small pre-organised group doing specific time trial training over a 100km route. On a long downhill section we picked up a hitchhiker we overtook who quickly inserted himself into our group of 6 without intro and then didn't work, which is fine in itself, but he also didn't allow anyone to move ahead of him; he stuck doggedly on the wheel ahead of him and so disrupted the rotation.
We worked around this rude individual, obviously, but he kept with us for a good 5km or so before he ran out of gas and allowed a gap to form that myself and 3 others in our group had to sprint across to rejoin our friends. All in all, not a train smash but highlights that impromptu tagging along can disrupt a training ride where you are unwanted and unwelcome.
Happily, this sorta thing is rare.
We worked around this rude individual, obviously, but he kept with us for a good 5km or so before he ran out of gas and allowed a gap to form that myself and 3 others in our group had to sprint across to rejoin our friends. All in all, not a train smash but highlights that impromptu tagging along can disrupt a training ride where you are unwanted and unwelcome.
Happily, this sorta thing is rare.
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#46
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#47
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This drafting thing is really a sticky subject on this forum. With some experience you can pick out riders who are steady wheels. All these rules and etiquette crap will be second nature. The above quote is what I do instantaneously when I ride in a group. Body type, riding position, pedaling smoothness, gear selection, I see it and determine who are the good wheels to follow and who to distance from.
Nowadays I just ride with friends who have steady wheels
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A few weeks ago I was in a small pre-organised group doing specific time trial training over a 100km route. On a long downhill section we picked up a hitchhiker we overtook who quickly inserted himself into our group of 6 without intro and then didn't work, which is fine in itself, but he also didn't allow anyone to move ahead of him; he stuck doggedly on the wheel ahead of him and so disrupted the rotation.
We worked around this rude individual, obviously, but he kept with us for a good 5km or so before he ran out of gas and allowed a gap to form that myself and 3 others in our group had to sprint across to rejoin our friends. All in all, not a train smash but highlights that impromptu tagging along can disrupt a training ride where you are unwanted and unwelcome.
Happily, this sorta thing is rare.
We worked around this rude individual, obviously, but he kept with us for a good 5km or so before he ran out of gas and allowed a gap to form that myself and 3 others in our group had to sprint across to rejoin our friends. All in all, not a train smash but highlights that impromptu tagging along can disrupt a training ride where you are unwanted and unwelcome.
Happily, this sorta thing is rare.
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A few weeks ago I was in a small pre-organised group doing specific time trial training over a 100km route. On a long downhill section we picked up a hitchhiker we overtook who quickly inserted himself into our group of 6 without intro and then didn't work, which is fine in itself, but he also didn't allow anyone to move ahead of him; he stuck doggedly on the wheel ahead of him and so disrupted the rotation.
We worked around this rude individual, obviously, but he kept with us for a good 5km or so before he ran out of gas and allowed a gap to form that myself and 3 others in our group had to sprint across to rejoin our friends. All in all, not a train smash but highlights that impromptu tagging along can disrupt a training ride where you are unwanted and unwelcome.
Happily, this sorta thing is rare.
We worked around this rude individual, obviously, but he kept with us for a good 5km or so before he ran out of gas and allowed a gap to form that myself and 3 others in our group had to sprint across to rejoin our friends. All in all, not a train smash but highlights that impromptu tagging along can disrupt a training ride where you are unwanted and unwelcome.
Happily, this sorta thing is rare.
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I have done that a couple of times for a while. It is really fun to go fast behind a well-organized team. However, what I did was to drop back 1-1/2 bike lengths as the rotating rider came back, repeating for each rider. I picked that up from a local group who always do a paceline, their riders only. They station a rider at the rear who does what I did, preventing "hitchhikers" from joining the group. The lazy rider at the rear changes every so many rotations or it can be just the group's weakest or most tired rider. Works like a charm. Try that next time. No one complained to me me, BTW. I think they liked it that I protected their team.
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