cubewheels

I went out for a ride in a long stretch of road. Mostly flat, no wind so things are pretty fast.

Another cyclist decided to draft behind me the entire time. Problem was they're too close for comfort, only few feet behind.

I'm aware that pro peloton goes that close. But if you don't trust the guy behind you is quite proficient at close quarters drafting, you don't wan't them on your back, especially, in the presence of vehicular traffic.

Maelochs

Ummmm ..... you are willing to address a crowd of random strangers now, when there is no way to change what has already happened .... but were not willing to address a single human being, face-to-face, when you felt your safety was threatened?



Yeah. Okay.

A couple suggestions:

One: Slow up. Let the person pass.

Two,: Slow down and ask the person to either take turns pulling, or back off, or go ahead.

Three: Pull over, stop, and let the other person go.

Not sure how any of these suggestions wouldn't be immediately obvious---particularly if a person was threatening your safety. But, whatever ....... Next time, you will be ready.

AlgarveCycling

If stronger than the Drafter, you simply sprint ahead, maybe take advantage of a slower section like a corner to sprint out of before settling into a faster-than-the-drafter can manage alone pace. Alternatively, turn off, go down a side road briefly, a slight detour etc to allow him past. Or just slow down or even stop briefly. Hills? Reduce drafting benefit for the Drafter and drop them.

I'm a sprinter so I can do a fast short burst and that always seems to work for me but if I am tired, I'd just do one of the other options I've listed.

cubewheels

The rider was considerably slower. I started far behind him until I caught up and passed. I was thinking of slowing down to let him pass but given his slower pace before, he'll likely drop speed and I have to pass him again.

Sprinting sounds like a good solution but I'm still under training, trying to master my sprint technique! Definitely will try it as I get really good at it.

If I do sprint, how far ahead should I be so the rider behind me doesn't get any draft benefit? I don't need to get way far ahead I suppose as I still need to conserve my energy to maintain cruising pace.

Herzlos

If you were going much faster than him, he wouldn't have been able to draft you for very long? Sprint away and then he'll never catch up.

Otherwise just slow down until he passes.

SapInMyBlood

I make it an experiment. (I have aero bars on my road bike.)
I usually cruise around between 29-35. I'll get on my aero bars and slowly starting increasing the pace, 1kph at a time and see how long they hold on. I can get up to 50ish on there. Most people peel off before that. If they're still holding at 50 then it's a fun sprint race to whatever next intersection, corner, étc

indyfabz

wolfchild

Slow down and hopefully that will be enough to annoy them and they will pass you. If slowing down doesn't work, pull over and stop and let hem pass.

Kapusta

Start hacking and coughing.

Wileyrat

Snot rockets.

Usually I just pull over, not that I get a lot of drafters anyway.

mr_pedro

When I notice drafters, I just go about what I was out to do and behave more like in a group, will start to signal to the back any obstacles that are ahead and looking far ahead being careful with braking and sideways movements.

If you are not comfortable having someone close behind, it seems like the best solution to slow down a little, wave the person to come next to you and say that you prefer not to be followed that close.

Paul Barnard

Brake check.

Reflector Guy

He started out considerably slower than you, but he gained so much from the hole you punched through the wind, that he suddenly became able to keep pace with you?

That's some serious drafting!

grizzly59

Some of these people cruise a good bit slower than they could, waiting for someone going the right speed to pass them. Then they clamp on your wheel like dog feces in your work boots on a hot day. Turn off and reroute seems to work ok.

Phil_gretz

Slow to allow the unwanted pest to come along side, then quickly thrust your frame pump behind his fork into his spokes, yelling "Cinzano!!!"

Rides4Beer

Drop 'em like a bad habit. I don't sprint, just steadily increase my speed until they pop. Fast guys around here don't pull crap like that, so whoever it is won't be able to hang on for long.

freeranger

Bean burrito for the pre-ride meal.

Koyote

Turn around and tell the person, "Please don't draft me. Back off."

What next? Will you need help tying your shoes?

msu2001la

The opposite is also annoying, where someone slowly catches up to you and passes, then they immediately drop their pace by 1-2mph because they're gassed from chasing you for the last 5-10 minutes. I never know what to do with these guys, so I usually just slow down and let them go up the road.

There are some areas around me that have tons of serious road cyclists on weekend mornings, and it's not uncommon for random solo riders to group up. On these roads, I have no problem letting people hop on my wheel, but we usually communicate a bit as this is happening.

msu2001la

It's also worth noting that many new cyclists may not understand that this behavior can be annoying, creepy, dangerous, etc and that some people are more sensitive than others about it. They see other cyclists riding in small groups and just assume it's normal to draft off random strangers. Maybe they've done this before and no one has had an issue with it, etc.

Just something to think about before you start yelling at them.

burnthesheep

Easy, math. Given their forward progress if you simply u-turn for a couple minutes and then u-turn again.......they're a mile away.

Done. This has been on this forum a lot. No need to even debate the finer points of the etiquette here. Just take charge and move on.

vespasianus

Personally, if I am not riding with them and we are not doing fixed turns, drafting like that without asking is poor form. But the fix is simple, slow down and take a break. Let them go ahead and start when all is clear. Now, if they stop when you stop, it might be time for a discussion!

WhyFi

I'm sure that rubiksoval could offer some good advice.

billridesbikes

I guess I won’t consider a few feet away drafting, that’s almost a full bike length. I’m comfortable with that distance. I would wait to see if they’re going to pass and only waiting for a good place to do it as they we’re strong enough to come up behind me anyway and then I let them ride away.

If it was an actual wheel sucker, an inch or two off your back wheel, you can always turn around and yell, “Basta così! Basta!”

79pmooney

The easy one. Pull slightly out into the street, back off until you are beside him and simply tell him you would like to ride alone.