cubewheels

Seems like a sprint is the solution but I'm still training at it. I recently figured out the best sprint position for me and now, it's a matter of getting the strength, endurance, and balance to get there.

I think the key is not to over-do the sprint so you still have spare energy remaining at the end of the sprint / attack to maintain cruising pace.

Danhedonia

Being on a bicycle is not a magical license to ignore basic social norms. Inviting yourself into someone else's personal space without their consent is evidence of a gross lack of perspective, or worse.

If you're out fishing, do you let anyone hop into the boat? No. And they don't anchor next to you - they anchor a bit apart from you if they want to fish the same waters. Do you hop into someone else's hunting blind, and start firing? Demand to be added to the score sheet as they use a lane at a bowling alley?

No. Because personal space is a thing.

And those who are guilty of violating it, sad to say, are always male, always egotistical, and always somehow prioritizing their own agenda over "just getting along with others" and sharing community resources like bike paths and lanes.

They make it clear that they don't recognize or care about others' comfort - so why should theirs be considered?

This is not about "Hey, mind if I ride with you a minute?" This is 'that guy' who pulls up behind you and starts drafting without even a peep.

It's like stalking. And you don't need to be nice about it.

downhillmaster

Sounds like you were totally in the wrong here.
You started far behind him, chased him down, and then were obviously not strong enough to pass and clear him.
You definitely owe him an apology and hopefully you learned a lesson here

mr_pedro

No it is not stalking. It is cycling, people draft. If a stranger starts drafting you and you don't want it, tell him or her to stop. You said it yourself: "Being on a bicycle is not a magical license to ignore basic social norms." And we are not children anymore where you can just say, but he started it, and start misbehaving yourself.

cubewheels

I did pull to the extreme side of the road for a good couple minutes but he made no attempt to pass. It worked for me everytime except this one instance.

We started out at 35 kph. I kept increasing the pace until I was doing 40 kph right before my exit.

cubewheels

Drafters aren't the worst I encountered. I had male cyclists deliberately cut me off (with one leading to a collision) at the traffic stop simply because I passed them at my normal pace and they can't pass me back. They nearly collided with the stopped cars too just to pull it off.

I have radically altered my training plan to avoid incidents like these.

I now train in spots where I can expect to find many other cyclists also doing training at my pace or faster. I don't mind getting passed. It's actually good motivation for me to try to catch up or match their pace and push harder. It's the closest thing I can get to a group training without actually being in a group! Unfortunately, those spots only cover my climbing training. For my flatlands training, I still have to get to places where the likelihood of encountering dangerous cyclists is huge!

mr_pedro

It is a game, you know how it works, hunting instinct takes over if you try to run. Sure, increase the pace and try to drop him, but then you are just playing the game and don't get upset if that person tries to keep up.

Again, if you don't want to be drafted, just tell that person.

Danhedonia

"Hunting instinct?"

WTF is wrong with you people?

Pop N Wood

Unless, of course, if the guy in front needs to brake hard or maneuver suddenly and the tool on his wheel isn't paying attention. In that case everyone gets bent.

I've had this happen on beach paths with mixed traffic and obstructions.

Danhedonia

This is backwards. It is not up to the person who has been wronged to correct the poor behavior; you're supposed to self-regulate.

Maybe I should let my dog go to the bathroom on your lawn until you tell me to stop?

There are no excuses for failing to be considerate of others. You're not supposed to need to be told.

jadocs

You say he was considerably slower....you passed him....then decide to pull over on the side of the road....waited for a considerable amount of time (a few minutes) to let him pass.....why? None of this makes any sense.

vespasianus

That depends where you live! 35 KPH - or 21 MPH is pretty common around here in the low county! Soloing 30+ MPH for any period of time is a different story!

mr_pedro

I am sorry if you can not appreciate this type of tongue in cheek remark.

downhillmaster

Nope.
More tall tales.
You stated that he was slower than you and that you caught up to him.
If you had executed a correct catch and pass he would not have been able to keep up regardless of any draft benefits.
You made a Fredly pass and couldn’t handle it and you then doubled down by coming here to spout nonsense.
I am done with this witness.
The prosecution rests

aplcr0331

Because...IT NEVER HAPPENED.

Good grief people.

mr_pedro

I just don't see unannounced drafting as that bad an offence as you do. And your comparisons are out of proportion.

jack pot 

I ride fixed through industrial and abandoned parts of the city and never gave this much thought because most bicyclists that I cross aren't cycling for exercise. Whenever I have a bike on my tail I adjust my space to what I need and I have never had any problems with a space invader. I didn't know that people on a bicycle considered some imaginary personal zone an inviolate space. Do these people feel the same if walking or running and a person starts walking or running in your "zone of fear" ? Like 1 poster said, you can treat it like a tail gating car and just pull over however if any of this occurs after dark or on lonely streets that's a bigger Pandora's box that probably belongs in P&R

mr_pedro

The entire personal zone thing just sounds very snowflaky. It is however a valid argument that someone drafting you requires you to behave differently and increases the risk of collision, so if you are not willing to accept that the other person should respect it.

Skulking

Since these imaginary personal zones aren't real, and you can just pull over like you would in a car if someone is tailgating you, I assume then that you have no problem with people tailgating you when you are in a car, and don't understand why people make such a big deal about it being unsafe?

jack pot 

>>> i have a BIG problem with car crazies but unless Im willing to risk prison I just drive on and hope that I don't get rammed BUT on my bike no probs

BillyD

I don't see the problem in his account, at all. You're riding faster than some guy, you pass him, then the guy finds that by drafting you he has enough energy to pick up his speed and stick with you. Duh.

But I'm glad you're done with this witness . . . I'll hold you to that.

cubewheels

The guy could have been strong and simply riding slowly at that time or doing a recovery session. Not that hard to imagine.

cubewheels

It's not a big problem at low speeds.

At much higher speeds, should anything happen that causes you to suddenly reduce speed, that problem would be compounded by the possibility of someone ramming you if there's a drafter.

Drafters simply raise the probability and cost of accidents.

Exceptions to the rule are racing and any other organized events / rides where you're fully aware there will be drafters and willing and prepared to take those risks.

7up

I’d rather be drafted by another bicyclist then be drafted by a car.In any event I personally ride too slow to be drafted.

cubewheels

I've been "drafted" by a car before couple of times. But I think it's more like stalking than drafting.

This is probably more a of a problem for female cyclists but I'm a guy so have no clue why a car would follow me for a few miles behind me. Although I can't complain, a car following you would actually improve your safety on the road even if it's very creepy.