Is it cool to just draft randomly?
07-11-11, 12:17 PM
#1
Reasonably Slow...
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Is it cool to just draft randomly?
So I'm pretty new, and most of the rides I do are still pretty slow. Anyway, I've been riding by my heart rate monitor and there is this bike road that goes around a local lake I go to alot. There are a bunch of other cyclist there (most of them faster than me), and sometimes a small group will pass me going slightly faster than I am.
So my question is this-- Is it ok to suck up behind them and tag along for a little bit? Sometimes I ask them if it's ok (and they always say yes), but sometimes they are talking or making very important serious faces, etc.
Is it rude to ride behind people I don't know?
So my question is this-- Is it ok to suck up behind them and tag along for a little bit? Sometimes I ask them if it's ok (and they always say yes), but sometimes they are talking or making very important serious faces, etc.
Is it rude to ride behind people I don't know?
07-11-11, 12:23 PM
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It's ok as long as you ask them if you can get on their wheel. Try to rotate through, if you can. If you're not comfortable rotating through the line, let them know and leave a slot open for another rider to swing in front of you when the come off the front and go to the back of the line. Everything should be fine as long as you talk to them.
07-11-11, 12:23 PM
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If they say yes, then it's fine. They're making serious faces, because cycling is serious business. You should be too.
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07-11-11, 12:33 PM
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do your best to pick out the best rider and challenge him, if you can keep up with him/her. You will be accepted by the pack.
but seriously don't even ask, just go catch up and start chatting one of them up. If they are being standoffish or aloof then leave. Take the lead as soon as possible. Group riding skills take time to learn so it is best to find a club ride that is willing and expected to teach. Or just google group riding skills.
but seriously don't even ask, just go catch up and start chatting one of them up. If they are being standoffish or aloof then leave. Take the lead as soon as possible. Group riding skills take time to learn so it is best to find a club ride that is willing and expected to teach. Or just google group riding skills.
07-11-11, 12:35 PM
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The first time I caught a guy drafting me, I was flattered!
I'd finally become fast enough to be draft-worthy.
I'd finally become fast enough to be draft-worthy.
07-11-11, 12:36 PM
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do your best to pick out the best rider and challenge him, if you can keep up with him/her. You will be accepted by the pack.
but seriously don't even ask, just go catch up and start chatting one of them up. If they are being standoffish or aloof then leave. Take the lead as soon as possible. Group riding skills take time to learn so it is best to find a club ride that is willing and expected to teach. Or just google group riding skills.
but seriously don't even ask, just go catch up and start chatting one of them up. If they are being standoffish or aloof then leave. Take the lead as soon as possible. Group riding skills take time to learn so it is best to find a club ride that is willing and expected to teach. Or just google group riding skills.
07-11-11, 12:43 PM
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As others have said, ask first and be willing to take your turn in front when it comes up.
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07-11-11, 12:53 PM
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I try to judge and see if they'd be receptive to having a stranger join in (a bit of a guessing game), and they are going at a speed that I can handle, I might ask if I can fall in. Have done it a couple of times, and then taken my turn at the front.
I wouldnt just get on the wheel of people I dont know without asking. That's like jumping into a game of pickup rollerhockey hockey without asking. Just socially inept.
A friend and I were riding a 7-day stage event last year, and another rider (whom we barely knew) just jumped in on our wheels without asking and never took a turn in the front. All he had to do was ask to join and then say that he was barely hanging on and couldnt take a turn, and it would have been cool. It was a bit rude of him to do neither, so we droped the hamer and left him behind.
Common courtesy and manners FTW.
07-11-11, 12:55 PM
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I'd ask, but whatever. If you don't and are just hanging on the back, watch out for snot rockets from people who don't know you're there.
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07-11-11, 12:56 PM
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"Hey, mind if I jump on?" Then take a turn at the front if you have the fitness and skill to do it correctly.
And don't be pissy if they say no or make a serious face at you. Some people might be doing intervals, it might be a team ride, or they may be triathletes. If they seem rude, shrug it off and resist the urge to start a thread about it. It's not about you.
And don't be pissy if they say no or make a serious face at you. Some people might be doing intervals, it might be a team ride, or they may be triathletes. If they seem rude, shrug it off and resist the urge to start a thread about it. It's not about you.
07-11-11, 01:03 PM
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"Hey, mind if I jump on?" Then take a turn at the front if you have the fitness and skill to do it correctly.
And don't be pissy if they say no or make a serious face at you. Some people might be doing intervals, it might be a team ride, or they may be triathletes. If they seem rude, shrug it off and resist the urge to start a thread about it. It's not about you.
And don't be pissy if they say no or make a serious face at you. Some people might be doing intervals, it might be a team ride, or they may be triathletes. If they seem rude, shrug it off and resist the urge to start a thread about it. It's not about you.
07-11-11, 01:03 PM
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07-11-11, 01:23 PM
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I personally would have no problem with someone just hanging on if I knew that's what they intended to do. I get annoyed with people who just pull up and suck wheel. And I also get a little annoyed with people who can't make a decent pull, but attempt to anyway and slow the pace.
But that's just me...
07-11-11, 01:51 PM
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If you ask permission, then yes. if you do a pull, then yes. if you just draft with no permission and don't do pulls, then you're being a jerk.
07-11-11, 01:55 PM
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07-11-11, 02:03 PM
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07-11-11, 02:05 PM
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In case your weren't kidding, there are a number of ways to get rid of an unwanted wheel sucker, short of going Cinzano on them.
Just take turns taking the trash out.
Just take turns taking the trash out.
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OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
07-11-11, 02:06 PM
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you don't have to ask permission...if they get all bent out of shape then it's cuz theyre just asshol3z 24/7...but don't pull off of Tri-guys...they barely know how to ride bikes to begin with....
07-11-11, 02:09 PM
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07-11-11, 02:09 PM
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It's called drafting, and only semi's with box trailers.
Check the confession thread, use the search function, jeeeeeeezeeeee.
I would take serious offense to this kind of rudeness, and would likely endanger your ride if you are without a pack. I assume you travel in a pack, thus your arrogance.
Check the confession thread, use the search function, jeeeeeeezeeeee.
I would take serious offense to this kind of rudeness, and would likely endanger your ride if you are without a pack. I assume you travel in a pack, thus your arrogance.
07-11-11, 02:09 PM
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Gz Shim!What's wrong with tailgating when the person in front leaves over a ten car gap? A little message goes a long way imo.