Originally Posted by
TimothyH
There is a way to do what the OP describes without drama or drawing (much) attention. It can even be done elegantly so that it seems natural to the rest of the group.
Many times however, riders think they are being aggressive when all they are doing is wasting energy and putting themselves and the group at risk.
Lack of sophistication or even lack of control
Tim has it closer to what I'm talking about.
I'm sure we have folks who do it eloquently and we never notice. Slip up a few spots sometime before they arrive where they need to do this totally unnoticed.
This, however, is an obvious move either made up the middle of a double line or over the yellow line on the left.
I like the advice of:
-pull longer instead of harder if you're stronger...tire yourself out to limit the difference up a hill or during a pull
-pull shorter or skip if you're weaker.....but don't be the sit on sprinter
My bet is multi-sport athlete who can ride the bike at a good pull for ages but can't surge and recover very well at all. There's heavier riders in the group who pass them on the hills.
Where was that article about the savings in a paceline or the peloton? I thought they debunked it and the savings was WAY more than 30%. Meaning, I wouldn't think a 2% grade or so should ever be enough to cause separation in a group that can hold their wheels to the person in front of them.
In a race, I know for sure 2% ain't nearly enough to get separation on a group.