OldTryGuy

I was heading back home into the 10mph wind this AM and feeling pretty sluggish. Lower gear and spinning because the legs are tired from last week's efforts. Coming to a traffic light intersection with a right turn lane I check my Third Eye Mirror and see a rider approaching. Light turns green so no slowing needed, continue through and see the rider closing. It doesn't take long and he passes on my left so I say hello with nothing returned. As he pulls in front I drop down a gear and try to close the gap. Finally make his wheel and feeling the draft advantage, not super close, we ride a bit.

After about 20 seconds I hear a click and then another and another. Speed is really picking up and he was dropping down the cog then the final CLICK, into the 11(?) since it looked like a compact, then he drops onto his aerobars that were mounted on his pretty Cervelo on which he rode in his Cervelo Kit. Held on for a little longer but MAN, was it a job. Finally had to give in, offered a thanks for the pull, and off he goes.

BTW, I was returning from the Whole Food Store where I purchased some Medjool dates, fresh ground peanut butter, Publix food store where I purchased a bottle of Organic Red wine, all in my backpack riding my 37 pound 7 speed hybrid with a basket on the front, alloy carrier on the rear, wearing pocketed shorts with SPD sandals on the feet.

Made this 63yo feel good. Also stopped at a produce vendor and picked up some fresh Florida tomatoes and sweet potatoes before I made it home.

Dudelsack 

North Coast Joe

Little victories like this make me proud to be a Fred. Bet you ate better than roadie-boy when you got home!

B. Carfree

I also think he would tell the story differently. I suspect he would complain about the person who hopped on his wheel without asking and stayed there without permission. This is a big no no. It's a rare rider who isn't annoyed by people drafting without introduction.

Greyride

Just wondering why anyone would care if someone hugged their wheel? I certainly don't care as long as they don't run into me or cross wheel.

raqball

I don't get the whole chase, catch and pass thing..

A few weeks ago on a climb I was chugging along at my normal 10mph up, up and up.. Observed someone pedaling hard behind me to catch up. He did, he passed, I kept my pace..

About a mile later I see him pushing his bike up the climb. I slow to ask if he is okay, figuring he may have had a flat or a medical issue. He says he is fine and I pedal along, still at my 10mph average..

Am I missing out on the thrill of the chase and catch? I am asking not be be rude but because it's never really interested me..

xtrout1

This reminded me of a time i was riding along when all of a sudden I just felt like someone was on my wheel in back of me and sure enough someone was. at first it felt weird. I did not hear him I just felt him. after awhile whe rode along side and said to me. " Nice pace" we talked for awhile and then went our separate ways. never saw him again. in retrospect... what a nice compliment.

RaleighSport

You never know a strangers riding pattern, skills or predictability.

DiabloScott

Well, that's why. I don't know the skill level of someone who just got on my wheel. And when I'm in front I'm partially in charge of the safety of the guy behind me and I don't want that responsibility when he's somebody I haven't developed a trust in.

Carbonfiberboy 

When two roadies traveling in the same direction are within sight of each other it's Game On. No one has to play, but those who do get some jollies and fun training. Nothing like seeing quarry up the road or an overtaking bike to get the old man's HR up. Yes, you are missing out on some fun stuff. We do try to be polite about it. Never pass unless you really are the stronger rider. Always call it when you get a wheel. If you draft for a while and are comfy, pass and give the other bike a pull. The other bike may not want to play and may just drop off. Whatever. Be polite. You might make a friend and you might learn something. The non-verbal language of cycling fascinates me.

yote223

Drafting without permission? It's called a PUBLIC road for a reason. So long as you don't wipe anybody out, what's the prob ? Jmo.

Dudelsack 

Yours is the most sublime of all Cat 6 victories, except when you do this on a bent. Then you achieve Bliss Itself.

doctor j

Last Saturday and I'm on the inbound leg of 72 miles. Two come into view, and we're on asphalt that's been ground down, I hope for resurfacing. Rougher than bad chip seal. I pass them going up a small hill. One is definitely younger than me, and the other is, I believe, closer to my age and maybe slightly younger. Nice bike and kit, both of them. They catch up to me and pass. The young punk comes up out of the saddle and accelerates. Mind you, I'm beating feet. I've got to get home, shower, and get to a Kentucky Derby party within a certain time limit. I'm keeping a steady cadence. I pass them again. They start to catch up, and I keep the cadence and finally lose them. Game on, absolutely. Yes, I made it to the party on time.

FBinNY 

+1,
I don't like unknown drafters on my wheel, any more than I like tailgating cars.

Courtesy dictates that you only draft with permission or with people you know well. Obviously racing is an exception, but city street riding isn't racing.

OldTryGuy

When a soon to be 64yo, me, is riding a 7 speed, 37lb upright bars, basket on the front with carrier on the rear, 26 x 1 3/8 60psi tires with backpack on is tooling along into a 10mph headwind, it is almost a given that a pass will happen. Being the guy I am, I waited for the pass and felt that a little draft would help going into the headwind. I WAS NOT sucked to his wheel even though noticing he was on a Cervelo with aero bars, wearing the Cervelo Kit and having a smooth high cadence motion pretty much exuded experience.

The fact is that as he increased his cadence he then had to drop a cog and kept dropping until no more dropping could be done and then grabbing the aerobars was required because the speed was rising just tickled my fancy. If you never experienced this type of situation, let me just say that for me, it was way cool.

As far as someone sucking my wheel without introduction, I'm in front with my mirror on and it doesn't bother me. If you can stay on, great. If you pass me, I will draft you.

FBinNY 

The objection to strangers on your wheel isn't that you object to freeloaders or anything like that. It's a basic and serious safety issue. With little separation, the front rider is hamstrung about his options when things arise. Any sudden braking can mean a collision, and even a shift to either side to avoid a pothole is dangerous because there may be wheel overlap, and he doesn't know if so, and to which side.

Basic etiquette in close formation riding is the front rider considers the risk to the rider behind before making any maneuver, and riders don't draft without announcing their presence.

Greyride

So if I don't know you draft at your own peril.

FBinNY 

And mine, which is why it's not considered good etiquette.

NOS88

+1 I, despite what others argue, believe that the danger of an accident increase a great deal when you're close enough to any moving vehicle to draft it. If one intends to do this with a willing group of others, that's a choice they've made. But imposing it or attempting to impose it on another is an entirely different thing.

OldTryGuy

Even with introduction and even in Pro Pelotons, overlap and touching occurs resulting in crashes, so makes little difference.

NOS88

I'm not sure I understand your point.

Dudelsack 

Another vote for no drafting unless among consenting adults.

BigAura

IMO: It can be creepy with someone you don't know on your wheel.

FBinNY 

So by your logic, there'd be no driving violation for tailgating. Here in NY it's called "following too closely" and draws a fine and points on your license.

Yes, accidents happen even with folks you know, and among seasoned professionals. That's the best argument for no drafting among strangers and amateurs.

Drafting creates dangers for both parties, and is frowned upon outside of competition, or by agreement of the parties.

We don't drive on city streets under LaMans rules, likewise with bikes.

BTW- the fellow on the Cervello was pretty courteous, simply pulling away from you. I know folks who would have taught you a nasty lesson with some surprise brake action.

OldTryGuy

Pretty sure had I been on my Propel, chances are he would not have pulled away.