Drafting a bus
09-20-16, 08:16 PM
#26
Senior Member
I will draft whatever I can if I am familiar with the road and traffic pattern. Chevy Sonic to a UPS truck and everything in between. Bus? Cement mixer? 18 wheeler? Sure. The only thing I avoid drafting is an armored truck like Brinks. Really don't want the driver to catch a glimpse of me hanging back on his truck. Not only have I drafted....I have grabbed on as well for a second off a light. It was a trolley style bus and there just happened to be a perfect spot for me to grab onto, so I did.
09-20-16, 08:45 PM
#27
Passista
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,797
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaņa pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Liked 829 Times
in
461 Posts
^^ When I was a kid, one of my friends got a job about 4kms from home. A lot of trucks on that road, he used to grab on one of them and go all the way without pedalling. The drivers really hated that.
09-21-16, 02:02 AM
#28
Senior Member
I also draft whatever I can. Most of my route home is on a 50km/hr road, so if I can catch a nice draft it's a nice fun ride. I also had a similar thought the first time I drafted a truck, "I'll just try and stay behind this truck until it I can't keep up" and then next things I know I was cruising down the road at 50k, and I had found a new bad habit.
Like others have said, I would rather be cruising behind the truck at the speed of traffic than having trucks half pass me and pushing me into the curb.
And did you have fun when the bus turned off your route leaving you to be hit by a wall of wind?
Like others have said, I would rather be cruising behind the truck at the speed of traffic than having trucks half pass me and pushing me into the curb.
And did you have fun when the bus turned off your route leaving you to be hit by a wall of wind?
09-21-16, 05:14 AM
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Seminole, FL
Posts: 18
Bikes: LeMond Versailles
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One of my scariest experiences was: riding a small Vespa, a tractor trailer passed and pulled in front of me. The vacuum was so strong that I felt scarily and hopelessly trapped.
10-04-16, 06:19 AM
#30
Senior Member
I can't say I've drafted for any length of time before, but I just happened on an opportunity today. A lawn maintenance type truck was in front of me to turn right and I followed him. I knew the road to be mostly flat and even somewhat downhill, so I got a few feet behind and stayed with him for almost a full mile.
Once we were up to speed, I only had to pedal every few seconds. It's a 30mph road and I clocked 29.2!
Once we were up to speed, I only had to pedal every few seconds. It's a 30mph road and I clocked 29.2!
10-04-16, 07:46 AM
#31
Senior member
My best draft experience was when I landed with bike at JFK in NY. I couldn't find any non-highway road out and was very uncomfortable riding in that airport traffic and winding up on the Van Wyke Expressway.
While contemplating my options, I noticed that service trucks came by every so often. Like timing a wave, I got ready to jump onto the next one, got into the draft and stayed there as we cruised at 30-35mph. He took me out of the airport and onto a service road where I could escape onto Queens city streets.
While contemplating my options, I noticed that service trucks came by every so often. Like timing a wave, I got ready to jump onto the next one, got into the draft and stayed there as we cruised at 30-35mph. He took me out of the airport and onto a service road where I could escape onto Queens city streets.
10-04-16, 06:41 PM
#32
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
9 Posts
I drafted this home last night.
Wasn't on a call, so no lights and siren. Damn.
Wasn't on a call, so no lights and siren. Damn.
10-04-16, 06:43 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,656
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,489 Times
in
1,915 Posts
Fire trucks and furl tankers are the best to draft. I interpret the "keep back 200 feet" as meaning there's a safety zone for drafting bicycles.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-05-16, 11:02 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 588
Bikes: Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe, Giant Stance, Cannondale Synapse, Diamondback 8sp IGH, 1989 Merckx
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
https://www.amazon.com/Leegoal-Bicyc...=bicycle+alarm
I have four of these: they all work and make a helluva noise when someone sets then off!
Joe
I have four of these: they all work and make a helluva noise when someone sets then off!
Joe
10-07-16, 01:36 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
Funny, I just drafted a bus yesterday on the way to work. The problem is, they stop at all the stop signs and RR crossings, so its not the steady speed I would go on my own. But, if I give them an extra 50-70 feet in gap at a stop sign, I usually don't have to slow down too much by they time they get going.
Still, I'll draft anyting on a 25mph road - although its best if there is a line of cars in front of me. A single car can always pull away, but if there is a line of cars, they are stuck going the same speed as the one in front.
Occasionally I'll get the car that just stops and lets me pass. Happens much more often if I use a flashing strobe head light....
Still, I'll draft anyting on a 25mph road - although its best if there is a line of cars in front of me. A single car can always pull away, but if there is a line of cars, they are stuck going the same speed as the one in front.
Occasionally I'll get the car that just stops and lets me pass. Happens much more often if I use a flashing strobe head light....
