HWS

I was cruising along a rail trail this afternoon minding my own business when the urge to snot rocket came upon me. Turned my head to the right and let her fly. Next thing I heard was "Damn, man!!!! WTF???"

Seems this guy came up behind me, and had been drafting for a few minutes without saying anything to me. I mean I had NO idea he was there. I apologized, he stopped (presumably to wipe it off.) He refused my offer of a water bottle to wash down and took off the other way.

I would never have done the rocket had I known he was there. Shouldn't he have announced his presence before drafting? I could have stopped short or something just as easily and caused a wreck instead.

I have had people draft me before, but they have always let me know they were there.

roadfix

Make a habit of always aiming towards the ground.....whether there's someone behind you or not...

wfin2004

Good job! Nothing like lettin' her fly. I say serves him right after sucking off your draft for a time unannounced.

iNewton

His fault, in my opinion.

I personally don't hold any body fluids, farts or anything that bugs me if I believe to be alone on the road. Why would I? Yes, I also 'snort rocket'

55/Rad

This happened to me on a busy highway. Pure accident. The guy was pissed and honestly, the apology I offerred wasn't real sincere. My feeling is this: sneak up on me on a busy highway where it's hard to hear - and you take your chances.

In your case, you handled it fine.

55/Rad

daytonian

HWS - that was me man!!! Ok just kidding, I was at a TT today. He should've been helping you with pulls or at least announced himself by pulling alongside you. I had it happen once last Fall, I passed this HUGE Scandinavian looking guy on a Cannondale. Five minutes later he pulls up next to me and asks were I was going and if he could tag along, so we traded off pulls and it was great.
If someone is sneaking back there not doing any work they got what they deserved - motivation to do some work

rufvelo

You did just fine.

bigskymacadam

you did fine. i don't feel bad at all for the other guy. drafting unannounced is not only dangerous, but now messy too.

EventServices

You have NO responsibility for the Lurking Wheel Sucker behind you. None whatsoever.
If you realize and acknowledge that he's there, then you accept a certain amount of responsibility, but not a lot.

That's a safety issue more than an ettiquette issue. Anyone who disagrees doesn't fully understand the sport.

Imagine these simple scenarios:
you're riding along at a good clip for several miles. Suddenly, you decide to sit up and drink. Of course, you slow down.
The Silent Wheel Sucker isn't paying attention, rolls into you, and takes out your rear derailleur. You could both end up on the ground quite easily. And you're picking your derailleur out of your spokes.

You're riding along. You come to a hill. You get out of your saddle and your bike does that thing where it seems to stand still for a brief moment while you shift your weight. The SWS hits your back wheel. Another safety issue.

More often than not, the rear rider is going to suffer more than the front rider. But all it takes is a simple noise to let you know they're there. If they don't make a noise, you have no apology to make.

LA_Rider

I disagree completely.

If you’re walking down a crowded city street, is it everyone's responsibility to let you know they’re walking right behind you - of course not.

If you’re the one who’s about to blow discussing body fluids in public, the burdens on you to make sure the coast is clear.

bigskymacadam

that's right. this too on an organized ride, sure. but solo? there should not be anyone around me unannounced.

Odin

+1

55/Rad

Why does the apple I just bit into not taste like the orange I had yesterday?

Stjtoday

I would have laughed at the guy, to follow that closely unannounced... is what ya get.

LA_Rider

Ok all you “it’s not your responsibility” folks, riddle me this...

You’re approaching a rider on the left to pass, before you can mummer “on yer left”, they suddenly turn their head to the left and and blow massive greeners into your flight path.

Is it:

a) your fault for not saying “on yer left” one millisecond sooner?

b) their fault for not taking a quick peek behind them first?

matagi

Can someone explain to me the need to blow snot rockets? This is a truly disgusting habit, which has no justification as far as I am concerned. Doesn't anyone carry a handkerchief these days?

And yes, you can blow your nose into a handkerchief when riding - I do it all the time.

EventServices

LA Rider, I gotta say that's just a case of unfortunate bad timing. Wrong place at the wrong time.
But to linger back there unannounced, you're just waiting for it.

And walking behind someone on the sidewalk isn't ANYTHING like drafting off another rider.
On a sidewalk, you would have a certain expectation of other walkers to be in close proximity.

nova

Could have been worse for him. He could have been breathing heavy through his mouth and sucked it right on down .........

Trekke

Things like this just happen. He should have announced and you probably should have know what was going on behind you. I don't wear a mirrow but try to constantly be aware. I wouldn't feel too bad about it. If he was 20 feet behind you he could have just as easily picked up the rocket on his front tire and slung it all over his leg or the bottom side of his bike. Don't worry about it.

Demit

how can you not tell if someone is drafting that near to you? and if you cant tell if someone is behind you why are you fireing bodily fluids there?

mingsta

Don't feel too bad, its part of the sport, though its generally good form to aim for the ground.

I was on a group ride with the local road club and the guy in front blew one off, although he was aiming at the ground I did get hit with some shrapnel...ho hum, s'no biggie.

HWS

I was feeling a little guilty...but damn....If he was going to pass or announce he was coming up, he was the overtaking bike and should have said something when he was 20 feet or so behind me.

LA_Rider

That’s true, but since I’ve come inches from getting nailed this way several times in the last six months, I know first hand it does happens, and it has nothing to do with lingering, or unannounced drafting.

It’s just common courtesy. Turning your head to check before you blast snot is NOT too much to ask IMO.

the beef

Heehee. Poor guy. Don't worry about it, wasn't your fault, really.

LA_Rider

That’s ridiculous! There’s no rule as to how many feet back you’re required to announce your passing plans.

There’s also about a thousand threads here full of people who don’t even feel they need to say something when passing. How about them - do they deserve your snot in their face too**********????