I'd rather only people I know sat on my wheel and I'll generally only draft people I know. I tend to just start soft pedalling if people sit on my wheel unannounced, they generally get the message.
If you do draught someone it makes them faster, too. Something to do with drag.... I usually ask if it's ok to draught someone unless it's obvious they take themselves too seriously and then they're fair game as far as I'm concerned.
If you draught me, you'll get told to **** off, it's plain stupid to ride close to people you don't know and who doesn't know you're going to do it. .
Not sure what having raced or done club runs has to do with it? The issue isn't whether you're comfortable with draughting, it's whether you're comfortable with it being total randoms that are doing it, when you have no idea what their abilities or judgement is. It'd be like me saying I've done some motorbike racing so it's OK for me to ride up the inside of you on the road in a corner.
Some of the guys I've been out with on road bikes really don't have a clue.
Changing direction suddenly, hitting the brakes for no reason and other foolish stuff.
My last road bike outing was so frustrating I didn't want to see the bike ever again.
Interesting spread of opinions here.
Personally I am quite comfortable with both drafting and being drafted on my solo rides and commutes...
I'll do my turn on the front, if you aren't happy with close quarters riding, I will back off or pass depending on the pace.
I have no illusions about my ability/fitness if someone passes me and stomps off into the distance so be it.
Life is too short to get wound up by such trivial things...
I once drafted someone and he eventually flicked the elbow- he did overtake me first.
I drew level with him so he could see how ****ed i was just drafting then pulled back in behind him. He was fine for the next 5 miles as he tore me a new set of legs as i slowly died.
Saw him a few weeks later and he took the piss.
Fair enough
I dont mind drafting if they bother to talk or at least announce their presence unless its windy in which case do your turn or say you are on a century ride and need a tow/rest for a bit otherwise DO YOUR TURN
CBA.
IMO it's pretty dickish behaviour to brake check someone but then I also dislike unannaounced drafting.
and that's as an experienced club rider / crit racer / MTBer / Virgo / father of 2 / GSOH / VGC / FSH.
Personally I never draft people during day to day riding unless they're clearly game for it. If there's someone up front, I either hang back, or I might ride up alongside and talk to them (which might lead to some drafting), or I just go straight past.
I think it's quite rude to sit on a stranger's wheel. I'll do it in a sportive, an audax, or on a club run, where group riding is generally accepted. But if someone just wants a quiet ride in their own company, it's not up to me to decide otherwise.
And do you even know they brake checked you? Someone who has no experience of group riding may well brake to let you past...
[quote=Northwind ]Not sure what having raced or done club runs has to do with it?
Well have you? Because those who have answered so far all have, and the majority of those aren't worried about other people drafting them. Though I was interested to see whether having done those things made a difference - if it doesn't then fair enough, but we won't know without any data.
I did think that having done racing or sportives where you do get total unknowns drafting you and that's accepted practice was likely to make you more comfortable - though club runs should make you more comfortable about drafting in general whether you're the giver or receiver. Though that's untested theory.
I note that I did my first "club run" for years last week - and I've also not raced or ridden a sportive for years. Though it was my new mixed discipline club's A ride (this being a club with some very good riders), which went at a rather faster pace than runs I've done before, and also on this occasion a group of only 5. Hence I was kind of nervous about my abilities when sitting on a wheel and took a while to settle down - not at all bothered about being on the front where as mentioned above I'm not going to be the one taken down.
All the comments about having to suddenly brake - especially the one about the pheasant flying into the road - all seem a bit strawmanny. Apart from that I've never experienced such a thing whether riding solo or in a group, I can't see how it makes a difference whether you have a known or unknown behind you.
I prefer clear space ahead and behind, but then I prefer to cycle on my own.
aracer - MemberWell have you? Because those who have answered so far all have, and the majority of those aren't worried about other people drafting them
I have, but it's irrelevant- because as I say, it's not how you feel about being draughted in general- it's how you feel about being draughted by some total random. You have no idea what they're thinking, how they're riding, whether they know what position to take or how close to be- whether they have any idea at all about how to ride in a tight group, in other words.
On your club rides, do first-timers turn up and just join in the pack without any briefing, explanation, etc? No. I'm sure the red arrows are very comfortable flying together but if a blue eagle turns up and starts doing star jumps (*), they'll probably be less happy. Let alone some random guy in a Piper.
(* probably not a legit aerobatic move.)
Hey davidtaylforth, remember that time you dropped me on your Ben10? I was giving everything up the east side of coniston on my e-bike when I heard a howling like a hurricane. I though Donald Campbell had risen from the depths and was hunting me down when I began to feel dtf:s shockwave buffeting my rear. Then before you could say "homoerotica" he was upon me. I could feel the heat from his thighs on my face. And then, with an almighty whoosh, leaving me juddering in his backwash, he was gone.
Magnificent
On your club rides, do first-timers turn up and just join in the pack without any briefing, explanation, etc?
I've ridden on group runs where it isn't even explained where we are going, let alone had any briefings etc. Always assumed that if you ride like a d*ck you'll get told pretty quickly to sort it out.
Anyway if you are worried about the quality of riders then ride at the front where you are pretty ammune from their bad riding. As noted previously it is incredibly hard for the drafting rider to take down the leader.
i can't stand it! i often cycle to [i]get away[/i] from other people, not so random idiots can follow 6" behind.
Had it done to me when commuting in towns and cities - wtf!? as if it's not enough having to deal with cars pulling out of junctions and sudden lane changes and so on. the person behind is often just stem-staring.
Even if you're ok with it, surely it's best left for country roads and things when there's much less chance of needing to stop suddenly
I've asked people to get off my tail only to be met with "it's called drafting mate!" and they just stay there.
I'm mocha more concerned by what car and lorry drivers are doing than some random person on a bike behind me who is not affecting me at all.and is unlikely to cause me any major problem even in the unlikely event of him running into the back of me .
dragon - MemberI've ridden on group runs where it isn't even explained where we are going, let alone had any briefings etc. Always assumed that if you ride like a d*ck you'll get told pretty quickly to sort it out.
They don't even explain rotating, hand signs/communicating etc to novices?
Not brake-checking per se, but when following someone on my commute he eventually turned his head around and said angrily "why don't you just overtake me?" - to which I answered that I was just chilling!
I'd have either said the same, slowed to force you to pass or increased the pace. If you were 'just chilling' then there's better places to do it.
I wonder if the reason those who are anti being drafted is the fact they are unpredictable and erratic riders. When being drafted you need to plan ahead, try to be smooth and call out and point to dangers. Obviously this is too much for many here!!
I wonder if the reason those who are anti being drafted is the fact they are unpredictable and erratic riders. When being drafted you need to plan ahead, try to be smooth and call out and point to dangers. Obviously this is too much for many here!!
Keep wondering. For me it's a question of the fact that I generally ride alone and I enjoy the me time. I don't want to have to think about anyone else. I don't mind being drafted, I just think there's a lack of courtesty and an element of cheating oneself in taking the wheel without doing the work.
If I catch someone up, I'll tell them I'm in the wheel as I don't want a face full of snot. I might pull along side for a chat or I might just sit there for a few seconds then pass.
What I won't do is sit in the wheel and take advantage of someone else's effort.
The silent wheel sucker will slowly see my speed creep up just to see how good they really are. It adds a little extra effort to my rides, which can't be bad.
I wonder how many Strava PBs are bragged about in the pub after letting someone else do the work.
If you got that close, did you ask him why he did it?
I have, but it's irrelevant- because as I say, it's not how you feel about being draughted in general- it's how you feel about being draughted by some total random. You have no idea what they're thinking, how they're riding, whether they know what position to take or how close to be- whether they have any idea at all about how to ride in a tight group, in other words.
This. For me the usual scenario is that I pass someone who jumps on, so there's a degree of 'scoping' that can happen. If it's a club rider on a nice bike, I'm happy, they'll usually do a turn, and I'll exchange pleasantries. If it's some fat chopper in baggies who's breathing out his arse then I'm going to drop the hammer and get rid of them. The irritation in London being that they'll catch you at the next set of lights (invariably standing behind you at the lights) and then repeat.
I don't always want to have to ride hard, but because I'm doing a longer commute than many I tend to pick up the 5-mile heroes, who can obliterate themselves for 15 minutes. They've got no clue, they see the whole thing as a race, and assume everyone is game for competition. I'd still never brake check them though. I don't want my di2 mech smashed by a nodder!
I think he must've been on a recovery ride of some sort; there's normally no warning whatsoever. Often people never even know he's been thereI began to feel dtf:s shockwave buffeting my rear. Then before you could say "homoerotica" he was upon me. I could feel the heat from his thighs on my face
thestabiliser - Member
Hey davidtaylforth, remember that time you dropped me on your Ben10? I was giving everything up the east side of coniston on my e-bike when I heard a howling like a hurricane. I though Donald Campbell had risen from the depths and was hunting me down when I began to feel dtf:s shockwave buffeting my rear. Then before you could say "homoerotica" he was upon me. I could feel the heat from his thighs on my face. And then, with an almighty whoosh, leaving me juddering in his backwash, he was gone.
Magnificent
😀 Yes, my legs are still sore from the effort....
I wonder if the reason those who are anti being drafted is the fact they are unpredictable and erratic riders. When being drafted you need to plan ahead,
Can't plan for the unexpected deer or squirrel or numpty doing something strange thou. On a commute your commuting not doing a group ride, there's a time and a place for drafting.
Can't plan for the unexpected deer or squirrel
No but in all my years of biking riding I've only seen 3 cyclists hit deer one was on a mtb ride and no other cyclists were downed the other two were on club runs and no other riders got taken out.
I have seen a squirrel get caught up in a mtb, still trying to forget it but no cyclists were hurt.
[quote="anagallis_arvensis"]
I wonder if the reason those who are anti being drafted is the fact they are unpredictable and erratic riders. When being drafted you need to plan ahead, try to be smooth and call out and point to dangers. Obviously this is too much for many here!!That's a hell of an assumption to leap to. And massively inaccurate.
I'm more worried about cretins who don't actually know how to draft. Or when it's safe/sensible to do it.
The club I'm a member of, and don't ride with, is an example of why I got like this.
I guess some peole think it's ok to draft.
Some think it's not ok.
Those who draft will do it irrespective of whether the lead wants it or not.
It's the leads problem for attracting this unwanted attention. 🙄
Those who draft will do it irrespective of whether the lead wants it or not.
That depends how often they get brake checked.
OP, are you sure he even knew you were there if you tucked in unannounced?
Facts as I see them. OP caught up with another rider and started riding on his wheel (unannounced?) That rider then braked for reasons unknown (assumed by OP to be a brake check.) Was there a subsequent discussion?
If the rider was in fact brake checking then he's a knob. If the OP slid in behind in stealthy unannounced fashion then he too is a knob.
If you want to ride a couple of inches off someone's back wheel then you do need to ask. You're a group at that point and both riders need to know how to ride accordingly.
Indeed mr blobby. Thats why if I catch someone I go past and see if they want to take a wheel. If so game on. If a rider or group comes past me and I can jump on I will and normally I'll wheeze something at them so they know.
I knew I had the memes for this thread somewhere...
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There you go both basic [i]"pick an argument and be a dick about it"[/i] positions covered in a couple of nice simple illustrations...
Both acted like dicks
What I dont get your fat and lazy if have an ebike. But your fine to make your road ride easier by drafting someone. I only ride on the road to get fitter I'd feel I'd cheated if i got towed along by someone.
I'm not fit by amy means but I have no problem leading with my mates as I'm the fittest in our group and again I see it as good training. But I wouldn't be happy I'd a random stranger pulled in behind me when I'm riding alone as I often do. Ill happily admit I don't have the group riding skills to feel comfortable leading a stranger. Similarly I don't know the rules of kabaddi and don't expect a random stranger to walk up to me in the street and off me a game and expect me to play along.
When drafting road bikes whilst on my fat bike i courteously shout "pedal faster"
Do you have to pick who you draft really really carefully?
anagallis_arvensis - MemberWhen being drafted you need to plan ahead, try to be smooth and call out and point to dangers.
It's not my job to think for other road users.
But also, if you're putting yourself in a position that you're dependent on a complete stranger calling out and pointing to dangers for you, you shouldn't be on the road, this is basically insane.
Do you have to pick who you draft really really carefully?
No, not at all. Play safe and don't draft strangers.
It's not my job to think for other road users.
Yeah, how dare you be expected to think!!!
But also, if you're putting yourself in a position that you're dependent on a complete stranger calling out and pointing to dangers for you, you shouldn't be on the road, this is basically insane.
and yet my life still goes on having drafted all sorts of strangers in my time with never an incident or crossed word.
anagallis_arvensis - MemberYeah, how dare you be expected to think!!!
Irony- you are insisting that other people should think for you
If anyone is draughting me I just turn up the power on my e-bike and make them eat my dust!
I expect, well hope, they do it everyday I'm on the roads riding or driving.
Never met a rider yet who complains about a bit od drafting yet STW is full of them. I've also never found myself stressed or running out of processing power when someones on my wheel and I point out hazards and try to ride smoothly. Maybe I'm just not good enough for selfishtrackworld
You're talking about Richmond park here, if you've not cycled around it then it can be an insight! I've seen some very unpredictable behaviour.
1) Fast approaching someone who had moved to the left and was slowing down. I moved to the centre right when suddenly he stuck his right hand out slightly and immediately without looking tried to do a U turn. I had nowhere to go other than into him, we ended up in a tangle in the middle of the road. 🙄
2) Again approaching someone I was about 2/3 metres away when, and I still don't know how he did it to this day, the guy just went over his handlebars and off onto the grass (narrowly missing those wooden stick things at the side of the road). 😯
To add to this there are also lots "weekend warriors" patrolling, who see it fit to barge their way past you in completely inappropriate places to get a decent lap time in at all costs! Also lots of cars which use the park as a shortcut and hate to be kept at 20mph unless there are deer anywhere near the road (within 100m) then 1mph is perfectly acceptable.
All good fun though!
In all seriousness, I'm sure most people on here, regular cyclists, don't mind a bit of drafting.
Let's face it, we all need a tow now and then.
🙂
But it increases risk, not just for you, and not letting on just increases that risk.
And most of the people getting fantasy drafted also drive cars.
Would you say you think most drivers are better or worse than yourself?
Context innit?
OK, time out. A_A, are you actually trolling? I'm starting to feel a bit like I'm just falling for it...
