[Closed] Does it say "Draft me" on my jacket?

Two words
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Brake Test

your chance to try and drop them, no better feeling imho

~Sit up, let them past and jump on their tails whilst keeping the pace up. They'll soon blow :O)

I think you are confusing a work commute with an official competition. If you dont want them to draft you then don't overtake them or just ride faster.

I commute and tend not to draft but if i see someone go past that clearly just wants to get past me to make himself feel good cos of his inferiority complex then yes, I will draft him deliberately.

I couldn't drop them - I'm not that fit.

M_F - I went past them as they were riding even slower than my pace when I caught up with them. My chronic inferiority complex had nothing to do with it!

does someone drafting you cause you to be slowed at all? Genuine question.

I often draft lycra'd up people on road bikes when I am on my Brompton wearing jeans and a coat, normally because they do that 'I'm faster than you so I'll push in front at the lights' thing.

It makes them mad 🙂

No - if anything it encourages me to make more of an effort. I just get a little annoyed by people who pootle along, then speed up to get on your wheel for a faster easier ride without making any effort to do a turn at the front.

Rush out and buy a copy of American Flyers and learn to 'drop those wheelsuckers!'

or modify your bike in some sort of James Bond style 🙂

I seem to remember a study that said the bloke in front gets a small advantage. Obviously the bigger advantage of the draughter should be shared.

"[i]I commute and tend not to draft but if i see someone go past that clearly just wants to get past me to make himself feel good cos of his inferiority complex then yes, I will draft him deliberately. [/i]"

does that make you feel good?

the correct thing to do is flick your right elbow as a signal for them to come through and take their turn on the front, if they don't then you're allowed to everso gently up the pace, or ask them if they've brought you up a new water-bottle

There is no better feeling to me than doing my personal best 10 mile TT on my commuter because someone has decided to jump on my wheel for a draft... 🙂

Go into a aero tuck and rip their legs !!!

If you cant drop them weave in and out a bit.

Hack up a good sized grolly and spit it out 😉

Have a particularly strong curry the night before and let them have your "toxic draft"

Glad some of you are not taking this so seriously now - I quite like the water bottle comment idea.

Johni - the bloke on Saturday was quite brave, considering the beers and curry on Friday night!

Really annoys me when people do this, mainly because it's dangerous - you don't know their skill level and they don't know yours. If they are prepared to swap off on the front then that can be fun, but just to jump on someone's wheel without saying anyting and expect a free ride is just rude and potentially dangerous.

remember the end of the southern sportive last year, i was convinced there wa sonly a mile to go, then another etc etc (for 20 miles)

so i sprinted

and sprinted

ended up towing a whole line of roadies arround the south downs untill i got fed up and shouted back "are you fekers just lazy or are you hurting to much to take your turn?"

reply came back "hurting"

so i uped the pace a bit for the last three 😉

mainly because it's dangerous

Wow. There seems to be a lot "going on behind the eyes" when you lot ride.

I've never been aware that someone drafting me was causing me extra drag or then meaning that I had to push harder to keep going.

Let them sit there, is what I say. Although the safety point is a good one, once or twice some numpty has nearly crashed into my back wheel.
Much to their embarrasment 🙄

Anyway, don't let it get to you, just do your own ride 🙂

S.

From some of these posts I reckon we must have the creme de la creme of UK road talent on STW! 😉

Isn't there a very silly, and somewhat competitive, commuting game on bikeradar where they all give themselves a level (or something) then go online and talk about it in Second Life?

Sit on their wheel for a bit save your energy, then go past fast enough they cant get onto your wheel..

I had some wheel sucker sit behind me on Wednesday morning on the commute. I slowed down so he would pass but he just sat there. I know the timings of the traffic lights pretty well so I slowed down approaching a set then put the hammer down with a few hundred meters to go as they were about to go to red. Bye sucker, luckily he wasn't a red light junmper too.

the correct thing to do is flick your right elbow as a signal for them to come through and take their turn on the front, if they don't then you're allowed to everso gently up the pace, or ask them if they've brought you up a new water-bottle

spot on, also start playing around as you reach junctions, as an expert you wouldn't want to be at the front to lead out the sprint now would you?

There's a chap who does this to me, up one of the bigest hills on our route home.

He goes fairly slow so I don't want to hang around behind him as my normal pace is about a third faster than his. But as soon as I pass him he seems to take it as a personal insult and then hangs on my back wheel all the way to the top of the hill where we go our seperate ways. He's a fit chap, I can never shake him, but I always think if he wanted to ride that fast, why is he never riding that fast when I first see him?

I think he just doesn't like being overtaken.

Personally I'd lead them straight over a large pot hole but bunny hop it. ;o)

"does someone drafting you cause you to be slowed at all?"

Yes, and riding behind you using your better lights to see by uses up your batteries twice as fast.

or ask them if they've brought you up a new water-bottle

I ride through Moss Side in Manchester. I'd be better off asking them if they'd brought me my pot belge....

"[i]also start playing around as you reach junctions, as an expert you wouldn't want to be at the front to lead out the sprint now would you?[/i]"

no, i've lost more "Tesco Sprints" than you can imagine that way

i dont think most commuters even know the benefits of drafting someone, they just want to try to keep up.

what is the correct thing to say if i am passed and want to hop on for the ride?

there should be a small theoretical advantage for the leader, as the second rider pushed through the air he ever so slightly increaces the air pressure behind the first rider, pushing him allong.

I wouldnt say anyone on here was being overly optimistic in their fitness, roadies are less fit than we give them credit 🙂

This use to happen a lot to me in Australia - you know how competitive Aussies are! At first it irritated me; but then you simply see it as a friendly game. Also, there was a sense of 'turn-taking'. So that they'd ovetake and you'd benefit. It did improve my fitness during my time there.

"what is the correct thing to say if i am passed and want to hop on for the ride? "

"Can I sit on your wheel a bit mate, please? I'm fat, slow and paggered."

Works for me everyday of the week 🙂

Jackthedog - this isn't Nottingham Road, Ilkeston by any chance.......?

Jackthedog - this isn't Nottingham Road, Ilkeston by any chance.......?

'Fraid not, no. Why, you suffering the same thing?

flamejob - Member

mainly because it's dangerous

Thats why I ring my little Brompton bell to crack the whip and let them know I'm there.

I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter please.

Drop em you big wuss 😉

[i]what is the correct thing to say if i am passed and want to hop on for the ride? [/i] Do you mind if I tuck in behind you as I'm far too slow to pass you. The only thing is if they are behind you then you wouldn't here them anyway, they would have to pull alongside and they're too slow for that.

Where is all this happening? I don't get to race anyone on my way to Bruntsfield from Leith in Edinburgh 🙁 I saw someone on a Willier and thought i'd get a bit cocky and zip past him, but he turned off at the next lights, boo.

Although i do suspect i'm a bit of a 'target' for others, fully lycra'd up with a racer... I would try to overtake me.

You could always just turn round and tell them to **** off.

A well aimed snot rocket should do the trick 🙂

You been practising for Sunday then Swadey ?

I was hoping to draft for most of the ride to be honest ........

[i]thought i'd get a bit cocky and zip past him, but he turned off at the next lights[/i]

I hate when that happens. I don't see many riders on my commute but when I do there is nothing better than reeling them in, and then a couple of hundred metres from them they turn down a side street. I think they probably see me coming and duck down a side street so they don't look slow 😉

Andyfla - My jersey says "Draft Me", so you'll look just fine coasting along behind in that Team Poseur Charlatan top and the Rapha arm warmers.....

I have Rapha knee warmers now as well, changed the bike frame as well so the colours match !

I do like looking the part ......

Told someone to get lost the other day for drafting. Roadie just catching a free ride. If they want to do some work then fine.

Don't mind cycling close when everyone is experienced. Sitting on someones tail in busy London traffic is a bit silly.

Am I the only one who doesnt care ? If someone wants to sit behind me well good on em, it does make me raise my game and try and lose them, but then again why not ?

When did this become a roady forum anyway ?

13thfloormonk - Member

Where is all this happening? I don't get to race anyone on my way to Bruntsfield from Leith in Edinburgh [:(] I saw someone on a Willier and thought i'd get a bit cocky and zip past him, but he turned off at the next lights, boo.

Although i do suspect i'm a bit of a 'target' for others, fully lycra'd up with a racer... I would try to overtake me.

Noted. Do you go up Bruntsfield Place? If so, I'll be waiting at the Morrison Street lights for you. 😉

[i]When did this become a roady forum anyway ? [/i] It's 'ie' in 'roadie'.

Drop them (or weave like I do) or better still if they are still right on your wheel- clear both nostrils over your shoulder

Gary_M:
Point taken, my deepest apologies for any offence caused

I wasn't offended, I was just pointing it out. Although why someone who rides on the road complains about discussing 'roadie' subjects is beyond me.

Not complaining, just commenting,
I guess it is the ageing factor - once commitments kick in, kids, work, etc it is easier to sneak a road ride than a mtb ride

fair enough, it's all bikes to me.

to true, to true

Mr Fla - stop picking fights on my threads!

I'll bring me Rapha cap on Sunday so as not to lower the tone

I am not picking fights !
Just making some observations ..... 😀

It will be our own little Rapha possie

I once had a great race with a guy on the commute. Busy traffic and high speeds we were actually getting quite dangerous with him on the outside of two lanes of cars and me down the middle. Middle proved faster due to on coming cars but when they opened up we were switching positions for a couple of miles. As we neared some traffic light at the top of a hill we had just sprinted up. we stopped for a chat. He congratulated me saying that he was in training for a Triathlon at the weekend and I had provided him some challenging entertainment. I was knackered!lol. Friendly races are fun.

My commute isn't long enough and has too many traffic lights to care about drafters but I can imagine getting a bit p'd off on a longer ride.

But if you normally ride on your own as I do (no mates me !) does it make a diff if someone decides to slack behind you ?

Weird, its never bothered me. I tend to set out at my own pace and then ride at it, should someone wish to pass, fine, should someone wish to draft, fine. Its always preferable if the person pulls alongside and says hello.

Years ago when I was a roady, I had someone do this to me.

If any of you know the area around St Helens, I was travelling up the Rainford by-pass on my normal training run out to Formby and Southport. Passed a guy, said hello and without a word he jumped on my back wheel. Towed him for the next 10 miles to Ormskirk and he never said a single word for the whole 10 miles.

Got to Ormskirk and he pulls up along side me with a big smile on his face. He then proceeds to thank me for the tow and said he was absolutely shattered. I ask him where he has come from, he tells me he's a student at Sheffield Uni and thought it might be a good idea to ride home to Ormskirk.

After that day, I don't mind giving people a tow, it is more likely to be me hopping on his back wheel these days.

absolutely not bothered at all...isn't it just part of the biker camaradarie...

it's happened a few times in london, I've done it a few times - especially in the "friendly race" situation...

and usually it's the more experienced riders that do it anyway so i don't think it is dangerous.

McChillPill....

aw...sorry...just killed the thread by being sensible...

(see "is anyone offended by this" thread)...reverts to type...

[i]McChillPill....[/i] Please tell me you never, ever say that 'word' out loud.

um...no...it kinda fell out...come on half three on a friday afternoon...and i've spent most of the day on this So99ing forum!!

Hey Swadey,
Less of this saddo solo riding! Come and ride with us 'old uns'.
All the drafters have beggered off to Sicilly for the weekend.

I wish drafters would ask first. They really annoy me.

you could drop a silent but deadly one...

(yes it is childish, no i don't care...)

good topic!
so what is the etiquette on the whole commute/overtake thing? i often hold back till i get an oppertunity to overtake in a non condesending way.
im not exactly time trial boy,but a fast commuter on a good 700c slick tyred bike who rides the same roads everyday at pace.
BUT this dude i overtake everyday chases me on his somewhat antiquated mtb with knobblys at 20psi and the sound of his worn transmission crunching and his heart trying to escape thru his chest haunts me in a disturbing way.
one day i should stop and explain "this isnt a race,im sure your a nice person,im not trying to undermine your masculinity.so please dont make me the reason your going to have a heart attack or get hit by a van due to your lack of consentration on the road".otherwize i might just take a longer route to work.....

There is no point getting worried by the etiquette, as you then just get narked by all the hundreds of people who have never worried about what the etiquette is. My personal London aggravation is people who sit waaay in front of the stop line at junctions, can't see the lights and set off late so I pass them, stop at the next line, they drift in front again and so on. But hey.

A bloke went into my back wheel under Admiralty Arch t'other day when I slammed on the anchors to (I thought) avoid being clotrheslined by a van's mirror. Sorry if that were you.

🙂

Never minded if anyone drafts me (though more often other way round!).
Surely its just part of being a cyclist, and makes you a bit more visible than one bike to traffic.
If you are fast enough to catch-up and overtake then you really ought to be fast enough to pull away and drop any tailgaters, or at the very least make them work hard for their draft!

I can imagine in central london the above might not apply, as I wouldn;t want to think of the rider 6inches behind me if I needed to brake suddenly due to a taxi or bendy bus.

i suppose this conversation is superbly reliant on the people,pace,traffic,geography and not yet mentioned...ego.
i ride my bike,fast,slow,and sometimes in anger.
jeez it just occurred to me..we are all talking the same language.BIKE RIDING
we are the same breed.

I will not let anyone I don't know and trust to draft me. I have no idea what their skills are and given the daily "near miss" that requires an hard stop I don't want them running into the back of me. Its only happened a few times but they get told to "go away and procreate"

have you tried ringing your bell in an angry manner?

MrNutt - Member

have you tried ringing your bell in an angry manner?

pmsl

I don;t dislike drafting for the drafting aspect,i just like the sense of comuting alone as it were,i sometimes stop and have a drink from my water bottle and let anybody go past,it seems the most chlled way of not having people right behiend you.

Big effort comuting probably makes you breath fumes in more deeply i think,so i'm chilled about being slower than othe riders or stopping for a drink.

Coleman - I'm not saddo solo riding - I'm off to get beasted round the Peak District by the nice Mr AndyFla of this parish

Saturday was saddo solo riding after the curry night!

I've been mountain biking for 2 years. This thread has made me feel like I never want to be considered a cyclist. You're a peculiar bunch. If someone sees me as a target to be hung on too I'd take it as a compliment. Probably because it's unlikely. That it would become a major issue just baffles me.