Cycling etiquette - sitting on wheels

[alex_cycles]

They sit silently on your wheel, then complain when you expectorate

I expect irate when I expectorate

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I sat down at a table someone was already sat at in the pub. I didn’t ask them nor did I engage in conversation with them. They glared at me, no idea why, I wasn’t affecting the enjoyment of their pint. They were alone, may be they enjoyed some silent company?

 

[Dogtrousers]

I sat down at a table someone was already sat at in the pub. I didn’t ask them nor did I engage in conversation with them. They glared at me, no idea why, I wasn’t affecting the enjoyment of their pint. They were alone, may be they enjoyed some silent company?

So I snuggled up as close as I could.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

So I snuggled up as close as I could.

And started reading the book they had open

 

[T4tomo]

reading over their shoulder and solving someone else's crossword clues also goes down well I find....

 

[Dogtrousers]

And started reading the book they had open

... and gesticulating, with my hand just missing knocking their pint on the floor.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

... and gesticulating, with my hand just missing knocking their pint on the floor.

I then complained that I didn’t like the book they were reading and could they bring something by Dickens next time they came to the pub.

 

[cougie uk]

Maybe it is because I was with a club but sitting on someone's wheel or someone using mine has never felt wrong.
I doubt I'd do it on a lone woman's wheel cos that feels a bit odd - but other than that - why not.

Even when riding in a bunch I've not had anyone crash into me - maybe rub wheels once or twice - but that affects them more than it does me.
I ride with my mates every weekend on wheels and incidents are extremely rare.

 

[RoadRider400]

What's the big deal?

Imho they probably don't have the energy or speed to pass you cleanly so rather than making a big fuss of trying and failing to pass they just slow to your pace and ride patiently until you go your separate ways. Better that than they pass you then slow down as you would surely find that annoying too?

In that case they should leave a gap until they find the energy rather than tuck right in behind. Common courtesy not to stick on the back of a strangers wheel.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Maybe it is because I was with a club but sitting on someone's wheel or someone using mine has never felt wrong.
I doubt I'd do it on a lone woman's wheel cos that feels a bit odd - but other than that - why not.

Even when riding in a bunch I've not had anyone crash into me - maybe rub wheels once or twice - but that affects them more than it does me.
I ride with my mates every weekend on wheels and incidents are extremely rare.

There is a big difference to sharing/taking a wheel with people you know (and hopefully trust) and a complete stranger, especially without asking.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I doubt I'd do it on a lone woman's wheel cos that feels a bit odd - but other than that - why not.

Are you making a pass at the lone male?

 

[nickyboy]

I'm very clear on this. If someone catches me and sits behind that's fine providing they say something like "hi, do you mind if I sit on for a bit?" Even better if, after that, they come through and take a turn. If they just catch me and sit on in silence, that's poor form

Equally, if someone passes me I'll ask if they mind me sitting on, wouldn't just limpet onto them in silence

 

[HLaB]

I think the most times I have had someone tag on is when I am on a training interval. Or when I used to commute on the bus way. It doesn't bother me too much on an interval when I am focusing on ahead. If they have managed to hang on you just have to clearly indicate you are slowing down for a recovery interval. Whilst on the commute it's a wee bit more annoying I can quickly gauge the competence of someone doing so and then it's not really annoying anymore. It always appreciated though when you get a nice thanks, conversation or someone to share the work with.

 

[8mph]

I've surreptitiously draughted one rider in the Cotswalds, he'd managed a very clipped "morning" while passing on his shiny road bike and squeaky chain. I crested him on my loaded tourer and powered away downhill, juvenile perhaps but also quite funny.

 

[Sittingduck]

Seems like half of the people responding are talking about something very different here? I thought the situation in discussion was not about when people catch and speak or share the work or sit 10m behind or anything like that but specifically about when people ninja their way on and literally sit a couple of inches off the wheel and don’t speak or communicate at all, wasn’t it? Two very different things, I think.

edit: and not talking about other commuters who happen to be riding quite closely either, I think that just goes with the territory, so to speak.