drafting

[derrick]

Why do some people have a problem with drafting, have just been reading another forum and some people seem to get really upset with it, being pretty new to road riding i tend to try to keep up with the bikes in front and stay behind them for a bit, dont want to over take them and run out of steam, then they have to overtake me, if i feel i can over take and stay in front i will, i don't have a problem if i am drafted, so whats it all about.
Cheers Del.

 

[Theseus]

Some people wrongly think that if they are being drafted then they are putting in extra effort for you as well. The truth is that the front rider gets a (tiny) advantage due to reduced turbulence behind him.

Another possible reason for the dislike if that they think you may hit them if they slow down/turn/stop.

Like you I have no problems being the drafter or the draftee.

 

[HLaB]

There's a time and a place for drafting, if its the right place (ie a club run) it doesn't bother me everybody does it anyway but doing it to an unknown/ing individual on a commute is just wrong and dangerous; the latter annoys some folks, including me.

 

[R600]

i have no problem with drafting, but yesterday into a very strong head wind i caught and past someone on my commute to work. now i know the person in question and his capabilities as a cyclist but when i passed he tucked in and drafted. Not a problem i hear you say but not once did he come to the front to give a hand which in my opinion is the decent thing to do. also him being there made it dificult to clear my nose which was running due to the strong cold wind. by the way i did clear my nose more than once.

 

[Bobtoo]

Why does everybody call it drafting instead of slipstreaming or at least draughting?

 

[rich p]

Do you mean that you draft strangers without actually asking?

I'd be scared shitless if I was you, in case the bloke stops unexpectedly for whatever reason, unaware of your prescence. I only draft with mates I trust not to do anything stupid or unexpected.

 

[Fran143]

I'd only draft someone if they were aware I was behind them.....or if the view was worth the risk.

 

[rich p]

I'd only draft someone if they were aware I was behind them.....or if the view was worth the risk.

get behind my lycra-clad buttocks girl!

 

[Fran143]

No problem, but are the crisps optional?

 

[PpPete]

I've always wanted to draft Fran

 

[Globalti]

Twice now I have done a big race called the Cape Argus in South Africa; you get photos to buy online after the event. Both times I have been shocked to see in the photos that I've been riding along with a nice little line of riders sitting quietly on my arse enjoying my efforts. I will be more wary next February and make sure the lazy saffas take their turns up front. Actually this year in the last ten miles I did get into a chain gang of four or five; we did "through and off" along the sea front back into Cape Town and it was really thrilling; we all knew we were at the end so had no need to conserve energy so we raced our balls off. Sadly I still finished the 68 miles in 4 minutes over 4 hours. Must try harder next February and hope for no wind.

 

[trustysteed]

I've been riding along with a nice little line of riders sitting quietly on my arse enjoying my efforts.

and that neatly sums up why people who draft without you knowing\agreeing are complete twunts.

 

[Hip Priest]

I wouldn't draft someone I didn't know. If I'm faster I'll overtake, if not I'll maintain a decent distance behind. The first time I ever went out of my road bike a pair of very friendly serious roadies overtook me, and one of them made a gesture, offering me his rear wheel, but in all honesty I couldn't even keep up!

 

[Origamist]

The problem with drafting someone you don't know on a commute is that it is unlikely they are going to be indicating hazards to you. This is important as if you are genuinely drafting (not sitting 3 metres back, for example) as you are going to have a limited view of the road conditions ahead. What's more, you are also obscuring the view of the cyclist giving you a tow when he shoulder checks. In a chain-gang, club ride etc cyclists are used to riding in close order and use hand signals and calls to keep eath other safe. On a commute in the rush hour, I don't want my focus to be distracted by someone who might plough into the back of me because he cannot see a problem developing. If people just sit on my wheel, I either speed up or slow down and wave them through. That said, I will draft and give people tows if I know them or they introduce themselves and seem savvy.

 

[Bicycle]

I had some (very occasional) drafting partners on a 20-mile commute some years ago. I didn't know them, but the way they rode (and the fact that they took their turn) suggested that they were up to it. When I was tired, it just made my day if I saw one of them looming to front or rear. It was part of the middle 10 miles and really broke the back of a hilly and difficult run.

I draft my kids and they draft me. I have no problem with it per se, but it is a risk. One time my daughter's QR skewer tore the guts out of my tyre and tube. Not her fault; I'd just whipped past her to take the front and then had to stop in a hurry. Tyre and tube were ripped betond repair... Grrrr...

Another risk of drafting: There was a risible OP on this forum some weeks ago. The author had swerved to avoid a crashing rider on a club run. As he was so close he had nowhere to go and damaged his bike. He opened the thread to see how he could sue the council for crashing into a kerb, ignoring the fact that he'd crashed because he was riding closer than his ability suggested he ought to.

That is the danger of drafting.

But I encourage it and it always improves a ride. If it's for more than a mile or two, do take your turn....

If it's in town between red lights and roundabouts, that's not really drafting. It's just a traffic line.