Flipping Wheelsuckers...

[psmiffy]

A few years back I was cycling across Germany on a fully loaded touring bike into a stupidly strong headwind - very quiet road - and all of a sudden I could hear talking - looked behind and there was a group of five lycra clad guys on road bikes sheltering from the wind - I laughed so much that they they ran into the back of me - cant complain - when I could generate a bit of acceleration and it was relatively flat I would often jump on the back of a pelaton as it passed me.

On another occasion I had got to the top of Galibere into what was predominantly a strong head wind and got talking to a swiss guy who was col bagging on a lightweight - he volunteered to "tow" me down to Briancon - wheel sucking down Galibere was pretty quick

 

[rb58]

Last night on my commute the opposite happened. I hooked onto the wheel of another rider for a short while, then pulled out to pass and take my turn. Only he sped up and wouldn't let me pass. This happened twice, so I just sat in behind until he turned off. He obviously thought it was a race and I was challenging his manliness.

 

[Sixmile]

First commuting wheel sucker yesterday. On the route home there is always a headwind of some sort as the tide is coming in, as the shore hugs the towpath, so I was keeping low and setting a decent pace. I realised I had company and slowed initially but then moved aside to let him pass. Some folk I've met on the path have a natter but this guy wasn't the chatty type. I've now taken some tips off here for when it happens again.

 

[burndust]

never wheel suck folk i dont know, doesn't really happen round these parts tbh, although i normally out so early i'm the only thing on the road

 

[lutonloony]

Used to get passed regularly on my commute, didn't worry me just carried on plodding at my own pace, but since getting my new bike have had a few wheelsuckers, guess I must be a bit quicker, which has cheered me up.

 

[ufkacbln]

Recumbent trike - solves the problem

 

[mustang1]

Chainsuckers on commutes are vermin.

Edit: I meant wheelsuckers

 

[DaveReading]

never wheel suck folk i dont know

Sound advice. How do I check if they're friends of yours before I hang onto their wheel?

 

[burndust]

Sound advice. How do I check if they're friends of yours before I hang onto their wheel?

i missed the "I"

 

[Lonestar]

I'm almost honoured.Had a wheelsucker on the CS 3 the other day which is unusual for me.

 

[fimm]

A question, prompted by seeing the videos of the new Cycle Superhighways - when does being close to other cyclists because there are lots of other cyclists on the same bit of tarmac become wheelsucking?

 

[glenn forger]

My mate had a wheel sucker so slowed. So did he. My mate slowed right down. So did the rider behind. My mate stopped and looked round and the chap behind stared at the ground.

 

[psmiffy]

when you are so close to the one in front that if they stop you run into them?

 

[mjr]

Recumbent trike - solves the problem

Not so recumbent bikes - I was astonished that me on my rather tall Dutchie Dapper could draft behind someone on (I think) a HP Velotechnik Streetmachine a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, we didn't realise the rest of the group weren't ready for the acceleration of our new long/low-nose formation

 

[cyberknight]

Wheel suckers are not so bad , its when this chap follows you ..........