hangers-on (grrrrrrrrr)

[Red Light]

I've just got out my copy of Bicycling Science Third Edition (written by a professor of Mechanical Engineering from MIT) which covers it all on pp198-201 with references.

The maximum gain for the lead rider is about 15%.

 

[chris-s]

I must confess to doing a bit of hanging-on on Sunday.

I had cycled to Paris to see the end of the TDF, after the race and all the following team processions, I hacked thru the crowds, pushing the bike, up to the Arc de Triomphe. Saddled up to go around and down the Avenue Grand Armee or whatever it is called when four tour riders come around. Selfishly, I made haste and jumped in with them since they appeared to be going in my direction anyhow, two Rabobank riders, from their bike numbers one of them was Sanchez and I think the other was either Niermann or Mollema, as well as Andy Schlek (no 11) and one of his team mates whos number I didn't see. Andy got mobbed by a woman who spotted him and ran out across the street nearly knocking him off with me less than a foot off his back wheel, that could have been interesting. Fortunately he swerved to a stop and the rest rode on.

Obviously they weren't gunning it, riding a couple a-breast and weaving their way thru the traffic waving to folk as they went. A photo would have been great, but they weren't stopping, even for the lights, and my camera was in my rucksack, a friendly wave and smile of acknowlegement from them was enough to make an end to a great day, even tho it only lasted a couple of 'blocks' before they peeled off.

Chris

 

[Globalti]

I rode the Cape Argus in SA in March and there's a website where you can see and buy all the pictures afterwards. In every damned picture I can see that I had at least two riders sitting quietly on my wheel but I don't remember any South African bugger offering to give me a tow. Grrrr!

 

[Jim_Noir]

I don't mind folks doing it, had a guy do it tonight... why not it's free and doesn't cause the lead any bother... though a wee wave when I turned off would have been nice. Also safty in numbers, cars avoid you more, so it's a win win situation

 

[YahudaMoon]

6 or 7 miles lol ! its hardley a long distance , I dont understand the problem ? 60 or 70 miles maybe ?

This is my fave thread at the moment

 

[the_mikey]

What's worse, being followed or never seeing another cyclist on a 100km sportive? It happened to me, set off, following the route (even had the route on my gps so I knew I hadn't strayed off course) and didn't see another cyclist the whole time, made it to the feed station, stopped, had a drink, ate food, admired the view and then asked the question, how many people have been here already, they said 'you're the 9th, there was a group of eight here only minutes ago' , I got back on the bike and continued along the course, never did see the group of 8, and neither did I see any other cyclists until I reached the finish line.

 

[fossyant]

What's worse, being followed or never seeing another cyclist on a 100km sportive? It happened to me, set off, following the route (even had the route on my gps so I knew I hadn't strayed off course) and didn't see another cyclist the whole time, made it to the feed station, stopped, had a drink, ate food, admired the view and then asked the question, how many people have been here already, they said 'you're the 9th, there was a group of eight here only minutes ago' , I got back on the bike and continued along the course, never did see the group of 8, and neither did I see any other cyclists until I reached the finish line.

It happens, and it's the last time I ever go out at 7:00am with the Manchester 100. The really fast guys went for it, I thought, bugger it, and followed. BUT, the group didn't work, we had about 4 that were going for it and would not let anyone work with them ?, so the group shattered. I got shelled after 35 miles - hanging on, but a slight mechanical (30 second stop) and that was it. Spent 50 miles on my own on what I really enjoyed the time before.