Slip streaming etiquette?

[Boragaincyclist]

Hi, there have been a couple of encounters where I have tagged along the back of a fellow cyclist going at a decent pace and decided to stay there.

On both of those occasions I stayed within 1-2 metres of their back wheel.

On both occasions they kept straining to look awkwardly behind them, although they certainly wouldn't have been able to see me as I was careful to stay directly behind them in their wake for the best tow.

I was just wondering if you have ever been slip streamed and if it felt uncomfortable and what the etiquette is for slip streaming?

Thanks.

 

[Tim Hall]

Do I know who you are 1-2m from my back wheel? Do I know how good your bike riding capabilities are?

If the answer to these questions is no, please keep back.

 

[Boragaincyclist]

How much would be an acceptable distance, bearing in mind that it needs to be quite close to be effective.

 

[crazyjoe101]

You shouldn't ever draft someone without their permission really, they don't know who you are or how skilled you are and they may not be comfortable with someone that close behind them regardless. If you want to draft then pull alongside and start a conversation, ask them if they mind you hitching a ride. I've done this a couple of times with people I've met out and about and we've shared the wind.

 

[crazyjoe101]

How much would be an acceptable distance, bearing in mind that it needs to be quite close to be effective.

Unless you're riding with the person then you need to be far enough back so that you can stop if they suddenly stop, the same as you would for any other traffic. If I'm riding along and you rear end me because I have to make an emergency stop I'm not going to be very happy.

 

[Globalti]

I will always ask if a bunch goes past and I want to jump on for a few miles.

Best slipstream I ever had was for a mile or so outside Johannesburg one hot day when I got mixed up with a huge group on massive motorbikes, moving slowly because there had been an accident up the road. I was wafted along in a moving bubble of hot air, thick with the smell of oil and exhaust fumes, feeling a bit naked in my lycra when all around me was black leather.

 

[mjr]

How much would be an acceptable distance, bearing in mind that it needs to be quite close to be effective.

You don't need to be that close, at least not in the winds I often seem to end up riding in... but if there's any doubt that you can stop within what you can see to be clear, don't do it without the other rider agreeing to it (and most won't).

Despite having hub and long V-brakes which are much more effective than short-pad caliper brakes, I'm quite relaxed about lightweight bikes drafting me... because if their glue and string bike hits my hefty suitable-for-passengers rear rack, it's not my bike that's going to come off worst.

 

[Boragaincyclist]

That explains it, thank you. Both of my "victims" I drafted without permission and it is understandable that they might suspect my legitimacy as a result. Also I tend to cycle "casual" i.e., mountain bike, hoody (up), no helmet, so can look a bit dodgy at times.

I will always ask if a bunch goes past and I want to jump on for a few miles.

Best slipstream I ever had was for a mile or so outside Johannesburg one hot day when I got mixed up with a huge group on massive motorbikes, moving slowly because there had been an accident up the road. I was wafted along in a moving bubble of hot air, thick with the smell of oil and exhaust fumes, feeling a bit naked in my lycra when all around me was black leather.

Sounds vaguely sexual!

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi, there have been a couple of encounters where I have tagged along the back of a fellow cyclist going at a decent pace and decided to stay there.

On both of those occasions I stayed within 1-2 metres of their back wheel.

On both occasions they kept straining to look awkwardly behind them, although they certainly wouldn't have been able to see me as I was careful to stay directly behind them in their wake for the best tow.

I was just wondering if you have ever been slip streamed and if it felt uncomfortable and what the etiquette is for slip streaming?

Thanks.

I ride a lot through town and into the burbs (lots of commuting).during a commute, I will often jumo onto the rear wheel of another rider and feel no guilt or need to ask for permission.

I do, however, try to take my turn and tell them that as I go to the front. I don't thank them for the lift (I did once but only as an icebreaker as what i really wanted to know was how many bikes the guy had...id seen him on a few).

I always consider it a compliment if a rider hitches on my wheel and find it actually improves my ride as I feel somehow responsible for them, pointing out potholes and giving clear communication with drivers etc.

On a weekend ride, I'm not sure I'd feel the same as they would be crashing a "party" not just getting a lift home.

Perhaps I see commuting as more of a collective/community thing and weekend rides more of a friend/personal thing.

 

[HarryTheDog]

My experiences and attitude to drafting is much the same as @jonny jeez , my commute is over 20 miles each way and if I run in to one of the regulars once in a while we usually chat and share the load. There are 2 serial piss takers on my commute who are very fast who will sprint onto a slower riders tail then sit there basically taking the mick. If they do it to me I just sit up, I barely run into them so no big thing.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

How much would be an acceptable distance, bearing in mind that it needs to be quite close to be effective.

Far enough away that you can stop in an emergency without hitting them

 

[PhilDawson8270]

As for etiquette. The good thing to do is ask if they mind if you sit behind them, then take your turn at the front still.

 

[123456789]

Slipstreaming etiquette - you slipstream with: friends, club mates or a local evening chain-gang or any other scenario where it is agreed in advance. Jumping on some random strangers wheel for a free tow will have them looking awkwardly at you as you have experienced. Whilst I would be happy to work with some random stranger who announced their presence at say a sportive (once I have had a time to satisfy myself that their riding is OK) and very occasionally I have rode side by side for a couple of miles with a random stranger having a chat whilst out on a ride on my own I would think it a bit weird if someone was on my wheel for any longer than it was reasonable for them to overtake.

 

[alvintc]

in the club, no problem. In the wild... well I think my thoughts are clear!

 

[vickster]

Ride your bike yourself, don't take a tow from strangers, lazy g!t