Slip streaming etiquette?

[martint235]

Do you point out castles, thobut?

No. I have a man for that who cycles along behind me growing increasingly irate at my refusal to notice small, insignificant castles like Arundel......

 

[captain nemo1701]

I often get some on the Railway Path here in Bristol. Don't generally mind it but would warn them for sudden excessive rear wind.

 

[jefmcg]

I had this happen to me once on CS3, on my folder so probably moving about 20kph, with a bloke who was so close up my arse I couldn't even see him on a normal shoulder check. It was driving rain, so I couldn't communicate with him. Of course, he was putting as both at risk so I could protect him from the rain, I guess. Wrong in every aspect. I mean, it was heavy rain, so he must have got wet already, so it was just making him a little more comfortable, not keeping him dry.

 

[Tim Hall]

I had this happen to me once on CS3, on my folder so probably moving about 20kph, with a bloke who was so close up my arse I couldn't even see him on a normal shoulder check. It was driving rain, so I couldn't communicate with him. Of course, he was putting as both at risk so I could protect him from the rain, I guess. Wrong in every aspect. I mean, it was heavy rain, so he must have got wet already, so it was just making him a little more comfortable, not keeping him dry.

The exact thing happened on the way home tonight. Shoulder check to clock what was going on and had the inkling of something right on my tail. Craned right round and just saw him. Very rude. I sped up a bit, but he stuck like glue. I eased up and he went past with a big grin. I let him go, then indulged in some Silly Commuter Racing, blasting past. However being on fixed meant I ran out of revs and chummy caught me. By then I'd got the impression his bike handling was ok, so was only miffed that I couldn't drop the cheeky git.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Sometimes think guys on electric power assisted bikes rather enjoy being the derny: a pleasant fast 5km going south from Carlisle on a quiet rural road having been shaken from lethargy by him coming past. I asked; he was content; I got an excellent just sub-threshold and very steady speed tow into a headwind, ending when he turned off.

 

[Kominic]

I've had this. All it makes me want to do is drop them. And I do. Unless it's on an incline. Then they drop me.

Also the victim providing the free, unauthorised slip stream usually smells of BO too, so you'd have to lack manners and a sense of smell to carry on doing it

 

[chappers1983]

I've noticed unwanted drafted becoming more and more commonplace on sportives recently.

I've got a rule where I will ride as hard as I can for as long as I can. If someone comes past me, I just think to myself "Wow, I know how hard I'm trying to go this speed - that guy/girl must be some kind of machine!" and I will not try to jump on their wheel as I know I'll only over-exert myself doing it. However I've found when I've caught and passed people, quite often they accelerate, sit on and make no effort to share the load or strike up conversation.

This behavior is normally met with the tempo being raised somewhat, and after about 5mins I've generally not seen them again.

Drafting should only be pre-planned and pre-agreed. If you want to share the pace with someone you don't know, I think its only common courtesy that you instigate it by coming past them and offering them the chance to "share the work". Don't just help yourself

 

[r04DiE]

Well, I suppose it just depends on who you are. I do get drafted, and I draft others, and all has been good. Usually if I am drafting somebody else, I'll hop in front for a while to take the wind. Never had any complaints. Tonight I had a guy on a fixie doing the braking thing where they stop the cranks, behind me. We had a chat at the lights about it, nice chap.

I'm all for giving someone a lift.

 

[Salad Dodger]

It didn't do a lot of good for Chris Froome today.......

 

[Ajax Bay]

I've noticed unwanted drafted becoming more and more commonplace on sportives recently.

Why do you ride sportives if not to ride in the company of others; lots of others, some going at roughly your speed? Don't you feel some pleasure in letting another rider benefit from your slipstream?
Lots of different universes around I suppose, but if you've deliberately chosen to ride a route at the same time as many others, don't you think that you have effectively 'given permission'. And, in such circumstances, if you don't want them on your wheel, just slow down a bit (and have a drink), or speed up till they can't hold it, or pull sideways and slow, verbally or implicitly inviting them to take a turn.

 

[r04DiE]

Why do you ride sportives if not to ride in the company of others; lots of others, some going at roughly your speed? Don't you feel some pleasure in letting another rider benefit from your slipstream?
Lots of different universes around I suppose, but if you've deliberately chosen to ride a route at the same time as many others, don't you think that you have effectively 'given permission'. And, in such circumstances, if you don't want them on your wheel, just slow down a bit (and have a drink), or speed up till they can't hold it, or pull sideways and slow, verbally or implicitly inviting them to take a turn.

Yeah. I mean like who even cares?

 

[Aravis]

Lots of different universes around I suppose, but if you've deliberately chosen to ride a route at the same time as many others, don't you think that you have effectively 'given permission'.

It's all a bit academic for me nowadays, as I'm too slow to be able to offer anyone much help. But I can remember what it used to be like. I agree that on any sort of organised event you'd hope everyone would want to help each other out, but I always found it intolerable when someone came and sat on my wheel without doing anything to announce their presence. That's the only no-no as far as I'm concerned, and it's the same whatever the circumstances of the ride.

Perhaps it's part of the game in road racing, which I've never done.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Yeah. I mean like who even cares?

I agree, but clearly lots of people here care.

 

[Kevin Alexander]

I've had someone on my back wheel and I slowed right down or sped up as a friendly hint.

I wouldn't feel comfortable drafting someone I didn't know..

 

[mjr]

Why do you ride sportives if not to ride in the company of others; lots of others, some going at roughly your speed?

To ride an interesting route without having to plan it, for example. If your priority is to ride in the company of lots of others, things like FreeCycle and the Reach Ride have a far higher density of riders than sportives.

Lots of different universes around I suppose, but if you've deliberately chosen to ride a route at the same time as many others, don't you think that you have effectively 'given permission'.

Why? Do you think if you deliberately choose to drive a road at the same time as many others, then you've effectively given permission to other motorists to tailgate you and rear-end you for stopping unexpectedly? Riding like a dangerous nobber at a sportive is still riding like a dangerous nobber. Keep slipstreaming between consenting riders only.