Toby wrote:
No road racing; as I said upthread (though not chastising you for not remembering) I do tri in large part because I want nothing to do with drafting or being drafted by people I don't know and trust. I must ask though, have you ever had someone hop on your wheel and coasted to get them off? If you're a road racer happy with that situation then of course you'd never notice if someone on your wheel would refuse to get off, because you're not sitting up to try to force it.
These particular drafters occur in Austin, both out on Parmer and on the COTA bike nights. I can't tell you a thing about whether the people in question are accomplished roadies or triathletes because, as mentioned, my issue with them is I have no idea who they are or what their skill level is. It does happen quite regularly however. On occasions that I ride in a group, the people I ride with are far more accomplished than I am and I'm perfectly comfortable in close quarters as a result.
Now if someone asked permission first (and I mean before latching on, not a "thanks" after peeling off), I'd probably trust them more. The ghost that suddenly and silently appears on my wheel? I hate that person.
I never had this problem in Austin but then again, I was much slower in those days.
I became a triathlete many years after becoming a cyclist, and a few years after beginning group riding. E.g., I had no idea folks would find hopping on rude. I saw how the pacelines worked and was happy to take a turn at the front but learned what a mess that turns into w/o a bike computer. (Again, back in the day of pre-tri and having gizmo's galore.)
Question for you and the group at large: How would you feel about a roller blader drafting you? I was passed by a guy pulling his dog in one of those child trailers, so I got low, increased my pace and viola. But I would have had to scream for him to hear me ask permission. FYI I can skate 17 mph when I lean on it, and yes, I'd eat shit if I had to stop abruptly.
To breathe, to feel, to know I'm alive.