Kathy,

just to clarify:

1. if there is a rider at the front, then an other one say 2m on the side and 2m back, are you respecting the stagger and drafting rules?

2. do you have to be 2m on the side AND at least 10m back? (if this is the case, then my bad, I misunderstood the rule)

thanks.

F.

PS Frankly other than start 30' to 1h before (gee, that means start at 6am though!) I don't see how it could get better...

the adv. of starting so much before is that AG will not be puzzled with pros having a different set of rules...

5.10A(b) for elites Definition of Drafting Zone. The term "drafting zone" shall refer to a rectangular area surrounding every bicycle which shall be two (2) meters (approximately six feet) wide and shall extend ten (10) meters behind the bicycle. The longer sides of the drafting zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle extending ten (10) meters behind the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. The drafting zone therefore extends one meter (or approximately three feet) to each side of every bicycle and ten (10) meters behind every bicycle. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the "drafting zone" is a rectangular area extending three (3) feet to each side of the vehicle and fifty (50) feet behind the vehicle.


5.10A(e) for elites
Staggered Positioning. All cyclists must assume and maintain a staggered riding position relative to the cyclists directly ahead; no cyclist may maintain a position of the course directly in line with a cyclist directly ahead. This staggered position must be maintained even if the cyclist is outside of the drafting zone and following at a distance of greater than ten (10) meters.

so to answer your questions
1> if no one is directly in front of you ride where you want as long as you do not enter anyone elses draft zone

2> if you are behind a rider you must stay out of their draft zone and be offset to one side [left or right of the rider diectly in front of your position]

take 4 riders on a typical road 1st guy can ride anywhere they want [they can continually shift that position too] #2 rider cannot be in line with #1, #3 can be inline with #1 but out of the draft zone of the #1 but offset from rider #2, rider #4 must be offset from rider #3 but can be in line with riders #1 or #2 but out of their draft zones
now if #1 moves over everyone behind is forced to shift their position on the road and if any of the other riders passes anyone those behind must shift immediatley to restablish stagger and they must not be in a draft zone. It can become quite the chess match

can you ride side by side yes as long as you are not in the draft box and no one is directly in front of you [rules state infinte distance but line of sight is generally applied]

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"on your Left"