Im just riding along, and I politely pass someone, or group. Im cooking, minding my business and I turn around and they are attached to my wheel. I dont know them, nor did I invite them. No Hey, or Can I? Im usually pushing it while on my aerobars and dont appreciate someone I dont know clinging to my wheel.
What had me in commando mode a few months ago was after passing a couple of snotty roadies- they didnt return my “good morning”, but immediately attached themselves to my wheel. After a few paces, and a few death-ray looks back at them, I offered Get off my wheel; I dont know you. My friends were horrified with me.
Whats the story? Am I wrong? My think is if I know you, hop on. Otherwise, ride your own ride. Or at least say Hey man, Im dying, could I tuck in for a bit? I would probally say sure, and keep my focus on our distance.
I’m with you. It’s rude. If that isn’t enough, and I’m sure it’s not for some people, it’s dangerous. It’s happened to me a couple of times, and I don’t appreciate it.
solo, what is your problem with someone drafting? are you upset that they didn’t say hello? As for keeping an eye on the distance between you and them, forget it. If some body overlaps, THEY go down not you. Their drafting doesn’t effect you in anyway. And who knows, maybe after a couple of miles you might make a friend.
I’m only irritated because they caught me. I don’t care if someone drafts, I just don’t want them just ahead of me so that I get a draft…screws up my training (such that it is).
When it does happen I always say “Hi/Good morning” and wish them luck…and kick myself a little on the inside.
Why would it bother you? Let them draft (as long as it is safe).
Or you could make some new friends? Life is far too short to worry about the guys behind you.
Lighten up. You might actually meet some people who will make you a faster rider. It’s not all about going all out in your aerobars.
If it really bothers you that much, let them know ahead of time not to latch on, not that it truly effects your riding. It’s like people who see the bus coming and only start running as it passes them by. It always amazes me the amount of wasted effort that goes into trying to fix something only after it’s become a problem.
solo, what is your problem with someone drafting?
I find it uncomfortable because it’s unexpected and an invasion of my personal space, sort of like someone walking up to you on the street and standing very close to you.
Total invasion of personal space. Thats good. A couple other things:
-When Im riding with my friends, they could draft for hours. They are my friends.
-Im out training. Shouldnt they be, too? If they’re hurting, slowdown or take a break.
-They didnt catch up to me- I passed them, and now they’re using MY strength without permission.
-The kind of friends I have would say good morning, and wouldnt latch on my wheel without a word.
-What are those nasty little fish that attached on sharks without saying hello? Im sure the shark would eat it if it could reach it.
-Im a light-hearted person, thats why common decency is important to me.
This is turing into a rant, which I didnt look for. I just wanted to make sure Im not being a total A-hole. Just a little bit of one.
solo, what is your problem with someone drafting? are you upset that they didn’t say hello? As for keeping an eye on the distance between you and them, forget it. If some body overlaps, THEY go down not you. Their drafting doesn’t effect you in anyway. And who knows, maybe after a couple of miles you might make a friend.
I’m certainly no roadie / drafting expert, but isn’t there some responsibility for the front person in a draft to not make any sudden moves, call out potholes, gravel, etc? What if someone latches on to my wheel (without asking / telling me) while I’m in the middle of a hard interval and then I suddenly sit up and slow down when the interval is over? OK, they overlap and they go down, am I free to just pedal on, leaving them in a heap in the road? What if somebody is on my wheel and I hit the brakes and make a left turn as they try to go by me on the left? I think that just might have an effect on me (and them).
True, someone on my wheel doesn’t directly affect me, but I certainly would do things a little differently if I knew someone was back there. And I’m not sure that I want to make friends with someone who wouldn’t even return my greeting. If you want to ride along with me, at least have the decency to 1) return my greeting, 2) make me aware of your intentions, and probably 3) at least offer to take a pull now and then.
Lighten up. You might actually meet some people who will make you a faster rider. It’s not all about going all out in your aerobars.
If it really bothers you that much, let them know ahead of time not to latch on, not that it truly effects your riding. It’s like people who see the bus coming and only start running as it passes them by. It always amazes me the amount of wasted effort that goes into trying to fix something only after it’s become a problem.
How do your meet people who won’t even respond to your greeting?
Lighten up, but tell people not to latch on? How light is that? “Good morning, don’t draft me!” Pretty presumptious, assuming that everyone you pass is thinking about grabbing your wheel. I would be offended if someone said that to me as they went by. I don’t advocate “clothes lining” anybody for drafting without asking, but telling them to “get off my wheel” when they have latched on is way “lighter” than telling everyone you pass not to draft.
I think the onus is on the drafters to ask if they can latch on, or at the very minimum make you aware that they are on your wheel.
solo, what is your problem with someone drafting? are you upset that they didn’t say hello? As for keeping an eye on the distance between you and them, forget it. If some body overlaps, THEY go down not you. Their drafting doesn’t effect you in anyway. And who knows, maybe after a couple of miles you might make a friend.
that is not correct. Actually a person drafting close behind will raise the speed of the front rider by 1 -2 % as the air flow go directly to the next rider and dosnt have to go down behind your bike in turbulance fashion… so someone drafting you make you a tiny bit faster!!! That s what Uli at SRM told me anyway…
so next time someone complain about you been in someone s wheel, you can tell him… HEY, I M JUST TRYING TO HELP YOU OUT!!!
What’s wrong with someone following you closely when you walk around downtown? Are you upset because they did not say hello? And who knows, maybe after a few hundred yards you might make a new friend.
solo, what is your problem with someone drafting? are you upset that they didn’t say hello? As for keeping an eye on the distance between you and them, forget it. If some body overlaps, THEY go down not you. Their drafting doesn’t effect you in anyway. And who knows, maybe after a couple of miles you might make a friend.
I found a few people who do the oppersite - Make a huge effort to catch and pass you then sit up to get there breath back. Being Ego fuelled they then keep trying to surg to stop you getting past. You then have to either sit up and let them go - though quite often there speed then really start to die, or you have to go harder than your training session required to try and drop them or what I generally do take a detour at the 1st opportune moment.
Generally though most riders are pretty good - you may ride (where safe) side byside to exchange pleasantries etc for a while. Occasionally when out I get caught by one of the local groups, and then I might sit in as there are usually a few guys I know to chew the fat with.
**Drafters on training rides: can I clothes line them? **
Maybe just ask politely that you prefer to ride on your own OR join in with him/her or them and get a good echelon going. It’s awesome speed training and allows you to really work the pedal stroke and keep up a good ryhtnm even if you are tired. More triathletes should do this. It’s outstanding training. Of course I am assuming good to great bike handling skills for all involved, but maybe I am assuming too much
