After years of reading on the forums and benefiting from some great advise given to others, something came up this morning during a race that got me frustrated enough to write my first post looking for some collective wisdom.
For some background I’m 36 and consider myself an above average runner, an average swimmer (for tri standards) and below average biker with poor bike handling skills (even for tri standards), this would be my 7th race, a mix of draft and non-draft from sprint to olympic.
I signed up for an olympic race (non draft) to take place today, but eventually asked to be moved to the sprint after some shoulder issues when building up to the it. At the technical briefing I learned the race would be draft legal (a norm in the country where I currently live where roughly half the races up to olympic distance are draft legal and the rest are mostly ‘non-draft’ only in designation); they also state there’s only partial road closures and you need to observe traffic laws at all times.
I get out of T1 and push the pace and manage to break the 30 guys in front of me into two groups of 12 with me pulling and another one a bit further down the road, mine riding double line with mostly much younger guys and a girl who was probably top 3 in the womens race. After pulling this group out of T1 for around 50% of the time up to the 10 mile mark only for the pace to drop to 19mph if I didn’t, I try to make a break run for T2 but can’t keep it up as the group will work together to close any breakaway (but not to get closer to any other group). I decide to let them catch up and move to the right of the road (can’t say how close for sure but let’s say 1 1/2 feet from the right line, there’s absolutely no shoulder) to let them pass and make a move after T2; everyone passes on the left, as they have for the whole race, except for this one guy who tries to sneak in on the right where he probably thought there was a small window. He initiates contact and I can’t keep balance with 90% chance of losing the bike to either side. I choose his side and after a bit of a struggle we both go down and out of the road; race’s over for me but he manages to continue after about 4 minutes and somehow finding a very vocal way to say it was all my fault - not surprising.
I had other things on my mind at the time (my right arm) but as I got attention in the medical tent I realize I ride on the trainer and by myself (maybe with a couple other guys a couple times a year) almost exclusively, could he have been right? What are proper manners for riding in a pack in a draft legal race? Anything goes?
Thanks,
Ted
It’s difficult to be sure without seeing it, but generally in a group ride if you try to squeeze through a small window it is on the person “squeezing” though to make sure there is enough space. The person in front needs to pay attention to the people in from of him - he cannot be constantly looking back to watch out for passers.
If most people are passing on the left, if the guy passes on the right and initiates contact, he cannot expect you to sacrifice yourself by crashing into people on the other side. It is his fault.
If there was really 18 in/45 cm of road, they’re should have been plenty of space for him to pass on that side. Still not enough info to know who’s at fault, but not automatically either of you based on the data presented.
If there was really 18 in/45 cm of road, they’re should have been plenty of space for him to pass on that side. Still not enough info to know who’s at fault, but not automatically either of you based on the data presented.
And triathletes wonder why they get a bad rep for being poor bike handlers / pack riders…
Most road HB’s are 40-42cm. If there was only 18" / 45cm to squeeze through, that is a guaranteed disaster.
Roadie/trackie here, no tris for me. If you had 45 cm for 2.5 cm of tire, plus 42/2=21 cm, you had 21.5 mm clearance. Even if you only called it half that (split between rider and edge of road) you have space. All kinds of space in, for example, a track race.
If there was really 18 in/45 cm of road, they’re should have been plenty of space for him to pass on that side. Still not enough info to know who’s at fault, but not automatically either of you based on the data presented.
And triathletes wonder why they get a bad rep for being poor bike handlers / pack riders…
Most road HB’s are 40-42cm. If there was only 18" / 45cm to squeeze through, that is a guaranteed disaster.This. I was reading 45cm and thought W T F - go through that hole?
I know a few people people who would try it and even stay upright - in a key moment in a crit or road race, with the expectation that there will be some rubbing/shoving. But in a triathlon? No way.
I’ll add that in road racing, whoever is in front is in the right, unless they make an abrupt move. A guy tries to pass in a small hole, and he crashes - his fault. A guy tries to pass in a small hole, and you drift a normal amount (a few inches) and he crashes - his fault. A guy tries to pass in a small hole, and you abruptly make it too small - your fault.
EDIT - if it was 18 inches to the edge of the road, then he could have his tire right at the edge and the bars and part of his body off the road to fit through - which is tolerable for good riders road racing and done pretty often when looking for gaps, or even in drafting in crosswinds. But still, in a triathlon? From what I’ve heard, most triathletes couldn’t handle that. And if he crashes, it’s his fault - the hole was too small for his ability.
Roadie/trackie here, no tris for me. If you had 45 cm for 2.5 cm of tire, plus 42/2=21 cm, you had 21.5 mm clearance. Even if you only called it half that (split between rider and edge of road) you have space. All kinds of space in, for example, a track race.
Remind me to never ride anywhere near you.
that assumes the second bike has no bars, otherwise you are talking 1cm of clearance on road with no shoulder and possible a raveled edge.
Anyone that passes on the right with the room you describe is asking to be taken down.
jaretj
I ride on the trainer and by myself (maybe with a couple other guys a couple times a year)
Simply put, you need to do *more *group rides to gain better perspective and judgment. Make them a part of your regular training routine.
That’s right, that is the reason I refuse to be drawn to the very edge of the road, plus it’s not unusual for mud to wash down to the side of the road in the morning as the rainy season is quite long (Costa Rica).
Thanks, I’ve thought about it since the crash but sadly the roads and drivers make it very tough - and dangerous - to ride in such groups, plus most of the terrain is quite hilly with fast descents. I will try to get into some of the rides organized by the local bike shops after I’m able to get back on the bike.
Thanks, I’ve thought about it since the crash but sadly the roads and drivers make it very tough - and dangerous - to ride in such groups, plus most of the terrain is quite hilly with fast descents. I will try to get into some of the rides organized by the local bike shops after I’m able to get back on the bike.
Understood. No guarantees but, usually motorists tend to respect larger groups, so try to hook-up with organized shops rides, etc. Also, to avoid traffic, you might try meeting your training buddies at a more rural location outside of town (park, school, church, etc.) and start/end rides from there.
Roadie/trackie here, no tris for me. If you had 45 cm for 2.5 cm of tire, plus 42/2=21 cm, you had 21.5 mm clearance. Even if you only called it half that (split between rider and edge of road) you have space. All kinds of space in, for example, a track race.
Do you not use bars on your bikes? That would be interesting to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm7jrFBTRAg
I believe at the 20 seconds mark the guy was actually looking for a kiss. He should know kissing with a helmet on is awkward and frowned upon during a race, almost as bad as not having bar tape match your saddle.
Thanks Jack, the sequence around 0:15 is exactly what I probably should have done after initial contact. I’m just not yet at a skill level where I can do that instinctively, that split fraction of a second to react cost me. Cool vid.
Roadie/trackie here, no tris for me. If you had 45 cm for 2.5 cm of tire, plus 42/2=21 cm, you had 21.5 mm clearance. Even if you only called it half that (split between rider and edge of road) you have space. All kinds of space in, for example, a track race.
Remind me to never ride anywhere near you.
I’d rather ride with wens than someone uncomfortable with being in close proximity to other riders. The best lesson I ever learned in bike handling was to not get squirrelly when someone gets close.
It’s a risky move with no shoulder. Wit ha group of triathletes, just stupid unless you’ve ridden with them before. the fault however goes to the passing rider. Its’ their responsibility to make a safe pass. I’d also chew their asses out for now taking turn pulling.
That being said, you need to improve your ability to attach and break from the group. You can’t just e form the front. You need to rest at the back or middle of the group, them make a clear and decisive attack by sprinting at maybe 200% power for 10" then easing back to maybe 150% for 30" then just over threshold for a few minutes before settling back into your pace. Yes you’ll burn a match. But the alternative is giving up a minute sitting or dragging the whole group with you. the descision ot sit in, pull the group or attack depends on how strong of a runner you are and how strong of a runner the guys up the road are that your trying to catch or let go.
Draft legal isn’t about the fastest time. It’s about managing your energy to achieve the highest finishing position possible.
Thanks Jack, the sequence around 0:15 is exactly what I probably should have done after initial contact. I’m just not yet at a skill level where I can do that instinctively, that split fraction of a second to react cost me. Cool vid.
Draft legal racing is sometimes insane, but if you stay calm and refuse to go down, you can survive a lot of insanity.
I’m not very good at it either, I would never get in the mix with the guys in that vid, heh