Road Cycling - Drafting

When I ride I don't draft as I just want to ride and get the most out of the ride. What is the rule when other people draft me? I have had a couple "pro" type guys and it is no problem, we are moving at 22-25 mph and I am confident they know what they are doing. But today I had a guy that scared the hell out of me as he was killing himself to keep up but insisted on trying to stay on my wheel. I felt as though we were going to go down. I decided to jump on it and open a gap, but I did not want to be rude. Any basic rules of the road for this? Thanks

If someone jumps on your wheel, then they should let you know that they are back there. Not to do so, is rude and inconsiderate. If you are uncomfortable with it, then politely tell them that you would rather not have them on your wheel. At that point they should reciprocate by slowing down or passing you. Remember though, if they touch your back wheel they will be the one going down, not you. Unless, of course, they simply slam into you.

Road etiquite dictates that drafting is an agreed upon act that takes place between two riders! The intent is to share the effort (not get a free ride - that is called wheel sucking). To draft someone without their knowledge and permission is both rude and dangerous (as mentioned above mostly dangerous for the idiot in back).

I recently overtook a guy who was dressed in full "pro kit" and had legs to go along with it (shaved and all). When I pulled in behind him and announced that I was there by saying "on your wheel" (BEFORE I actually was!!) I scared the crap out of him and he almost went down! Apparently he was not used to riding with others and didn't know what to do. I BACKED WAY OFF and simply told him to go ahead.

My point? I learned a lesson - Don't assume the other guy knows what drafting is (or is comfortable doing it) just because he looks like he should!!

Bill

I recently overtook a guy who was dressed in full "pro kit" and had legs to go along with it (shaved and all). When I pulled in behind him and announced that I was there by saying "on your wheel" (BEFORE I actually was!!) I scared the crap out of him and he almost went down! Apparently he was not used to riding with others and didn't know what to do. I BACKED WAY OFF and simply told him to go ahead.

My point? I learned a lesson - Don't assume the other guy knows what drafting is (or is comfortable doing it) just because he looks like he should!!

Bill


sometimes people don't expect to hear a voice from out of nowhere. i know that if i'm just concentrating on riding and even a simple bell goes off, or a dog barks in the distance, i'll suddenly jump...especially if i don't know it's coming. when most people are out on a ride alone, they don't expect to hear someone behind them suddenly call out "ON YOUR WHEEL!" if there were a bunch of other riders out, then maybe you have a point, but if it was just you and him and no one else in sight, then...well i don't really know. you should've maybe pulled up next to him and said hello or something first. you probably just spooked him...

I recently overtook a guy who was dressed in full "pro kit" and had legs to go along with it (shaved and all). When I pulled in behind him and announced that I was there by saying "on your wheel" (BEFORE I actually was!!) I scared the crap out of him and he almost went down! Apparently he was not used to riding with others and didn't know what to do.


More than likely you startled the hell out of him. I know if I was off in my own little world, riding alone and someone suddenly spoke to me from behind I'd probably go down to.

Tinsloth beat me to it.

You are probably right about spooking him, but his reaction clearly wasn't "Oh, **** you startled me" it was more "Hunh, what do you mean??"

He had just broken from several other guys (or so it seemed from my vantage point at the intersection I was stopped at). It could be he blew by them and I missread the situation.

maybe he just wasn't familiar with what "on your wheel" meant? i wouldn't know if it weren't for bike forums...