Introductions - Skinny Wheel Etiquette in VA

Hey everyone,
I jumped to road cycling about three to four years ago and have a question regarding unwritten rules. I live on the W&OD bike trail in NOVA and log about 40-50 miles a week. The question regards drafting, is it ok to just grab somebody's wheel and hang with them for sections (sharing pacemaking duties of course) without a verbal exchange, or does one need to ask permission like, "mind if I grab a wheel?" or "want to work together?" I have met varying responses when I grab a wheel, from 'irritation' to 'bravado' to 'happy to have me.'
Any help on the unwritten code would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex

there has been a lot of debate on the topic of drafting. if you do a search for 'etiquette' or something similar you'll find a lot of discussion on this. i think it's best to ask first.

Hello? Anyone else have an opinion on this one? (sounds of crickets chirping)




Hey everyone,
I jumped to road cycling about three to four years ago and have a question regarding unwritten rules. I live on the W&OD bike trail in NOVA and log about 40-50 miles a week. The question regards drafting, is it ok to just grab somebody's wheel and hang with them for sections (sharing pacemaking duties of course) without a verbal exchange, or does one need to ask permission like, "mind if I grab a wheel?" or "want to work together?" I have met varying responses when I grab a wheel, from 'irritation' to 'bravado' to 'happy to have me.'
Any help on the unwritten code would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex

Hello? Anyone else have an opinion on this one? (sounds of crickets chirping)This subject has been beaten to death in many threads. That's why the earlier poster suggested that you use the "Search The Forums" feature (one of the options listed just below the "Bike Forums" banner at the top of the page). This can be an emotional issue for some! :)

Thanks "timmhaan" and "SteveE," since I am a newbie it took me a moment to figure the search function, not much like my brake lever shifter, but I am learning. After reading the the abundance of threads on this, I have found that it is a very heated issue. I ride to ride, but a nice sidebar is to make friends for the day (cycling world is one big happy family in my opinion and we have to stick together).
There were many posters that talked safety concerns, but since the W&OD trail doesn't have cars or many other distractions one would find on city streets, I find that this theory is minimized for me. Plus, of course I don't draft as closely to a stranger as i would one of my cycling buddies.
So going forward I will ask if I "can grab a wheel," or if somebody "wants a pull." The worst they can say is no.
See you guys on the road and thanks for the initiation.
Alex



This subject has been beaten to death in many threads. That's why the earlier poster suggested that you use the "Search The Forums" feature (one of the options listed just below the "Bike Forums" banner at the top of the page). This can be an emotional issue for some! :)

See you guys on the road and thanks for the initiation.
AlexI used to live in Falls Church and am familiar with the W&OD trail. I'd ride it occasionally but preferred to ride on the roads. I felt safer dealing with cars than with runners, peds, dogs, skaters, etc. I guess it's better west of Herndon although, with all the development out that way, it's probably getting crowded out there too.

Expansion, Expansion, Expansion is the name of the game out here. Loudoun County is the quickest expanding county in the country according to a recent study. I head west from Herndon to the trails end in Purceville (past Leesburg), which is still fairly rural, with fewer road crossings, but your right, it probably won't be that way in another 5 -10 years.
A