Road Cycling - Cycling Etiquette - bumming rides?

Been meaning to ask this for awhile. Is it bad etiquette to come up behind a solo rider or pack and steal a draft? (also, can you supply me a more concise term for this; I'm sure there must be a witty expression, but my cycling vocabulary, like my overall vocab, is still in its early stages).

Reason I ask is when I first started riding at a local loop, I would occasionally draft on a stranger, uninvited, in some cases just experimenting with the benefits of drafting.

Today, on the other hand, I was riding the same loop, and I had intentionally been avoiding getting behind anyone, cause I wanted the full-wind workout. It turns out some guy had been drafting on me for some time. Reason I found out (I could not hear him) is one of his friends laughed as he came by and busted his friends balls about running this poor cyclist (me) into the ground. I thought it was funny and laughed with them. I was not angry, felt no reason to be, and if anything I felt complimented that *someone* found my pace good enough to benefit from riding behind me for a change. Also, since I had been known to do so, I understood and was in no position to complain.

But what is the etiquette for this kinda thing?

i think it's poor cuz it's dangerous. Frankly, if I brake hard for whatever reason and someone crashes into me, well, I'm a mtb and have been hit twice on my motorcycle, so I really don't care if some schmuck runs into me, but they best not get up and complain.

I've had people get annoyed with me at organized events for drafting. I'd do my turn too, but they didn't want me in their group. I've also been invited to join groups, so that's cool.

I think it's best to just ask. Take turns too.

And like you, I've been amazed that I ride fast enough now that people would do that. Kinda neat.

I think it's worth letting the other rider know that you're there for sure. If nothing else, so they will point out debris and not jump on the brakes without warning.

I also think you have a responsibility to share the pulls (or at least offer) if you're going to ride them long.

I've heard it argued that the drafting cyclist should ask permission, but don't know if I buy into that.

The term I know is: Wheel Sucker. Of course that is probably out of date. Also, it's not considered a complimentary remark.

As to the etiquette, you will get a lot of different views. One thing you must absolutely do is let the person know you are on his wheel. If he/she doesn't want you there they will let you know. There are many other subtle, and not so subtle "rules" for grabbing someones wheel. Do a search of this forum and you will find many threads which discusses this topic at length.

If I want to draft off someone I will ask them first and if they say yes I will take my turn pulling.

I have been surprised a few times when I turn around to check for cars and see someone puffing along behind me. I have no problems with people drafting off of me, but I do like to be told in advance for all the reasons stated in the above posts.

Drafting is an extreme form of tailgating. It is bad news unless by agreement. Who wants to decide to stop and have some yahoo run into them from the rear? Drafting should be done by arrangement. Sometimes on group rides, the tacit understanding is that everyone is fair game for drafting but that is another matter.

I *always* ask. "Mind if I grab your wheel for a while? I'm dyin' here..." or whatever. I tend to not want to draft on training rides unless I've bonked or are having other problems. If someone want to draft me I think it's only polite to simply say hi and ask.

Frankly if somone sucked my wheel without asking, I'd probably do a few shake moves and leave it at that. If they don't ask, I see no reason to be the obliging windbreak.

Dave

Been meaning to ask this for awhile. Is it bad etiquette to come up behind a solo rider or pack and steal a draft? (also, can you supply me a more concise term for this; I'm sure there must be a witty expression, but my cycling vocabulary, like my overall vocab, is still in its early stages).

Reason I ask is when I first started riding at a local loop, I would occasionally draft on a stranger, uninvited, in some cases just experimenting with the benefits of drafting.

Today, on the other hand, I was riding the same loop, and I had intentionally been avoiding getting behind anyone, cause I wanted the full-wind workout. It turns out some guy had been drafting on me for some time. Reason I found out (I could not hear him) is one of his friends laughed as he came by and busted his friends balls about running this poor cyclist (me) into the ground. I thought it was funny and laughed with them. I was not angry, felt no reason to be, and if anything I felt complimented that *someone* found my pace good enough to benefit from riding behind me for a change. Also, since I had been known to do so, I understood and was in no position to complain.

But what is the etiquette for this kinda thing?

It's easy enough to pull up, say, "hi" and then wait and see what happens...sometimes, like Sunday, you get the "NO way, we don't know you look" and you can ride away or drop back...sometimes, like yesterday, you strike up a conversation, take turns taking pulls, and find another cool unexpected moment in the day...

I think we worry too much about this issue as riders...if you are strong enough to pace alongside and get a feel for the vibe, then you are a good enough rider compared to that group to make a good judgement.

I wouldn't jump on a stranger's wheel without saying "hello" for any reason.

By drafting without asking, you are counting on a degree of experience the other rider might not have. I will probably ride close to 4000 miles this year, but I've never drafted or been drafted. I just enjoy the solitude of riding alone. If you ride on my wheel, I might brake without enough warning for you to stop (not intentionally, of course). And you certainly do NOT want me on your wheel. Ask first.

I once drafted without permission on some fine looking ladies wheel, she's a lawyer, gots me my first restraining order.

It's always a good idea to ask. It's just being polite and the world could use a lot more of that, IMO.

I've got a related thought to this, though. How close do you think you have to be before asking permission? If I'm on the road and see a group of cyclists traveling at a reasonable pace on a fairly flat section of road with a good surface and visibility, riding a good line, looking smooth and competent, I may sit off the back a bike length or two without asking, as I don't think that's close enough to pose any risk of getting tangled up with them. If I was right on their wheel -- less than a bike length -- I would ask if it was OK. Of course, on a downhill I'd back off a bit. In any event, I would not sit on the wheel of a rider that didn't look like they had good form and didn't look to be predictable in their riding style.

I had a three man team draft me once without asking, we got up to 26 sustained for about 4 miles with me pulling, then I dropped back to the back of the line. The next guy pulling only kept a pace of 21 MPH which was a bit slow so I passed them hopeing to go on my merry way, no such luck I ended up pulling these lugs all the way home, lazy schmucks.

Edit: the moral is if your gonna take a pull give a reasonable effort pulling yourself when its your turn or stay off others wheels.

temp1, this is where you drop them :P

You decide...

A few years ago I had a pack of three draft me without my knowing it. I found out real quickly though when I had to brake for a section of torn up road that went from asphalt to dirt. Can you guess what happened? I was a tangle of asses and elbows in about a nonosecond.

As you might expect, drafting without asking is a pet peeve of mine now.

I once drafted without permission on some fine looking ladies wheel, she's a lawyer, gots me my first restraining order.

You're kidding, right?

I once drafted without permission on some fine looking ladies wheel
Yeah, I've been tempted to do that several times :D Actually though, I find hanging back a tad gives a better view. But then I'd eventually have to pass to check out everything from the front. Might be a ... *shudder* ... man (reminds of the Beavis and Butthead episode :D )

Yeah, I've been tempted to do that several times :D Actually though, I find hanging back a tad gives a better view. But then I'd eventually have to pass to check out everything from the front. Might be a ... *shudder* ... man (reminds of the Beavis and Butthead episode :D )
hahaahha... makes you want to make it illegal for guys to shave their legs! :D

I was riding today, going kind of medium speed, had just finished a hill climb, when somebody rode right by me kind of close going faster, so I got up to speed quick, stayed about 1 bike length back on his right, about a mile or so later he looked back to his left, I know for sure to see how bad he had dusted me, but to his surprise when he turned around to his right I was right there. He gave me the "node", we rode a little longer together and then I turned off. It was pretty cool.

I did that last Saturday. I came up behind two riders that were obviously much more experienced then me. I asked if I could try to keep up with them for a while. They said no problem but within two miles they turned it on leaving my pathetic 20.5 mph max speed in the dust. I figured they laughed all the way home.

I always ask. I really don't like it when I discover someone is right on my wheel without knowing it. If I know someone is on my wheel I keep a better line and don't make sudden changes in speed.

When I come up on someone if I am not going to pass them and I want to draft, I start by approaching from the side, at an angle, and saying hi. That way if I do startle them or hit their brakes suddenly I am not going to crash into their back.

temp1, this is where you drop them :P

Exactly, figure out which one is the strongest of the 3, and just when he is finished with his pull, attack the group. Not only have you timed your attack when the strongest guy is the most tired, the weaker ones will look to him in vain to try and lead the chase.


Actually, you don't have to drop 'em. They may be getting a kick out of riding faster then they usually do. Perhaps they are posting over on cyclingforums.com about how they drafted some fast guy and how cool it was.