Commuting - Stop drafting me!!! I am not your domestique!

So this morning, I was riding on my usual commute. The route has a longish stretch of road. I came across a roadie commuter that I thought was going rather slow. So I called "On your left". Overtook him. Kept on my merry way.

After a few minutes, I heard something behind me creeping up. So I thought it was another commuter. I steered towards my right as a gesture to let this person past. For the longest while, nothing. I looked back and it was the fellow I just overtook. Mmmmkay. I wasn't sure what he wants to do. Overtake me or not. I slow, he slowed, I accelerated, so did he.
Decided enough was enough with this weirdness of commuter drafting. Came upon a hill, kicked down to a smaller chainring and hammered the climb. Kept the distance from there on. That hill followed by another one. It was enough to put a nice distance. Strangely he was wearing yellow on a yellow bike!

What a weird experience. Certainly my first time having someone drafting me for a few miles. Atleast let me draft you in return! Happened to you before?

Nope. No other people are insane enough to commute by bike in my neighborhood. Besides, you'd have to be following me with a cane and walker not to pass me... I am the definition of slow.

I had a guy do that to me. I pulled up to the last light before a long stretch of open road. There was a guy ahead of me at the light so I stopped behind him. Light turned green and we took off. He was going really slow so I passed. Wasn't long till I realized he was right behind me. I sped up a bit, he sped up. Slowed a bit to let him pass, he slowed. Finally lost him when I turned.

Came upon him in the same spot a week or so later. He dogged it when the light turned green but I didn't bite. He finally figured I wasn't playing this time and sped up. Saw him there a few more times but he knew I wasn't going to pull so he ignored me.

Next time just left out a giant sneeze complete with tremendous amounts of spittle. That'll make them think twice the next time.:D

No, not like that. A couple times I've had people behind me for a while, but it's generally from them not having a good spot to pass on the MUP when it's busy. Once or twice, people got on my wheel seemingly trying to draft me. Those couple times I'd just coast for a few seconds and they'd pass. I'm not fast enough on my hybrid, even with a slightly less upright riding position since I switched to my trekking bars, to take a long pull in front for a serious roadie drafting behind me (15-18 mph is a comfortable cruising pace for me on flat strecthes w/ little wind on shorter rides like my commute).

One time, a guy on a MTB was behind me for a while and kind of drafting, then he pulled up beside me and asked if I wanted to draft behind him. We took turns pulling for a maye two or three miles before he pulled off. Didn't have a computer at the time, but I'd guess we were doing a good sustained 20-22 mph. Glad he pulled off. I remember I was starting to get a bit gassed and probably would have had to drop away had he not pulled off.

Generally prefer riding on my own, though, and tend to be able to do so. Don't mind people following me, though, if they're not right on my wheel.

Next time just left out a giant sneeze complete with tremendous amounts of spittle. That'll make them think twice the next time.:D

:roflmao2:

We've had threads about this before. I'm much more forgiving when commuting than if I'm riding my road bike alone on a weekend. On the weekend, if I want to ride with a group and draft I'll do so. If I'm alone it's because I want to be alone and it's great fun to drop a wheel squatter. But if someone asks me if they can draft, I'll always say yes - if they are nice enough to ask, I'm nice enough to allow it.

I think most people would prefer to be asked first. Some people cite safety concerns over letting someone draft behind. Such concern is valid, I suppose, but in general drafting is much more dangerous for the guy behind than the guy in front. So I don't mind - but the polite thing to do is to ask first.

You're luck he wasn't wearing polka dots, otherwise you'd never of lost him!

These threads come up from time to time.. I don't really see what the big deal is as long as they're not endangering you.

These threads come up from time to time.. I don't really see what the big deal is as long as they're not endangering you.

Frankly it is sort of creepy(particularly ninja drafters) and most of the time they are endangering you. Save it for race day.

I don't see the offense or big deal? It doesn't change anything on your ride at all. The effort on your end would be the same if you looked back and never saw him. There are a lot of roadies on my commute and we hook up like this many times. You may be the only way he can go faster and are pushing him to the max. This same thing happens on group rides quite often too. You may have a group of guys in a paceline with equal pull throughs and another group behind them just drafting. Many times it's just because they aren't strong enough yet to pull through.

I know drafting isn't always honorable which is why it's illegal in triathlon races, etc. And there will always be wheel suckers that are capable but just don't do their part. But I'm an ex-football player with lots of track and field in high school, and a known tactic from our coach in practice was to always go with the faster guy and hang with him as long as you can. That's how you get better. I tend to still look at it like that I guess.

I don't really see what the big deal is as long as they're not endangering you.

One sudden move and he may end up plowing into you.

Op, are you sure he was close enough to be drafting or was he just trying to keep up with you?

Yes, and I should add that we usually do ask if it's okay if I hang with you for a bit too, but sometimes a pass happens in traffic and they will just go with you afterwards.

Electrik nails it on the head. It feels creepy from a stranger which I have just overtaken. If it's in a group ride or with people I know, I wouldn't think twice.
There's still an element of danger in a commuting route where there are so many variables like potholes, suicide squirrels, cars that pop out of plazas, iZombies (i-whatever pedestrian) etc...

I don't like tailgaters either.



Op, are you sure he was close enough to be drafting or was he just trying to keep up with you?

Maybe I should change my handle to OP someday. I didn't take further look because the feeling was too weird. But the fact that I can hear his clickety-clicks from the rear drivetrain tells me that he is quite close.

As a relative newb: How close is too close? I don't think I 'draft' but I will follow someone who is keeping a comfortable pace, and I have no problems with someone riding behind me, as long as they recognize that I might not behave the way a racer or serious cyclist will. Esp. if passing is going to be a hassle.

I still want a "SPASTIC COLON: Tailgate at own risk" jersey.

Oh please! HTFU!

You decided to pass him. He decided to pick up speed to your speed.
No where has he made you his domestique! Speed up more and drop him, or slow down VERY slow if it bothers you that much.

You are not on the pro bike tour, quit thinking that you are.
As far as safety goes, if he runs into your rear wheel or overlaps your rear wheel, he will go down.
Most times the lead rider doesn't.

I wish I was fast enough to draft.

Last year I was drafted a couple times, very similar to wunderkind's scenario. The first time, I had no idea he was there, and didn't see him until I shoulder checked before moving left to make a left turn. Scared the crap outta me to see him there, actually. The second time, it was a guy who I had commuter raced a couple times already, and I knew he was there, but I guess he just wanted to draft instead of properly challenge me. He eventually passed me shortly before my turnoff, and even thanked me for the draft.

I try not to draft anyone myself on my commutes, though. I don't know where anyone else is going or if I can trust them to not make sudden moves, so if I find myself behind someone that I'm not in a position to pass, I'll hang back a few meters.

You forgot how to signal that your pull is over and it's his turn. He was being polite waiting for you!

LEAVING THE FRONT OF THE PACE LINE
AND MOVING TO THE RIGHT

Hold your upper arm at shoulder level with your forearm bent, so that your hand is against the side of your body. This forms an arrow pointing to the right. Hold this signal for two to three seconds to give the rider directly behind you time to prepare to take the lead of the pace line.

Oh please! HTFU!

You decided to pass him. He decided to pick up speed to your speed.
No where has he made you his domestique! Speed up more and drop him, or slow down VERY slow if it bothers you that much.

You are not on the pro bike tour, quit thinking that you are.
As far as safety goes, if he runs into your rear wheel or overlaps your rear wheel, he will go down.
Most times the lead rider doesn't.

What he said.

Some people act as if a drafter costs them something. Personally, I like drafting/being drafted. It livens things up a bit and as much as I enjoy cycling, there are times that it bores me out of whatever wits I have. I do agree, however that any drafting be done after asking.

If ninja drafters bother you I recommend a good helmet mirror or maybe one of them james bond oil slick deals.

This happens to me a couple times a month on the MUP. Ocassionally, the rider will ask if it's OK for them to draft. This is proper etiquette, and I have always said yes. It's the people who don't ask first that I have a problem with (the proper term for these clods is "wheelsuckers"). The MUP I ride is busy in the afternoon with walkers, joggers, in-line skaters and bike riders of varying ability including little kids. Sometimes situations require a quick move or sudden change in speed. If I know I have a guy on my wheel, I can give him a warning in advance to "be prepared" when I am approaching a potential situation. A wheelsucker that I don't know may end up plowing into me or a little kid on a bike. At a minimum he is going to scare the S&*t out of everyone with the panic stop he has to put in when I slow down without warning. I want nothing to do with wheelsuckers.

I was on an MUP that connects to the one WoodWay was riding; I passed a guy in a full spandex race kit. A few minutes later, I was about to turn left off the trail, did a shoulder check, and saw the guy sucking on my wheel. I signaled and turned.

It does feel just a little creepy to have a stranger that close, and can be startling. On the other hand, on the same trail, I was heading up to a swimming beach, when another rider passed me, and slowed down as soon as he got in front. I had to make a right turn, and wasn't sure exactly where, so I didn't want to pass and then possibly right-hook him. So I stayed about two yards behind the guy, and two feet to the side. The guy seemed annoyed and motioned for me to pass, but my turn came about half a minute later, and that was that. I'm pretty sure that doesn't count as having drafted the guy, since I wouldn't have hit him if he'd stopped immediately. But he seemed to disagree.

Get over yourself....


If he could hang on your wheel you were not going fast enough. Like the others, I do not see what the big deal is... They are not making your ride any harder or more dangerous.

If he could hang on your wheel you were not going fast enough. Like the others, I do not see what the big deal is... They are not making your ride any harder or more dangerous.

If I have to brake suddenly, he won't have time to react. There's a reason cars have safe following distance laws, and they should apply to bikes as well.

Besides, that makes it awkward to fart if you don't know he's there until afterward. Satisfying if you do know in advance, but still awkward otherwise.

Get over yourself....


If he could hang on your wheel you were not going fast enough. Like the others, I do not see what the big deal is... They are not making your ride any harder or more dangerous.

i don't completely agree with this, but, he is right about part of it. you should be able to drop the guy and even if you don't, the attempt should signify to the tiresucker that you'd just as soon not be drafted.

a while back, someone came up with a very effective ninja drafter deterent, plugging one nostril with your finger, turn head, fire away.

I'm ok with drafters if they ask and are willing to take a turn, but this would be mostly on the path or open road. In traffic, I tell 'em don't dare follow me because the door tends to close right behind me, and I am comfortable going where many won't. I had a guy who would not let my back wheel go as I rode cross town. I warned him and sure enough a few blocks later I had to carve left around a car that was using the BL to go around a turning car, and I hear BANG behind me. I looked back to see him rolling off the truck. He was ok but definitely needed at least a new fork.

My issue with people drafting me is that I have to pay some attention to things like maintaining a smooth, constant speed, and have correspondingly less to pay attention to traffic. If I need to move to the side, I have to do a head check to make sure that we're not overlapping wheels. If I need to stop suddenly, I have to pay attention to whether my hell-for-stout brakes are better than his, and may have to adjust my braking strategies accordingly. I don't mind doing those things when I'm riding with friends, or even when I'm asked by another rider whom I don't know, but I do mind having to notice a stealth wheelsucker and adjust my riding style without even a courtesy of a "by your leave."

OTOH, one of the most fun things I've ever done on a my commute was last year when a coworker and I were commuting together. We were taking turns on the front, doing maybe 25 mph, and passed another rider who decided to jump on the paceline. We kept the pace up, and after a couple of miles he stopped to puke. :)

I blow my nose. I guess my allergies have some value.

My issue with people drafting me is that I have to pay some attention to things like maintaining a smooth, constant speed
just make sure his front wheel will hit you on the non-drive side and stand up real fast. If that doesn't get him, sitting down right away should do the trick.

Im flattered if people actually draft me. Comeon people lighten up.

It's kind of a funny image, but if you were to actually blow snot, sneeze, or spit on someone (as people sometimes suggest when this comes up) just because you felt they were following you too closely, you'd be a much bigger jerk than they were being. Why not just talk to them? Or signal that your moving to the left and slow down? If you passed someone and the speed difference was such that they could jump on your wheel, couldn't you have just hung back a little bit, and then blown by more quickly when the time is right?

Just wave them back, no need to shout or spit.

Is it me or some of the members lately have comprehension challenges?! The drafter was dropped at the climb because I had enough of such intimate distance while cyclo-commuting. :rolleyes:

As have been iterated earlier this is a commute. Not a group ride nor a racing event. There are a lot of variables to be contend of. The last thing I want when I get on the binders because of an idiot ped step off the sidewalk right onto my path but get rear ended by the drafter.

Is it me or some of the members lately have comprehension challenges?!

No, we just like pointedly ignoring what you say. :P

Just wave them back, no need to shout or spit.

Yes agree completely.

Guy was sucking my wheel on the MUP a few months ago and when I saw he was there, I waved him back. A couple minutes later I looked back and he was still there. So I turned and asked him if he would please back off a few feet. He rode up next to me and asked why. I said that I thought it was bad form to ride inches from another riders wheel without asking first or at least announcing your presence and I would appreciate it if he would pass me or slide back 10 or 20 feet for safety. His response? "It's guys like you who give cyclists a bad name". I'm still scratching my head over that one :)

Yes agree completely.

Guy was sucking my wheel on the MUP a few months ago and when I saw he was there, I waved him back. A couple minutes later I looked back and he was still there. So I turned and asked him if he would please back off a few feet. He rode up next to me and asked why. I said that I thought it was bad form to ride inches from another riders wheel without asking first or at least announcing your presence and I would appreciate it if he would pass me or slide back 10 or 20 feet for safety. His response? "It's guys like you who give cyclists a bad name". I'm still scratching my head over that one :)

Kudos to you for actually vocalizing your wishes. It seems a lot of cyclists don't do that and instead do things like speed up or slow down which doesn't really send a clear message. The advantage of being on a bike rather than in a car is that you can actually speak and be heard. ;-)

I'm a little perplexed by his response too but then I'm also surprised at the number of people in this forum who don't see any problem with drafting unannounced. I've been doing groups rides for a few years now and I'm not as bothered by it as I once was though it doesn't happen often.

I had an older fellow ask me one time if he could draft for a little, I had not problem, doesnt really change how I am riding.

Get over yourself....


If he could hang on your wheel you were not going fast enough. Like the others, I do not see what the big deal is... They are not making your ride any harder or more dangerous.

In a race, sure. On the way to work ... not really.

Drafting strangers without permission is bull$hit. Period. I don't want you on my a$$ unless you ask me, and I don't want to have to slow down or speed up to drop you. I'm an experienced road rider and I love group rides, but keep in mind you random wheel suckers that perhaps I'm riding alone because want to ride alone at the pace I want to ride. Respect it.

Generally it's proper etiquette to strike up a chat, and see if the other rider wants to work together. Most of the time I don't get too worked up if they don't.

But.......

If I find someone especially annoying, I slow to the point that it's really REALLY stupid, and when the other person "gets it" I hang back about 20-40' and dog them the rest of the way. Not drafting, but not passing.

My little experience says it not the best idea to draft without letting the other person know. I just started riding a bicycle after stopping once I turned 16 (17 years ago) and yesterday my 2nd day commuting another rider was drafting me on the SART. It was a bit unsettling I looked over my should and he was right behind me. I wiggled a bit then slowed down so he could pass. After 20 seconds I pick my pace up to my normal speed and he just sate there. After a mile I took off to give us some distant and he backed off. A few months from now I may not have a issue but now I'm still learning to focus on my own riding. Adding another rider to the equation did not feel safe.

My little experience says it not the best idea to draft without letting the other person know. I just started riding a bicycle after stopping once I turned 16 (17 years ago) and yesterday my 2nd day commuting another rider was drafting me on the SART. It was a bit unsettling I looked over my should and he was right behind me. I wiggled a bit then slowed down so he could pass. After 20 seconds I pick my pace up to my normal speed and he just sate there. After a mile I took off to give us some distant and he backed off. A few months from now I may not have a issue but now I'm still learning to focus on my own riding. Adding another rider to the equation did not feel safe.

Indeed... Don't draft and don't tailgate! Be courteous, you're commuting not racing. You just add another thing for the other person to worry about.

I guess I see it as an invasion of my personal space - much like a close talker or tailgater. I'm not into competitive cycling so if it ever happened to me I would just pull over and let them pass.

I doubt anybody would want to draft me anyways, considering my measly 14-15 mph average.

I guess I see it as an invasion of my personal space - much like a close talker or tailgater. I'm not into competitive cycling so if it ever happened to me I would just pull over and let them pass.

I doubt anybody would want to draft me anyways, considering my measly 14-15 mph average.

Wow, I thought 14-15 was SMOKIN'! Oh well.

I read a post here about a year ago from someone that didn't know a ninja was on his tail until he (the poster) blasted a massive snot rocket and heard the cuss storm from behind him. This makes me laugh every time I think about it! I have active sinuses when riding too, so frequently unload while riding. Of course no one has ever drafted me. There are very few cyclists around here, mostly just me riding around chuckling every time I blow my nose!

I rarely see anyone else out riding while I'm commuting, and my erratic and usually slow pace on the bumpy winding MUP I usually ride on would make it really hard for them to get much benefit out of drafting me.

Drafting without permission in a non-sporting setting is tailgating.

Where I live, bicycles are vehicles. Where I live, in multi-vehicle accidents are generally considered to be the fault of the person in back.

I can't imagine the LEOs caring a whit about two bicycles colliding, but throw in totalling a nice carbon-fiber bike, some orthopedic surgery, missed work and physical therapy and I can see an insurance company looking for someone to tag with damages.

I cant believe people draft on commutes.
wTf :twitchy:
My commute time is also meditate / compose time. To have someone cyclostalking
me for even a short distance would be beyond un-nerving.
I would just stop and let Lance Buzzkill go by.

I guess I'm lucky not to have this problem on my commute.

However, on charity rides I seem to be a magnet for wheel suckers. Unleash the Cliff Bar farts on the wheel sucker. Problem solved.

Oh please! HTFU!

You decided to pass him. He decided to pick up speed to your speed.
No where has he made you his domestique! Speed up more and drop him, or slow down VERY slow if it bothers you that much.

You are not on the pro bike tour, quit thinking that you are.
As far as safety goes, if he runs into your rear wheel or overlaps your rear wheel, he will go down.
Most times the lead rider doesn't.

The moral of the story....if you don't want your wheel sucked, don't just pass, attack and ensure that they can't grab (or stay on) your wheel in the first place.

If that doesn't work....stop the lesson - and enjoy a nice cold glass of Mug Root Beer. :D