Drafting Etiquette
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Drafting Etiquette
On my way to work today I came upon 3 other bikers waiting for a train at a level crossing, One of these riders took off fast as soon as the track was clear. I was gaining ground on him and by the time I caught him he was going about the same cruzing speed as I. I tucked in right behind him and drafted him for about 1.5km. He never looked behind him so I don’t think he even knew I was there. Should I have told him I was there? He was going faster than I could have if I was in the lead. What would you have done??
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If he doesn't know you're back there and hits the brakes suddenly or farts, you'd be in a no-win situation. Just ask if you can draft.
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Originally Posted by jyossarian
If he doesn't know you're back there and hits the brakes suddenly or farts, you'd be in a no-win situation. Just ask if you can draft.
#5
No one carries the DogBoy
Two things to point out here.
#1: Always assume someone is behind you. Call out hazards and give appropriate hand signals. You may look silly when by yourself, but it becomes a habit, so when you are riding with others you can concentrate on keeping out of trouble, and not notice the "additional" communication required.
#2: If you approach another cyclist, assume he/she doesn't see you. Ride up alongside and ask if its okay to "hang out behind them." This does two things...Makes the person aware that you are there and gives them the opportunity to request you stay clear of them. If they say no, its in your best interest to respect the request.
#1: Always assume someone is behind you. Call out hazards and give appropriate hand signals. You may look silly when by yourself, but it becomes a habit, so when you are riding with others you can concentrate on keeping out of trouble, and not notice the "additional" communication required.
#2: If you approach another cyclist, assume he/she doesn't see you. Ride up alongside and ask if its okay to "hang out behind them." This does two things...Makes the person aware that you are there and gives them the opportunity to request you stay clear of them. If they say no, its in your best interest to respect the request.
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Originally Posted by DogBoy
Two things to point out here.
#1: Always assume someone is behind you. Call out hazards and give appropriate hand signals. You may look silly when by yourself, but it becomes a habit, so when you are riding with others you can concentrate on keeping out of trouble, and not notice the "additional" communication required.
#2: If you approach another cyclist, assume he/she doesn't see you. Ride up alongside and ask if its okay to "hang out behind them." This does two things...Makes the person aware that you are there and gives them the opportunity to request you stay clear of them. If they say no, its in your best interest to respect the request.
#1: Always assume someone is behind you. Call out hazards and give appropriate hand signals. You may look silly when by yourself, but it becomes a habit, so when you are riding with others you can concentrate on keeping out of trouble, and not notice the "additional" communication required.
#2: If you approach another cyclist, assume he/she doesn't see you. Ride up alongside and ask if its okay to "hang out behind them." This does two things...Makes the person aware that you are there and gives them the opportunity to request you stay clear of them. If they say no, its in your best interest to respect the request.
One time, I was riding a "comfort bike" and I've had a bozo slam into my back with his DF. He got a very stern verbal warning, but the next ******* to do this to me will not be so lucky.
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I never mind it if someone drafts me. Just ask first.
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Originally Posted by GreenGrasshoppr
#1 is wrong. It is the responsibility of each person to allow enough reaction time and braking distance in front.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#9
No one carries the DogBoy
Originally Posted by GreenGrasshoppr
#1 is wrong. It is the responsibility of each person to allow enough reaction time and braking distance in front.
One time, I was riding a "comfort bike" and I've had a bozo slam into my back with his DF. He got a very stern verbal warning, but the next ******* to do this to me will not be so lucky.
One time, I was riding a "comfort bike" and I've had a bozo slam into my back with his DF. He got a very stern verbal warning, but the next ******* to do this to me will not be so lucky.
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Yeah, just ask if you can hitch a ride...nobody's ever told me no before, but I hate it when someone drafts me w/o asking...
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Originally Posted by jyossarian
If he doesn't know you're back there and hits the brakes suddenly or farts, you'd be in a no-win situation. Just ask if you can draft.
Also why do people ask? When I say no...don't draft...they do it anyway. -btw if I say no and the guy drafts anyway, he gets what he gets.
Last edited by vrkelley; 08-28-06 at 08:24 PM.
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drafting without asking is bad form. If you don't know the person, you need to ask beforehand.
#13
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...adding...when I say yes to drafting...does that mean I pull you for the whole commute???? No you take your turn out front and you announce your intent as you pass.
Oddly the slackers never take their turn at the pull.
Oddly the slackers never take their turn at the pull.
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Originally Posted by DogBoy
#1: Always assume someone is behind you. Call out hazards and give appropriate hand signals.
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If you draft without asking you're liable to get a snot rocket attack. It may not even be deliberate but it will cure you of wanting to get in the draft without asking.
I've been the victim of a snot rocket attack and it's something I never want to experience again....
I've been the victim of a snot rocket attack and it's something I never want to experience again....
#16
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Originally Posted by nick burns
Do this often enough and the guys in the white uniforms with will chasing after you with nets.
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>>Do this often enough and the guys in the white uniforms with will chasing after you with nets.
around here nobody would notice
around here nobody would notice
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Originally Posted by habernac
drafting without asking is bad form. If you don't know the person, you need to ask beforehand.
Last edited by vrkelley; 08-28-06 at 08:23 PM.
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Do it behind me an you are liable to get a spray from the next cow manure that I end up running through...
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I rarely ride close to someone else's wheel until I know I can trust that person. I can't trust someone who doesn't know I'm there after a mile! Seriously, how does the guy not know you're there? Crazy.
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If you are the person in front and someone behind you is drafting you does it have an effect on your ride. I understand the person in back has an easier ride from no wind.
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Originally Posted by Turboem1
If you are the person in front and someone behind you is drafting you does it have an effect on your ride. I understand the person in back has an easier ride from no wind.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
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Originally Posted by chipcom
don't wheelsuck ,,, take your turns pulling. Snot rockets - you best hope I wasn't drinking beer and eating hard-boiled eggs the night before...talk about FMD (farts of mass destruction).
Last edited by vrkelley; 08-28-06 at 09:21 PM.
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If you do end up drafting for a while and can't quite make it up to announce then draft further back. While the best draft is right up on their wheel, if you don't know them and especially if they don't know you are there then stay back more than 1 wheel length off of the back of their wheel. You will still get a good portion of the draft but it will give you response time.
Still it is allways better to announce yourself.
Still it is allways better to announce yourself.
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Originally Posted by Turboem1
If you are the person in front and someone behind you is drafting you does it have an effect on your ride. I understand the person in back has an easier ride from no wind.