Steve Skyers

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??

withak

Regardless of ettiquette, riding that close to someone when they don't know you are there probably isn't a good idea.

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.

GGDub

+1 I often have this happen to me on my ride home (I'm not that fast). I've actually had someone run into me when I swerved to avoid some glass (they were half-wheeling me). I would've gladly warned them I was about to swerve had I known they were there. Its also polite to let the person know because then they know they can signal you to pull-through if they want a break.

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.

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.

caloso

I never mind it if someone drafts me. Just ask first.

chipcom 

Agreed. We ain't talking about weekend group rides with the club here.

DogBoy

Perhaps if you had called out that you were stopping such an incident would not have happened....(I agree it was his fault, but still...)

branman1986

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...

vrkelley

Unlike racers who are all going to the same finish line, commuters do wherever. Don't rely on someone else's power or stupidity. Don't draft unless it's a trusted friend and you're going the same distance.

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.

habernac

drafting without asking is bad form. If you don't know the person, you need to ask beforehand.

vrkelley

...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.

nick burns

Do this often enough and the guys in the white uniforms with will chasing after you with nets.

Denny Koll

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....

DogBoy

If no one is behind you to hear, how will they know to come get you?

vrkelley

>>Do this often enough and the guys in the white uniforms with will chasing after you with nets.


around here nobody would notice

vrkelley

Drafting without announcing and then NOT taking your turn is also very bad form [warrants a s-rocket the next time].

crtreedude 

Do it behind me an you are liable to get a spray from the next cow manure that I end up running through...

oboeguy

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.

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.

chipcom 

Yes, it can have an effect, because now I gotta worry about what the fool on my wheel is doing. The best advice has already been given - don't wheelsuck off folks you don't know and trust...and if you do, tell em you are there and take your turns pulling. Snot rockets are just one of the weapons available to use on unwanted wheelsuckers - you best hope I wasn't drinking beer and eating hard-boiled eggs the night before...talk about FMD (farts of mass destruction).

vrkelley

dragonflybikes

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.

SaabFan

The person in front gets a (VERY small) aerodynamic advantage as well, but it's nowhere near as significant as the advantage riders behind him/her get, and probably not even big enough for most people to feel.