Cool time drafting behind a truck
09-27-08, 08:33 PM
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meow
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Cool time drafting behind a truck
Today, I was on the road with my MB-3 in sloshy/wet weather in the Boston area. On the way back of about a 40 mile ride, I found myself behind a truck when I turned off of a rotary onto a road. I tucked in behind and was able to keep pace at 35+/- mph for about a 1-2 miles until we came to a red light. Every now and then, I would pop out to the right in sight of the driver's mirror to try and let my presence be known.
At the red light, where I was stopped near the curb, the driver leaned over to the open window on the passenger side and yelled out, "I saw you; I know what I am doing; it's ok; I'm going down there, c'mon along." So happens, it was in the direction that I was planning to go. For another 1-2 miles I drafted closely behind. Good thing I registered his right-turn blinker; I went left to pass and he gave me the thumbs up out the window. It felt a bit like the truck scene in Breaking Away. There were some harrowing moments such as when the road would turn or bend -- I was drafting pretty closely and I did not feel like I had the surest footing with the wet roads. But, overall, it was a blast.
Now, I can believe that one could hit 50+ mph when drafting behind a truck. I was on a mountain bike with 2.1 inch knobbies and top gearing of 46-13, and I managed to stay in the 35-40 mph range with reserve in my tank. I suspect that I could go much faster on my road bike.
At the red light, where I was stopped near the curb, the driver leaned over to the open window on the passenger side and yelled out, "I saw you; I know what I am doing; it's ok; I'm going down there, c'mon along." So happens, it was in the direction that I was planning to go. For another 1-2 miles I drafted closely behind. Good thing I registered his right-turn blinker; I went left to pass and he gave me the thumbs up out the window. It felt a bit like the truck scene in Breaking Away. There were some harrowing moments such as when the road would turn or bend -- I was drafting pretty closely and I did not feel like I had the surest footing with the wet roads. But, overall, it was a blast.
Now, I can believe that one could hit 50+ mph when drafting behind a truck. I was on a mountain bike with 2.1 inch knobbies and top gearing of 46-13, and I managed to stay in the 35-40 mph range with reserve in my tank. I suspect that I could go much faster on my road bike.
09-27-08, 08:52 PM
#3
Making a kilometer blurry
Sweet. It's been a couple weeks for me (just barely lost a high-school school bus last week 
).
Very cool with the cooperative driver.
BTW: I have and regularly ride an MB-3
).Very cool with the cooperative driver.
BTW: I have and regularly ride an MB-3
09-27-08, 09:22 PM
#4
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Cool!! My RB-1 is in Austin. So, up here in Boston area, I have been riding vigorously for the first time the MB-3 (actually, it is my wife's and prior to the past month, I only road it for local errands). I am amazed at how sweet and smooth it is on the road. I love riding this bike. Rather than haul my road bike up here, I am going to put slicks on it and get some clipless pedals; yup, everything is still stock including the Sakae pedals with cages and straps!!!!
09-27-08, 09:33 PM
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Today I rode my bike. There were cars, and hills, and flat places. There was sun, and some clouds. I saw people walking. I avoided some glass and some gravel. I didn't crash.
We all know we ride bikes. When you talk with car people do you ask them how their commute was that day or do you ask them how many HP their new engine is making?
09-27-08, 09:35 PM
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wow, 46/13 at 35mph what was your rpm like 120?
09-27-08, 09:50 PM
#8
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I don't know. I was mostly focused on paying attention to, and staying near, the rear of the truck :-) There were parts where I was actually cruising or braking to make sure that I kept back a bit. I don't recall feeling like I was spinning crazy out of my mind. Maybe the adrenaline rush of the experience and my staying focused on the truck distracted me from feeling my spin??
09-27-08, 09:58 PM
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I don't know. I was mostly focused on paying attention to, and staying near, the rear of the truck :-) There were parts where I was actually cruising or braking to make sure that I kept back a bit. I don't recall feeling like I was spinning crazy out of my mind. Maybe the adrenaline rush of the experience and my staying focused on the truck distracted me from feeling my spin??
