banerjek

Took a 'bent out on a recreational century yesterday. As is often the case, I wound up towing a number of people. One guy stayed latched on for practically all of the final 20 miles.

I rode too hard at the beginning, so I was slow (particularly on the uphill sections) near the end. He stuck to me like glue. I totally get that he may have figured that he'd be better off sticking with me anyway, but I was still puzzled as to why he'd be so close.

Anyway, I got cramps near the end and had to quickly unclip to avoid crashing. Because the hill stopped my momentum like brakes, I almost caused him to crash. He was cheesed. I should get some blame since I could have told him my legs were bad and he'd be wise to hang back.

But that aside, what gives? When you're grinding at 7 or 8mph, there is no aero advantage. So you get the disadvantages of riding someone's wheel without the benefit.

sakonnetclip

Perhaps not much of an aero benefit (with wind there still could be some) but for me it would still serve as motivation to chase the wheel up the climb.

Not sure I'd follow that close though!

Chris_F

I can say why I do it.

Psychology. Focus on that guy's rear wheel and devote your entire being to staying in contact with it. It's a motivator.

Also, when you crest the hill, if there's a flat, you're right there ready to get back in to the draft.

That said, if you don't have a sort of mutual agreement with the guy in front you're pretty much on your own. I'd never be angry if some random guy I'm drafting doesn't ride smoothly or decides to stop unexpectedly. That's my fault for putting my fate in his hands. It's kinda rude to expect him to accomodate my needs as a wheel sucker.

ultraman6970

If you do not climb that well and it is harder for you to pace yourself, so you have to go behind somebody to pace you up. The guy that was following you was toasted and that's why he almost crashed you, but the other important fact is that if you are going to following somebody whats the point on going to feet behind instead of 2 inches (his case)?

You are basically wondering about the riding protocols? Well the guy do not climb, looks like he ride and can take advantage of a wheel better than you do also. I do not climb and i would have done the same thing he did The other thing I can advice you, protocol is there but at some point you wont care about somebody at your wheel, secondly if you know that somebody is at your wheel, never but never ever press the brakes or do a weird movements because the accident is imminent. The biggest issue is that just like with a car, the guy at your back will get a nasty crash and you will get a bump, the problem with the bump is that it can bend your RD hanger or a chainstay, thing i have seen twice in my country and like 5 times here in the states.

You could have told him but is simple to figure it out if somebody can really go to the front, just move slowly to the left, if you do not see his wheel is because he won't pass to the front, period. Second option, move to the left slowly check if he didnt move whith you, stop pedaling and ask him if he can pace for a few minutes, if he says no... just continue riding, or start talking to him about any sh***t riding at his left (can you ride parallel to somebody right?).

Forget the protocols in some cases and gain experience. With the time u wont give a darn about them

StephenH

Logic doesn't always factor into it. I got to noticing a good while back that more often than not, when I saw guys riding on aerobars, it was when they had a tailwind, not a headwind.

rollin

Why would anyone draft a bent?

banerjek

More wondering who rides a 'bent wheel on a climb.

Actually, I did these things. I knew not to do anything rash, but the cramps forced me to unclip immediately -- otherwise I would have fallen and taken him out for certain. For the last few miles, I was pulling over and going even a little extra slow on the climbs hoping he'd just drop me or at least just pass me and latch on when I'd catch him on the flats.

I'm not a big fan of pacelining on recreational rides, though I totally understand teams that show up wanting to work together. But for most people, it ain't a race, so who cares if you finish a little earlier? It's my general observation that most people who ride in pacelines or pelotons at recreational events shouldn't. The nuttiest thing I think I saw was a group of guys riding in a peloton (i.e. not a paceline) on 40+ mph descents through curves.

Nachoman

You derive benefit drafting someone up hill if there are headwinds.

Tulex

I just don't get grabbing a wheel of a solo. What part of solo don't these guys get? Some of you like people to latch on. That's cool for you. But why would anyone just assume it's ok?

banerjek

There is also this aspect. Especially on longer rides I prefer to be on my own. Lines are sometimes fun, but they take a lot of headspace so I don't like to ride in them for hours on end.

Chris_F

Yeah, it can be kinda rude. I'll invite others to grab my wheel but I don't think I've ever just latched on to someone else I wasn't already on a group ride with. Besides, most people don't know how to safely ride as the guy in front and I don't want to ride behind someone who doesn't know how to be a front seater.

rangerdavid

for me I try to find a focal point. It helps me get "in the zone"......... concentrate and ignore the pain..

colombo357

I never ride someone else's wheel on a climb for more than 5-10 seconds, because after that amount of time elapses, I ATTACK, which always results in VICTORY.

colombo357

Undulating buttocks, no less.

colombo357

And deprive said person of beneficial tailwinds.

Make him work while you rest, only to pass him on the crest of the hill for VICTORY.

acaurora

I have had this happen to me too, with people sticking on my wheel up a climb. I've learned from previous experiences in the opposite situation when I'm sticking on someone's wheel up a climb as well. If you're behind someone following them up a hill yes, it is motivational to stick to them, but I always keep some distance, as the OP said, when you get burnt out, especially on a climb, and stop or slow down, it happens faster than on a flat.

Jay Andriot

Why would you let someone sit on your wheel when you don't want them there? It's very easy to get someone off, I do it all the time, just pull off to the left and brake hard, come to a stop if you have to, your intentions will be clear, if nothing else you can have a chat with the fellow and let him know how you feel.

roadiejorge 

For me it's always been psychological because when there are others climbing there's the motivation to go faster or slower, depending on how my legs feel. I do notice that I tend to climb faster when riding in a group.

coasting 

no point

krazyflip

this happened to me today. i am fairly new to cycling so when it comes to encountering other cyclists going in the same direction i am going I really have no idea what to to do or what to say. I was climbing a small hill while this other cyclist was tailing me for about 3 miles. I finally noticed he was behind me when i thought i had a rear flat tire. When I noticed there was someone behind me it startled me at first so I kept my pace then gradually slowed down after the hill. He passed me by and asked " Are you going to draft" I said "Naw" maybe it was his way of repaying me for tailing me but I really did not care.

ptle

It's kind of a motivation factor for me. I try to never let their rear wheel get more than a bike length away from me...

However sometimes I like to climb my own speed, especially when it's a longer climb. I'll try doing the negative splitting technique and go slow at first. Some people will probably end up passing me, but I'll catch back up when I pick up the pace over the course of the climb.

electrik

If you're griding uphill at 8mph i bet the guy following you is just on auto-pilot. You might also try to wave him ahead or back-off. Veering left and slamming on brakes is a bit dramatic.

DataJunkie

No idea. You would have to be awfully slow to be following me on a climb.

Jay Andriot

You don't have to veer, you don't have to slam any brakes, just pull off and let the person behind you pass and let them go. No drama involved.

azshtr

And then stay on their wheel