Originally Posted by DogBoy
I believe its squared, but physics drove me from physics and into business so I wouldn't bet more than a $1 on it.
You are not getting push, you just aren't having to overcome air resistance, so your power increase to speed increase is linear (rather than exponential) when in a perfect draft. I think a pro cyclist could easily hit 60 mph in a draft so long as their gearing is appropriate and the vehicle gave them an appropriate lead-out (and they are going downhill
).
Isn't the world record for a bicycle drafting behind a specially modified-for-drafting race car something like 168 mph.....I believe it was done at the salt flats in Utah some years ago.....I have a vague memory of a picture of a welder's hood-like contraption on the back of the race car.......The bike was extra-long wheelbase with of course a humungous chainring & tiny rear cog......It had a kind of bumper-thing out front.......Can you imagine touching wheels at 168 mph?.....I don't remember the name of the rider.....
Alas.....maybe in a hundred years, Lance will be forgotten, too....