Solution: drop them on the climbs so they have to catch you on the descents
Originally Posted by
mkadam68
(I figure since they don't take it easy on me up the hills, I make them work going down. They can draft all they want, but at some point, they can no longer keep up unless they pedal while I'm freewheelin'.
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The first time you and I went over Angeles Forest Hwy, I was drafting you most of the way down into Sunland. Any time I lost your draft, I was pedaling. One thing people might not realize is that the faster you go, the further behind you your draft is. Cruising at 15 mph, you want to be less than 3' behind your wheel. At 40 mph, you can leave 10' or 20' in front of you, which is hopefully enough for you to shift to the side and avoid colliding should something happen.
fwiw I have since then improved my technique. Gaining 30 lb has also helped (albeit at a huge detriment to my climbing). If you can reduce your frontal surface area (getting deep in the drops, keeping your knees in, keeping your head down) and shift your weight forward (but not to the point that you lose control), you will pick up a few mph easily.