Originally Posted by
Campag4life
I believe you hit on perhaps the keynote reason that guys latch on and don't pull. I am always amazed...well not really as the 41 is basically just a cross-section of the cycling public...when cyclists get so upset by wheel suckers. Even your opinion...they should admit their weakness...lol. Why? Anybody who has been doing pacelines for any length of time gets it. Wheel suckers are by and large harmless. Most decent cyclists get it. If a guy sticks on the back and doesn't pull, he likely doesn't have the strength to do it. So what. There is nothing wrong with a weaker rider wanting to part of the group. The guy sucking the back of a pack may have more social redeeming value than the whole pack combined but that doesn't stop those from hating on them.
I think this is what I think I think. What's the problem with a wheel sucker, as long as he/she is just sitting back there? They obviously realize you are stronger, that might just be why they are latched on. I suppose if showing your strength is important, then drop em. Other than safety or ego concerns, I don't see a problem. But then I am older than average, fatter than I should be, and make up for those two deficiencies by being slow.