Originally Posted by 'nother
At 3-5 feet behind there's considerably less drafting happening than at 3-6 inches which would be more typical of actual drafting. Also a lot less danger of "we all fall down". Anyway, usually if contact occurs, the rear rider is the one going down. The danger to the front rider, especially at 3-5 feet, is over-hyped.
That said, I still always announce my presence if I'm going to grab someone's wheel, or hang behind them by less than a bike length or so. If they show signs of not wanting that to happen, it's time to pass (and hopefully they aren't going to be a dick about that).
Well at 3-5 feet, there is no touching to begin with... You need to be at <=0"
I assumed the OP was referring to drafting in general terms... If the wheels touch(for eg overlap) there is a fat chance that the rider leading will fall... Thats something I dont need to chance on someone who doesnt ask and refuses to take a pull... You may ask what if he intends to pull... then let him tell me and ask if it is ok to work together and we would have avoided this whole discussion...
What you are doing is perfectly fine
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