Originally Posted by
twocicle
^^^^ if "paceline" is being used synonymously with drafting, then technically in a crosswind without an echelon there is no paceline but just a line of noobs getting blown out the back
Applied knowledge and skill... you can't persuade some people regardless. For example, last year in an intense Fondo we had pretty heavy winds. In one particularily nasty section with cross-headwinds we were pulling 28mph. There was a national kit clad junior Cat 3 completely petrified of any sort of echelon and was content to ride in the gutter... until he blew. But an old guy like me can finish and sprint with the leaders if using the head and skill is applied.
You must live in a good area for cycling if the motorists are infrequent and considerate enough that you can get away with stringing an echelon across the road. You must also have great confidence in those around you if you are willing to overlap wheels, especially if you are riding a tandem.
Around here drafting isn't much of an issue as we are the only tandem and it is reasonably hilly. On the ups we are trying to hang on and everywhere else it is the opposite.