Originally Posted by
FLvector
It's hard to completely understand the dynamics of the ride, but it sounds like he was struggling and was looking for maximum shelter with no concern for where that put you. If either riders in front of him make a sudden move to the side, he's going down, so unless they are fully aware of where he is, this sounds like a risky place to ride.
You could say something or at the next opportunity where he needs to pull back, move closer to him and don't allow him to move into his preferred slot. If he insists on getting between again, I'd find another place in the paceline at the next opportunity. It didn't sound like you were comfortable riding next to him anyway, so shifting elsewhere in the paceline would solve the problem.
Thanks for the replies. Yes, he was simply seeking shelter in a fast group, with cross winds. I seldom join this ride and don't know many of the riders; didn't want to speak up. At the first opportunity, I found another spot and all was good.
I've very seldom experienced this, in my hundreds of group rides; hence the thread.
"Tighten up?" The two in front were maybe 6-12" apart, handlebar-wise. With my buddy splitting the difference, there was no way to draft directly behind the rider on the right.