Chi

Ever feel the urge to just draft behind someone without asking them? DON'T EVEN CONSIDER IT!!! Even though I couldn't care less if someone was sucking my rear wheel, there are some people who will go as far as crash into you to prove a point.

Here's my story.

After getting off the train this morning on the commute to work, I saw three bicyclists going the same way as I was. After a few blocks, there was only one, and he was going at a pretty good pace. I caught up to him at a signal and I led for about 2 blocks before I got stopped at another signal. He passed me and rode a little slower than before; there were cars going one way, so I couldn't really pass him. So ... I decided to suck his wheel for a few blocks before he'd turn off (I kinda knew where he was going). Apparently, he didn't like it very much, so instead of telling me verbally that he didn't want to be followed (or at least some hand signals for goodness sake!) he slams on his brakes, and as I was looking behind me to see cars so I could pass him, slam into him, making both of us hit the ground at about 20 mph.

As I shake off the numb feeling in my cheek after its close encounter with the pavement, guess what he said? "DON'T DRAFT ME, BIITTCHH!!!" I smiled as well as I could and rode off, while he was still messing with his broken bike.

I guess it was partly my fault, because I was drafting without acknowledgement. There are some pretty mean people out there, and I shouldn't assume that they're all as nice as my riding buddies. They'd rather slam on their brakes and risk a fall to the ground rather than give a simple hand signal to pass, or just yell at me or something.

I learned a very hard lesson today. I hope he did too.

bac

At least you rode away with body and machine intact. This guy is obviously a jerk. Hopefully, he has a broken bike, and a scar or two to remind of this incident. Why didn't he just speak up? I guess only he knows.

AdrianB

I love the way you spelt out BIIIIITTCCH. The vision!

Glad you're oK!

caloso

Amazing. What a jerk. Glad you're okay.

Allister

I would have kicked in his spokes, if not his teeth. What a moron.

Chris L

Agree wholeheartedly. The guy is just a jerk. Sounds like you got up and got away before he did, so maybe there is some karma in the world after all.

What is this problem some people have with drafting anyway? Heck, I feel flattered if someone thinks my wheel is worthy of drafting -- although if they don't say anything first I don't bother to change my riding pace for their benefit.

Viper

Let me get this straight...You're on this guy's wheel and you look back?! That was a mistake in itself. Since you were looking back and not forward, how do you know he wasn't braking for a legitimate reason? Really? Sorry, with the info you provided, I can't really say who was in the wrong with this case. An unfortunate fall by both of you, but it might have been more of an innocent thing than you realize.

If you had been drafting me, and I had to stop suddenly while you weren't paying attention and wiped me out...I'd be calling you some names too. Especially if you weren't invited.

Rich Clark

If you ask me, I'll say no. If you don't ask me, I'll slow down until you pass me.

Drafting puts both riders in danger, as illustrated by this thread. It's not something you can do without permission.

RichC

RegularGuy

I've said it before, you can suck my wheel, but let me know you are there.

Since you didn't tell the guy you were drafting him, how can you be sure he knew you were there?

Since you were drafting him, why were you looking over your shoulder?

You say that he was being a jerk by hitting his brakes. I'm not so sure of that. He might just have been hitting his brakes.

You knocked him off his bike, may have broken it, and smiled as you rode away?

If you did the same thing to me, I might not have called you the same name he did, but I would probably have called your mama something similar.

I wasn't there Chi. I don't know what happened. But I do think you learned the right lesson. Don't draft someone without letting them know.

And if you do draft them, pay attention.

LittleBigMan

Chi, your humility is admirable and thanks for the warning about drafting. I have to say, though, that I doubt he would crash on purpose, my friend. Yes, it was probably all your bad, this time.

Oh, well, at least y'all weren't hurt.

georgesnatcher

What is the big deal about drafting? If I'm going one way and someone wants to follow what do I lose? I've found most if not all people where I ride will let you know they are behind you so as long as I don't screw up I have no worries.

Gus Riley

To me, because it is potentially more dangerous, uninvited wheel suckers are a bit worse than a fellow elevator passenger standing within 2 inches of my face for no apparent reason. Could be a personal zone issue as well as an uncertainty of the drafting rider’s skill.

Rich Clark

If you'd been in front of Chi yesterday, you'd be worrying about buying a new bike.

RichC

joeprim

WOW! Srry you ran into an a$$ (sorry about the pun too). The fool doesn't realize that you reduce his drag too, just not by as much and it sounded like you were in front for a time. Instead of smiling I'd have punched him

Joe

pcsanity1

Hate to say it, but how do you know he did not signal the stop if you were looking backward?

I love to draft, but will only get in line with those I trust. (Just for the reason you described, I want to know I can trust those in front of me to signal stops.)

M

pcsanity1

Hate to say it, but how do you know he did not signal the stop if you were looking backward?

I love to draft, but will only get in line with those I trust. (Just for the reason you described, I want to know I can trust those in front of me to signal stops.)

If you ran into his rear, it is still your fault. (Much like if the car in front of you stops abruptly...maintain safe distance.)


M

pnj

I agree, he may have just been using his brakes and you, being to close and not paying attention(looking over your shoulder) hit him. I'd be pissed as well.

it's allways good to communicate.....

riderx

Exactly what I was thinking.

If you are a motorist and rear-end a car you are at fault. I fail to see how this is any different, especially when you didn't ask to draft. I'm sure the guy could have held you responsible for the damages of his bike.

Chi

It may have been a misunderstanding on my part, but from what I saw is that he stopped very suddenly, for no reason. I was looking back for traffic, not staring back for a long time ... at least I dont think I was.

From the way he acted, thinking back, it seems like he didn't want me drafting him. He wasn't very nice from the beginning, as I had smiled to him at the first stop light. He didn't answer back. And the smile I gave him when I left wasn't meant to be malicious. At the time I thought that it really was his fault for getting pissed and not communicating.

Like I said before, this was a hard lesson for me. I would never draft someone again if I had a bad feeling about them ... heck I wouldn't draft someone without asking them anymore! In hindsight the picture is always clearer.

My cheek and my shoulder still hurt. My shoulder is sore so I can't really work very well this morning. But it should go away. It better.

Thanks everyone for your perspectives!

LittleBigMan

That's really too bad, Chi. We've all had some close calls, and could just as well have gone down injured, but somehow escaped.

I hope you heal quickly, man, and don't waste too much time regretting a mistake. Do whatever you feel would make amends and move on.

SinGate

It takes a big person to admit they made a mistake (or at least possibly made one) and post it on the forum’s. I for one appreciate the post as it reminds us to be cautious and safe; to know who is ahead or behind us at all times and whether or not they possess the skill or desire to be in that position. We all benefit from the incident thanks to your post.

Michel Gagnon

Chi,

I'm just wondering if his "kind" words, "DON'T DRAFT ME, BIITTCHH!!!", were expressing his genuine state of mind or if they were an over-reaction after the collision. I suspect he wanted to scare you, and that probably would have been the case if you had been looking forward at the time.

AS for the wisdom of draughting foreigners, I don't like the idea and I don't feel comfortable when someone draughts me. It's not because people behind me rob me of my power or anything like that, because I know it's not a problem. It's rather because, even with a good paceline rider behind me, I loose the freedom to quickly dodge potholes, slow down or accelerate if I want, etc.. In my normal cycling environment, I know I have approximately 3 ft left and right, as well as 15-20 ft fore and aft that I keep free on purpose so I can react quickly. But if you follow too closely, I loose some of that ability, which is something I don't want to happen on busy Saint-Laurent Blvd.

Besides, I don't know whether or not you are good at pacelines! But I know I'm not good at that. I have never trained for anything like that and I don't want to train for that as I find it distracts me from the joy of cycling.

Finally, I also tend to believe in the general principles of vehicular cycling. Maybe not to the extent of John Forester, but more than enough to apply some of the principles used for car driving: I keep a 2-second interval ahead of me and like when there is also a 2-second interval behind me.

Regards,

Flea77

And then you would be in jail for assault and battery and responsible for the accident as well (if you rear end somone, you are responsible regardless of the reasons). Physical violence is never the answer and only shows lack of maturity.

Allan

jacob

If you draft, draft responsibly.
You really have to be clever to draft some individuals.

Jacob

SinGate

Flea77
Carbon Fiber Nazi!

Now here's something I can respect (a good love of Carbon Fiber)