I love the compact...but it depends upon the glasses...sometimes you need the extra length of the standard.

Just cuz he rear-ended you doesn't mean he was drafting. That said, leaving the scene was completely inappropriate.

I remember reading that the front rider gets benefit as well. I couldn't find that article, but I found this https://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics2.html

I much rather tow a drafter than getting stuck behind someone who pass me at a red light then proceed to ride at 10mph slower than my normal speed after the light turns green. I normally don't give a damn if someone drafts behind me. If I know someone is drafting, I will try to make it safer for him. Otherwise, he's on his own. I only draft in the following situations:

1. race
2. group ride
3. waiting for room to pass
4. try to pass but the guy in front speeds up: If I didn't get dropped, I will try to pass again and he's welcome to draft from me

Yeah, what you wrote. Clearly the drafter started the relationship and therefore the initial communication burden falls upon him, not the draftee. I'm glad that you alluded this. There are many people out there who assume that just because an individual is riding a bicycle it is somehow an invitation. I'm mean geeze, haven't we learned anything from the "Waving to Other Cyclists" thread?

That exploratorium article was the only one I found as well, but it doesn't cite a source.

It's been awhile (I think from the book Bicycling Science), but I think it was: for streamlined bodies the lead rider gets the benefit and the following rider gets an increase in drag. For buff bodies (tech term for non streamlined), the lead rider gets a hit and the following rider gets the benefit.

While what you said here is true, it does not change the fact that the OP was rear-ended by somebody riding too close and/or not paying enough attention. Some things have been pointed out that may help the OP and others to avoid a similar situation in the future, but it was still the other rider's fault in this case.

On a regular basis I have people get up on my rear wheel without my knowing of it and I do pay attention. But if I'm doing 20 mph and a good rider on a $3000 well-tuned bike slips up behind me I am not going to know it right away. And if I had to watch out for five year old kids running into my path I would be less likely to know it (not that I'd be doing 20 where little kids were running around).

If people are coming up on your wheel on a regular basis without you knowing, you are obviously not paying attention.

I obviously should have seen that coming.

What I'm referring to is riding along and somebody "suddenly" being less than a 1/2 bike off my tail. Were they there for 2 seconds or 14 seconds? I don't know. I do not meant that I'm riding for 18 minutes without realizing somebody is behind me.



I do pay attention. Except when posting responses on bike forums.

Think about how you drive a car...are your eyes set dead ahead, only using your peripheral vision and mirrors every 18 minutes? No (I hope), you are focused on nothing in particular, allowing your peripheral vision to give you the widest possible view, while at the same time using eye movement to monitor perceived threats and your mirrors. Smooth as a babies butt and it's very rare that another vehicle just sneaks up on you.

The same should apply to riding a bike...constantly monitoring your surroundings, specifically so you can plan for threats proactively rather than just reacting when it already may be too late.

Yes, once in a great while you might have a lapse, or the perfect storm, and you might get surprised...but that should be the rare exception rather than the rule.

This is one example of why I maintain that cycling is not dangerous...but people's lapses when operating a bicycle can make it dangerous. This is a quandry for me...how do I tell people cycling isn't dangerous in one breath, then in the next tell them that they need to treat it as if it is dangerous, because not doing so can make it...dangerous?

Ouch! Sorry to hear that - definitely not cool to hit someone and leave in a hurry.


As to drafting I personally don't have a problem with it. What gets me are people who pass me, only to slow down. But if they catch me, and just sit on my wheel - no problem.

In Germany unannounced drafting is a very common BTW - I often pass someone, only to see them get on my wheel right away. Or I check my mirror to see someone resting on my wheel. And I don't mind - no skin off my nose they want to smell my sweat =).

Others may know more though.

Isn't that one definition of "dangerous," though? Here's what I mean:
I don't mean to be crabby or argumentative, more just mulling the issue. I suppose you could dodge the false dualism (dangerous: yes/no) and tell people it's more inherently dangerous than X but less inherently dangerous than Y. After all, is there anything that people can't screw up in some dangerous way?

I maintain that peanut butter isn't dangerous.

x2 ... If someone is going to be knocking me down my bike, it better be someone that i know that can pay for my stuff.

Eh, chipcom...knowing the path in question, I think you're being a little too absolutist here. This isn't some path in the middle of nowhere -- it splits and rejoins and there are any number of places where someone can merge in behind you. Plus, it's very crowded -- people are going to ride close to you.

So OP is riding along, and suddenly someone's on his wheel. What's he gonna do? Yell, "Go away! Go away!"? Demand his personal space? It might work elsewhere, but as soon as he shakes this guy, there's a good chance he'll have someone else also riding close. So, that's the environment. Now here comes a little kid wobbling in front of him. In that situation, what difference does a mirror, or any amount of "paying attention", make? So he was aware of the guy behind him, so what? He's still got to stop or run the kid down.

it's hard for me to recall a time when i've been surprised by a car while riding, but i can recall two times since may when a cyclist has snuck up on me. this is coming from someone who probably spends more time lonking at my mirror than ahead.

Was it the end near the clam shell? That's a really tricky junction. I always need to slow right down and check all around a few times before going through there.

As for the bike path vs. Comm Ave... I find Comm Ave and Beacon St through Back Bay too long and flat and boring. The path has lil' animals and a nice view across the rivers and nice trees and such. Riding along there is a nice way to chill out before and after work.

It's a bit overly optimistic to claim that cycling is not dangerous as long as people pay attention

How do you get any shorter than a straight line?

Whoever drafts me without my consent does so at their peril

In the OP's case, had he been aware that someone was behind him, he might have at least understood, as he slammed on the brakes, that he was probably gonna get tagged from behind as well...and been somewhat prepared, rather than surprised. Would it have made any difference? Perhaps so, perhaps not...being prepared rather than surprised might prevent injury...or it might cause injury...it could go either way I guess.

I get that sick feeling anytime I have to slam on the brakes driving on the freeway...even though I have avoided crashing into whatever is in front of me, instead of saying "Whew, made it", I'm thinking "Frack, this guy behind me isn't stopping!" While that doesn't prevent him from hitting me, if he's gonna hit me, at least I am somewhat prepared.

Heh, imagine that, someone calling ME an optimist.

Heck, I don't need no data - I can feel it! It works because a large component of aero drag is due to towing a great big vacuum around behind you. Relative to the frontal area a cyclist tows a much bigger vacuum than a stock car does. When another cyclist gets in your draft he takes on some of your load towing that vacuum. The same principal applies whether you're talking about cars, trucks, cyclist, skiers or short-track speed skaters.

You can see it if you watch much pro cycling. A small two or three man group tends to go much faster than a loan rider, even if only one guy is doing the work on the front and the others are just sucking wheel.

Nope, about halfway between the Mass. Ave bridge and the Hatch Shell, right where the lagoon ends and the pedestrian walkway from Back Bay comes over Storrow Drive. It's a dodgy spot, since the MUP splits AND you have the footbridge traffic coming in over the lagoon AND there are people coming over the ped walkway. Any cyclists who don't come through there cautiously are playing with fire. I've staked out the spot the last few mornings, hoping to catch my rear-ender, but haven't seen him yet. Bought a nice secondhand pair of Rolf Vector Comps from a co-worker, though, so at least that's taken care of.

T.

And you really believe that justifies your intentionally trying to harm him or his gear?