I hate the guys who pull over and/or slam on their brakes as soon as you get within 20 feet, like I'm trying to draft off someone doing 14 mph. I snapped at a guy a couple of weeks ago, who saw me approach as I was waiting for a safe pass (narrow pedestrian bridge with oncoming jogger). He, immediately, slammed on his brakes and swerved in front of me just as I got within 10 or 15 feet. I told him what an @$$hole he was and that I didn't intend to draft off a slower rider. He blurted out something like "I don't like people on my @$$". I told him that if he was scared of other cyclists then he shouldn't be on the trail. I just let it go after that.

That said, if I ever crashed into another rider because of my drafting, I'd likely feel apologetic and responsible, I certainly wouldn't leave the scene w/out first checking to see if everything was alright.

Or the fact that it's my personal space and I shouldn't have to worry about whether you're a good enough cyclist not to drive in my ass when I hit the brakes just because you're lazy

Back to the title of the thread...Drafting/following close on a MUP is typically a bad idea. There's a lot going on and potential threats are everywhere.

Looking around and being alert should NOT have to include more than an occasional look back.

The "drafting guy" screwed up by not sticking around. OP is right to keep an eye out for him. Can you describe bike/guy? I, too, ride that path most days, though considerably earlier.

And if you're coming over that little bridge, it's sort of blind and you can't see much either on your right or left. So if you're crossing that bridge facing south and there's a bike coming along (especially on the right) you won't see him until he's pretty close. I hang out by the river during my lunch break sometimes (on foot), and I'm always extra careful at that particular intersection.

Edit: (I was assuming you meant the bridge on the lagoon that would be closest to Dartmouth Ave. Now I'm not sure if you mean a different place.)

No, I think we're talking about the same spot. The ped walkway dumps you closer to Fairfield or Exeter Streets than Dartmouth but they're all close together.

interesting... down here, a stranger might get a metal baton up the side of the head for drafting... not perfectly fine... of course, it all depends where in the county and who's doing the drafting (e.g., a youngster in a nice area would be cool, but unusual, but older than a teenager, un-cool and potentially dangerous)...

Wth?

Not very well, and am kicking myself for losing my hawk-like observational skills (*cough*) in the fray. Slim young guy in his late 20s, light-colored road bike, blue helmet. Tell-tale fieldmark: roadrash on his left elbow.

Nope. I don't believe I'm trying to intentionally harm him or his gear in this situation in any way what so ever. I don't see how by merely riding a bike I become obligated to be some sort of safety officer for someone who chooses on their own to tailgate me. If there were expressed consent, where I agreed to the drafting relationship, then I think I would have some sort of responsibility for choosing the path. Without that offer and acceptance, to me it's merely illegal tailgating and the drafter assumes all responsibility.

I was quite surprised this morning to hear two shifts when I changed gears this morning... One from my bike and another one just a couple seconds later.... I looked back and was surprised someone wanted to draft me a the zippy pace of about 15mph. I just kept my pace and made sure I signaled when I was going to slow down/turn/alter course to avoid bollards/etc... I looked back a couple miles later and I was alone again. Who knows maybe I just hallucinated him?

It's not always about the destination and how to get there quickest, it's sometimes about the journey.

I'd rather be on the bike path looking at the water and the critters rather than do 1.5-ish miles in a straight line looking at cars and houses and traffic lights.

eat a great big bowl of chilli before you head out for a ride. then, when you sense a drafter...let him have it! hahaha! oh, i crack myself up!