wphamilton

OK I have to admit it, I get an ego boost when someone rides in my draft. Although ... by definition it means they don't have much experience ...

woodway

It so simple. Just ask first. If they say yes, sit in, if they say no, pass or back off.

Tearlach61

I don't like it. My rear wheel is kind of expensive. I just don't like the idea of some guy riding with front wheel two or three inches from mind. It would cost me upwards of $500 to replace the rear wheel if the guy drafting were to touch it with his wheel and I just dont want to deal with the hassle of trying to recover that repair cost and with finding alternate means of transportation in the meantime.

I typically just pull over till the guy moves on.

mtbikerinpa

Around here I treat the surroundings as always scanning even though I am the faster of the commuters that I have seen. We get anything from amish buggies, to roadies to cars or the occasional Gold-wing motorcycle, so audio is only part of the equation. If someone wants to get in line with me I don't mind and if I settle in behind someone it's a gradual thing from a distance until I see how they act. Usually I am a bit more VC than most, so it works more like a wingman relationship than a true drafting paceline anyway. Seems to be the safer bet if anyone has to stop fast(which dual discs on mtb stop pretty quick). Drafting cars, yes. Riding in the city drafting cars works well, especially box trucks but I can out brake them easy.

Drafting a bike is decidedly less practical, but being in the same vicinity is. Just as the amish buggies do, a set of bikers within the same distance of road can help eachother's presence of mind to the drivers of cars. Grouping tightly might not be as good since the cars are then forced to make more aggressive/larger moves to pass, but being in the same line of sight has often aided getting the cars in the groove of passing sensibly.

osephjey

Totally had a dude reach down like he was grabbing his water or something and he pulled his rear brake cable to lock up his rear brake, i was drafting, but about 2 feet behind. I guess this guy in his tights on his super light roadie didn't like me on my Fredded out commuter with fat franks and milk crate on the rack catching him within a halfmile He bothers with a wtf as I jump into the gravel beside the mup and pass him. What a ******/chump.

BadBoy10

I don't draft unless invited. For example, a narrow heavy traffic FAST and tight two lane road--2 miles until a sidewalk--a commuter told me to keep up! I did. We made it safely and he bid me farewell. Coincidentally, the city has decided to add a bike lane to the road.

If the lighting is poor (at night) and I see another commuter--I ask to ride along--I have also been asked to tag along. Safety in numbers and all that jazz.

In this day and age, people freak out quite quickly. Hate to be on repeat but where I live sadly people have a tendency not to mind their own business so it is best to announce your intentions or they will jump to their own usually negative conclusions.

Courtesy is key.

nashcommguy

Because it's rude. But what's more rude is passing someone and not having the stamina to pull away. Then blame them for staying close.