Is there a protocol regarding drafting?
06-26-07 | 11:59 AM
#28
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I need more cowbell.
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Originally Posted by Cassave
You've had your first encounter with THE KNAVE.
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06-26-07 | 12:52 PM
#29
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From: Orlando, FL
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Originally Posted by Digital Gee
Yesterday some dood decided to draft me for a couple of miles. He never said a word, and he never offered to take the lead. We even came to a traffic signal or two and he hung back, rather than pulling up for a cheery hello or whatever. Finally he went off another direction.
In your opinion, did this cyclist follow or break the International Unspoken Cycling Conventions?
In your opinion, did this cyclist follow or break the International Unspoken Cycling Conventions?
If you are going to draft, you should ask permission to do so. The other person needs to know that they have someone back there so they can take them into account when they do a manuever.
Also, you should take your turn pulling. I learned that if you can not pull, you have no business drafting. There are exceptions to that. I have been with people and told them that since I was manifestly stronger, to let me do the pulling.
However, there are many cyclists these days who treat others as their domestiques and avoid drafting at all costs so they have fresh legs so they can win the sprint at the end of the ride. I guess someone did not tell them that this is not the Tour de France. Also unlike the Tour, they are not compensating their domestiques. There are exceptions to that. I pulled a friend of mine through a century during a multiday ride and he gave me a couple of cold beers in appreciation at the end of the ride. And I think that is as much as I have ever made riding.
06-26-07 | 01:31 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by CrossChain
Or, try Card's other maneuver.....light a fart for the full "after-burner" effect. Apologies for my bad taste here and, Card, hopefully your weren't offended by my remark-- a real stinker! 
06-26-07 | 02:20 PM
#31
just keep riding
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Originally Posted by Pat
I pulled a friend of mine through a century during a multiday ride and he gave me a couple of cold beers in appreciation at the end of the ride. And I think that is as much as I have ever made riding.
06-27-07 | 12:23 AM
#32
Dharma Dog
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OK, here's the lowdown on drafting etiquette from someone who's been drafter and draftee for the past 35 years:
On an organized group ride or club training ride, drafting is expected. If you go OTB (off the back, aka "shelled"), the ride is basically over for you if it's a training ride, or time to let the next group catch you if it's an organized ride.
If you're on your own (such as commuting to work), then all bets are off. Typically, what happens is you're riding along minding yer own business when some insecure guy (it's always a guy) pushing his top gear at 60 rpms comes flying by. This is an unspoken invitation to draft him, especially if you're on a fixie with a 70" gear or less. Along with the invitation to draft is the invitation to stomp his sorry little ass on the first uphill section that comes along. I usually like to ride no hands and clean off my Oakleys after I've opened a five-bike gap. This usually sends a clear message, especially when the gap keeps increasing despite his strenuous efforts.
If you pass another rider, expect him to draft you. A good rider will usually take advantage of your draft, but will be courteous enough to not try to turn it into a race by passing you. If you want him to take the lead, just swing off, like in a normal pace line. If he comes flying by, see paragraph above. Warning: if he is in the same small gear as you and has a very fluid technique, just stay on his wheel. Don't try to pass him unless he swings off to let you take the lead. You are not going to be able to drop this guy.
Things to note: the better the rider, the easier he is to draft. On the track, behind a really experienced rider, I can get within a couple of inches of his rear wheel at 40 kmh and still feel comfortable. This is because a good trackie never, ever backpedals. He controls his speed by making slight movements up or down the banking. A poor rider, by contrast, requires a gap so you can react to his sudden backpedaling or braking (on the road) or unexpected exaggerated lateral motion.
Pay attention to wind direction. You don't usually draft directly behind the rider. You're usually slightly off to the leeward side, not only for better wind protection, but so you can see what's ahead - very important when riding in traffic. Don't be afraid to lean your head over so you can better see what's happening. If it's a crosswind, you can even get almost alongside the lead rider. Always swing off into the wind.
In any event, when you get to a hill, again all bets are off. If the rider you're drafting is annoyed that you're on his wheel, he'll try to drop you here. This is where drafting turns into pacing. You don't get a draft going up a hill, but you do get a psychological boost having a rabbit in front of you. This is what the team leaders in the Tour are doing on the big climbs.
One more thing: on the road, when you swing off, most guys will flick their elbow in the direction they're swinging off. On the track, don't do this. Bad form. Just looking over your shoulder will signal what you're going to do.
OK, that's drafting etiquette.
- L.
On an organized group ride or club training ride, drafting is expected. If you go OTB (off the back, aka "shelled"), the ride is basically over for you if it's a training ride, or time to let the next group catch you if it's an organized ride.
If you're on your own (such as commuting to work), then all bets are off. Typically, what happens is you're riding along minding yer own business when some insecure guy (it's always a guy) pushing his top gear at 60 rpms comes flying by. This is an unspoken invitation to draft him, especially if you're on a fixie with a 70" gear or less. Along with the invitation to draft is the invitation to stomp his sorry little ass on the first uphill section that comes along. I usually like to ride no hands and clean off my Oakleys after I've opened a five-bike gap. This usually sends a clear message, especially when the gap keeps increasing despite his strenuous efforts.
If you pass another rider, expect him to draft you. A good rider will usually take advantage of your draft, but will be courteous enough to not try to turn it into a race by passing you. If you want him to take the lead, just swing off, like in a normal pace line. If he comes flying by, see paragraph above. Warning: if he is in the same small gear as you and has a very fluid technique, just stay on his wheel. Don't try to pass him unless he swings off to let you take the lead. You are not going to be able to drop this guy.
Things to note: the better the rider, the easier he is to draft. On the track, behind a really experienced rider, I can get within a couple of inches of his rear wheel at 40 kmh and still feel comfortable. This is because a good trackie never, ever backpedals. He controls his speed by making slight movements up or down the banking. A poor rider, by contrast, requires a gap so you can react to his sudden backpedaling or braking (on the road) or unexpected exaggerated lateral motion.
Pay attention to wind direction. You don't usually draft directly behind the rider. You're usually slightly off to the leeward side, not only for better wind protection, but so you can see what's ahead - very important when riding in traffic. Don't be afraid to lean your head over so you can better see what's happening. If it's a crosswind, you can even get almost alongside the lead rider. Always swing off into the wind.
In any event, when you get to a hill, again all bets are off. If the rider you're drafting is annoyed that you're on his wheel, he'll try to drop you here. This is where drafting turns into pacing. You don't get a draft going up a hill, but you do get a psychological boost having a rabbit in front of you. This is what the team leaders in the Tour are doing on the big climbs.
One more thing: on the road, when you swing off, most guys will flick their elbow in the direction they're swinging off. On the track, don't do this. Bad form. Just looking over your shoulder will signal what you're going to do.
OK, that's drafting etiquette.
- L.
06-27-07 | 01:22 AM
#33
Lincoln, CA
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We have had some informal discussions in the last week in our bike club about starting a club ride with a pace line practice session. Discuss the rules and tips, start out at 12-13 mph, and speed up as people get more comfortable, never getting too crazy. I think it's a good idea and would be fun for those of us who can't ride fast enough to keep up with a real pace line.
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06-27-07 | 08:43 AM
#34
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Originally Posted by lhbernhardt
OK, here's the lowdown on drafting etiquette from someone who's been drafter and draftee for the past 35 years:
On an organized group ride or club training ride, drafting is expected. If you go OTB (off the back, aka "shelled"), the ride is basically over for you if it's a training ride, or time to let the next group catch you if it's an organized ride.
If you're on your own (such as commuting to work), then all bets are off. Typically, what happens is you're riding along minding yer own business when some insecure guy (it's always a guy) pushing his top gear at 60 rpms comes flying by. This is an unspoken invitation to draft him, especially if you're on a fixie with a 70" gear or less. Along with the invitation to draft is the invitation to stomp his sorry little ass on the first uphill section that comes along. I usually like to ride no hands and clean off my Oakleys after I've opened a five-bike gap. This usually sends a clear message, especially when the gap keeps increasing despite his strenuous efforts.
If you pass another rider, expect him to draft you. A good rider will usually take advantage of your draft, but will be courteous enough to not try to turn it into a race by passing you. If you want him to take the lead, just swing off, like in a normal pace line. If he comes flying by, see paragraph above. Warning: if he is in the same small gear as you and has a very fluid technique, just stay on his wheel. Don't try to pass him unless he swings off to let you take the lead. You are not going to be able to drop this guy.
Things to note: the better the rider, the easier he is to draft. On the track, behind a really experienced rider, I can get within a couple of inches of his rear wheel at 40 kmh and still feel comfortable. This is because a good trackie never, ever backpedals. He controls his speed by making slight movements up or down the banking. A poor rider, by contrast, requires a gap so you can react to his sudden backpedaling or braking (on the road) or unexpected exaggerated lateral motion.
Pay attention to wind direction. You don't usually draft directly behind the rider. You're usually slightly off to the leeward side, not only for better wind protection, but so you can see what's ahead - very important when riding in traffic. Don't be afraid to lean your head over so you can better see what's happening. If it's a crosswind, you can even get almost alongside the lead rider. Always swing off into the wind.
In any event, when you get to a hill, again all bets are off. If the rider you're drafting is annoyed that you're on his wheel, he'll try to drop you here. This is where drafting turns into pacing. You don't get a draft going up a hill, but you do get a psychological boost having a rabbit in front of you. This is what the team leaders in the Tour are doing on the big climbs.
One more thing: on the road, when you swing off, most guys will flick their elbow in the direction they're swinging off. On the track, don't do this. Bad form. Just looking over your shoulder will signal what you're going to do.
OK, that's drafting etiquette.
- L.
On an organized group ride or club training ride, drafting is expected. If you go OTB (off the back, aka "shelled"), the ride is basically over for you if it's a training ride, or time to let the next group catch you if it's an organized ride.
If you're on your own (such as commuting to work), then all bets are off. Typically, what happens is you're riding along minding yer own business when some insecure guy (it's always a guy) pushing his top gear at 60 rpms comes flying by. This is an unspoken invitation to draft him, especially if you're on a fixie with a 70" gear or less. Along with the invitation to draft is the invitation to stomp his sorry little ass on the first uphill section that comes along. I usually like to ride no hands and clean off my Oakleys after I've opened a five-bike gap. This usually sends a clear message, especially when the gap keeps increasing despite his strenuous efforts.
If you pass another rider, expect him to draft you. A good rider will usually take advantage of your draft, but will be courteous enough to not try to turn it into a race by passing you. If you want him to take the lead, just swing off, like in a normal pace line. If he comes flying by, see paragraph above. Warning: if he is in the same small gear as you and has a very fluid technique, just stay on his wheel. Don't try to pass him unless he swings off to let you take the lead. You are not going to be able to drop this guy.
Things to note: the better the rider, the easier he is to draft. On the track, behind a really experienced rider, I can get within a couple of inches of his rear wheel at 40 kmh and still feel comfortable. This is because a good trackie never, ever backpedals. He controls his speed by making slight movements up or down the banking. A poor rider, by contrast, requires a gap so you can react to his sudden backpedaling or braking (on the road) or unexpected exaggerated lateral motion.
Pay attention to wind direction. You don't usually draft directly behind the rider. You're usually slightly off to the leeward side, not only for better wind protection, but so you can see what's ahead - very important when riding in traffic. Don't be afraid to lean your head over so you can better see what's happening. If it's a crosswind, you can even get almost alongside the lead rider. Always swing off into the wind.
In any event, when you get to a hill, again all bets are off. If the rider you're drafting is annoyed that you're on his wheel, he'll try to drop you here. This is where drafting turns into pacing. You don't get a draft going up a hill, but you do get a psychological boost having a rabbit in front of you. This is what the team leaders in the Tour are doing on the big climbs.
One more thing: on the road, when you swing off, most guys will flick their elbow in the direction they're swinging off. On the track, don't do this. Bad form. Just looking over your shoulder will signal what you're going to do.
OK, that's drafting etiquette.
- L.
06-27-07 | 08:53 AM
#35
Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
If he was on a black bike, he might have been DG's "doppleganger". If DG had grabbed the brakes, as another poster suggested, and they collided the entire universe would have imploded.
Unfortunately, this hasn't happened to me yet.... I guess no one wants to go that slow.
But seriously....... isn't drafting in the manner you described somewhat like walking on the heals of someone right in front of you, close enough to cause them to sense someone is there, then turn around and look?
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