ronf100

A unique way to ward off wheelsuckers?

hillyman

Must of had a bad experience

John_V 

When Amanda Coker was doing her HAMR record, people would jump on her wheel every chance they got. She really didn't want people she didn't know jumping on her wheel so her dad had a "No Drafting" sign made up that they attached to her saddle. It did some good, at first, but some guys would still jump on her wheel. The wheel sucking pretty much ended as she got faster and they couldn't keep up with her.

Troul 

Was not aware of wheel suckers being a thing up until reading about it on this site.
whats the point?

JonathanGennick 

Drafting for easier pedaling. Seems impolite, and a little bit unsafe.

trailangel

So what is the problem? It's more dangerous for the wheelsucker than the leader.

Iride01 

Other than when I ride with my son, I tend to be a loaner when I ride. However I don't mind anyone taking my wheel as long as they let me know they are there. Likewise I'll get on someones wheel while waiting for a safe time to pass or even take a spell to rest. Get to enjoy some pleasant conversation while there. If it's a group of several riders and they don't mind taking turns on the front, it's even better, as you can get some impressive speeds to add to your stats.

On group rides such as the charity century rides and other organized fun rides I'd think it's to be expected you'll ride on someones wheel. It can be how you make new friends. If we all stretched out several bike lengths apart, then the ride would be stretched out way beyond anything that could be considered a group.

I personally can't see why there is this fear of, or why it's considered rude to take someones wheel. Seems a little prudish to me to want no invasion of "your space" when you are out in public. And how is one supposed to safely pass another if they can't get on your wheell to check if it's clear to the next bend before they go around you?

Brocephus

I never knew this was "a thing" either, and especially not serious enough to warrant riding around with a sign on your back, LOL!!!

bikecrate

Stealthy and inattentive drafter is on your wheel. You brake hard for a obstacle in the road and wheel sucker crashes into your back at full speed. Not pleasant.

trailangel

Pretty sure rider in the rear will go down, not the leader.

Iride01 

Then maybe the sign should only be directed at "stealthy and inattentive" drafters.

Milton Keynes

Doesn't matter, I don't want anyone running into my bike.

mrodgers

That's if you touch wheels at speed. Leader hard braking and a wheel sucker plowing into them at 20 mph, both are getting messed up.

Reynolds 

I wouldn't ride with someone like that.

TimothyH

2 bike lengths seems arbitrary to me.

I don't think I could read that sign at speed unless closer than 2 bike lengths.

bruce19

Really? When a rider has someone on his/her wheel it actually is aero beneficial for both. To me this whole thing of "wheel sucking" is just some fake drama.

InOmaha

If someone wants to gain an aerodynamic advantage riding close to another person riding a bike they should bring thier own friend along and work with them. They should not follow a total stranger and assume it's ok to do so. Maybe you can get away with it on an organized group ride where more of that type of behavior is understood prior to the start.

It's not hard to understand, nor is it someone creating fake drama, or being over sensitive, or whatever other justification people want to give. It's common courtesy to others. I could just as easily make anyone in this thread uncomfortable by being to close to them in line, following them to close while walking or running, etc. Because they don't know me.

Of course, I tend to ride alone at 5 am so maybe I'm more leery of strangers following me. There's zero chance I'm letting some stranger get close to me and draft.

cyclist2000

I ride too slow for anyone to draft behind me.

caloso

Don't hop on people's wheels unannounced. Seems like this would be self-evident, but obviously it's not. The sign is a bit over the top -- I mean it's not hard to turn and say "hey if you don't mind please don't draft me." But I imagine it's a big issue for this rider.

ph0rk

Cyclcist11023131

NYNJrider

huh, interesting.

Troul 

x2 trolling words imo.

Rogerogeroge

I agree. Someone who gets that perturbed about someone riding their wheel is probably squirrely. And to the person who says "I follow gravel rules", WTF? What's the purpose in that?

SylvainG

I stop pedaling until the drafter gets annoyed and passes me. Then I catch up and draft on them