Drafting with the Big Trucks..
05-02-12 | 02:10 PM
#1
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From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
Drafting with the Big Trucks..
Wow. Holy Crap. 55 MPH... . Isn't this illegal. Sort of looks like a freeway..
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Drafting Like A Boss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=LYTR8jKUIaY
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Drafting Like A Boss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=LYTR8jKUIaY
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05-02-12 | 06:56 PM
#2
Pedaled too far.
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: La Petite Roche
He'll be fine... until the truck taps its brakes.
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05-03-12 | 09:50 AM
#3
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Looks faked to me.
He's not pedaling very fast to be going 55 MPH - 55 KPH maybe. At least he's in the big chainring, unlike the famous drafting scene in "Breaking Away".
He's not pedaling very fast to be going 55 MPH - 55 KPH maybe. At least he's in the big chainring, unlike the famous drafting scene in "Breaking Away".
05-03-12 | 11:21 AM
#4
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05-03-12 | 10:22 PM
#6
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From: other Vancouver
I don't know. One piece of road debris and he's a Darwin Award contender.
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05-03-12 | 11:03 PM
#7
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to each his own. don't think one would be able to get away with that very often.
05-03-12 | 11:53 PM
#8
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Crux, Schwinn Mesa
I kinda think its fake too. In the beginning he doesnt even seem to be pedaling. My first though was that he was hitching a ride by holding onto the trucks bumper or something.
05-04-12 | 01:13 AM
#10
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From: Uncertain
The least of his problems.
Whether it is faked or not, I can't say. But the fact that he is coasting isn't indicative of anything. Even in the middle of a big bunch of cyclists, one can get enough draft to be pretty mush towed along without doing very much. A truck would virtually eliminate the wind resistance so in theory it would be possible to reach very high speeds and then maintain them without much effort. When I was a kid we used to draft the local buses. It worked pretty well.
Whether it is faked or not, I can't say. But the fact that he is coasting isn't indicative of anything. Even in the middle of a big bunch of cyclists, one can get enough draft to be pretty mush towed along without doing very much. A truck would virtually eliminate the wind resistance so in theory it would be possible to reach very high speeds and then maintain them without much effort. When I was a kid we used to draft the local buses. It worked pretty well.
05-04-12 | 06:08 AM
#11
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
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In my younger days, I used to draft like that, too, buses and trucks, and have been easily towed around 50mph, so as has been pointed out, whether it's faked or not, it's certainly very possible to do that.
The other thing that has been pointed out and that is true is that it's a fairly risky undertaking. In my experience, I doubt the truck breaking would cause any problem so long as the cyclist is aware; certainly the bike can out-stop it given a reasonable response time. EDIT: I watched it again, and he's awfully close! He could fall back a little and still get the draft, though it would be little more turbulent and difficult to stay in, but he'd gain a little look time.
There are, however, other factors that can cause big problems, e.g. road hazards and the possibility of an accident.
It's a calculated risk, and the road in question looks smooth and in good repair, and traffic steady for quite awhile; no lights, no access.
It is fun, though!
The other thing that has been pointed out and that is true is that it's a fairly risky undertaking. In my experience, I doubt the truck breaking would cause any problem so long as the cyclist is aware; certainly the bike can out-stop it given a reasonable response time. EDIT: I watched it again, and he's awfully close! He could fall back a little and still get the draft, though it would be little more turbulent and difficult to stay in, but he'd gain a little look time.
There are, however, other factors that can cause big problems, e.g. road hazards and the possibility of an accident.
It's a calculated risk, and the road in question looks smooth and in good repair, and traffic steady for quite awhile; no lights, no access.
It is fun, though!
Last edited by chaadster; 05-04-12 at 06:15 AM.
