Truck Surfing
05-25-02, 11:25 PM
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Truck Surfing
When I was touring Europe I frequently ended up on roads with nonexistant shoulders. To make a long story short, after being passed by about the 50th truck I started to relax and enjoy the push of the "bow wave" and the suck of their draft. Well, I have enjoyed drafting trucks ever since. When I hear them coming I shift and stand as soon as that wave hits me and realy crank when I am in the draft. Dangerous? I suppose, but I love it. Of course, I draft a car whenever i can as well. This has been mentioned before (I did a search before posting the thread) but buses of any sort suck. And, if you have crappy peripheral vision ... I imagine your drafting experience would be a short one. Well, does anyone else enjoy this as much as I? :fun: 
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Jeff
Jeff
05-26-02, 12:30 PM
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Interesting...I'm a city boy so I end up drafting buses a lot. I don't find the exhaust to be a problem as the pipe is routed to the top of the bus and doesn't get anywhere near me. Buses are great because they accelerate and decelerate relatively slowly. Of course they are pretty useless when they are stopping a lot. 5-ton trucks work well too. Potholes are the biggest safety hazard of drafting IMO, so I only do it where I know the street imperfections well, or I am following in the centre lane which is usually pristine.
I can't imagine how you would successfully draft a car or cube van since most of the drivers have 'leadfoot syndrome'.
I can't imagine how you would successfully draft a car or cube van since most of the drivers have 'leadfoot syndrome'.
05-26-02, 03:16 PM
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Yeah, I try this from time to time too, but only on roads I know.
It's also great that I know many of the truck drivers in my area through my job. they look out for me and I look out for them.
Hmm...maybe they are just nice to me because I am the shipping manager for my company. I have been known to give a piece of my mind to the poor sales reps that come in to see me after their drivers have run me off the road or shown a complete lack of driving skills regarding cyclists. I keep the shipping company's phone numbers programmed into my cell phone so I can call their terminal whenever necessary.
What can brown do for you?
It's also great that I know many of the truck drivers in my area through my job. they look out for me and I look out for them.
Hmm...maybe they are just nice to me because I am the shipping manager for my company. I have been known to give a piece of my mind to the poor sales reps that come in to see me after their drivers have run me off the road or shown a complete lack of driving skills regarding cyclists. I keep the shipping company's phone numbers programmed into my cell phone so I can call their terminal whenever necessary.
What can brown do for you?
