Originally Posted by kbarch

Actually, we agree that the person taking the draft is responsible for determining whether the person giving it may be relied upon to cooperate. However, it seems to me that anyone who would ride around dressed as a serious roadie but not be willing to play the game, as it were, is a presumptuous imposter and a derelict.

Originally Posted by FBinNY

You're assigning too much meaning to the clothing.

People may wear that stuff for practical reasons, ie the helmet for protection, the shorts and jersey for comfort, and the shoes and gloves simply because they prefer to. That doesn't mean they have any illusions about being part of the road culture you seem to believe exists.

Then there may be a retired racer who dresses that way because he always did, and doesn't have a reason to stop. Or an active racer out training, who simply prefers not to be drafted by unknowns, outside of the sanctioned, licensed race environment. He might even be a cat 3 or 4, who doesn't some cat 1 poseur (as you might describe him) on his ass. Or he might be OK with drafting, but consider that particular stretch or road as unsuited for close riding.

So, kit is a meaningless basis to assume one would or should be OK with you latching onto his rear. The simple rule, based on common courtesy, is to assume nothing at all, and not to draft strangers outside of conditions where it's clearly OK, ie. a race.

of course, you can always pull alongside, introduce yourself and ask if that person wants to alternate drafts with you.

Originally Posted by FBinNY

People may wear that stuff for practical reasons, ie the helmet for protection, the shorts and jersey for comfort, and the shoes and gloves simply because they prefer to. That doesn't mean they have any illusions about being part of the road culture you seem to believe exists.

Originally Posted by 79pmooney

kbarch, itr is a judgement call but the police officer or judge is likely to have more sway than you,

ORS 811.485 Following too closely; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of following too closely if the person does any of the following:

(a) Drives a motor vehicle so as to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and condition of, the highway.

(b) Drives a truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district or upon a freeway within the corporate limits of a city and follows another truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle without, when conditions permit, leaving sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger. This paragraph does not prevent a truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing a vehicle or combination of vehicles.

(c) Drives a motor vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district or upon a freeway within the corporate limits of a city in a caravan or motorcade whether or not towing another vehicle without operating the vehicle so as to leave sufficient space between vehicles to enable a vehicle to enter and occupy the space without danger.

(2) This section does not apply in the case of a funeral procession. Except for the funeral lead vehicle, vehicles participating in a funeral procession shall follow the preceding vehicle as closely as is reasonable and safe.

(3) The offense described in this section, following too closely, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §654; 1991 c.482 §20; 2007 c.794 §5]

A paceline could be considered a "caravan". ORS 811.485 c) If so, it is required that space be left so other vehicles can enter between vehicles of the caravan. Appears to outlaw pacelines completely.

Edit: You might be able to argue that a paceline is not a caravan or motorcade but is instead a funeral procession. Then leaving space for others is not requires.

Ben