caloso

Sitting 3 bike lengths back would be even weirder and more annoying because it’s too far back to get a decent draft.

genejockey 

This is really offensive. Some of us ride to get away from the obligation to interact with others, because for some of us interacting with others is work. If I were you, I'd delete this post and apologize.

GlennR

Most people like that are wearing headphones. It tells the everyone "i want to be left alone".

Maelochs

Everywhere I go outside my front door is shared space. I have an obligation to cooperate with other people in that shared space so that we all can make maximum use of it. Even if a lot of other people are jerks, I Cannot deliberately be a jerk myself. I have a certain moral standard and a sense of civic duty.

I Never want to talk to other people. But often I have to because a I always want to do the right thing.

If I meet another rider, I don't need to have a conversation, but if I need to communicate in order to create a safer situation, then I need to get over myself and talk. I am the king of my castle inside my home, but on the road, I am one among equals.

If I need to say, "Please back off," (I cannot imagine anyone would try to draft me unless they were walking,) or if I need to say, "Hey, I am just using you as a carrot to make myself work harder, so thanks, and I will stay back far enough not to hit you if you panic-stop," or whatever---That Is My Job as a caring and decent human being (or a person playing that part in real life) and as a person who wants to be able to safely share the road with all kinds of vehicles.

If I am so self-important or so internally conflicted that I cannot even say a few words to make Everyone's life a little better, I should stay home on the trainer and watch self-help books while I pedal.

"Freedom" is wonderful but it cannot be achieved in totality, and it cannot be achieved independently ... unless you want to walk into the Australian outback with a bow and arrow and canteen.

Unless you mined the ore, smelted the metal, forged the tubes, tapped your own rubber tree for tires, and then built all the roads .... then you are benefitting from being a member of society.

Pay your dues----and when "paying your dues" is simply saying, "I am staying far enough back not to endanger you" or "Please back off a little," or simply slowing down or speeding up a little for a few seconds .... how selfish must a person be to take so much and be so unwilling to give anything back?

Get over yourself. We are all in this together, so pull on your oar. Some people died fighting for our freedoms .... you aren't willing to say "Good morning"?

ExPatTyke

It's a bit antisocial, in my opinion, drafting on someone's back wheel without introducing yourself and asking permission. If I catch someone up (and that's a rarity!), I'll always greet them and if they're riding at a similar pace ask if they mind me riding with them for a while. The answer's nearly always Yes, and I've met some nice people and had some good conversations that way.

If someone catches me up and wants to ride with me that's great - as long they say hello and are prepared to share the work, or at least explain that they're cooked and want a tow for a while. But I can't help thinking if they're that tired how did they catch me? Someone just coming up behind and drafting me is, in my opinion, both rude and showing a complete lack of ambition - there's plenty of back wheels that are going faster than mine.

If someone's going faster than me I've no objection to them going past and leaving me. I ride at my own pace and prefer not to alter that just to jump on a wheel - my racing days are over and my only real concern is getting to the next tea stop.

I've had, I think, two people say they didn't want company. That's fair enough - I understand that some people, for any number of reasons, do want solitude during their ride and I'm happy to wish them a good ride and part company.

It's been interesting during the various Covid lockdowns though to see how some people have amended their behaviour to cope with rules and guidelines on social distancing. Very wide passes and riding quite a few yards back have been the order of the day.

genejockey 

You should hear what I think of people who wear headphones when riding.......

razorjack

WTF? #$^%$& did he have a death wish?? pleasure from crashing ? or was he so concerned about your time on Strava segments ?? :O
Personally i don't draft very close after other ppl, as most of them are amateurs without proper awareness and skills to ride smooth.

but creating dangerous situation only because your ego hurts.... that's just a real dick move ...

GlennR

I don't acknowledge them. I figure the headphone are their way of saying is "leave me alone"

genejockey 

I sometimes flinch when passed by another rider, or pinged or addressed from close behind, so I imagine a headphone wearer would be even more likely to startle.

BTW, I may not speak to other riders, but I also don't draft them, nor do I do anything stupid like slamming on the brakes if they have grabbed my wheel. Indeed, if someone's close behind me, drafting or not, I will start pointing out hazards, and if someone's close I refrain from spitting or blowing snot rockets. But my nose does tend to run when I ride, so if you sneak up behind me, you may not enjoy the experience.

ericcox

This whole thread is fascinating. Personally, I'm a huge introvert, but if someone can hop on my wheel and hold it, fine. If they don't greet me, I'll usually say something to them. If someone passes me, but not fast enough to create a lot of space, I'll say something. I don't assume they're an ******* - maybe just a) shy; or b) unsure what to say. I've met a few riding buddies on some local routes where neither of us was creating distance.

Basically, all I'm saying is I try to be decent. Pass someone? I usually say good morning (or afternoon)? Get passed? I acknowledge the person; I'm unlikely to up my effort, but neither am I going to slow down. If I catch that person, I'll greet them.

I like my solo rides, but I also have really been trying to give others the benefit of the doubt and try not to be an *******.

Sy Reene

One rider coming up from behind (especially if they didn't ask permission) and sliding in front of you, is an overt invitation to draft them, isn't it?

Atlas Shrugged

Let’s get back to the original post. This guy was drafting so close that when the rider in front applied the brakes the yokel rode into the back of him and crashed. Then accused the rider of brake checking him which I highly doubt. Story seems like a troll however the whole premise is ridiculous.

I don’t draft others unless really in the hurt locker and need a tow home friends only. I also don’t provide draft to people I do not know because I find it irritating and a invasion of my private space.

caloso

I would say an overt invitation is the rider tapping their hip. Even more overt is to say out loud "hop on."

Maelochs

last time I tried that "tapping the rider's hip" she slapped me out of the saddle.

Maelochs

---Yup..... "I snuck up behind this guy, he slowed because he didn't even know I was there, and since I was head down and hammering I rammed right into him .... and He had the nerve to get upset."

Mojo31

Wait and see what happens when you tell her to hop on.

SapInMyBlood

Bernoulli says it won't

Gonzo Bob

Yes. The propulsion is not provided by the wheels. It is provided by the propeller.

DonkeyShow

This is why ride with my Bluetooth speaker blasting. Tryna invite the party or sufficiently warn others to avoid me. Yall take this **** too serious.

GlennR

I take safety seriously. Sure hope you keep a straight line or you can get elbowed into the curb when being passed if you wonder

big john

How many planes did he launch from treadmills?

big john

What about a jet?

GlennR

There are fan blades on the compressor. Just saying...

DonkeyShow

Im a safety first person always. Elbowing people into curbs while riding bikes is suspect at best. Best hope it's not a regular route you ride.

GlennR

I wasn't implying it's done on purpose.

I see people, some with headphones on, that don't hold a line and weave. So passing them is a matter of timing and I try to do it safely. But if they weave into me as i pass i'll make sure they don't collide with me.

The problem with headphones is not have to loud to the point they are not aware of their surroundings and don't hear others calling out as they get ready to pass.

I've seen cyclists weave into a passing car and bounce off.