genejockey 

Where I ride, it's a mix of suburban streets and boulevards with lot of space for bikes, shoulderless two lane roads, two roads with big wide bike lanes, four lane roads with big wide bike lanes that require you to cross to and from a bike lane between two lanes going the same direction going over a freeway overpass, and/or with merging traffic coming off the freeway without a stop sign. And we also have a LOT of cyclists of all speeds and abilities, of whom the majority are slower than I am, so I make a LOT of use of the Varia.

SoSmellyAir

Actually, I have been improving recently through more riding during the pandemic, so perhaps I am only in the bottom 30 percentile now. So the Varia is something I hope to look into one day if "the majority are slower than I am."

genejockey 

My other observation is the slower the rider, the more of the road they take up. A lot of them ride in pairs or larger groups, and if they're slow, they're usually also not experienced at riding two-up in close proximity.

WhyFi

The Varia is one of those products where non-owners can tell you about 10x more drawbacks than actual owners can. Funny how that works. *shrug*

genejockey 

I got one because it seemed like a good idea, but after I got it I realized it was a FANTASTIC idea!!!!

Mojo31

I’m slow and wouldn’t be on the road without the Varia. I can’t hear the beep thru my 530 Plus, but the visuals are a huge benefit. The 1030 Plus is on my list since it’s louder.

tempocyclist

I've been seriously mulling over the idea of getting one. Seems like a great product. If it also had a built-in camera, I'd be all over it!

ericcox

Of all my bike purchases in the last year, the Varia is the one that I would immediately replace if it stopped functioning. While I occasionally get annoyed when it is beeping constantly in high traffic areas, the few times I've forgotten it (or neglected to charge it) have reinforced how useful it is to me. Especially when getting ready to change lanes, or approaching a corner where I know a right hook is possible, or any number of other scenarios, I find it invaluable.

Also - yes to headphones, but only one wireless earbud in. It's great for turn by turn directions from my Garmin, especially for gravel events / rides that are unmarked with less support.

beeballman

I have always been told over the years this is a no no. Drafting with people you don't know is risky because you do not know or have seen their riding techniques or skills. Always draft with people you know and have ridden with because you know and can predict what they do in certain instances. If you come up to someone and want to ride with them for a while ask them if you can follow along but follow along at a safe distance of at least 5 - 10 feet.

colombo357

I draft everybody. I often zone out and follow people home, into their garages. Oops.

rsbob 

I only draft beer.

Joearch

Was cranking along at a decent pace this morning and took a look down and noticed the front wheel of a bike in line with my rear axle….. seemed tucked in quite close. Kept cranking waiting for a hey, ok if I join kind-of thing but nothing. Made my chuckle thinking about this thread. I picked up the pace and they fell back a bit. I peeled off and they kept going straight. I guess no harm no foul.

MikeTé

Then it's simply motor-pacing. That's what they're there for, right?

stuff shredman

This is the answer:

This is the reason:

​​​​​​​

REV160

First pull up next to the person and ask if they mind if you jump on his wheel. If you go for more than a few minutes, offer to take turns with pulls. Never just jump on without letting a person know you are there. It's dangerous for both of you.

The interesting sub-question I have involves the person who passes and then slows and then I have to pass them. I always want to tell them I'm not looking to race, because that's the truth but I don't want to hang behind someone who just sprinted to see whether they could catch me.

Inexperienced

IDK but on the trail the worst is when you are passing someone who decides to make it a race as you pass.
If I am trending faster, I pass; if not, I don't try.

Usually it's a young boy who does the race thing, unaware that someone may be approaching from the opposite direction.

Inexperienced

"I don't want to hang behind someone who just sprinted to see whether they could catch me."

Exactly.

Carbonfiberboy 

I always simply say, "Wheel" loudly enough that the rider can hear me, that being short for "on your wheel" which is too long and could be confused with "on your left." I've never had anyone tell me to go away. Which of course I could do, because I did catch that rider and just wanted a bit of a rest. When I eventually pass, I invite the other rider to come along. Usually they don't. Not everyone has the skills or interest in drafting. If it's someone I know and I'm coming up on them pretty fast, I shout "Accelerate!" before I pass. That's usually on a shallow descent. Most folks will play along.

In pacelines, I like to be the rider with my wheel to the left of the wheel in front of me. So far, I've been able to steer out of a paceline accordions. I've never had a rider brake check me on purpose. That's like brake checking a semi. No good will come of it.

WinterCommuter

ask.

SpeedyBlueBiker

I would never just jump on the wheel of someone that I don't know and then draft off of them. I would however, pace off of someone. By that I mean I would hang back a good 10-20 metres and just keep my pace the same as theirs.
I have had people jump on my wheel before. I don't necessarily like/dislike it but I also feel no responsibility to/for them. They made choice and are therefore responsible for their actions.

SpeedyBlueBiker

If you came up behind me and yelled "wheel" I would have no idea what in the F you are saying let alone mean. If you yelled "Accelerate" I'd have no clue either. So far I have never experienced this.

Bald Paul

If you want to draft me, fine. Just don't half wheel, please pay attention, and listen closely as I cough, sneeze, clear my nose, and then loudly announce "Sorry, still waiting for the results of my Covid test!"

On a more serious note, some of the local club rides are asking those who aren't vaccinated to ride at the rear of the group. Thank goodness for Zwift. This is getting crazy.

Carbonfiberboy 

Cool! It's not every day one learns two new things. I stole the Accelerate from LA. That's what he yelled when he caught Pantani on Ventoux. Pantani knew what he meant. "Wheel" is fairly common.

cyclezen

DItto... what does that mean ? I mean, it means nothing to me. If someone rides my wheel, then they need to stay alert and ride appropriately. I'm gonna keep doin my ride, as I want and have decided... I may sit up and decide to eat a banana - which I always bring along and eat at some point during the ride - still moving. Or a powerbar,.. or anything else.
Most of the riders I might ride with are accustomed to using hand signals when ride level is higher. If it's easy, we're often pairing up and chatting, and paying attention to give room for oncoming and overtaking traffic (where it's appropriate).
There are hand signals for most considerations.
The whole voice/shout thing is often quite disconcerting. Just because someone yells 'Clear' , doesn't mean I'm gonna go on that. - for crossings, I prefer to make my own decisions.
Ride On
Yuri

Nachoman

I haven't read this whole threat and I suppose it's already been mentioned, but don't just pull up and start drafting some random woman who's out on a solo ride.
That's especially creepy.