How close do you get to the guy in front of you when you are drafting?

Depends on the situation, i.e., how fast things are and who I'm riding with. Casual group ride with people of mixed skills, I might be a foot or more back. Racing, 3-6".

about 12 inches back. i don't race, and am not a good enough rider to be someone's shadow...

Depends on the speed.

If you really want to shake somebody up, tap their rear wheel with your front wheel. That's a drill that they taught at the OTC.

Okay, how about 20 mph with somewhat experienced(not total newbs but not fantastic either) riders.

Just far enough to fit in my big 10"
































frame pump.

i used to do that in college on the little 500 track. let 'em know you're still there. as they say in days of thunder: "rubbin's racin'!"

If there is a level of trust, about 6 inches. If there isnt, at least a foot.

I'd say 6-12" would be reasonable.

The concern underlying the thread is of course overlapping wheels. As Event Services points out, working on being able to deal with overlapped wheels is a great skill to learn, and will give you confidence riding closer.

If you haven't done it, get with a friend or 2 in a grass field, long sleeves and long pants, and practice intentionally rubbing wheels. The trick is to pop off the wheel with a little countersteering. What normally happens when you overlap wheels is you're laying across the back wheel for a second, when it clears, you're still leaning over, and when the support is gone you go down, so you have to learn to pop off the wheel before that happens.

usually around 6 inches or so. i'm pretty used to riding w/JayC, so, i will ride a little closer than that some times. if i don't know the people really well, and that trust isn't there, then i'm more likely to move further away, closer to a foot..

I rub tires on occassion when speeds change abruptly. I follow as close as I can. Habit. I learned drafting before driving so unfortunately I drive like I draft when in heavy traffic.

This comes from wheel bumping drills I did with friends while riding as a kid. Made me comfortable with controlled wheel collisions.

Not sure what this does for you. If I'm in front, and I hear the guy behind me rub my rear wheel, why would I care ?? He's taking a risk, not me.

you should, if his wheel overlaps yours and you get a skewer in the spokes

Group rides- 1-2' with people I'm not familiar with. If I'm feeling comfortable or riding with my team, the gap is under a foot, and as little as a few inches.

Race- As little as 2'' if things are getting strung out. I've been known to lovetap rear wheels from time to time, when the rider in front of me slows down suddenly or when I lose concentration for a second. Hasn't taken me or anyone else down yet, though.

Now excuse me, I've gotta find a huge ass piece of wood to knock on.

That's a lot of overlap.

Depends on how straight the guy I'm trying to draft is going. If he's swerving I'll stay back a bit.

Somewhere between fearless and stupid depending on the day. Problem is, with my sail like upper body, I simply have to hunker down nice and close to get a good draft. Folks behind me are good for about 10 feet from what I hear.

depends on the 'guy'.

If I am not confident in the person in front, I stay off about 1 - 2 ft. With people I know, 6 inches is fine.

PS. If I see them do something stupid, I get as far away as I can.

Okay, so the follow up question is....how far away is too far away. Does anyone know just how much you draft at 6 inches versus 12 versus 2 feet?

Well as a triathlete, we had to allow for 3' b/c there was no benefit of a draft there. I think the draft diminishes very quickly once you're further back than 2'

Depends on the guy. If he's someone I trust then the first option, paper close, if I don't trust him then at least six inches.

The draft is kinda cone shaped behind the person pushing the wind. So, realtive size matters as well as distance.

Depends of the 'guy' (or girl)... also if we are going easy (20 - 30 cm) or if they are trying to drop me (10 - 15 cm / as little as 5 cm if I'm really desperate).

NOT drafting is for wussies!