Well i can go with the flow. If you guys say is rude then next time i'll ask.

That would explain all the mean faces all this time.LOL

I've occasionally had someone I caught and passed decide to draft off of me. Frankly, it's a bit creepy when the person doesn't ask.

If you want to turn the situation into a workout, try to pace them 100 feet back. It might annoy them if you can stay there, but there's no danger to anyone and there's no need to ask permission.

OP, I think you made an impolite mistake. There is a coordinated effort in drafting. You really should ask/be invited to join this teamwork.

Now, suppose you had seen them coming up, and you accelerated, and they sucked your wheel for a while. Then they passed you. In that case you are authorized to draft them, quid pro quo. But if they just came up behind you, and quickly passed you, and you accelerated, and latched onto a wheel, I think you need to ask if they mind.

If they quickly passed you, and you accelerated, but stayed 6, 10, 12 feet behind, which isn't drafting, you getting the urge to ride faster, inspired by others to push harder, but you're not taking advantage of them, and collision risk is really small, I think that's okay.

The thing about drafting is, first off, it requires trust, and secondly you really need to break the wind to contribute something. Like, who wants to be a parasite?

Already though of that. Doubt i could do 21 steady, I'll try thou.

I actually don't mind because there are so many different ways to get rid of an unwanted drafter.

A dude did it to me without asking. it really annoyed me. i had been riding for about a month and a half and was not used to it. Then he makes the dick move and asks me while drafting. "Hey that's a strong wind is that coming from the north or northeast."

This fellow had me laughing out loud . Guess the congressman didnt see the humour in it.

I don't mind people on my wheel, and if they ask I almost always feel it's ok. However, it's important to ASK. Some people (like myself) don't care, but many do. I usually respond "sure, as long as you don't overlap". That's really all I care about.

What's HUGELY impolite IMO is to sit on my wheel for ten miles, then drop me. If someone pulled you for a substantial distance and you're able to return the favor, then please do so.

Maybe you were impolite, but unethical is too much of a word for it. I have no problem with someone drafting me, but I don't feel responsible for them. However, I try to be friendly and point bumps, etc. OTOH, I do draft strangers too, but I ask them before. Only once someone said he'd rather ride alone (but hundreds dropped me ).

I often recommnd doing a "crazy ivan" every so often, just in case... great way to discourage wheelsuckers.

OP, if you really want to piss them off, drop them.

.

This one's my favorite

if someone is compromising my safety, i'll compromise theirs.

maybe. or just come across their front wheel.

Or just barely miss that pothole, while pointing it out of course.




^^ Humor. I would not intentionally do anything to cause another rider to crash, no matter how big of a ******* they were.

Great analogy.

You tailgate, I blow snot rocket.

Though I am against wheel sucking the danger to the rider in front is a possibility, a move to intentional crash someone is aggression bordering on assault.

I don't always ask permision, but I do announce "I'm on your wheel". Then I watch for a response. The usual good response is a simple nod of the head by the person in front of you. If they start looking around, nervous or if they swerve to break off contact, I back away or pass them. I just completed a MS 150. On the second day, I rode alone and hitched rides with other clubs. I announced that I was on the last person's wheel and, at the right time, let them know I'd take a turn at pull. Some clubs, like mine, don't mind you hitching a ride, but they don't want you advancing to do a pull.

You internet tough guys saying you'd brake check, spit on or otherwise harm a stranger really need an attitude adjustment.

It will also likely take down both riders.

I'd have totally been like "that's not a wind... you're eating my Chipotle..."

Something nobody else has mentioned: waiting two miles to say "hey, that's not cool" is a little passive aggressive, and kind of unnecessary. unless road conditions call for solid concentration on riding, its probably much better off to address the situation as it's happening.

if you're in the situation of being drafted, it's best to talk to the leecher first; if you just try to drop them, you may just provoke an impromptu race - not good when you have a cyclist of unknown skill level trying to stay on your wheel. better to say something like "hey, I don't mean to be a jerk, but you can't just draft random strangers. we don't know how you ride, you don't know how we ride, we may not even know you're there, etc. it's kinda sketchy all around. its cool (or not) if you join this time, but next time, ask."

if they're cool, then you just made a friend (and someone to take a turn pulling!), if they're not cool, then you can try to drop them, stop and let them pass, or take a TdF rolling pee-break while they're still behind you (you don't have to pee on them, just near them. they back off pretty quick ) you know, some way reasonable adults would handle the situation.. like not acting aggressively/foolishly.

Once I was out riding alone, had someone jump on my wheel, and I didn't notice them right away. Before I knew they were there, I slowed for a stop light. He ran up on my rear wheel, bent the derailleur hanger and trashed a Record rear derailleur. We had slowed up enough that he just fell over and wasn't hurt. He continued on down the road and my ride was done. Yes I am sensitive about dorks drafting me when I don't know them.

I don't mind people drafting me while commuting, if they can also come forward for a spell, so much the better so we both get to work/home faster.

A big difference with random people drafting me to being on a group ride:

1. I will not signal for them nor call out
2. I won't wave them forwards or otherwise acknowledge them
3. I will look to drop them if I can (only through raising the pace however, not by being sketchy or taking risks)