How are you not aware when someone is behind you? Try taking out an ear bud.

You have got to be kidding. At normal road speed, you can't hear a silent rider behind you over the wind noise unless that person's bike needs serious maintenance.

I agree with you that you might not always know someone is there.

That's why I look first.

Knowing someone is behind you has nothing to do with being able to hear them. You should always be looking around, aware of your surroundings.

But regardless, the OP was passed by the other rides and latched on. I doubt that there is as much of an issue of people approaching from behind then latching on.

I was on a ride a few months ago and some guy latched onto my wheel unannounced. I got a flat a couple minutes later and pulled right over to the side of the road, almost causing an accident with the other guy, who I thought was long gone. Regardless of whose fault it was, it could have been avoided had he just asked.

Totally unethical. Go to church and repent.

You just don't have the same perspective as an old, fat, piece of perpetual Cat5 pack fodder, like me, where attempting to latch on to everyone, anyone, who passes me is my only shot at finishing in the pack. :o

oh wait, the OP wasn't in a race (that anyone else knew they were in)...nevermind, sorry I blew up. ;)

I must be nuts, paying attention to the road and traffic and not listening for an unanounced rider on my wheel. Ear bud or not, I believe I have the right to ride alone and not have to worry about dragging a stranger down the road.

When riding with friends I also have to look back occasionally to see if they are still on my wheel, I can't always tell by listening and I never listen to music when riding with others.

I understand this thread now: it's a fantasy, being fast enough that someone would actually want to draft behind you.

Wake up Freds! It's only a dream!

One thing I've always wondered is why people who want to silently join from behind don't start by pulling rather than being towed? That way, there are no surprises and the karma is better.

We use our Fredly mirrors, so we don't get surprised....

It's actually being slow (and large) enough that every other fred and his sister do draft behind you :(

My only hope to ride them off my wheel is that there is a donut at the end of the ride...and I am the only one who sees it.

Sound is but one clue. I can pick it up 90% of the time even with one bud in my ear and at speed. It is more difficult in a stiff head wind, I will give you that. I also scan for shadows and use my peripheral vision. On curves I will shoot an eye back. Someone who will latch on uninvited is probably not an experienced rider and as such is not riding smoothly on a well maintained bike. A strong rider with many years of riding experience, riding smoothly and silently on a well maintained bike will more likely blow by.

I once accidentally hit some interloper with a snot rocket too. It was embarrassing. I should have been more aware of my surroundings, but WTF was he doing lurking around behind me without saying anything.

So that driver that didn't see the cyclist they hit, no fault? Please..

If a driver stops and you plow into his backside because you were following too closely, its *your* fault.

Let me state the snot thing in a way you might understand:

WAAAAAAHHH SOMEONE WAS A JACKASS WHILE I WAS BEING A JACKASS.

i was latched onto for about 3 miles on sunday. i was so thrilled at not being overtaken, I didn't mind him being there. He was on a cervelo. I mean, come on! You can't take me after 80 miles?

It's amazing how poorly some people grasp logic.

It's so simple, isn't it? With age comes clarity.

You are in the 41 you know, now stop bursting bubbles.

;)

I don't mind wheelsuckers so long as they know what they're doing. This morning's wheelsucker wasn't one of those and latched onto my wheel and I was in a paceline with some local racers, one of which wanted to make us do some work. All was well until Mr Sucker kept trying to pass the lead rider, realizing he couldn't he then tried to cut in front of me but I was protecting my wheel so off to the back he went. This happened one more time and on one of the pulls we increased the pace and shook him off. Now I can understand a rider wanting to test his mettle but do it safely and be predictable; had he just slowed and gone to the back there would have been no problem.

they're too busy blowing snot over each other

I meant you :rolleyes:

You're grasping.......

:lol:

This


and This too

I've been fortunate to have only hot, cat-2-type women ride my wheel, which I find completely ethical as long as my wife doesn't know. It must be my wrongly focused workout regime that has left me with bulging biceps rather than girl-like arms.:D

Seriously, I've made some lasting friends on my routes (including the aforementioned) by allowing people to ride my wheel and by asking others to ride with them (taking turns on the pull, of course). Like anything in life, it's how you approach the situation that usually dictates how it turns out. I ride for enjoyment, not to argue or impose my "ethics." If I want to deal with arguing and ethics, I go back to my office.

Funny, that word choice. Some people enjoy riding with others and some enjoy riding by themselves.

;)You're doing it backwards.

Nothing wrong with that (I do it too). I just don't sweat it if someone else wants to ride with me. I'm in good shape but ignorant, so if someone can ride with me, they're most likely a seasoned biker and I'll learn from them.

It would, of course, be unethical if they did not take their turn at the front.