I thought it was hammer the dope, then dial it up to 400 watts...

This.

Bad form not to communicate or to do something that puts somebody else at risk IMO. This goes for driving cars too and anything else for that matter.

There are a couple of bridge sections on my usual ride that make a noise when you ride over them. Often I don't know I have a drafter until I hear a second "bump" behind me after I pass over it. I even had an unknown drafter complain once when I slowed down and he wasn't expecting it.

Maybe there's a market for a sensor that will tell me if there's somebody latched on to my wheel (and maybe triggers a flashing light on my seat that says "back off"!).

For both people's safety the person drafting should make their presence known, and give the lead rider a chance to make their own choice as to whether to participate.

Right, supposedly the front rider benefits from someone behind as it makes for a smoother airflow and gives less turbulence. In practice I haven't noticed it, I remember reading it was something of a 10W advantage.

I've just gotten in a habit of looking over my shoulder on curves, climbs, before intersections, taking off from a light, wherever, and occasionally just to make sure no one is sneaking up. Which does not happen often but nice to know what is around you. And I think it should be your responsibility to know what if anything is behind you, who it is, what kind of rider they are, and maybe even where they are headed. Met a lot of nice people that way who are very grateful for the pull. Most latch on after you pass them or when you catch them at a stop light.

Being a clyde at 6'5" and one who gets many a compliment for the nice pull or work on the front you get used to riders who are strong enough to hang on, or try as long as they can, and they can enjoy the draft behind a mack truck. More often then not they say thanks, or they just fade away.

Once I know they are there by shadow, or noise, or announcing themselves I will acknowledge them by pointing out an obstacle. If they pass me and want to pull for a bit, I'm ok with that as long as they don't slow the pace down or get in the way with scary riding. If I end up doing most of the work - no problem. Enjoy the ride. Just wished there were more fast big guys for me to get a good draft behind.

..

It is never a good idea to draft a stranger.

Go ahead and draft me. I don't care.
But when I"m in a rotating paceline with four or five of my riding partners, unless you really know what you're doing, please don't latch on.

question here though, do you guys consider it a different situation if say you pass someone and after you pass them they get on your wheel than if someone just coming out of no where behind you gets on your wheel?!

It's your perfume babe...

If I pass someone with a similar velocity I will tell them to hang on for a pull. Only once in a while they actually do.

I rarely get stealth drafters. I have once been asked by a guy late for work if he could draft; we held about 40 km/h for a km or so until he turned off. I got a rather winded thanks.

On your 13th gear, of course.

+1

Question, if I caught up and I'm waiting for a chance for a clear pass, how long is it before "preparing to pass" becomes stealth drafting? For me this is more a MUP event since it rarely comes up on my road rides, and I usually just click my brake levers or something, but if it happens. Do you want me to announce something as soon as I catch up? How long to wait if I'm boxed in?

Here's a simple guide:

Drafting - The Triathete's Rules of the Road

There was a long thread on this. While NASCAR drivers and maybe some top pros can gain from someone behind them, it won't ever happen to me.

I just turn to acknowledge them, tell them how much I like their "Tony the Tiger" or Team Sky jersey, then speed up while moving to within inches of the pavement edge.

Usually, they are gone after 15 or so seconds.

I don't like some guy I don't know drafting me, because when I'm out for a solo ride I don't want to have to worry about crossing wheels with the guy behind me. He is more likely to go down if we touch, but it's a risk I don't need to deal with when riding solo.

Not sure why it's such a big deal. So many "etiquette" issues in here. Seems as though a lot of people need to learn how to NGAF. Seriously, like someone else pointed out, life is too short to worry about the trivial stuff. Quit being a baby, just keep going and enjoy your ride.

It's a big deal if the cyclist runs into your derailleur, takes you down and you spend several days in the hospital with outrageous bills, missed work and a destroyed bike. Yeah, not likely, but it does happen when people ride beyond their limits. You decide if its worth the risk, but you can't turn back the clock after it happens.

Triathletes rules?

Anyone else?

Oh brother ... What if lightning was about to strike and it hit your stealth drafter instead ? That'd be pretty neat ! Don't ya think :O #t=19

I wouldn't rely on the opinions of people who think it's acceptable to wear armwarmers with sleeveless jerseys.

Chances are, the guy/gal who's caught you and latched on, isn't a newbie looking for a free ride. It's more than likely someone very comfortable at riding pace lines and not going to run into you. If you're going to worry about anything, then make it the 2 tons of metal with the texter behind the wheel that has crossed into the bike lane behind you. Another person on a bike is nothing to worry about in the whole scope of things and seems rather silly. Just like the whole waving thing, but that's for another thread.

I'm one of those guys that has been hit from behind by 2 tons of unaware motorist. That motorist screwed up my year, and nearly killed me. There's nothing I can do to prevent it from happening again, but I can stop someone I don't know from grabbing my wheel.