Catching the draft... how close is too close?
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#27
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There is no safe distance for an uninvited draft in a Covid world.
Passed a guy last week with probably a 5mph differential. I suffer from pretty bad post nasal drip and needed to spit about 2 minutes after going by. He was right on my wheel and caught a bunch of it because I had no clue he was there until after it happened.
Passed a guy last week with probably a 5mph differential. I suffer from pretty bad post nasal drip and needed to spit about 2 minutes after going by. He was right on my wheel and caught a bunch of it because I had no clue he was there until after it happened.
#28
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I have been going extra wide around people lately because of this. I've tried wearing a few different kinds of masks but after they get wet I've found it to be really uncomfortable. So now I just try to ride as early in the morning as possible and if I pass someone I give them a large berth.
#29
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Thread Starter
OP here. The Sheridan road "scene" at times is an ongoing open race. People are hopping from wheel to wheel. Large groups form at times. If its an organized club ride, everyone in club jerseys, I',ll just linger at the back. Pretty friendly people for the most part, and the vast majority up in years like me. Grey beards everywhere. If I get in with a group my goal is to smooth the paceline as best I can. Keep off the brakes, take smooth lines thru turns, even out the yo-yo effect as best I can. But at times I find myself trying to get max effect from drafting really tight, more out of habit I guess. Gotta get myself to back off and keep it safe.
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
There is no safe distance for an uninvited draft in a Covid world.
Passed a guy last week with probably a 5mph differential. I suffer from pretty bad post nasal drip and needed to spit about 2 minutes after going by. He was right on my wheel and caught a bunch of it because I had no clue he was there until after it happened.
Passed a guy last week with probably a 5mph differential. I suffer from pretty bad post nasal drip and needed to spit about 2 minutes after going by. He was right on my wheel and caught a bunch of it because I had no clue he was there until after it happened.
#31
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There is no safe distance for an uninvited draft in a Covid world.
Passed a guy last week with probably a 5mph differential. I suffer from pretty bad post nasal drip and needed to spit about 2 minutes after going by. He was right on my wheel and caught a bunch of it because I had no clue he was there until after it happened.
Passed a guy last week with probably a 5mph differential. I suffer from pretty bad post nasal drip and needed to spit about 2 minutes after going by. He was right on my wheel and caught a bunch of it because I had no clue he was there until after it happened.
Back on topic, right now, unless you've recovered from a COVID infection (and maybe even then), I would not get within a couple bike lengths of a stranger on the road, except to pass, and then at a significant distance. I definitely wouldn't draft anyone I wasn't living with.
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If you're not invited and don't announce, just don't expect me to point out hazards or take care to ride smoothly, and you have no gripe if something goes wrong and you go down. I will ride smoothly etc. once I notice you back there, because that's just caring for the safety of the other guy, but it shouldn't be expected.
I personally don't jump on passing wheels, I prefer solo rides. I'm too slow to keep up with most who are interested in drafting anyway.
(edit - this is in the pre-COVID world, even now, though, it's the guy in back getting exposed)
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#36
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#37
Jedi Master
A few weeks ago a guy passed me going just a tiny bit faster than me. He must have forgotten I was there after a while because he blew a snot rocket when he was only 20-30 feet in front of me so I got the full spray of his blast. I caught up to him a bit later at a stop light and said "What, no apology?" He replied "F*** You!" I couldn't believe it. It's now the thing I worry the most about when I'm behind other riders whether passing or being passed.
#38
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Rubiksoval
At the end of the day, you're going to do whatever. My hope is that there is a clear understanding that while you may find such behavior acceptable, many others don't, and that, in general, despite your own personal anecdotes, this is not proper etiquette/behavior. One, for safety concerns for the person you're riding behind, two, for the need for them to now be concerned about your own safety (swerving away from potholes or debris last second, something very commonly done solo, is quite dangerous when not), and three, imposing yourself into their space/activity.
OP's last sentence makes it clear that to him, the aero benefits of a close draft are desirable, and that a half-wheel distance might even be too far for an optimum draft. He wants to be as close as possible without getting taken out. Am I really the one with poor reading comprehension? Come on.
#39
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Thread Starter
OP again. Now that I have thought it out...
I have always ridden close to the wheel I am following. And its been years of experience that has gotten me to this level. So with an abundance of confidence on the bike and experience to match I am going to continue with my current riding style. Changing now would be counterintuitive. But I'll be more aware of the other guys riding around me and make adjustments and judgements as to safety.
I have always ridden close to the wheel I am following. And its been years of experience that has gotten me to this level. So with an abundance of confidence on the bike and experience to match I am going to continue with my current riding style. Changing now would be counterintuitive. But I'll be more aware of the other guys riding around me and make adjustments and judgements as to safety.
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Whats your safe draft distance? I like the weekend group ride. Typically I jump in to whoever passes me by on Saturday and Sunday mornings. On Chicagos north shore its pretty much a constant parade of cycling groups heading northbound on Sheridan road. I'm questioning the safety, especially now at 62 yrs young. A spill now would probably put me in the hospital. But my instincts are still honed by my racing days when racing around the track in a line of riders with a centimeter or two of gap between our wheels was normal. I still catch myself following really close to a wheel and think...hmmm, maybe too close. But there is quite a difference in draft effect between a half wheel distance and a couple inches. What say ye?
I get insulted when someone I don't know starts drafting behind be & stays there for a while, especially in the current situation where I try to keep my distance with others as much as I can (yes, some cyclist continue doing it...).
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The point multiple people are making is that you shouldn't be following people you don't know.
To do so ever is a pure clown move. To do so in the midst of a pandemic is pure ass-hattery.
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#42
Jedi Master
Sure it was an accident, but it was your fault for spitting on someone else, not their fault for being in the way of your spit. Next time take the milisecond to look over your shoulder.
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In your story, how long is “a while”? Because you can’t possibly believe people should be aware of you tailing then and modify their behavior accordingly and you’re not an ******* for doing it.
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#45
Jedi Master
Couple of minutes. If I had to guess I would say three but it could have been five. it's irrelevant anyway. It's not like I was right on his wheel. I believe People should always look over their shoulder before spitting or launching a snot rocket. Especially on Sheridan road where there are hundreds of riders out on a weekend morning. That has nothing to do with modifying behavior because of me. It's just common courtesy.
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Couple of minutes. If I had to guess I would say three but it could have been five. it's irrelevant anyway. It's not like I was right on his wheel. I believe People should always look over their shoulder before spitting or launching a snot rocket. Especially on Sheridan road where there are hundreds of riders out on a weekend morning. That has nothing to do with modifying behavior because of me. It's just common courtesy.
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#47
Jedi Master
Never riding within 30 feet of anyone else certainly is one solution, but it's not really practical on Sheridan Road. I went out for a 30 mile ride this morning and passed a few dozen riders. That's on a Monday morning at 5 AM. Apparently a quick head-check before launch is too much to ask from other civilized humans.
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Couple of minutes. If I had to guess I would say three but it could have been five. it's irrelevant anyway. It's not like I was right on his wheel. I believe People should always look over their shoulder before spitting or launching a snot rocket. Especially on Sheridan road where there are hundreds of riders out on a weekend morning. That has nothing to do with modifying behavior because of me. It's just common courtesy.
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#50
Senior Member
Originally Posted by big chainring
Whats your safe draft distance? I like the weekend group ride. Typically I jump in to whoever passes me by on Saturday and Sunday mornings. On Chicagos north shore its pretty much a constant parade of cycling groups heading northbound on Sheridan road. I'm questioning the safety, especially now at 62 yrs young. A spill now would probably put me in the hospital. But my instincts are still honed by my racing days when racing around the track in a line of riders with a centimeter or two of gap between our wheels was normal. I still catch myself following really close to a wheel and think...hmmm, maybe too close. But there is quite a difference in draft effect between a half wheel distance and a couple inches. What say ye?
Originally Posted by big chainring
OP here. The Sheridan road "scene" at times is an ongoing open race. People are hopping from wheel to wheel. Large groups form at times. If its an organized club ride, everyone in club jerseys, I',ll just linger at the back. Pretty friendly people for the most part, and the vast majority up in years like me. Grey beards everywhere. If I get in with a group my goal is to smooth the paceline as best I can. Keep off the brakes, take smooth lines thru turns, even out the yo-yo effect as best I can. But at times I find myself trying to get max effect from drafting really tight, more out of habit I guess. Gotta get myself to back off and keep it safe.
Originally Posted by big chainring
OP again. Now that I have thought it out...
I have always ridden close to the wheel I am following. And its been years of experience that has gotten me to this level. So with an abundance of confidence on the bike and experience to match I am going to continue with my current riding style. Changing now would be counterintuitive. But I'll be more aware of the other guys riding around me and make adjustments and judgements as to safety.
I have always ridden close to the wheel I am following. And its been years of experience that has gotten me to this level. So with an abundance of confidence on the bike and experience to match I am going to continue with my current riding style. Changing now would be counterintuitive. But I'll be more aware of the other guys riding around me and make adjustments and judgements as to safety.