I Love Drafting!!!!!

[Mugshot]

I was under the impression (from the BBC coverage of the Olympics and there end my knowledge of the subject) that any further than a bikes length away from the in front object makes drafting next to useless? and you wouldn't really want to be that close- esp as he probably had no idea you were there!

I honestly don't know but I would imagine the size of the vehicle makes a difference. He probably had an idea I was there as he'd seen me at the junction, he certainly knew I had been there when I overtook him.

 

[Gary E]

It's ok. I'll remain a live chicken then. You go for it... I think it's called natural selection?

Surely natural selection would favour the brave?
The cowards who stayed in the cave and starved to death versus the brave souls who ventured out and hunted woolly mammoths etc etc?
Just saying

 

[Mugshot]

Certainly are

Does Strava automatically recognise you're on a segment?

 

[jarlrmai]

enjoy it, when you want to do 20-22 getting stuck behind a tractor/milk float is no fun.

 

[4F]

Does Strava automatically recognise you're on a segment?

Yep

 

[Mugshot]

Yep

Cool, I'm going to give it a go, I swear some of the people on there are on scooters though, they're going up some of the hills round me quicker than I can go down them!

 

[HLaB]

Does Strava automatically recognise you're on a segment?

Usually but tonight I see one of my friends have created a segment on a section of road I've done, there's no record!

 

[Hacienda71]

Cool, I'm going to give it a go, I swear some of the people on there are on scooters though, they're going up some of the hills round me quicker than I can go down them!

Strava comes with the following health warning:

Strava can be addictive. You have been warned!

 

[Mugshot]

Usually but tonight I see one of my friends have created a segment on a section of road I've done, there's no record!

I'll have to read up on it, I signed up ages ago but have never used it, didn't want to see my name at the bottom of the list

 

[redcard]

I am always worried about my good name it took me a long time to get it. As a responsible person I also worry about your safety even though I do not know you.

Why did you waste your life building your reputation if you think some stranger can easily destroy it?

And let's face it, plenty of people think you're a prick just cos you ride a bike.

 

[RedRider]

Reached the T junction on my commute tonight which leaves about 2 miles to go. Trundling down the road heading in the direction I'm about to take are a couple of tractors towing trailers followed by a car, I considered nipping out in front but decided against it due to the hill which is coming up, it's not overly long or steep, but it's there.
Anyway, tucked in behind the car and headed off through a single lane section which has passing places, tractor number two pulls over to let the car through so I nip through behind. Car overtakes tractor number one as soon as we get back to two lanes leaving me behind tractor and trailer for the climb. Previous best average with a decent tail wind was around 14 -14.5 mph, tonight went up there at 18.5 - 19 mph and I was holding back too!
I'm thinking of inviting the farmer to come along on all my rides

Love it too on occasion. Several times over the last few weeks my commute has involved a long, straight roman road ride often into a headwind for 16 miles. Tucking five or so metres behind the offside corner of bus/van/van/van/bus along the way has kept me sucked along nicely out the wind and not particularly dangerous either.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Don't see the issue!
Did similar myself earlier this week on my commute.
Stuck behind 3 cars on a side road with speed tables doing about 18mph.
Overtook the two rear cars and the front one was abt 50 on.
I caught it and tailed it as couldn't overtake due to oncoming, although I was sitting just off its rear offside lights albeit for about 0.5k.

We are all adults and even clipping in is the start of the risks we take on board daily.
Sometimes, you need to just feel the rush of danger...

 

[marzjennings]

It's ok. I'll remain a live chicken then. You go for it... I think it's called natural selection?

Come on, live a little. There's a wee buzz when drafting a truck or bus.

Oh, I've already had kids. And the family knows how crazy dad is.

 

[Nebulous]

I was under the impression (from the BBC coverage of the Olympics and there end my knowledge of the subject) that any further than a bikes length away from the in front object makes drafting next to useless? and you wouldn't really want to be that close- esp as he probably had no idea you were there!

It really depends on the vehicle. Something as big as a bus, and to a lesser extent a tractor punches a huge hole through the air. That strava ride I referred to of mine I must have been around 7 or 8 metres behind the bus, but I still absolutely hammered my best time.

In a mass bike ride then close quarters certainly increases the advantage and the risk.

 

[screenman]

Redcard I did not waste any of my life building my reputation, in business it is a quality thing to hold.