I Love Drafting!!!!!

[marzjennings]

I intend to live a lot! And is the buzz before or after you go under it?

Under what? How would a drafting cyclist end up under the vehicle their drafting? What series of events do you think would have to happen to end up under the bus being drafted? (as an example).

 

[Hacienda71]

I do it, I can see the dangers in doing it. I can also see the dangers riding fast down a steep hill and riding in heavy traffic, I do that as well. Some people are more of the "risk taker" type than others.

 

[marzjennings]

yup

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj82mtlinbA


A rare opportunity where it all came together for me on a long haul home. Very exhilarating but stupid and dangerous none the less.

Cool video. But what make it dangerous?

Is it just the fact that drafting enables a rider to travel much faster than they're normally comfortable with?
Or that the rider is in a bad position on the road? (though it's not far off primary)
Is it the remote possibility that the bus could come to an abrupt stop and the rider would smack into the back of the bus?

Does anyone know the braking distances for car, bus and bikes? Because I've always assumed they are pretty close. I.e. If the vehicle starts to brake and brake hard I am able to comfortably brake too and not bump into them.

 

[mark st1]

You should try some Exlax to speed things up a bit.

Looks like your keyboard has taken Exlax

 

[screenman]

30 mph is 44 feet per second, if the bus/tractor/car/van etc. hits the brakes hard chances are you will hit it before you start to brake.

 

[mark st1]

Has anyone noticed not once have I said I do not do it.

This does suggest (unless its a missleading comment) that you also partake in drafting yes ?

 

[snorri]

This drafting sounds more exciting by the minute, it's a pity the buses go so fast in my neighbourhood.

 

[Mugshot]

This does suggest (unless its a missleading comment) that you also partake in drafting yes ?

He'd better not after this;

First and only word that came to mind is, muppet.

And this;

When you grow up and can drive a car you will realise how bad tailgating is.
On top of that irresponsible riding gets us all a bad name.

 

[snorri]

He'd better not after this;
And this;

I'm sure we misunderstand him, it'll be fine when he discovers how to do smileys.

 

[campbellab]

/fun

How many people do stupidly dangerous things?
Skydiving
Climbing
Etc,etc
If other people don't agree with what they do,just get in some bubble wrap and lay on your bed...

Flawed argument - people partake in assumed risk activities in a fashion that generally doesn't impact other people unless they have chosen to be involved with it. If it goes wrong it impacts on the participants, and sometimes the emergency services (but thats their job).

Dicking around on the road puts other people at risk, and falling off in the path of another road user who subsequently kills you isn't really fair on them either.

P.s. I dont have any strong feelings either way about draughting, does look like fun

 

[Mugshot]

I do it, I can see the dangers in doing it. I can also see the dangers riding fast down a steep hill and riding in heavy traffic, I do that as well. Some people are more of the "risk taker" type than others.

I feel far more vulnerable when I'm going down hill at pace in wet conditions, with traffic waiting at side roads on either side despite holding primary and leaving several car lengths between myself and the car in front, than I did chasing a tractor up a hill, doesn't stop me doing it mind.

 

[screenman]

My drafting is done in a chain gang, or in a TTT or even a two up, not behind a a vehicle driven by somebody who has no knowledge of how a bike stops, may not even know you are there, and who may think it a joke to slam their brakes on.

Want to draft then get on a track behind a Derny.

This is a public forum and as such I feel it our duty to give good safe advice, advocating drafting I do not feel fits that description well. Imagine some 12 year old lad picking up that drafting a vehicle is the correct thing to do because it say so on this forum.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

30 mph is 44 feet per second, if the bus/tractor/car/van etc. hits the brakes hard chances are you will hit it before you start to brake.

How long did it take to calculate that?!

 

[screenman]

As long as it took to Google it.

 

[Mugshot]

The most striking thing about it wasn't how much easier it was to climb the hill it was that when we were on the way through the single track section we were doing around 15 - 16 mph, I'll generally do around 20 - 21 ish. But the car driver didn't beep, gesticulate, rev his engine or shout encouraging comments to the tractor driver suggesting he may want to move out of his way, not bleeding once!