I was finally drafted tonight!

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

I think i't would be more polite if the person who wanted a "free tow" was to overtake and say "follow me for a bit then we'll swap" rather than just grab a free place out of the wind.

 

[Tynan]

That sounds a bit frenchmen in a revolving door to me

Not sure I'd want someone dropping in in front of me, someone tucking in behind doesn't bother me at all and they're very welcome to take a go as and when, I do that if it goes on for any length of time and they're not going so quick that all I can do is keep up, fairly sure that's the done thing

the place is free though isn't it, costs nothing and bothers no-one, surely it's not rude?

 

[wiggydiggy]

Why do people hate someone on their wheel so much? Bobet was talking about racing, and a unpleasant tactic, but elsewhere in racing domestiques are doing their job when they give the star a tow. Working together in a break is fine, so is it that the commuting wheel sucker does not do their bit? If it's not a race are you not happy to be strong enough to help a slower rider? Or does it just worry people?

On a commute? Well its just not needed at all as we're not racing are we? And as I understand decent drafting takes place when you know and trust the guy in front/behind and your both going the same way, both of those things are rare for me so I'd rather people dont try and save a few kjs or get one over on someone by cycling a few inches off my back wheel thanks!

 

[downfader]

I'd be honest.. on the Jake I would never even contemplate a loose draft.. brakes just dont cut it, especially in the wet.

 

[Hicky]

I dont mind drafting or being drafted as long as the other person has mudguards.....I dont see many in the north manchester commute with them so I make and effort to get past......follow me by all means and take note of the guards!

 

[albion]

I think Chris Boardman just confirmed what I was wondering about.

Whilst drafting is a big gain for the chaser, I think he said that the lead rider also gains by 'about 18 watts'.
So despite the anguish of doing the work you still get there faster!

 

[Maylian]

On a commute? Well its just not needed at all as we're not racing are we? And as I understand decent drafting takes place when you know and trust the guy in front/behind and your both going the same way, both of those things are rare for me so I'd rather people dont try and save a few kjs or get one over on someone by cycling a few inches off my back wheel thanks!

Personally unless I'm injured every commute is done at about 80%, if I see another cyclist I make an effort to catch and overtake them. If I do catch them I make sure I do it properly and not run out of puff after a few hundred yards. This week I've mostly been pretending that I'm in the pelaton trying to catch the breakaway, makes it more fun!

I've been drafted once but most the people on my route are happy just plodding along. I've drafted one person more by mistake for a few miles as I couldn't find a good place to overtake him. He didn't seem to mind too much and I would have been happy taking the lead, he looked back a few times and knew I wasn't struggling to keep up so could have let me pass. Personally I wouldn't mind if any one wanted to draft me, would think it was a good sign.

 

[Venod]

Don't have a problem if someone follows me- it feels a bit wierd if they don't say anything but they're not likely to be axe murderers.

http://app.strava.com/activities/65109468

 

[wiggydiggy]

Holy thread resurrection!

 

[Blurb]

I've had a rider draft me and actually shout encouragement of "keep going" when I was starting to flag. I was so surprised I actually did up my pace and keep going in the lead. I've seen him occasionally since and he seems decent enough and faster on his road bike against my loaded up commuter.
Our routes coincide for about 8 miles eventually passing right past my road, so I always know it's going to be a fast slog home when our paths cross.

On the flip side I hunt down G-Wiz's on the Regent's Park ring road and draft at around 30mph for a short while.

 

[Milzy]

Off topic but how do you have a Nick name under your real name on Strava??

 

[thefollen]

I take it as a compliment if it ever happens. Never draft others though since I think it's a slight cop out! Sometimes you're in that difficult position of the rider in front going 1mph slower than you and your legs not being their most responsive to drop them. In these situations I'll usually hang back a decent bike or two's length.

If being drafted surely it's a fun game seeing whether you can lose them

 

[Milzy]

I take it as a compliment if it ever happens. Never draft others though since I think it's a slight cop out! Sometimes you're in that difficult position of the rider in front going 1mph slower than you and your legs not being their most responsive to drop them. In these situations I'll usually hang back a decent bike or two's length.

If being drafted surely it's a fun game seeing whether you can lose them

I was been drafted in a sportive the other day so I just pushed on harder & lost them :P

 

[Kookas]

I usually draft for a few seconds when I come upon another cyclist, simply because I get lazy and it takes time to snap out of it.