Row with another cyclist

[Beebo]

A bit off topic, but what do people think is an acceptable distance?

 

[BentMikey]

Not just himself though, he could have had the Duck off if he'd run in to him.

You're having a laugh right?

 

[BentMikey]

In two years, I've only been 'wheel-sucked' twice....by the same guy. The first time I'd overtaken him and he caught back up and then stayed behind. Then we swapped over, and again, and again. A few weeks later he overtook me, and then we took it in turns. I though it was great fun, as it went on for over 5 miles, but then again, we kept a 1-2 foot gap so it wasn't dangerous. When it came to going our separate ways at the lights, we thanked each other, and I was happy to see that he was sweating way more than me!

If I had someone dangerously close, I'd either power off and leave them behind, or just pull over and let them pass.

Had someone try to draft you on the recumbent yet? Aaaahaaahaaahaahahaahahahaa!!!!

You can be really mean, just keep upping the pace a little bit by bit, and they'll be busy enough concentrating on keeping the gap that they might not notice how little draft there is, and then they suddenly blow up and disappear. This kind of thing has me praying for headwinds on my commute.

 

[addictfreak]

A bit off topic, but what do people think is an acceptable distance?

I would be far enough back to give me time to react to any braking or change of line. So probably no closer than about 6 foot.
When I ride with guys from me club, or other friends who are 'good' cyclists I would be just a matter of inches from their wheel.

 

[ttcycle]

Hmm seems like a 2 inch gap was a fraction stupid and dangerous for drafting someone you don't know. What an idiot - you were right to get annoyed especially if you made it clear he was too close and slowed for him to pass.

 

[wiggydiggy]

<SNIP>

He's in the wrong, and you were right to challenge him, next time slow and wave him past then /ignore.

I had a similar but less confrontational encounter myself this morning, when I asked the chap drafting me not to do so he cycled past shaking his head and commenting 'its not dangerous' or some such. At the lights I caught him, and explained I'd had someone run into me doing the same thing so I didnt feel comfortable with it (strangers drafting). He really seemed quite annoyed that (in his mind?) I was telling him off so I had to point out I was smiling whilst telling him this, and there was no aggression coming from me. Lights changed, we parted ways and he probably spend the rest of his journey thinking 'what a moaning git' when all I was bothered about was him not being so close as it makes me uncomfortable.

Some people just aren't courteous when using the roads and often fail to think what their actions might mean for someone else.

 

[Graham]

A stranger drafting is rather off-putting so I'll chip in with my experience yesterday. I was commuting into Manchester and gradually catching a guy ahead of me, despite him jumping every red light regardless of what traffic was crossing in front of him. At one point, there was a roadcleaner in the second lane and car were filtering inside it. There was a gap between the kerb and a car which no right-minded cyclist would try to go through, but he did - and then starting giving the driver the finger and the "I'm watching you" two finger point (i.e. at his own eyes then the car!) Anyway, coming out of Manchester after work, what do-yer-know, its the same guy. I've got a train to catch so I go past him but he starts drafting me and not just close, his front wheel was overlapping my back (wheel). I ease off for some lights and he sees fit to overtake and left hook me before doing some more red lights. A mile down the road I catch him up, and overtake him with him 'eyeballing' me as a go past. Anyway, some more RLJing from him and he was gone.

Terrible riding really, gives good cyclists a bad name.

 

[her_welshness]

You have my sympathies SittingDuck, the headwinds along there can be brutal and he was an absolute twunt. After mouthing my opinion to him I would have just pulled in, but I can see how you would want to carry on in your dignified way Towing does not happen too much along there but if I have wanted to stay behind them then at least give that person a decent amount of room. I tell you what, some commuters think its the bleeding velodrome, the way they act towards other cyclists.

 

[ianrauk]

I would have barged the fuppa off his bike...

 

[jonny jeez]

I like being towed...or drafted, It feels like a compliment or perhaps a bonding of like minded riders...of sorts.

That said, the advantage gained from being 2 inches away (as opposed say 2 feet) seems small to me, so perhaps his proximity helps us understand his personality.

He is just an attention seeking show off.

Regardless, just carry on riding and forget he is there. You are unlikely to run away from him as he has the advantage of you catching all the wind and hitting the brakes and such is just daft practice.

Best advise i've read is from Adrian, give it some beans then ask him to take his turn now.

 

[The Jogger]

It wasn't windy enough, you should have let one rip, he would have backed off then....................

 

[Canrider]

Naw, I would have slowed up** once I realised he was going to draft that close--not safe for him!

As to the rest, yeah, complete twunt, I'm sure if you'd been trying to follow his wheel his attitude would have been 'If you can't keep up, I've got no time forya'

**To as slow as needed to get him to go past

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

Mountain bike skills ... the sort that keep us upright round wild slippery mountain tracks are useful for riding a road bike
like a complete amateur, wobbling like you're just about to tip it (when you're not).
Its worked for me several times, with draughters and cars following a bit close!!

They get scared

 

[itchyrider]

I love these tailgaters as i do it to as it gives a challenge, & If im in the mood i play, If im not in the mood i just get slower & slower they soon relise your not interested. No need to have verbals about it??

 

[sabian92]

Is the best thing not to do just stop pedaling until you basically roll to a stop and see if they get the point?