The idiot on my back wheel

[John the Monkey]

I too would to interested in the above. Also, I will sit on people's wheel if they have decided to pass me and then just plonk themselves right in front on me at only marginally faster than the speed I'm already travelling, this absolutely does my head in.

And they usually have no bloody mudguards either.

Young people these days, eh?

Cuh.

 

[Aperitif]

Out of interest, what do you think is an acceptable distance to sit behind another cyclist for any length of time? It happens to me occasionally - I get behind someone and don't really want to go past but also don't want to draft them as I feel that's impolite. So, how far is OK?

Focus on something else - it's a journey, not a race. Generally, I only overtake going uphill, and that's because of the speed I can generate if necessary. Anyone can be a hero whizzing through the block going downhill. (Not that I have a block to whizz through, which means one is even more in tune with capabilities...) Cycling is fun for all, eh? Let the person in front lead the way - does no harm, and if they're a bit hesitant then a helpful conversation doesn't hurt either.

 

[Longshot]

If you don't know each other, and your relative level of skill, the answer is "No time", for my money.

Focus on something else - it's a journey, not a race. Generally, I only overtake going uphill, and that's because of the speed I can generate if necessary. Anyone can be a hero whizzing through the block going downhill. (Not that I have a block to whizz through, which means one is even more in tune with capabilities...) Cycling is fun for all, eh? Let the person in front lead the way - does no harm, and if they're a bit hesitant then a helpful conversation doesn't hurt either.

I'm not entirely sure how either of these answer the question but hey, thanks anyway.

 

[Dragonwight]

Ah that annoying extra click click from behind that signals you are now riding a tandem with you doing all the work. I dont mind providing they are polite dont ride too close and take their turn. Its the ones that sit right up your arse and then think they have scalped you when they go by having followed you for 10 miles usually at the bottom of a hill. One guy in particular springs to mind I actually stopped he nearly crashed, then I waited until he was out of sight, I still caught up with him again went past him and suddenly he is much faster, it is ***** annoying, especially when all you want is a quiet ride alone.

 

[compo]

We alternated with our efforts for a few miles and enjoyed some great intercourse until I experienced a sudden deflation and she left me.

A common problem when you are getting on a bit.

 

[John the Monkey]

I'm not entirely sure how either of these answer the question but hey, thanks anyway.

You asked; "Out of interest, what do you think is an acceptable distance to sit behind another cyclist for any length of time?"

None. That's my answer, (and what I thought I'd posted) unless you know each other & have ridden together a fair bit. NONE.

How's that?

 

[Globalti]

I confess to having done it. Was out pootling last summer when two guys passed me like bats out of hell and shot off along the flat route around Longridge. I went the shorter hilly way through the town and on my way out the other side they passed me again, still going L for leather. So I jumped on and found myself blasting along like a nutter for a couple of miles, not really getting an opportunity to ask if they minded. The second rider heard me and looked round a couple of times but was too preoccupied with keeping up with his leadout man. Suddenly rider no.1 sat up and I found myself cruising past. I was ready to do some work, honest, but he had either run out of energy or was so annoyed at me that he had decided to let me pass. They both looked irritated so I made some quip about what he'd put on his cornflakes that morning and cruised on feeling a bit guilty. Oh well.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

I do it for a whole hour every Saturday morning on a local training run!

 

[up hill struggle]

I fitted protection to prevent her from getting a face full. We alternated with our efforts and enjoyed some great intercourse until I experienced a sudden deflation and she left me.

edited for comedy purpose's, reminds me of Saturday night when I was a teenager.

 

[Cyclopathic]

Two realist options. If you're legs are man enough you.can so we up an lose them. If not, slow right down until they get bored.and overtake, then return the favour.

Or just ignore them.

That's three options.

 

[Cyclopathic]

Overlapping wheels can f right off. Cars recommend 2s but I would say 1s for a bike as they could avoid easier and see through better.

All well and good but it still takes 2 seconds to say "only a fool breaks the one second rule"

 

[donnydave]

On the cambridge guided busway one tactic that you could employ but I'm in no way suggesting anyone does this of course - if a horse has left a present on the path and perhaps its been raining so the consistency is that of baby food or porridge for maximum explosive smattering, one could potentially ride fast right up to the aforementioned poo-landmine with the wheelsucker in tow, then swerve to avoid at the very last second, then have a nice lonely ride , unencumbered by the unwanted responsibility of leading someone half an inch off your back wheel.

 

[John the Monkey]

That's three options.

Nobody expects (&c) ...

 

[jdtate101]

If you're in front and he half wheels you, should there be contact it's him who going to go down not you (most likely case, but not always). Just wait for a small incline, put a dig in and drop the fuc**r like a bad curry the following day.

 

[Longshot]

You asked; "Out of interest, what do you think is an acceptable distance to sit behind another cyclist for any length of time?"

None. That's my answer, (and what I thought I'd posted) unless you know each other & have ridden together a fair bit. NONE.

How's that?

None distance? Not even 50 yards?