Road cycling etiquette question

Kovie said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those of
you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No words
are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling etiquette,
out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude. I'm not looking to
compete or train for racing, just looking to put in the miles and get back
in shape, averaging 16-18 mph on the main portion of my rides, so I'm not
exactly setting a blistering pace that would attract competition. I should
add that I'm also male (my name might throw people off). Does this happen to
women too?

It won't slow you down but yes, drafting without permission is
considered very rude in the UK and is probably no different in the US.

I don't suffer from this problem because (a) when commuting alone I seem
to ride *much* faster than everyone else and (b) being asthmatic, I
clear my throat regularly and messily. The latter comes in useful for
cars parked in bike lanes too ;-)

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] writes:

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those of
you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No words
are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling etiquette,
out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude.

I don't know if it's considered rude. However, I expect anyone sucking my rear
wheel for any great distance to at least do some of the pulling. Beginning
riders often draft anyone they can, not realizing that many others resent their
wheel sucking. I suggest you pull off to the right and draft them or at least
tell them that you would like to switch leads.

I think it depends how close they are following you. If they are right on your
wheel it is rude since you dont know there ability level etc. If they are just
following you at a safe distance I say its fine since maybe they want to keep a
good pace and its easier when following or chasing someone. If someone bothers
you, just slowand let them pass

Quoted message said:

I've noticed that nearly every time I go out

Quoted message said:

riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No words

"Kovie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding
regularly after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which
I moved to a couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman
trail for those of you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that
nearly every time I go out riding alone, sooner or later some young
male rider latches onto my rear wheel and stays there for miles, no
matter how fast or slow I go. No words are exchanged, no "mind if I
draft off of you" is asked, no nod of recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling
etiquette, out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude.

It's rude.

Quoted message said:

I'm not looking to compete or train for racing, just looking to put
in the miles and get back in shape, averaging 16-18 mph on the main
portion of my rides, so I'm not exactly setting a blistering pace
that would attract competition. I should add that I'm also male (my
name might throw people off). Does this happen to women too?

Only if they have cute bottoms.

Quoted message said:

Any advice as to how to handle or interpret these situations?

It's time like those you push the secret red button and dump the motor oil
behind you. BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

--

A: Top-posters.
Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet?

Kovie said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding
regularly after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which
I moved to a couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman
trail for those of you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that
nearly every time I go out riding alone, sooner or later some young
male rider latches onto my rear wheel and stays there for miles, no
matter how fast or slow I go. No words are exchanged, no "mind if I
draft off of you" is asked, no nod of recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling
etiquette, out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude.
I'm not looking to compete or train for racing, just looking to put
in the miles and get back in shape, averaging 16-18 mph on the main
portion of my rides, so I'm not exactly setting a blistering pace
that would attract competition. I should add that I'm also male (my
name might throw people off). Does this happen to women too?

Any advice as to how to handle or interpret these situations? Is this
sort of thing to be expected if you're on a road bike and riding a
certain pace? I'd just as soon not have people I don't know draft off
of me. If and when I decide to train properly, I'll just join a local
cycling club and hopefully first meet the people I'll be training
with. But for now, I just want to ride at my own pace as I get back
in shape, and not pretend to be Lance Armstrong.

I believe it *is* rude to draft someone without at least announcing your
presence. Think first of the safety issues! What if the rider in front braked
suddenly, etc? Second, if you're drafting for any distance, you ought to take
your turn at the front. So some kind of communication is called for.

Most people who have pulled in behind me have let me know. The ones who didn't,
seemed to be unaware or unsure of what to do -- mostly mountain bikers
unfamiliar with road riding in groups. Real rudeness pertaining to this is
probably rare -- except...

A woman friend of mine is never sure if someone is drafting, or just "checking
out her ass," as she puts it. She's usually easygoing about it, but many times
has taken evasive maneuvers to lose a creepy tailgater. So I'm definately wary
of how women might feel about men sneaking up from behind and following a little
too closely. Communication is key!

Matt O.

Quoted message said:

A woman friend of mine is never sure if someone is drafting, or just

"checking

Quoted message said:

out her ass," as she puts it. She's usually easygoing about it, but many

times

Quoted message said:

has taken evasive maneuvers to lose a creepy tailgater. So I'm definately

wary

Quoted message said:

of how women might feel about men sneaking up from behind and following a

little

Quoted message said:

too closely. Communication is key!

Right. Because men never lie (miss-communicate) about their intentions.
:>😉

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Kovie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51...

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those of
you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No words
are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

It is rude and unsafe, but sad to say it is also too common. It is the
responsibility of the one who joins to initiate the conversation, but if
they don't then you should. Ask them to take a pull or just pull over and
signal them to come through. If you don't want to draft them then choose
another way to start conversation.

I wonder if they think simple eye contact, or even just the visual
recognition when you see them on your wheel, is enough to qualify as a
greeting..

Bruce

A couple of times this happened when I passed the guy in question. I passed
not as a challenge, but simply because I was going faster. As I passed, I
looked over and nodded or said hello, then went on my way. Perhaps this was
interpreted as a challenge, or an invitation to draft?

Funny, I seem to get the same reaction when passing cars on the highway, on
their left, safely and within prevailing speed limits (i.e. if everyone's
doing 65 in a 60, except cars such as the ones that I pass). Often, the
drivers in these cars, invariably men, speed up for half a mile or so. So
perhaps this is a macho thing. Guys just don't like to be passed, even if no
one's trying to show them up.

Most times, though, these guys approach me from my rear, and I didn't pass
them. Go figure.

--
Kovie
[email hidden]

"Bruce Frech" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Kovie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51...

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding

regularly

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No

words

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

It is rude and unsafe, but sad to say it is also too common. It is the
responsibility of the one who joins to initiate the conversation, but if
they don't then you should. Ask them to take a pull or just pull over and
signal them to come through. If you don't want to draft them then choose
another way to start conversation.

I wonder if they think simple eye contact, or even just the visual
recognition when you see them on your wheel, is enough to qualify as a
greeting..

Bruce

In article <yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51>,

Kovie said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those of
you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go.

So you slow down to 3 miles an hour and he's still glued to
your wheel? Maybe it's time for him to draft your track stand?

Quoted message said:

No words
are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling etiquette,
out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude. I'm not looking to

I find it irritating, I'm not sure it rises to the level of "rude" but
it is stupid. Like tailgating in a car, the drafting rider places
their life in the hands of a complete stranger in front of them, someone
who may ride erratically, stop suddenly, etc.

If you can't get the guy to come around you even after slowing down
then I suppose passing gas and the snot rocket are your best defense...
or just ask nicely "please don't tailgate".

--Paul

"VCopelan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] writes:

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No

words

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling

etiquette,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude.

I don't know if it's considered rude. However, I expect anyone sucking my

rear

Quoted message said:

wheel for any great distance to at least do some of the pulling.

Beginning

Quoted message said:

riders often draft anyone they can, not realizing that many others resent

their

Quoted message said:

wheel sucking. I suggest you pull off to the right and draft them or at

least

Quoted message said:

tell them that you would like to switch leads.

The problem is in your head. You are giving them something that doesn't cost
you anything. You were riding that way anyway weren't you? You should feel
pleased that you have made someones life easier.

Try relaxing a bit and the problem will disappear.

Marty

Kovie said:

I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young >male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no >matter how fast or slow I go.

Are you wearing a jersey with club and/or sponsor name(s)? That seems to bring
out this sort of behavior.

Keep your own karma clean, dude. Signal a turn (off the trail), and stop. If
the doofus tagging you stops too (yes, I have had them do this), turn around
and go the other way. If they follow you, that's harrassment.
That's a whole new ball game. --TP

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No

words

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling

etiquette,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude.

I don't know if it's considered rude. However, I expect anyone sucking my

rear

Quoted message said:

wheel for any great distance to at least do some of the pulling.

Beginning

Quoted message said:

riders often draft anyone they can, not realizing that many others resent

their

Quoted message said:

wheel sucking. I suggest you pull off to the right and draft them or at

least

Quoted message said:

tell them that you would like to switch leads.

The problem is in your head. You are giving them something that doesn't cost
you anything. You were riding that way anyway weren't you? You should feel
pleased that you have made someones life easier.

Try relaxing a bit and the problem will disappear.

Oh really?

Seems to me that drafting is at least mildly disconcerting to those
who dont know what is going on. It would seem rude to me to have
someone do that without any comment at all. How does this "person"
know that the person in front understands what is happening?

The evil side of me says - Tap the brakes a few times. If they know
what drafting is like, they should easily handle this. Problem is of
course the dolt probably doesnt and will barrel into you, causing a
crash.

Difinitely rude.

I know nothing about Seattle, except where it's at on a map. Does the same
guy follow you all the time? If so, that's creepy, man! If not, they're just
parasites that like to latch on and that's NOT cool. I have had this happen,
when some little [censored] sucks your wheel as if to pace you but is too much of
a wuss to pull. I'd slowed way down and yelled at him with a "you gonna take
the lead or suck my wheel all day?" Then he passed me and took off like a
bat outa hell and turned off ahead. If he was trying to make a point it was
only that he was a complete dumb-ass. Don't worry about making enemies. I'll
bet the other real riders in your area think less of these parasites than
you do. Peace -

Kovie <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51...

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those of
you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No words
are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling etiquette,
out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude. I'm not looking to
compete or train for racing, just looking to put in the miles and get back
in shape, averaging 16-18 mph on the main portion of my rides, so I'm not
exactly setting a blistering pace that would attract competition. I should
add that I'm also male (my name might throw people off). Does this happen

to

Quoted message said:

women too?

Any advice as to how to handle or interpret these situations? Is this sort
of thing to be expected if you're on a road bike and riding a certain

pace?

Quoted message said:

I'd just as soon not have people I don't know draft off of me. If and when

I

Quoted message said:

decide to train properly, I'll just join a local cycling club and

hopefully

Quoted message said:

first meet the people I'll be training with. But for now, I just want to
ride at my own pace as I get back in shape, and not pretend to be Lance
Armstrong.

--
Kovie
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

"Marty Wallace" [email hidden] Writes:

Quoted message said:

"VCopelan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] writes:

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go

out

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No

words

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling

etiquette,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude.

I don't know if it's considered rude. However, I expect anyone sucking my

rear

Quoted message said:

wheel for any great distance to at least do some of the pulling.

Beginning

Quoted message said:

riders often draft anyone they can, not realizing that many others resent

their

Quoted message said:

wheel sucking. I suggest you pull off to the right and draft them or at

least

Quoted message said:

tell them that you would like to switch leads.

The problem is in your head. You are giving them something that doesn't cost
you anything. You were riding that way anyway weren't you? You should feel
pleased that you have made someones life easier.

Try relaxing a bit and the problem will disappear.

The problem isn't in my head. I would suggest the problem is elsewhere.
Perhaps the problem is your ausie mindset. An inexperienced rider drafting
close to me at good training speed does create a risk for both riders. When I
ride close to others in a pace line, Iike to know the skill level of the riders
around me. An exhausted inexperienced rider a few inches from my wheel can
easily become more than an "in my head" problem. I've seen too many
inexperienced riders take down those around them. At 16 -18 mph like the
original poster stated, it's probably less of a problem but why look for new
ways to create accidents?

"Kovie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51>...

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding regularly
after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those of
you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No words
are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

[snip]

It doesn't happen very often for me - I'm either too slow or too fast.
On rare occasions when someone does sit in the draft unannounced, it
doesn't bother me much. I'm quite happy to be in front so I can see
the surface of the road, especially in heavy traffic. The concern is
that they ride too close to react to emergency braking.

My advice would be to do your own thing - you're riding for your own
reasons and have your own goals for the day's ride. You're not in a
race and it means nothing if they decide to "attack" and sprint away.

Ritch

I am not a particularly fast rider, however I do have a desire to suffer
and do it silently. If you find someone sitting on your wheel that is
unwanted rather than resorting to rude or unsafe tactics or even speaking to
the [censored] why not let your riding do the talking.

If you can hear the [censored] breathing faster than you, you've already got
them in trouble, now its time to offer them some hurting. bump it up 5kph
and see how they feel. If they start to suffer, turn it down a couple then
wait 30 seconds, if they are dying from that little interval turn it up
again for a minute and I guarantee you will be riding alone. I personally
hate interval training, torturing someone else makes it pleasant.

Isn't that more fun??? and isn't that the reason to ride a road bike?

"El Calaverada" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I know nothing about Seattle, except where it's at on a map. Does the same
guy follow you all the time? If so, that's creepy, man! If not, they're

just

Quoted message said:

parasites that like to latch on and that's NOT cool. I have had this

happen,

Quoted message said:

when some little [censored] sucks your wheel as if to pace you but is too much

of

Quoted message said:

a wuss to pull. I'd slowed way down and yelled at him with a "you gonna

take

Quoted message said:

the lead or suck my wheel all day?" Then he passed me and took off like a
bat outa hell and turned off ahead. If he was trying to make a point it

was

Quoted message said:

only that he was a complete dumb-ass. Don't worry about making enemies.

I'll

Quoted message said:

bet the other real riders in your area think less of these parasites than
you do. Peace -

Kovie <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:yc7sc.12312$af3.665270@attbi_s51...

Quoted message said:

I recently built myself a new road bike and have started riding

regularly

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

after several years off the bike. I live in Seattle, which I moved to a
couple of years ago, and often ride on the Burke-Gilman trail for those

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

you who are familiar with it. I've noticed that nearly every time I go o

ut

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding alone, sooner or later some young male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no matter how fast or slow I go. No

words

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

are exchanged, no "mind if I draft off of you" is asked, no nod of
recognition.

I'm just wondering if this is considered to be standard cycling

etiquette,

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out west at least, or if this is considered to be rude. I'm not looking

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

compete or train for racing, just looking to put in the miles and get

back

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in shape, averaging 16-18 mph on the main portion of my rides, so I'm

not

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

exactly setting a blistering pace that would attract competition. I

should

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

add that I'm also male (my name might throw people off). Does this

happen

Quoted message said:

to

Quoted message said:

women too?

Any advice as to how to handle or interpret these situations? Is this

sort

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of thing to be expected if you're on a road bike and riding a certain

pace?

Quoted message said:

I'd just as soon not have people I don't know draft off of me. If and

when

Quoted message said:

I

Quoted message said:

decide to train properly, I'll just join a local cycling club and

hopefully

Quoted message said:

first meet the people I'll be training with. But for now, I just want to
ride at my own pace as I get back in shape, and not pretend to be Lance
Armstrong.

--
Kovie
[email hidden]

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.683 / Virus Database: 445 - Release Date: 5/12/2004

"Tom Paterson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Kovie said:

I've noticed that nearly every time I go out
riding alone, sooner or later some young >male rider latches onto my rear
wheel and stays there for miles, no >matter how fast or slow I go.

Are you wearing a jersey with club and/or sponsor name(s)? That seems to

bring

Quoted message said:

out this sort of behavior.

Keep your own karma clean, dude. Signal a turn (off the trail), and stop.

If

Quoted message said:

the doofus tagging you stops too (yes, I have had them do this), turn

around

Quoted message said:

and go the other way. If they follow you, that's harrassment.
That's a whole new ball game. --TP

Scary, huh? Actually, I do sometimes wear an old Giordana jersey with "Tour
Dupont" on it (which should give you an idea of its age). Otherwise it's all
generic unmarked single-color jerseys that don't exactly yell out "chase me
if you can". Your advice makes sense, although I have to admit that it's
sometimes hard to pull over once "challenged". Yeah, I know, it's an ego
thing, probably along the same lines as what makes these guys hang onto my
tail. I suppose that by keeping up my pace, I'm just encouraging them to
assume that I'm ok with the chase. Still, it's annoying to have to actively
do something to shake these guys off when I'm just out for a ride.

--
Kovie
[email hidden]

"Kovie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:z7asc.102632$xw3.6084654@attbi_s04...
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Funny, I seem to get the same reaction when passing cars on the highway,

on

Quoted message said:

their left, safely and within prevailing speed limits (i.e. if everyone's
doing 65 in a 60, except cars such as the ones that I pass). Often, the
drivers in these cars, invariably men, speed up for half a mile or so. So
perhaps this is a macho thing. Guys just don't like to be passed, even if

no

Quoted message said:

one's trying to show them up.

It's not a macho thing ... people are just stupid. Well, not so much stupid
as they are easily influenced and used to following the herd. Most people
don't realize they are speeding up either. Next time someone goes to pass
*you*, take a look at your speedometer.

There seems to be a "sphere of influence" around peoples cars and as long as
you're in that sphere people will speed up to match your speed. I've even
experimented with it ... if I do it just right I can get the senior citizen
who had just been driving 60mph to speed up to 95mph when I pass. I've also
noticed ... since I drive "quick" ... that many people are comfortable
following you, but chicken out when you pull over for them to take the lead.
Can you say "mooooooo" (c:

I think that may be it sometimes. Some people need to follow, but are
afraid to lead.

When I'm riding and someone is following too close ... and doesn't get the
message when I turn around and glare at them ... I tend to get obnoxious.
I'll wait until there is no car traffic, zoom over to the opposite side of
the road, and jam the brakes then pull pack in behind them.

C.Q.C.

VCopelan said:

The problem isn't in my head. I would suggest the problem is
elsewhere. Perhaps the problem is your ausie mindset. An
inexperienced rider drafting close to me at good training speed does
create a risk for both riders. When I ride close to others in a pace
line, Iike to know the skill level of the riders around me. An
exhausted inexperienced rider a few inches from my wheel can easily
become more than an "in my head" problem. I've seen too many
inexperienced riders take down those around them. At 16 -18 mph like
the original poster stated, it's probably less of a problem but why
look for new ways to create accidents?

Of course it's a legitimate concern, but meeting it with more rudeness is just
stupid.

One hazard to stealth drafting is that the person in front isn't watching for
road hazards for you. He may brush by a pothole within an inch, that you then
slam right into. In normal group riding, people in front are on the lookout,
signaling hazards, and/or leading others safely around them.

I don't understand why grown men and women get so pissy about this stuff. A
jokingly delivered, "Hey, don't sneak up on me like that," will break the ice,
and leave an opporunity to teach something, eg, "Just let me know you're
there..."

How about the flip side to this issue -- a loose group of mavericks on a
*social* ride, who will not organize so the less strong riders can draft? This
is as bad, if not worse etiquette. Stealth drafters usually just don't know any
better. Experienced riders who should know better, but are trying to prove
something anyway, are just obnoxious.

Matt O.