Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

The closer, the 'better', WW. 12 inches behind and three inches to the side of the wheel in front is one recommendation.

That's a bit close for me:D, I'd stack it !

clackers wrote:The closer, the 'better', WW. 12 inches behind and three inches to the side of the wheel in front is one recommendation.

I guess that's for peletons and group rides with experienced riders using signals etc. but for day to day being half a length to a full length behind does stil give an advantage.

bychosis wrote:

clackers wrote:The closer, the 'better', WW. 12 inches behind and three inches to the side of the wheel in front is one recommendation.

I guess that's for peletons and group rides with experienced riders using signals etc. but for day to day being half a length to a full length behind does stil give an advantage.

Yep, but it's not as good, and you don't help the rider in front by filling up the air vortex behind him as well.

Triathlons actually define drafting as being within three bike lengths unless overtaking.

clackers wrote:

bychosis wrote:

clackers wrote:The closer, the 'better', WW. 12 inches behind and three inches to the side of the wheel in front is one recommendation.

I guess that's for peletons and group rides with experienced riders using signals etc. but for day to day being half a length to a full length behind does stil give an advantage.

Yep, but it's not as good, and you don't help the rider in front by filling up the air vortex behind him as well.

Triathlons actually define drafting as being within three bike lengths unless overtaking.

Maybe not as effective, but definitely safer when working with someone you don't know.

bychosis wrote:
Maybe not as effective, but definitely safer when working with someone you don't know.

And surely drafting is best as a consensual activity between adults!

One viewpoint on drafting

It is certainly the case that these guys are drafting a lot closer than 1 metre Less than 20cms is not uncommon for practiced riding mates. I've often ridden this close in headwinds on country road cycle tours - a couple of full panniers make for even more drafting power

il padrone wrote:One viewpoint on drafting

That's all very well but doesn't help much with that annoying breed of urban cyclist who, having been overtaken on the open road then edge in front at a red light and/or set off before the signal changes.
If you're a light jumper, I reckon, then being drafted is the comeback.

That happened to me on Monday. Going thru the city this guy was going a bit slow so I took off to try and beat the lights. No dice, on three occasions I kept getting stopped by the lights, and each time he went in front of me at the lights. On the last occasion he jumped the lights, so after waiting for the lights to go green I chased him down and sat on his tale for the next 5km's

Kenzo wrote:When I pass a rider I expect they *will* be drafting me... and will check to see if they are on or not. Hopefully they stay long enough for a turn, if not then no probs either. It caused me no extra effort to have him/her/them on my tail.

Hear, hear. And etiquette be damned - if you are behind someone in commuting traffic it is your responsibility not to run up the arse of the person in front.

We can rant and rave all we like about what, when and how people should communicate on bikes but the sad reality is that you're lucky to get any indication of intent from other path users.