Drafting while commuting
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby gdt » Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:22 pm
So if you ask to draught and a tricky bit is approaching then I'll decline. If you tack on without asking then I'll put some distance in between us, enough for me to pull up without spearing you into me. And yeah, I won't be happy about that, since I'd much rather be giving my full attention to the tricky stretch of road and traffic.
At quieter times I'll accept, since two or three bikes get a lot less agro from the traffic than one. If you have no bunch skills then I'll let you wander off the front and come up past quick enough that you can't latch back on. That seems to be nicer than just riding off the front.
If it's really windy and you're really suffering, then I've been known to pass you and then slow down and take the front for a few Kms. Someone did that for me in the driving rain when I first started commuting, and I thought it was a nice thing.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Nick - Pie Man » Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:25 pm
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby nappyknicks » Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:33 pm
It hasn't happen yet, but if someone latches on and for whatever reason I end up getting hit because he/she was too close, then I'm gonna serve it up to them for sure.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby christian.lags » Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:47 pm
i always thought that they had a disadvantage because of the people pulling them.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Comedian » Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:36 pm
There is no benefit or cost to the leading cyclist other than listening to the panting from behind Having said that, in a proper group ride the leading cyclist is responsible for calling hazards and leading the pack in a controlled responsible manner to ensure everyones safety.christian.lags wrote:Am i correct to believe that the leader gets benefit as well?
i always thought that they had a disadvantage because of the people pulling them.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Livetoride » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:57 am
The leader gets no benefits, he/she does all the work while the others save some energy while being dragged along my the leader. As comedian said, if your out on a group ride, you'll take turns at the front so you will get the benefit then of the others taking the lead.christian.lags wrote:Am i correct to believe that the leader gets benefit as well?
I often get drafted into work, not sure why, but it does kinda annoy me sometimes. I mean, if your gonna ride into work, get off your arse and do it yourself and don't suck someones wheel to save some energy. The other reason I suppose it annoys me sometimes, is the majority of people who draft me (on my commute) don't actually know how too, more often than not their right up my arse, don't know or follow signals which can and has a few times caused near miss's and minor stacks.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:06 am
Absolutely. The leader will typically be egged on to perform beyond their usual best and PB is for the taking whenever in that situation. Further, in a tight formation of a decent sized bunch, there's also a tiny aero benefit to the lead rider (relating to wake turbulence behind) but I wouldn't highlight that as most commute riders aren't that skilled in their drafting technique.christian.lags wrote:Am i correct to believe that the leader gets benefit as well?
i always thought that they had a disadvantage because of the people pulling them.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Livetoride » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:17 am
I would assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that most commuter drafting is done my unknown riders just looking to hitch a ride rather than riders who will egg you on, meaning the leader commuter rider is going to do his/her own ride in no matter who or what's behind them...sogood wrote:Absolutely. The leader will typically be egged on to perform beyond their usual best and PB is for the taking whenever in that situation. Further, in a tight formation of a decent sized bunch, there's also a tiny aero benefit to the lead rider (relating to wake turbulence behind) but I wouldn't highlight that as most commute riders aren't that skilled in their drafting technique.christian.lags wrote:Am i correct to believe that the leader gets benefit as well?
i always thought that they had a disadvantage because of the people pulling them.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Kenzo » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:32 am
Unless you are also commuting for 'points'Livetoride wrote:I would assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that most commuter drafting is done my unknown riders just looking to hitch a ride rather than riders who will egg you on, meaning the leader commuter rider is going to do his/her own ride in no matter who or what's behind them...sogood wrote:Absolutely. The leader will typically be egged on to perform beyond their usual best and PB is for the taking whenever in that situation. Further, in a tight formation of a decent sized bunch, there's also a tiny aero benefit to the lead rider (relating to wake turbulence behind) but I wouldn't highlight that as most commute riders aren't that skilled in their drafting technique.christian.lags wrote:Am i correct to believe that the leader gets benefit as well?
i always thought that they had a disadvantage because of the people pulling them.
I will now allocate myself points for dropping off draftees...
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Livetoride » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:38 am
99% of the riders I come across on route to work, were born rabbits and will always be rabbits. Very very few worthy contenders for the commuter cup points, so I don't really feel fair in taking them from the little rabbits...I prefer I good fight for the win... feels betterKenzo wrote: Unless you are also commuting for 'points'
I will now allocate myself points for dropping off draftees...
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby ft_critical » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:45 am
sogood wrote:Let's not call it drafting, but pacing.
You can be my derny anytime soogood
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:46 am
There are those who don't care, and for the ones who cares, they'll effectively egg themselves on when there are draftees behind.Livetoride wrote:I would assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that most commuter drafting is done my unknown riders just looking to hitch a ride rather than riders who will egg you on, meaning the leader commuter rider is going to do his/her own ride in no matter who or what's behind them...
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:47 am
You are welcome if my legs can turn that huge chainwheel on the derny!ft_critical wrote:You can be my derny anytime soogood
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Livetoride » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:48 am
sogood wrote:There are those who don't care, and for the ones who cares, they'll effectively egg themselves on when there are draftees behind.Livetoride wrote:I would assume (correct me if I'm wrong) that most commuter drafting is done my unknown riders just looking to hitch a ride rather than riders who will egg you on, meaning the leader commuter rider is going to do his/her own ride in no matter who or what's behind them...
Good point
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby mikesbytes » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:51 am
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:56 am
You are a natural coach/trainer. It really comes from the inside of your soul!mikesbytes wrote:Sometimes I'll slowly crank it up until the crack, then I'll slow down to let them back on and repeat the process
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby albe » Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:05 am
so what would be the distance that something is "drafting" for noticeable benefit... excuse the noob question. I have tacked on to people before, but only with the purpose of pacing and seeing how my speed compares on a particular section or climb. Always thought i was staying far enough back... just wondering how close "sucking the wheel" would be to most people?sogood wrote:Let's not call it drafting, but pacing.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby Comedian » Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:34 am
Depends on the speed and conditions (prevailing winds, number of riders in front, size of rider in front relative to you etc) but in general I'd say that by the time you are a bike length back the draft is negligible.albe wrote:so what would be the distance that something is "drafting" for noticeable benefit... excuse the noob question. I have tacked on to people before, but only with the purpose of pacing and seeing how my speed compares on a particular section or climb. Always thought i was staying far enough back... just wondering how close "sucking the wheel" would be to most people?sogood wrote:Let's not call it drafting, but pacing.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby mekore » Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:56 am
i only do that (wait and tail again) several times, because i was curious that so many people stopped when i ride closer, compared to if i ride about 5-10 m behind..
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby mekore » Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:12 am
for those who feels invincible in the city, try beach road from melbourne CBD to my fave fish and chippery in blackrock 3-6pm any workdays.ft_critical wrote:mikesbytes wrote:I hardly ever come upon a rider fast enough to draftFor every rider that’s never been drafted, there is a drafter who’s never been droppedComedian wrote:When hammering there isn't anyone fast enough for me to draft or to draft me in general.
if you cant find anybody worth to draft in a week, then you should make money out of your legs
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby landscapecadmonkey » Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:23 am
so based on this observation, surely under 'commute' conditions, a true draft (not just a close ghost) is akin to a 'stalk'... cant think of any circumstances that a real draft is socially acceptable under commute conditions.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby mikesbytes » Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:31 am
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby igstar » Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:54 am
You haven't cycled in my neck of woods in winter. When the winter SW winds start blowing from Antartica at 25 knots, I'm more than happy to sit behind someone at 20km/hComedian wrote:The fastest you can!christian.lags wrote:whats the most effective speed to draft on ?
Generally there isn't much benefit below about 25k.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby christian.lags » Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:43 pm
It was on a busy road as well, but luckily there were no cars behind me because there wouldve been a high probability that i could have gone under.
Was drafting a mate and got to close and i clipped his rear.
Luckily nothing bad happend to the bike, only some scratches on the shifters.
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Re: Drafting while commuting
Postby trailgumby » Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:23 pm
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