DRAFTING
- Whipy
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DRAFTING
Postby Whipy » Wed May 30, 2012 3:01 pm
I have been riding all my life and have been a Dropbar Hero, a pack rider, a Triathlete, but now I am just a Commuter (MAMIL) traveling 64K daily Commute. I cruise along at my own pace until a rider passes me and if I am feeling good I will draft. this gives me the incentive to push myself harder and get fitter and maybe even meet a new friend. I ride a flatbar Giant Cross City 1which can keep up with most dropbar bikes. I do not get dragged up the hills and then take off. I always thank the person I am drafting off for the lift....... Am I doing the wrong thing?....To my knowledge no one has told me off and I break the daily commute with a bit of fun........... Your thoughts.
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race....
- Whipy
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Whipy » Wed May 30, 2012 3:19 pm
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race....
- elantra
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby elantra » Wed May 30, 2012 3:36 pm
Surely that depends on the road.Whipy wrote:I failed to mention that the drafting I do is on a dedicated bike track, not on a street or main road. That I know is dangerous and should not be encouraged.
And if i am drafting another cyclist then the risk is to me.
I do not draft other cyclists on a commuter route because it requires too much concentration for the likely benefits.
Occasionally i will draft a car or a bus but usually only if i am in a hurry.
I often get people drafting me because i am a good windbreak.
No problem - most of the time.
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby high_tea » Wed May 30, 2012 3:45 pm
- Whipy
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Whipy » Wed May 30, 2012 4:05 pm
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race....
- Whipy
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Whipy » Wed May 30, 2012 4:08 pm
elantra wrote:Surely that depends on the road.Whipy wrote:I failed to mention that the drafting I do is on a dedicated bike track, not on a street or main road. That I know is dangerous and should not be encouraged.
And if i am drafting another cyclist then the risk is to me.
I do not draft other cyclists on a commuter route because it requires too much concentration for the likely benefits.
Occasionally i will draft a car or a bus but usually only if i am in a hurry.
I often get people drafting me because i am a good windbreak.
No problem - most of the time.
Yes it does depend on the road.......
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race....
- dino1969
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby dino1969 » Wed May 30, 2012 4:29 pm
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby R12RT » Wed May 30, 2012 5:56 pm
It is nice to be acknowledged by the drafter too.
2010 Malvern Star Oppy C6
2014 Giant Propel Advanced 1
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DRAFTING
Postby gabrielle260 » Wed May 30, 2012 6:04 pm
Andrew
- DavidS
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby DavidS » Wed May 30, 2012 11:31 pm
DS
- bigfriendlyvegan
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby bigfriendlyvegan » Thu May 31, 2012 3:06 am
And yes, you should always say thank you.
- RonK
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DRAFTING
Postby RonK » Thu May 31, 2012 6:34 am
- Red Rider
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Red Rider » Thu May 31, 2012 2:44 pm
Last week I cruised past a guy, he asked if he could stay on my wheel for a while. No worries I said. And after a few k's when I was turning off, along with the hand signal, I told him I was doing so.
- rpmspinman
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby rpmspinman » Thu May 31, 2012 4:02 pm
- I ask the person if it's ok
- I am prepared to accept the responsibility of a rear ender whether or not the person in front hand signals or not. (inadequate distance to react in case of emergency)
- Im riding with someone I know and they encourage it
In saying this, I always thought the overall effect on the rider in front makes no difference if someone was on his tail or not. Is this the case or am I mistaken? Often I have ridden down roads and not even noticed someone on my tail till I bother to look around or they pass me.
I am still getting used to the hand signals and offering warning signs regardless if someone is behind or not just out of courtesy. I probably look silly doing it, but meh....its good practise.
Shav
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- Kenzo
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DRAFTING
Postby Kenzo » Thu May 31, 2012 7:49 pm
I agree it is good etiquette to let someone know you are drafting. But in response to your point about hitting the brakes hard, I would question this reasoning simply because I can't see how I would change my braking if I was suddenly avoiding something... To me the only difference with a drafting rider is whether or not I call out the holes or upcoming obstacles to them.Red Rider wrote:Not only is it good etiquette, it's THE SAFE THING TO DO. The lead rider needs to know if someone is right behind, too close for adequate reaction time, and it shouldn't be up to the leader to know if someone sneaks up on them. For example if I needed to hit the brakes hard for whatever reason, I'd know someone was right on my tail and take that into consideration.
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.
- rpmspinman
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby rpmspinman » Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:59 am
Thanks. I actually meant for the rider in front for them to notice any difference if someone was behind them or not. Sorry if this wasnt clear.Oxford wrote:Drafting someone does actually give them a benefit. Not sure of the exact % benefit, but basically because you are sitting in their disturbed air and it is causing less drag on them, they gain that benefit.rpmspinman wrote:...
In saying this, I always thought the overall effect on the rider in front makes no difference if someone was on his tail or not. Is this the case or am I mistaken? Often I have ridden down roads and not even noticed someone on my tail till I bother to look around or they pass me.
...
Totally understand the benefit for the rider behind. Just wasn't sure if there any difference for the person in front.
Shav
My Bikes:
2011 Kona Dew Plus (commuter)
2012 Focus Cayo 2.0 (road)
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- JohnJoyner
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby JohnJoyner » Fri Jun 01, 2012 3:55 pm
If I am quick enough to pass someone & then after riding for awhile notice they are darafting me, it annoys me really.
Why couldn't they ride faster in the first place. Plus being in Sydney there is zero acknowledgement after getting the free ride.
I'd rather pass someone or let them get a little distance ahead rather than draft...
Plus as has been mentioned before, I also fear they may brake suddenly or swerve late to avoid an obstacle.
- sogood
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 01, 2012 4:04 pm
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
- Biffidus
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Biffidus » Fri Jun 01, 2012 6:10 pm
Save it for group rides with friends... otherwise hang back a bike length or two.
- sogood
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:33 pm
Problem here is, what distance is considered to be drafting and what distance is considered to be simple following traffic? To me, less than one wheel length is specialised skill and definitely drafting. At greater than a wheel length, one will still benefit from draft effect but to many, that's just following and perfectly legit. Based on what I've seen, I have rarely seen commuters draft closer than a wheel length.Biffidus wrote:Having someone sitting on my rear wheel always makes me nervous... I don't know what they're going to do and it means I can't stop suddenly.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
- Chef
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Chef » Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:16 pm
sogood wrote:Problem here is, what distance is considered to be drafting and what distance is considered to be simple following traffic? To me, less than one wheel length is specialised skill and definitely drafting. At greater than a wheel length, one will still benefit from draft effect but to many, that's just following and perfectly legit. Based on what I've seen, I have rarely seen commuters draft closer than a wheel length.Biffidus wrote:Having someone sitting on my rear wheel always makes me nervous... I don't know what they're going to do and it means I can't stop suddenly.
I have to disagree - following as close as a wheel length (and less) is tail-gating; it might be racer cool to behave in this fashion, but in the real world you put others in danger - save it for organized rides and races
Cheers
- sogood
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:39 pm
Actually, we are not in disagreement on the dangers of real drafting (within a wheel length), but disagree on what's considered drafting. In real practice, drafting has to be "tail-gating" per your term, or there's no drafting benefit. To truly get oneself out of the drafting range, one needs at least a few bike lengths separation, one that's not realistic on a busy bike path. So as said, anything outside of a wheel length can easily be considered to be just normal bike traffic separation.Chef wrote:I have to disagree - following as close as a wheel length (and less) is tail-gating; it might be racer cool to behave in this fashion, but in the real world you put others in danger - save it for organized rides and races
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
- Chef
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Chef » Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:02 pm
sogood wrote:Actually, we are not in disagreement on the dangers of real drafting (within a wheel length), but disagree on what's considered drafting. In real practice, drafting has to be "tail-gating" per your term, or there's no drafting benefit. To truly get oneself out of the drafting range, one needs at least a few bike lengths separation, one that's not realistic on a busy bike path. So as said, anything outside of a wheel length can easily be considered to be just normal bike traffic separation.Chef wrote:I have to disagree - following as close as a wheel length (and less) is tail-gating; it might be racer cool to behave in this fashion, but in the real world you put others in danger - save it for organized rides and races
I see what you mean - teach me to read more thoroughly!
Cheers
- Chef
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby Chef » Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:08 pm
Biffidus wrote:Having someone sitting on my rear wheel always makes me nervous... I don't know what they're going to do and it means I can't stop suddenly.
Save it for group rides with friends... otherwise hang back a bike length or two.
+1
Wether you consider it to be "real" drafting or not, sitting right behind someone is dangerous and discourteous.
Cheers
- sogood
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Re: DRAFTING
Postby sogood » Fri Jun 01, 2012 10:04 pm
The difficulty here is as pointed out earlier, for the same gap, some would consider it too close while others see it as normal traffic separation with no intention to draft. There may be more misunderstanding than true intention. Everyone should just relax a bit. If one fines someone being too close to comfort, an arm wave will typically get them around. Problem solved.Chef wrote:Wether you consider it to be "real" drafting or not, sitting right behind someone is dangerous and discourteous.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
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