DRAFTING

[nescius]

Must be daft , I don't get why you would be set with someone getting an easier time by riding behind you.
You were doing what you were doing anyway ?
No change of plan so what are they getting off you for free that you could charge for or ask permission for ?

Cyclists and the politics are just silly at times.

The problem is that you don't know how competent they are, all it takes is a touch of wheels and you could both be thrown into traffic. My girlfriend had a wheel sucker run up the back of her when she slowed for a pedestrian on a crossing, luckily there was no damage to her or the bike, but it could easily have ended badly for both of them.

[wurtulla wabbit]

Should they be that close ? I thought drafting would be a metre back at least ?
Being too close is asking for bother if they don't know you're there.

[clackers]

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

[wurtulla wabbit]

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

[bychosis]

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.

[clackers]

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.

[bychosis]

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.

[clackers]

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!

[il padrone]

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

[Red Rider]

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

[Thoglette]

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.