Slipstreaming

  • This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by Anonymous.
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  • #11732
    OldRidgeback

    What does anyone else think about slipstreaming? I’ve had a few incidences of people slipstreaming me on my commute to work in London and I’m getting truly fed up of it. I don’t see a problem with this on a club ride but for a commute in traffic, it’s just asking for an accident. I don’t believe anyone has such a good attention span and such lightning reflexes that they can be relied upon to outbrake the rider in front on the road.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • #628633
    0
    Anonymous

    I hate it when people
    I hate it when people wheelsuck without at least saying hello and asking to join in.

    I’ve had a spate of them recently, the last two were luckily on tempo rides, so I could just keep winding it up until they dropped off the back.

    I had one the other day that was on my wheel for quite a while, I had noticed him pulling out of a junction as I passed a mile or so before. I looked round to check for cars as I swung out around a pot-hole and there he was, right on my wheel – it scared the crap out of me as I wasn’t expecting it at all. I swung out and invited him to take his turn, he said he was trying for a PB on his way to where-ever and jumped on my wheel to help out (cheeky, without asking). I was out to beast it a bit so said okay jump back on then and I’ll give you a tow, I started to wind it right up, and looked round after half a mile to see him about 10 lengths back and bright red looking, I waved and swung off.

    #628631
    0
    OldRidgeback

    When I catch someone
    When I catch someone slipstreaming I generally stop pedalling, wait until they start to overtake and then step on the pedals again. After a couple of times they get the message. One time I swerved to avoid a pothole and the guy behind clipped his front wheel against my back wheel and hit the deck with a crash. I stopped and helped him up and then told him it was his own fault. I bet he won’t be doing that again. Like I said, in traffic it’s just asking for trouble.

    #628629
    0
    cactuscat

    we are of one mind,
    we are of one mind, fringe…

    #628627
    0
    cactuscat

    uphill. that’s the only race
    uphill. that’s the only race that counts. i often let people pass me on the flat and see if i can reel them in on the climbs. that’s the real challenge 🙂

    #628625
    0
    Fringe

    look catuscat beat me to the
    look catuscat beat me to the same reply by three minutes…

    #628623
    0
    Fringe

    just slow down to a 5 mph
    just slow down to a 5 mph plod and the ‘slipstream-er’ will either have to follow suit or overtake. i agree though it does seem a bit odd. same as when at traffic lights and people pull up alongside yet just a bit ahead, as if its some kind of race to see who can take off quickest when the lights change.

    #628621
    0
    cactuscat

    if anyone does it to me i
    if anyone does it to me i just keep on slowing down until they’re forced to overtake, then i hop on their wheel and see how long i can stay there 👿

    seriously though it’s not a great idea especially in cities. there’s little to be gained from it at the kind of speed i commute at anyway.

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