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Slipstream etiquette?
I'm quite new to cycling so I thought I'd put this out there, as it seemed rather odd to me at the time.
While out on a solo ride yesterday, on a rather windy day, I suddenly realised there was another cyclist right behind me. I wasn't sure at first, as I only noticed a shape in the corner of my eye while checking for traffic.
After a few moments I looked again and was sure there was someone there. I had a left turn coming up, signaled, and sure enough a chap who had been hugging my rear wheel said "Cheers mate" and carried on.
I'm used to riding tight together on club rides, especially in the wind, but never had a complete stranger steal my slipstream like this, without saying a word. We'd been on the road for probably a couple of miles before I noticed.
I didn't mind the slipstreaming (even though I was doing all the work); it just would have been nice if he'd told me he was there. If I needed to swerve suddenly to avoid a pothole, we'd both be in the gutter.
Anyone else encountered this? What's the best thing to say to an unannounced visitor on your rear?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
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70 comments
We had a relatively strong (numbers wise) outing on Sunday so I thought I'd lead a train out on a nice flattish 2.5 mile country road, the group usually splits and reconvenes. Given that I've been a bit more mental in my early year riding than many after a mile and a half I looked round expecting a couple to be playing, full peleton in one straight line though with a couple of grimaces. The elbow turned into full on chicken impression, number 2 in line flat refused to come through as he was "dying" so I got fed up and summoned up all my power to just sod off on a slight uphill. I'm not claiming heroic powers, we were near the coffee shop, but i felt a point needed to be made.
Also, have any of you ever come around to deliberately slow someone trying to split the group. Again we occassionally have the odd rider who will look to split it when some on the back need a bit of support.
Finally, did the Anglesey 100 a couple of years back and my more powerful riding partner who loves a bit of flat latched onto a couple of fellas blasting out 22-25mph on the flattish for nearly an hour. My mate was in his comfort zone in 3rd wheel having a whistle, I was hanging on the back in trouble. I tried to get around a couple of times but every time my nose was in the wind I was going backwards, I'd shout apologetically that they thought was pretty funny. After they'd done all this work it was bad that a later hill I struggled to ride slow enough for them to get a tow - but then it's not much advantage uphill anyway is it?
I had to teach one of my gang the art of 'soft pedalling' recently as he'd often work relatively tirelessly then wouldn't be able to hold the wheel when someone came around.
It's hard to tell someone that you're making the same motion, looking like you're working as hard, but not really doing much...
Probably worth pointing out that, if you have a rider using your slipstream (but isn't strong enough to take over at the front), they are actually giving you a slight aero benefit - somewhere around 5 watts.
I had one ask me for a tow as he was exhausted and had a headwind - I obliged and made sure I signalled before moving out.
After an 80 miler and feeling shattered I found one guy tucking in on my back whee.
My cool down turned into a sprint for 6 miles - I couldn’t shake him and he looked fresh.
I asked him to take his turn lol. He was training before a hill ride and we chatted about bikes for the ride back from Bath to Bristol.
Just ask and some people don’t mind. Steal your wind? Lol. More about avoiding crashing than egos.
Always a pleasure to give someone a tow. Hopefully they'll acknowledge the help and return the favour sometime. Naturally its only polite to ensure they get a good workout if they're not coming through
This happened to me today. I caught up to a couple guys that were riding together on a local riding trail, I decided to sit behind them for a little bit just to catch my breath then I backed off to about 5 bike lengths. The guy I was behind turned around and saw me then he told his friend and they sprinted away. I wasn't impressed by them at all, and I'm not sure what I had done wrong. All I can figure is they were either intimidated that a woman rider was behind them, or they were just "A holes". After they got far ahead of me one of them turned around to look at me, I just laughed and went on. Oh well.
The other day I overtook a guy going up one side of a hill. The other side has a long straight at 15% - it’s easy to hit 40mph going down there - that ends with a fairly sharp left hander. I was heading down there and I braked to slow for the turn and all of a sudden he flew round the outside of me, barely making it past the car that was coming the other way. That was pretty unnerving. I guess he wanted to beat me down after I beat him up, but I’m not sure it would have been worth going over a car bonnet for.
I do occasionally appear on the front, selflessly pacing the group up a climb, when in fact its because I get to ride my pace, rather than falling off the back at someone elses!
I'd go with them being A-holes, I usually give a little shout to let them know I'm there, just so they don't fire any snot rockets). Catch my breath and head off again. The proper A-holes will then accelerate and try to hold my wheel without saying anything. The looking back gave it away for them being A-holes, who really gives a monkey what other riders do? Unless they are proper getting into your space.
Yes, I'd say they were clearly intimidated by a female rider. Have a read around here to see how many inadequate male riders there are.
Interesting group riding attitude... and when you say you 'struggled to ride slow enough', could you elaborate ? Balance ?
Depends on the slope and speed, there's going to be some but it might be very small - then again it might be noticeable...
http://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/1405/cycling-science-is-it-worth-draft...
The one on Sunday was mostly banter, we are a particularly mixed group and sometimes it's hard to keep everyone getting what they want out of the ride. On Sunday it was only a 40 miler so I wanted to pick up the pace more than anyone else particularly, as said it was more the shock that they were all still there. I was just being unsubtle in sodding off
The Anglesey example was more embarassment on my part because my pal was more than capable of sharing the work but didn't - we didn't know the other riders. As for the slowness uphills, it was more pacing. They were clearly flat power riders whereas I like a hill. Speaking of etiquette I probably should have been kinder - on the other hand I half hoped they'd sneak round us on the next flat and we wouldn't try and stick with them
So, to summarise, if someone acts in a mildly inconsiderate manner, latching onto your wheel without announcing themselves, there are broadly two responses:
(1) Act like a total c*nt.
OR
(2) Don't.
Don't mind people sitting on, just think its polite to say hello. Had it a few times where when going past someone they've said hi and asked if they can sit on as they're struggling. Likewise people catching up and sitting on before coming though. happy to give someone a tow if they're struggling in the vain hope that oneday when I'm blowing out of my ar$e someone might do the same.
The thing that really grates however (mostly in Richmond Park) is people sitting on when you're just out for a ride, using you to pace them up the hill then sprinting violently past you. If you want lead out training, find someone who a. knows thats what you're doing and b. isn't just minding their own business.
Ditto although I'm a Lamb rather than a bull. I haven't the confidence to draft yet say hello anyway and stay behind little portions of distance when I can. Some of you guys are fast and although it's artificial wind it makes fun short sprints to me! I don't spin as fast.
Other day about 2 am 2 mountain bikers in a servo yelled out as I rode past. I had a puncture repair kit and a pump so I did a uturn. Alignment issue, needing a 15mm. Point is I agree with blow some words out, makes mutual advantage easy.
So far I have learned that I should have mirrors installed and an amplifying ear-trumpet, so that I can be permanently aware of all approaches from behind, rather than expecting the rider approaching to just be polite and ride up alongside and say hello (I can find mirrors on Wiggle, but the ear-trumpet is proving less easy to track down).
Also, I shouldn't be offended by any of this, as it seems many others are very tolerant, even effusive about rudeness of others towards them (I will stop being offended by people letting doors shut in my face too and pushing in in queues, they are just other humans getting through life after all).
My ride yesterday in the snow and gale force winds certainly showed me that I would not hear a bike approaching from behind, as I was only just making out lorries.
I am known as someone who happily pulls on the front all day, as I like the hard work, so I have no issues with people drafting me. My issue is with people doing it unannounced, as this impacts my safety.
So let me get this straight - your hearing is signficantly impaired but you're absolutely sure he at no point announced his presence ? Not saying he did but would it be fair to say that you can't be sure, especially if he'd made the effort to get up to you for some assistance ?
I'm not sure if you are actually aiming this comment at me, but I am claiming nothing as this isn't my thread! I just questioned others ability to hear cyclists approaching from the rear, as I have very impaired hearing when riding in wind etc.
But to the point of - could he have announced himself but the rider didn't hear - then possibly yes, if he siddled up behind and latched on, rather than ride up alongside and visually as well as audibly announce himself (he was moving quicker than the OP, so it shouldn't be too much effort!).
Your last point of "especially if he'd made the effort to get up to you for some assistance" is quite odd, I've never thought to make some supreme effort to catch a rider ahead because I was too tired to ride at my own pace.
I don’t own the road, so I can’t complain about another rider using my draught, as long as they don’t crash into me, I don’t mind.
If you spot them before they've turned off, either:
1) drop them Silly Commuter Racing style (look up www.itsnotarace.org
2) Do the sly "just drinking from my water bottle move" have sip, slow down, so they come past, and then jump on their wheel instead. I once had to slow from 22mph to 10mph to get a wheel sucker to come past. Give a cheeky Strava kudos if they show up on your ride.
3) Move over, and say "don't let me hold you up, as you are obviously in a rush", then jump on their wheel instead. If they pop up as having ridden with you on Strava. Again, give a cheeky kudos.
4) or - friendly approach: At the next traffic light/junction/ etc say "fancy taking turns on the front, we will get home much quicker then". I've met LOADS of people doing this and it's good fun getting to know loads of fellow cycle commuters.
Most of all, take it as a compliment, they are seeking shelter behind you, because you are a good rider.
Would you tailgate a complete stranger in your car, answer no so why do it on a bike.
Interesting that some seem to be saying they can be aware of someone on their tail instantaneously, sorry but unless there's a shadow that creeps up or you're in a totally silent environ I'm calling bullshit on that, even with a regular over the shoulder check you're not always going to be aware of someone right on your tail.
As others have said, if you're strong enough to get onto the back of someone else then either come past and carry on going, come up alongside and suggest to the person they've caught up to if they'd like to tuck in for a while or share being on the front or at the very least ask if okay if they themselves tuck in for a bit.
Not to do so is bloody rude at best.
ATEOTD I don't know you, I don't know what your reactions are like, nor how good your brakes are. I don't know what type of bump/pothole in the road bothers you/warrants you to take evasive action (or not), I don't know what your observations are like, I don't know how you interpret hazards or understand what's going on, I expect you wouldn't give priority for pedestrians to cross ahead or wave motors ahead to cross in front of you which is what I do regularly in built up areas as it removes the hazard.
All of which could end up with that person into the back of me/bringing me down, so actually no thanks.
If you're in an organised group then that's totally different.
Well you wouldn't tailgate them to get a slipsteam for a start. In case you've not driven for a while, people tailgate you all the time, just do the speed limit in a 30 and see what happens.
Fucking hell. If this is the attitude of the average UK cyclist then its no wonder the bulk of UK drivers hate you guys, along with pretty much every other nearby country. I guess it must be the weather.
In summation; what a laugh you must be at parties...
No, that's just BTBS :p
Though, I do appreciate that it isn't ideal to have someone riding right behind you, unannounced.
Group riding, or even riding as a pair, does take a very slight attitude shift, which makes both of you safer. It isn't safe to ride close together without effective communication (even if it's just the occasional hand signal to warn of potholes).
I certainly modify my riding style to suit traffic and road conditions as appropriate. For example, I wouldn't adopt a more aggressive, head down position and cycle in Zone 4/5, leaving the braking late, if I was commuting. If I was on a quiet, open bit of road, on my road bike, I may choose to adopt that style of riding.
But, generally, I'm not too bothered about having people behind.
We've done this before. Leaving aside the oh-so-macho "I crush them with my enormous power when I ride them off my wheel" reponses provided by visiting pro cyclists, in the real world JUST SLOW DOWN.
Thanks for the tips and comments, everyone. I hadn't heard of the 'elbow' signal so will bear that in mind.
For the record, I didn't have headphones on but it was rather windy which may have lessened my chances of hearing the chap behind me. And just to reiterate: I didn't mind the guy being on my rear wheel; it was just that he didn't make me aware of his presence that I thought was a bit dangerous. I would have been up for a chat if I'd known he was there.
Not to be confused with Sagan’s use of the elbow...
Maybe he tried and you didn't hear him ? *shrug*
If someone rides behind me I won't take offence, I won't mind at all.
If they don't let me know they are there I won't be bothered because I'll know they are there anyway because i'm responsible for knowing what's going on around me.
If they chat that's fine, if they don't that's also fine.
If they take a turn that's fine, if they don't that's also fine.
Its a bit like whether other cyclists nod or wave - its nice when they do but it in no way hurts if they don't.
I'm not going to worry about the whether some other cyclist might happen to bump into the back of me - there are much bigger and heavier things out there to worry about if you are the worrying kind.
Being all big and strong and putting down the power to drop someone you've never met and are not actually racing against always seems a bit childish.
FTFY.
Same.
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