How far behind counts as drafting?

chrisaonabike
chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
edited October 2012 in Road beginners
Ok, etiquette question here... having looked through this thread, I just wanted to clarify a couple of things:

I'm finding that I've got a bit faster since getting the bike a fortnight ago, and I'm catching people up a bit more. Often, passing traffic doesn't permit an overtake, and I often quite fancy a little break anyway, so I slot in about a bike length behind (ie with a gap of about a bike length). It seems a compromise between getting a little benefit and still being able to see what's ahead. I wouldn't want to be any closer anyway, since I'm not sure my speed control and general awareness is good enough yet to be safe with my front wheel just a few inches behind.

Is that close enough to be generally thought of as a bit rude?

Secondly, does drafting slow down the guy in front at all?
Is the gorilla tired yet?

Comments

  • 16mm
    16mm Posts: 545
    Drafting doesn't slow the person in front down.
    A lenght behind is quite a lot, but is enought to get some benefit. TBH it's about as close as I'd get to a rider I didn't know, but mainly because people can do unpredictable things.
  • getprg
    getprg Posts: 245
    Secondly, does drafting slow down the guy in front at all?

    In fact drafting helps the rider in front with about a 5-10% reduction in effort IIRC. Something to do with cleaning up the airflow as it leaves the lead rider.
  • lotus49
    lotus49 Posts: 763
    edited November 2012
    To get the most benefit you do have to be very close (less than a wheel diameter) but as getprg points out, you do actually slightly help the lead rider. It's poor etiquette in a race being a wheelsucker and not taking your turn but not on the road. Don't crash into the back of them though, that really isn't polite.
  • herb71
    herb71 Posts: 253
    ChrisAOnABike wrote:

    Secondly, does drafting slow down the guy in front at all?


    No, it can actually make them faster as well, by reducing the low pressure area behind them that is trying to pull them backwards.

    I don't know much about the etiquette side, but whenever I have witnessed a clash of wheels, it is more often the rear rider who comes a cropper.
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    getprg wrote:
    In fact drafting helps the rider in front with about a 5-10% reduction in effort IIRC. Something to do with cleaning up the airflow as it leaves the lead rider.

    No, nothing like that.
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    jibberjim wrote:
    getprg wrote:
    In fact drafting helps the rider in front with about a 5-10% reduction in effort IIRC. Something to do with cleaning up the airflow as it leaves the lead rider.
    No, nothing like that.
    ???
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • fsd61b
    fsd61b Posts: 109
    On a run this afternoon I was amazed at the effect of drafting! I managed to hook on to the back of a large tractor with a huge load of straw , I ended up going 30mph for a distance of 3 miles! the fastest I usually manage to maintain is 18 - 20 mph on the flat and an overall average speed of 16 (over 30 miles). It felt amazing.
    Just thought I'd share.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    fsd61b wrote:
    .... the effect of drafting! I managed to hook on to the back of a large tractor ....
    I didn't think you were supposed to use an actual hook... :wink:

    But yes, it is amazing. Even with a bike-length gap I can keep up at speeds I can't maintain on my own.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • fsd61b
    fsd61b Posts: 109
    ChrisAOnABike wrote:
    fsd61b wrote:
    .... the effect of drafting! I managed to hook on to the back of a large tractor ....
    I didn't think you were supposed to use an actual hook... :wink:

    But yes, it is amazing. Even with a bike-length gap I can keep up at speeds I can't maintain on my own.

    The patent Drafting Hook £6.99 from JML.... you will never be dropped again!!!
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    lotus49 wrote:
    To get the most benefit you do have to be very close (less than a wheel diameter) but as getprg points out, you do actually slightly help the lead rider. It's terrible etiquette in a race being a wheelsucker and not taking your turn but not on the road. Don't crash into the back of them though, that really isn't polite.

    Lol..no it isn't unless you're in a breakaway or sitting like 5 back all the time and just peeling off as soon as you get to the front...then someone will call you a cock and tell you to do one. Plenty of people never do turns on the front.
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    ChrisAOnABike wrote:
    jibberjim wrote:
    getprg wrote:
    In fact drafting helps the rider in front with about a 5-10% reduction in effort IIRC. Something to do with cleaning up the airflow as it leaves the lead rider.
    No, nothing like that.
    ???

    The team pursuit data with 4 riders in team pursuit closeness on the track (Broker et all 1999) - so closer than you would get on the open road, had the front rider saving 2-3% is all. So on a normal ride you're maybe looking at half that?
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • DrKJM
    DrKJM Posts: 271
    To one of the OPs questions: I always think a bit over a bike length is enough not to count as invading someone's personal space.
  • 16mm
    16mm Posts: 545
    of course it depends on what they are wearing... Some riders I'd only be happy about 1/2k behind..

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