Etiquette of slipstreaming somebody you don't know...

lewiskinch

So I was out riding today, and overtook another guy on a bike. No big deal I thought, he was going a couple of mph slower than me so I rode past, said hello, and carried on.

Except he then stuck to my wheel, for maybe 30 minutes. I actually found it pretty rude and quite annoying, and in the end I pulled over and let him go on a bit and then didn't see him after that.

Whats the etiquette for this? I probably wouldn't have minded so much if he had taken a turn in the front, or acknowledged he was doing it, or even made conversation at the couple of junctions we stopped at. Maybe I'm just a miserable git.

bad_moose

I don't do it myself and I'm not a fan of other people doing it to me. It makes me nervous having a total stranger sitting an inch from my back wheel, you've got no idea how experienced they are, how safe their equipment is or whether they're good enough to sit there. Really don't want a randomer to accidently send me hurtling across the tarmac at 25mph. :L I always just slow and let them pass. I think the general consensus is that it's fine if you ask permission and do your bit to be friendly.

amaferanga

You should have told him to feck off.

imposter2.0

Was it a race? If not - who cares?

sloppyschleckonds

Did he have a helmet on?

964cup

Do people really spend this much of their time on their bike looking for things to get huffy about? You passed him, so you got a chance to work out if he was a danger to humanity. If not, how does it hurt you if he takes a tow? If it bothers you that much, HTFU and drop him.

sloppyschleckonds

lewiskinch wrote:

Maybe I'm just a miserable git.

Ever played Golf?

16mm

It's usual (as a roadie) to expect someone you overtake to jump on your wheel. You probably shouldn't get too upset about it, one day you'll be happy to draft a stranger, and you'll be glad they don't tell you sod off. Usually in the middle of winter riding into a gale when you're out of energy and food.
I usually gesture to people to jump on if I overtake.

essjaydee

Makes me feel good in an alpha male kind of way

Welsh boy

If a stranger sits on your wheel, show some respect and give him/her an easy ride (avoid potholes, point out obstructions etc) and be pleased that you have helped a fellow cyclist out. If you take a wheel from a stranger, let the person know you are there and a cheery "thanks for the wheel" as you part company is sufficient. Dont get so far up your own arse that you worry about someone following you, you never know when you will be glad of a wheel yourself.

MickTheMove

I would turn round and tell the rider to get on the front and work for the wheel, if he ignored me I would aim at every pothole and grid and then dive off it! He would soon get the message.

Of course it would not be a problem if he actually asked or gestured to sit on the wheel as he may be struggling and after all it only politeness both ways

gubber12345

yeah but the least he could have said "i'm fecked,can I jump on here" if that's the case... good manners just...saying that if someone passes me i'm usually to gassed to stay on the wheel :P :P

lewiskinch

Interesting responses. Like I said, I wouldn't have been too bothered if he would of taken one of the multiple opportunities to say something.

RonB

essjaydee wrote:

Makes me feel good in an alpha male kind of way

I know exactly what you mean. It happens to me regularly... Once every decade or so

sloppyschleckonds

lewiskinch wrote:

Interesting responses. Like I said, I wouldn't have been too bothered if he would have taken one of the multiple opportunities to say something.

So, did you initiate any convo?

jibberjim

Imposter wrote:

Was it a race? If not - who cares?

All the people who've been run into the back off by such idiots...

Do not draft a stranger, ask first, then all is fine.

imposter2.0

jibberjim wrote:

Imposter wrote:

Was it a race? If not - who cares?

All the people who've been run into the back off by such idiots...

Do not draft a stranger, ask first, then all is fine.

So if someone asks first, it means they won't run into the back of you?

pinarellokid

if i ever tuck in behind someone i always announce my arrival on their wheel and ask if its ok.. im more worried about getting too close incase they slam on and i hit them..

guess saying hello will make then make allowances for me being there

id never do it without asking. and if someone tucked in behind me id make sure i spoke to them when possible

why wouldnt you ??

morstar

pinarellokid wrote:

why wouldnt you ??

Ninja cycling innit. All stealth like.

chris_bass

I posted this exact thread...
viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12929219&hilit=drafting+Chris+bass

jibberjim

Imposter wrote:

jibberjim wrote:

Imposter wrote:

Was it a race? If not - who cares?

All the people who've been run into the back off by such idiots...

Do not draft a stranger, ask first, then all is fine.

So if someone asks first, it means they won't run into the back of you?

No it means you now know they are there, and can ride in accordance with having someone on your wheel, or you can say "sorry no." The asking is just the start of the negotiation.

desweller

At least you knew he was there. A guy got on my wheel towards the end of the Harry Reynolds a couple of years ago; fair enough, particularly during a sportive, but I had no idea until I overshot a turning and whacked the brakes on to turn round. I was most surprised when this bloke swerved out and missed me by a whisker!

mustgettaller

Yawn.

Endless threads on this.

Need a 'drafting thread' forum or bucket, like helmet threads.

Yes, I'm a sad old git.

Yes, I should have stuck to my guns and not clicked on this thread.

16mm

MickTheMove wrote:

I would turn round and tell the rider to get on the front and work for the wheel, if he ignored me I would aim at every pothole and grid and then dive off it! He would soon get the message.

You sound a bit of a twit. There is really no need to put anyone in danger. Be careful who you do this to.

desweller

16mm wrote:

MickTheMove wrote:

I would turn round and tell the rider to get on the front and work for the wheel, if he ignored me I would aim at every pothole and grid and then dive off it! He would soon get the message.

You sound a bit of a twit. There is really no need to put anyone in danger. Be careful who you do this to.

Mm. If you were tailgating someone in a car, not giving yourself time and space to respond to hazards would be your fault alone. I do not see how this changes if you're on a bike.

chrisaonabike

Imposter wrote:

jibberjim wrote:

Imposter wrote:

Was it a race? If not - who cares?

All the people who've been run into the back off by such idiots...
Do not draft a stranger, ask first, then all is fine.

So if someone asks first, it means they won't run into the back of you?

It's probably less likely.

No guarantees, obviously, but if they have the intelligence and consideration to ask, chances are they also have the intelligence to understand the risk, and the consideration to ride in a way that minimises it.

16mm

DesWeller wrote:

16mm wrote:

MickTheMove wrote:

I would turn round and tell the rider to get on the front and work for the wheel, if he ignored me I would aim at every pothole and grid and then dive off it! He would soon get the message.

You sound a bit of a twit. There is really no need to put anyone in danger. Be careful who you do this to.

Mm. If you were tailgating someone in a car, not giving yourself time and space to respond to hazards would be your fault alone. I do not see how this changes if you're on a bike.

As a cyclist it's usual to point out road issues to riders, not as MickTheMove suggests to deliberately ride at them, and avoid at the last moment. We have enough idiots treating us like this in cars. Cyclists with this attitude can FO.
He may deliberately cause injury to the cyclist behind. Or he may find the favor quickly returned.

It's nothing like tailgating. Riding in a tight group is how roadies have always ridden, they expect it, and call out issues to keep it safe.

If you really don't want someone behind you just drop back and tell them.

MickTheMove

16mm wrote:

MickTheMove wrote:

I would turn round and tell the rider to get on the front and work for the wheel, if he ignored me I would aim at every pothole and grid and then dive off it! He would soon get the message.

You sound a bit of a twit. There is really no need to put anyone in danger. Be careful who you do this to.

Well if your the type of person that sits on someone's wheel without even a gesture or politeness, then may you one day land on my back wheel! Thankfully I have never encountered such twattish behaviour but I look forward to welcoming the first!

Not that I am ever going fast enough to be drafted, but that's another thread

WindyG

I was quite happy to help some riders out today, saw 5 ahead of me 3 were struggling 2 on the back were doing fine, as soon as I passed one of the back riders was quick to get on my wheel and he asked they could get on my wheel, I was happy with that but to be honest I kind of half expected them to do it anyway and I still wouldn't have minded if they hadn't have asked, I certainly would have put them at any risk heading for potholes etc that is just pathetic behaviour in my opinion.

kajjal

Its down to personnal preference if you are not comfortable with someone doing it then let them past. For me its a bit like someone walking into the house and sitting on the sofa next to you. Other people are prefectly happy with it. No reason not to help out people who are struggling though whether with repairs or letting them tuck in behind you.

JackPozzi

If anyone's desperate enough to sit on my wheel, it's definitely a good idea to let me know. Seem to be snot rocketing every 30 seconds at the moment when I ride, and if I'm aware there's someone behind me I would at least attempt to direct it away from them...