Guy in blue/white SDS jersey, thanks for letting me draft from the road bridge into Rosyth. Nice pace that was, and as much as I would have liked to return the favour, you probably wouldn't have been very happy about the speed with me in front - I'm working on that ...
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Thanks for the wheel!
(10 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
-
I had someone behind me on towpath of canal from Shandon out to hermiston the other night in the wind. He might have been wheel sucking or maybe he couldn't get passed because of the foliage. In threads passim this has caused minor irritation. But was I bothered?
Posted 10 years ago # -
I don't see how it should bother people, TBH - it's clear that more often than not there is a difference in speed one can keep up. This guy was clearly a lot fitter than me, I usually go quite a few kph slower on that stretch. Sure, I would have made the effort had he signalled me to take my turn - but as I said, I doubt anyone with that level of fitness would have the patience for that. :D
If someone does want to draft me, by all means - I don't mind at all, provided they know what they're doing of course. It's not like I'm having to pedal harder because of it or anything.
Posted 10 years ago # -
This is definitely a delicate topic. A few months ago I was riding toward north berwick. I was not exactly going flat out on my vintage bike, just having a leisurely spin. A fellow on a hybrid grabbed my wheel just outside of Aberlady and clung on for dear life. At first I did not mind, but then it started to annoy me increasingly. You have the feeling you are being used as an exercise machine. (and without so much as a hello). I had to work a bit to drop him.
As I did so at the top of a small rise I found a couple of old road warriors standing there where they must have had a good view down over the road where they could witness my ordeal. I nodded in greeting and they said something disparaging about my follower. I had the impression they had dealt with him earlier on. I did not stick around to see what they said (or did) when he got there.
I think the fact is that sucking a wheel is an intimate act and one should probably at least pass a few words with someone before engaging in it. As you say, "I don't mind at all, provided they know what they're doing". But if some stranger just grabs your wheel you don't have any idea if they do or do not know what they are doing, or if their whole intent is to play out a tdf fantasy in which they wait in your slipstream then sprint past you at the end of a long haul. A little conversation helps to break the ice.
Posted 10 years ago # -
as a female cyclist, i find that often men overtake (because they HAVE to), but then dont go any faster than me. i sometimes wonder if they think i'm drafting them. when really I'm just wishing that if they HAD to overtake, they actually outpaced me.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Let's not forget that the rider in front can gain up to 5% energy savings due to the improved aerodynamics of having a rider closely behind him. (The rider behind smoothes the airflow and reduces the turbulence behind the rider in front and the therefore reduces drag on the front rider too).
Still agree you should ask /say hello first.
Posted 10 years ago # -
My stance on this was conveniently recently reinforced by the spunnock who sped up to keep up with me on the NEPN the other week with insufficient braking-power/gap/anticipation of things which might have caused me to slow down.
Posted 10 years ago # -
A little conversation helps to break the ice.
I maybe should have added that we did have a wee chat on the bridge. He was then speeding off the catch the start of the independence debate. I didn't even mean to hang on at first (I'm not fast on the flats or even descents), but I did catch him on the hill into Inverkeithing (I do like me some climbing).
He was also doing the hand signals thing to point out a road hazard once, so we was aware of me being there and didn't change his pace or anything.
So I'm thinking it's all good - I do appreciate that some people may not like it though, will look out for any signs of that in future. Cheers!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Don't like someone drafting you? Just slow a little and if they remain, pull over for a drink. Simples.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@userfriendly - I think I was riding with that guy into Edinburgh yesterday morning! I caught up with him and another guy (they didn't know each either as it turned out) and the three of us ended up working together along the Burnshot Road taking turns at the front. Pretty decent pace we had (I got a PR on Strava). Makes the commute so much more fun!!
Either that or blue/white SDS jerseys are popular!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Nice one :)
Makes the commute so much more fun!!
Yes, yes it does! :D
I definitely need to work on my speed on the flats so people drafting me won't get bored. I can climb well enough (skinny little git that I am), but so far I'm lacking the strength to keep up a good lick of speed afterwards. Maybe working some HIIT into my daily rides would help.
Posted 10 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
