Slip Streaming on the road

I drafted a couple of roadies around richmond park yesterday, until the first gradient when their bikes started making clicky noises and they got really slow so I had to go by them. I looked round at the top of the hill but they were nowhere to be seen, I was going to return the favour...

I wouldn't draft anyone I didn't know well for more than a few seconds in town. I absolutely hate it if someone does it to me, unless I know them. On the other hand, I try and get a bit of suck off anything with a motor. Buses are the best. Or would be if they didn't stop all the time!

why does it bother you if some drafts you, bill?

i personally couldn't care less who drafts me. then again, it doesn't happen very often because I seem to be faster than everyone else where I live.

think it's a matter of trust - i'm with bill on this one - If i'm riding with someone i know then we'll draft in turns but i don't want to be damaged or cause damage to someone else who's not particularly aware of what they're doing. it's mainly about self preservation.

There are, of course, exceptions to the rule - gave a tow to a veteran along nine elms who was signalling with his elbow but it was very obvious that he knew what he was asking for and the appropriate way to ride

eeehhhh why does it bother you if some drafts you, bill?

Why? Because I don't like f***ing wheel-suckers, that's why. Unless they are older or prettier than me.

drafting in town is not really a good idea... if the person in front has to brake suddenly, you might end up going into the back of them. someone did this to me when i stopped to let someone cross a pedestrain crossing. felt a minor impact, and looked behind to see some idiot and his bike sprawled on the floor. fortunately he didn't take me out too.

16simon drafting in town is not really a good idea... if the person in front has to brake suddenly, you might end up going into the back of them. someone did this to me when i stopped to let someone cross a pedestrain crossing. felt a minor impact, and looked behind to see some idiot and his bike sprawled on the floor. fortunately he didn't take me out too.

that wasn't on the clerkenwell road was it?

no, grays inn rd, and it was 2 or 3 years ago. why, were you on the wrong end of a similar incident?

yeah wasnt paying attention and someone slammed on the brakes and i took them out

this is a good example of why you shouldn't slipstream other riders in town. it's one thing doing it out in the countryside with experienced riders who know that you are there and will warn you if they are slowing down, another thing entirely jumping on the wheel of someone who might not know you are there, in a city environment where they may need to brake suddenly.

i wasnt even slip streaming! just plodding along..