Beating People on the commute who have a better bike

I don't understand the animosity to a nice free draft... I get overtaken and see this as a nice opportunity to follow at their pace at a safe position behind... if they slow, I overtake and tell them it's their turn for a draft.... but some get all angsty, overtake, then slow right down, so I overtake maintaining the same speed - admittedly I must need more cycle training

You're the first person ever on the forum who openly admitted that they need cycle training.

Oh dear.

Are you sure he didn't just want a chat and phone number?

With that helment? Those panniers? And a dayglo gilet? I don't think so.

Oh dear.

What..... I'm sure you said that was ok?! Refresher morning required!?

My comment was aimed at Ed :)

As Malaysian said "glad to have someone setting the pace" Simply using someone as a pace bod is normal. It's the person's reaction which is daft. I guess M only 'raced' as the person was making such an obvious effort to leave him behind.

I'm only bothered by this when the person sits on my wheel. Otherwise, more power to you and it makes me feel good for being considered good enough to set the pace!

But passing and then slowing down, as has been discussed here ad nauseum, is super annoying. This happened to me this morning by a dude on a mtb that was too small for him. As I passed him again I said, "Dude, if you're gonna pass someone, make sure you stay faster than they are". At least he chuckled.

But passing and then slowing down, as has been discussed here ad nauseum, is super annoying. This happened to me this morning by a dude on a mtb that was too small for him. As I passed him again I said, "Dude, if you're gonna pass someone, make sure you stay faster than they are". At least he chuckled.

a week ago, someone did that while I was riding the utility bike, he drafted me, and end up slowing down dramatically, in no mood for his playfulness, my front wheel rubs against his back wheel as he slowed down.

he got freaked out and end up staying behind me.

hehehe

I'm only bothered by this when the person sits on my wheel.
exactly this happens around regents park outer circle, i purposefully ride clockwise to avoid those out doing laps (counterclockwise).. it's farking annoying, like being stalked.. say hello, take the front for a bit, don't be a wheelsucker..

one guy stuck to me for about 10 minutes on my commute home a few months ago.. i was riding fixed in a cycle lane, braked suddenly & turned left he fumed that i didn't signal or warn him, i told him that riding two inches off my back wheel was equally dumb especially in london at speeds over 20mph.

if you want to do that, join a cycle team, ride in a peloton or team time trial out of town.. not on my commute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RMX0fqnHaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPGg8mv1vmc&feature=related

exactly this happens around regents park outer circle, i purposefully ride clockwise to avoid those out doing laps (counterclockwise).

regents park riders are mostly training i guess.
wheelsucking/drafting reduces rider effort and therefore the benefit of their training time. weird.
or perhaps they are practicing drafting.

Having a wheel to follow can mean that you push yourself harder than you would by yourself

Having a wheel to follow can mean that you push yourself harder than you would by yourself
following a wheel takes you eye off the road in general, commuting is junk miles and not worth the effort. save it for the weekend

I was referring to easylover's postwhere he comments about people training in Regents park...

When people are moaning about the riders who pass them then slowing down, maybe they're not slowing down. Maybe they're slotting nicely in front of you, easing off to match the pace you were doing as you were passed, but then suddenly you feel like they've actually slowed because you're getting a draft, therefore your effort has dropped, making you think you've slowed; which you haven't. In the world of pacelines, they're doing it right.

And even if you're getting vexed about someone sucking your wheel, pulling an evasive manoeuvre without warning is both unpleasant, and more dangerous than the wheelsucking you've taken umbrage about.

And even if you're getting vexed about someone sucking your wheel, pulling an evasive manoeuvre without warning is both unpleasant, and more dangerous than the wheelsucking you've taken umbrage about.

it was an unfortunate incident, riding fixed at speed in a two way cycle lane, i hadn't signalled left, just a quick glance left and right not over my shoulder, skid and turned, i admit it was a sudden move, no umbrage meant and not in anger

It sounded a bit vindictive in the original telling.

I find it difficult not to write angry prose anywhere in this pitiful excuse for a thread anyway :/

Just to clarify, I don't sit on wheels, if following someone for pace i leave 5 or 6 lengths, usually though if I'm that close to someone I'll be approaching to overtake.

I find it annoying when people draft you, mainly because I can't clear my nose for fear of splattering them... it really pisses me off though not being able to clear my nose!!

Rapha do a handkerchief don't they?

Handkerchiefs are rank...!

Or you mean for the nodder behind to wipe his face after?

I don't get the animosity over drafting... You sit behind me, I sit behind you, we get there faster and can tell from each other's ride/clothing/pace that we both ride regularly (aka not just commuting).

I don't get the animosity over drafting... You sit behind me, I sit behind you, we get there faster and can tell from each other's ride/clothing/pace that we both ride regularly (aka not just commuting).

It's more the people that don't fit that bill that are annoying... the ones puffing and panting as they stick to your wheel, happy for the free ride though.