Drafting other cyclists

Well, at 6'4" and 95kg (lean) I do find myself the target of wheelsuckers quite frequently.

One funny thing happened just the other day : My riding buddies and I were out on our usual Tuesday morning ride, which consist of 2 semi-challenging and 1 killer hill. We always pace ourselves on the first one, as about 500m after it there is the 15%+ killer.

Another bunch came flying up behind, then past us (they weren't doing the killer). We step it up a bit and end up overtaking half the bunch. Right at the top I go past one guy who looks as though he's about to die. He jumps right on my wheel - just as I'm freewheeling down a slight decline recouperating for the killer.

He's losing ground on the other half of the bunch we didn't overtake, as they're powering off (all downhill).

He has the nerve to start calling out "C'mon man...... Pedal ! PEDAL !!!!"
What a [censored]. Has the nerve to just jump on my wheel and then demand I tow him up to the rest of his group !!!

Must have felt like a [censored] when he saw me turn off to go down the killer.

We did the killer and the 3rd hill - and by the end of it had them all well in the sights again.

Might join their bunch next Tuesday, help turn the screws up and say g'day.

This was a question I was thinking about towards the end of summer and am glad that someone asked this. Now I know that I'm not the only one. 🙂 I was on a 65 mile training ride one day and was on my last 20 or so miles when this rider jumps in behind me on a gradual uphill. I was crusing along around 18 - 19 when I look back and see them on my wheel. I was surprised at my aggitation with this as I know that drafting can save a ton of energy (and I was tired) and this person didn't bother to announce their presence. I made a comment like, glad I could be here to pull you along, and still they stayed with me the rest of the way. If I ever come up on somebody and don't quite have the energy to overtake them, I'll say something like, "On your wheel!" so they know that I'm back there and don't brake suddenly. I think it's more a courtesy than anything. I've jumped into others pace lines but have always pulled my share of the way. Anyway, I find it annoying when someone drafts me and doesn't return the favor in kind or at least say a thanks.

I don't have a problem as long as I know that someone's behind me. This is mostly for safety but also common courtesy. If your'e going to suck someone's wheel, you should offer to take the pull after you have recovered. Clearing your nose is a very effective way to get rid of unwanted suckers, so is dropping them. Also, make sure you know how to draft safely, I'd be pretty [censored] if some newbie stranger stuck his front wheel into me.