Is this typical road cycling behavior?

[Feanor]

Hi again all, Still a newbie to road cycling here so I thought I would toss this out to see if its something to always expect...

Yesterday after getting home from work I just had to jump on the bike and get in at least 10-15 miles before dinner and while there was still plenty of light.

After stretching I zipped out of the garage and headed toward my main route; a very very long avenue which is almost perfectly straight and with only mild rises...

Being in only moderately decent shape, I like riding this particular road while maintaining a pace that keeps me huffing a bit...

About 15 minutes into the ride I hear the familiar "tiktiktiktik" of another bike behind me and I look back and see another cyclist on my rear wheel. He nods in acknowledgement and by just the glance of him head to toe I get the impression that he is far FAR in advance of my skills and strength.

He stayed behind me for about a mile and during that time (and as a juvenile reaction toward being labelled a weenie) I kept up a pace that was starting to agonize me... all the while he was behind me right off my wheel, and he never said a word...

I was concentrating on being as smooth as possible because at times his front wheel and my rear would overlap slight as he was always on the left of me on the traffic side of the street...

after that first mile he moved past me and in front, where he matched the pace I was making so that I dropped in on his rear wheel... He looked back momentarily as if confirming something, and then just road straight and steady at that pace...

we were like that for about two miles and (we made several green lights that I was hoping we would not make so that I could have a breather) but I just felt like I had to keep my wheel right where it was in relation to his...

After that two mile stint, he moved slightly more to the right and held his hand out and down low while slowing a bit... and assuming what looked fairly obvious I accelerated and took a position in front. In a snap he was right on my rear wheel again...

About half a mile into this stint we had to stop for a light... While waiting, I looked back wanting to just say "hi" but before I could he just said "legs?" and I replied "ok"

The light turned green and we took off again... This routine kept up for quite a while until I had to (for time constraints) turn around and head back home...

Trying to keep in the same vein of economy of words I just said "heading home"

He turned back and nodded and held up his hand and then sped off like a rocket! I don't think I would have been able to close him up even if I had been on a slight decline!

Anyhow, it was mainly a downhill grade heading home and it gave me a chance to recover... I got back home and sat in the hot tub for about 30 minutes before dinner... It was probably the highest physical output level I have had in years and though it hurt, it was FUN... and today I actually feel great and ready to try it again...

Never got the guys name though... Did I experience something that is typical of road cyclists meeting on the road?

Have fun all!

Feanor

 

[Vo2]

Nice story.
You have experienced what is commonly refered to as the "athletes high". Does'nt matter whether you experienced it in full or only partial, fact is that you were "there". When roadies spot another rider up the road, they will instinctively ride up to the wheel of that rider. No matter how tired they are, or what sort of training session they are busy with, it all goes out the window when another rider is spotted. Whether it's an ego thing, no-one knows. It's just the way it happens.
Best practice here is to ride up to your fellow cyclist and greet, then enquire about the time and distance they plan to ride. If it falls within your scheme of things, ask if it's ok if you ride along. Most of the time the other rider will be glad about the company. You'll probably end up exchanging training and ride info and plan another get together.
I believe that one should never treat another sports person as an inferior athlete. Rather be friendly and humble. You'll make more friends and earn much more respect that way.

 

[TbosS]

I recognize the story as well. I often ride with a friend of mine. We ride a popular training route to the south of Amsterdam often, so you overtake other riders, get overtaken by other riders (especially if it's a cyclist club of about 10 riders). If the speed is very different everybody goes its own way. But if speeds are a bit alike it's always nice to pair up.

A few weeks back, on an early morning drive, another rider caught up with us. First he hung on our tail, then he passed us, and he was evidently more fit. My cycling-mate caught his wheel, and off we went. We kept together for about 10-15 km and at about 5 km/h faster than as we ride with only two riders. First we all just pedaled ahead, but after a while we exchanged some words like: "this goes nice and fast!", "it does doesn't it?". The last words we exchanged were when he took the lead over from me, and told me my mate couldn't follow. That was the moment our ways parted and I slowed down to wait and chaperone my mate back home.

I totally agree with Vo2, that being friendly and humble will give you the best company during a ride.

 

[Zac]

Like everyone else said it is something tat happens quite regularly If you are going to do it though, always say something to the rider before you just go and get in their draft, other wise it could be considered very rude.

 

[Shabby]

Originally posted by Zac
Like everyone else said it is something tat happens quite regularly If you are going to do it though, always say something to the rider before you just go and get in their draft, other wise it could be considered very rude.

I don;t think it's rude tpo sit on someones wheel without asking, but the thing that gives me the ****s is when someone sits on for 15km into the wind, then attacks as they go past you.

Invariably, they blow up after they realise there's a headwind and slot right back in behind again, but it's still bad form.

 

[BugMan]

Make no mistake - it is bad form to take a strangers wheel without first asking. It can be as simple as, "mind if I hang on?". Feanor obviously accepted this and the two had a great ride together. But please, always ask permission to draft rather than assume the other rider is okay with it.

 

[old&slow]

Feanor, apologies if I got the wrong drift but sounds like the whole draft thing was new to you ? Imagine a big bunch in a race situation, you're trying to predict who the strong guys are, where the break will go, then in a blink it happens with everyone trying to grab a wheel ...... try it, you'll be hooked. Wherever you are there will a road racing club offering graded scratch and handicap racing to suit your level and it'll be the best healthy fun you can ever have !

 

[Feanor]

Old&Slow,

You're correct indeed! Although the theory of drafting is not new to me at all, the practice of it on road bikes, as well as road bikes in general, definitely is

This weekend, the wife and I are meeting a new friend who's husband belongs to a cycling club in our area and I plan on getting involved with that as soon as possible... Its incredibly fun just on my own or with one or two people, I can't imagine how much fun it will be with dozens! I'm still developing my knowledge of road cycling etiquette from many of the knowledgeable posters here on this forum, and its funny because even with imperfect knowledge about all the Cycling faux pas, I do know not to show up in the USPS jersey and shorts my wife got me as a joke! *laughing* I'll wear my beat up mountain biking jersey instead

have a good one!

Feanor

 

[tictactoe]

This is all so informative!! For those of us who are kind of new to road cycling, can you offer any other 'rules of the road' we should know? I know you learn most etiquette when you're out on the road, but it's good to have a little knowledge before you make a fool of yourself.

Thanks!!

 

[BugMan]

Practice makes perfect... It's really not that complicated, a lot of the etiquette is just common sense but gets forgotten in the rush of testosterone that one often finds in group rides.

The main thing is consistency and predictability. Riders want to know what you're going to do and feel comfortable riding 1 foot behind your rear wheel. I'm no expert but have the benefit of many years of road riding with groups of all skill levels. Here's a short list of tips that should be helpful for those new to this:
1. Ride a straight line - weaving makes you unpredictable.
2. Easy on the brakes - 'feather' the levers to maintain steady speed rather than speeding up and slowing down hard.
3. Communicate - let riders behind you know your intentions. Use hand signals for turns, verbal is better for stopping or slowing.
4. Point out hazards - the riders behind cannot see in front of you. When you pass the hazard, don't skim by it - move a foot or more away.
5. Don't "split" hazards - when one rider rides to one side of a hazard and then the 2nd rider avoids it to the opposite side, it confuses the 3rd rider and leads them right into the hazard.
6. When it's your turn to pull, maintain the same speed as when you were drafting - let the rider pulling off drop back rather than you speeding up past him. Once the rider is on the back of the group, then you can speed up if you wish.
7. Rider in front is responsible for safety of the group - give your full attention to pointing out or avoiding hazards.
8. Keep your pulls short - the riders behind are resting even if it feels like you're working your butt off. Esp. on climbs - don't stay in front and slow down to a snail's pace as you tire.
9. When stopping, again easy does it - don't "stop hard", ease up to the stop with evenly decreasing speed. Also, pull as far forward as you safely can so that riders near the back are not trapped in right turn lanes.
10. When restarting from a stop, make sure all riders are 'on' before mashing at the front.

Most importantly - OBEY ALL TRAFFIC LAWS!!! Nothing ticks off motorists more than to see cyclists blasting through stop signs, running red lights, and weaving around. If the road has a good shoulder, rider just right of the white line. If the shoulder is not good, ride just left of the white line. If there is no shoulder, ride in the right tire track. Learn to look back without swerving, and do it often. Maintain your line when traffic approaches from behind - don't move over to the edge of the road because it just makes your situation more dangerous (it tempts the motorist to pass more closely and at higher speed, and you've got no buffer on the right).

 

[rek]

There are some good articles about various roadie things, including etiquette, here:

http://www.canberracyclingclub.org.au/ccc/features/features.shtm

 

[Geonz]

I agree that it is a good idea to communicate before snagging a wheel -- though sometimes you can communicate without words, there are a fair number of people who don't like their space invaded. I do sort of like the wordless magic part of it, when it happens. Humility in dress and demeanor help -- though too dressed down and people assume you don't do drafting. Dress too well and they assume you know all their secret hand signals

 

[never_doped]

I don't like strangers sucking off me because I don't know their skills and safety. Last thing I want is some moron crashing in to the rear of me. I have a little sign above my rear brake that says:

STAY BACK
FIFTY FEET

If they can't read I'll run them into a curb after one verbal warning.

If they want to ride next to me that's ok as long as they keep a straight line. If they are goofy I'll do an interval and drop them if it doesn't conflict too badly with my training plan.

In racing I accept and relish it because it is safe to assume that they have earned the right to be there. But any Joe Blow? Not a chance.

 

[Feanor]

Originally posted by Geonz
I do sort of like the wordless magic part of it, when it happens.

Geonz,

That was a great way of putting it, and I probably didn't do justice in my original post to the fact that that is exactly what it felt like to me...

On some level I just "knew" (there were of course some pretty profound visual clues as well) that this rider was not in any way "grabbing my wheel for the free ride" and that he most definitely lowered himself to my level to "interact" with me and for whatever reasons he had, it was a very informative and enlightening experience.

I don't want to say he was "coaching" but it felt like he was wanting to show me the ropes, and I've run into coaches who used a style which included an economy of talking; they just show you and then signal you to do the same...

One thing I didn't consider until much later was the possibility that maybe he didn't speak english The few words he did say had no real accent, but then again, anyone can say "legs?" with fairly good pronunciation...

It was a good time, I pushed myself harder than I think I ever had before and far harder than I thought I could, and because of that, I am very grateful...

Have a good one all!

Feanor

 

[old&slow]

'never doped' ........ whoa, back pedal and lighten up a little. How about you make the effort to ride alongside them once you realise they're there ? Say hello, if they say something really dumb that offends you, fine ..... then use your apparent pro class talent to blow them away. Let's keep a bit of perspective here .... you're out riding, maybe even following a strict training plan, but I'm guessing you're doing it for enjoyment and not necessarily having your next pro contract hanging off it so respect that others are also doing it for enjoyment ..... the whole sign and 'ride them into a curb' thing ....... really ?

 

[prestonjb]

Remind me to avoid any stupid idiots who have signs on the back of their bikes and who try to cause people to crash.

 

[prestonjb]

Also remind me to team up with anyone with BUG as part of their first name

 

[Feanor]

Never doped,

Yow, that was pretty harsh... I think that alot of the trepidation I had in taking to the open roads was due in large part to people who might take your particular tack on riding...

I'm not trying to cast you in a bad light as a rider (maybe you've had alot of bad experiences with inconsiderate riders and that forms your outlook on it), I just think that the approach you described was a bit hard edged.

If I got to the point where I was good enough to hang a sign like that on the back of my bike, I think it might be like painting a bullseye on my back, goading riders to constantly bug me, rather than leave you alone Another danger is that you'll get that REAL asshole who'll run the bumper of his car right up behind you while yelling "Am I too close?"

And you know you will run occasionally into those riders who will fly past you while you're in your 100% sprint and give you that "YOU try to stay within fifty feet of ME" look

I've always held the deepest admiration for unassuming champions, because they've mastered both sides of life... the volatile, and the insightful...

Have a good one!

Feanor

 

[never_doped]

I make it really clear that I don't want anyone hanging on my ass.

There's the card which is highly visible if you're drafting, and then there is my clear warning to 'get off my ass'. If they stay there any longer it's their fault not mine.

If there is a side wind I'll let them ride in the gutter or the oncoming traffic. I was there first and I don't want to spend a day treating road rash or the rest of my life paralyzed because someone I never met or knew before can't stay up without drafting.

If I went in front of people then did this to them it would be wrong. They are racing up to catch me and I don't want them there. I am doing my own thing and would like to be left alone.

Often it happens with I am training with a friend and we are having conversation or running our own paceline.

If you were drafting someone in a car with your car:

A. It's dangerous
B. It's illegal
C. It's stupid (you never know when some lunatic is going to slam on his brakes and then sue you until the end of time.)

This is why almost universally in driving, skiing, swiming laps, that it is the responsibility of the guy in back to maintain a safe and reasonable distance.

A lot of these guys after you pass them speed up and sneak in behind you. It may be minutes before I notice and due to my own focus I may make an erratic movement when a road hazard is there without even knowing they were there.

The bottom line is that one should ask and if someone says no, take them at their word and buzz off.

 

[Geonz]

Well, communication is the key, I reckon -- wordless or not. Never_doped has reached the heights of skill and speed and would not deign to impart any risk to hide nor hair (though shaved, I am sure) by having to tolerate the presence of a lower life form. (In my experience, though, it's the guy in back who takes the risks and goes down.)
I suppose like breeds like - if that was what strong riders were like around me, I'd probably act the same when I got to that level. But I, too, have been nudged and nurtured by people who could have blasted on by - and there is something neat about being able to pass it along.
My other theory is htat some riders are pushing from an adrenaline base -- so they're going to be the intense, *gotta* give it 110% every time or it isn't worth doing at all, types. Tend to be high achievers and I give 'em lots of respect -- and sympathy, too, because when that feeling kicks in it rules.
And I give 'em lots of space -- fortunately there's room on the road for both of us.