Where it gets more contentious is commuting. My position's pretty clear: I'm happy to either draft or be drafted. With the former I don't go ludicrously close to another bike's rear wheel and I'm vigilant in case my temporary helper has to brake or swerve to avoid something.
And if we reach a red light I'll often try to set off quickly so as to offer a reciprocal helping hand. When in front I indicate well in advance, and point a helpful finger towards upcoming potholes and the like. But I'm having to reconsider whether it's worth the bother.
I'm not sure about your home cycling patch but in London a reasonable minority of fellow commuters seem to view being drafted in much the same way as if you'd walked into their home and helped yourself from their fridge. These malcontents react in different ways: some turn round and scowl; others begin weaving round the lane, slowing down or speeding up.
One young man's facial expression was so laughably aggrieved — you'd have thought I'd propositioned his mother — that when we stopped at a red traffic light I felt obliged to ask him, politely, why he so objected to being drafted.
We're cycling alone. Don't you get that? But is there even a benefit to drafting when the road tilts up? When you ride uphill, your speed drops and so does the wind resistance you face. They need to be as light as possible to overcome the effect of gravity, rather than trying to get aerodynamic. So why do the pros still draft each other uphill?
And in bike racing, saving energy is the name of the game, particularly in the case of three-week Grand Tours. And then there are the psychological benefits. Having a wheel to follow up a climb can help you pace yourself, or simply provide extra motivation to hold a faster pace than you might otherwise. This is due to a number of factors, not least the fact that drag reduction changes with the size and on-the-bike position of the rider ahead and the rider drafting, plus the environmental conditions.
Regardless, we all know that drafting works and one thing the studies can agree on is that you can save enormous amounts of energy by drafting correctly. Matt de Neef contributed additional reporting to this article. The basics There are three forces we need to overcome when riding a bike: the effect of gravity, rolling resistance, and wind resistance. Riding in groups According to a study by Chester R. Hold the wheel! The graph below shows the different results various researchers have found when trying to determine the optimal distance from the wheel in front: Graph from Belloli If you are riding in such a crosswind, never cross the yellow line to get a draft and always stay out of other traffic lanes if you are riding on open roads.
While riding in larger groups can be even more complex, the important thing to remember is that your actions in the group affect others. No matter your position in the group, avoid sudden moves and braking. Changes in pace can also be a challenge. In order to avoid accidents, you should always speed up and slow down smoothly, taking into account that there are other riders close by.
Always stay aware of whether there are other riders behind you, especially with a cross wind where they could be on one side or the other. It is here accidents can happen if you stand up and get out the saddle to speed up and throw your rear wheel backwards where it might touch the front wheel of the rider behind you.
Staying alert is key. Keep an eye on the body language of the riders in front of you. Is the pace steady? Is the someone at the very front of the group speeding up or slowing down? The better you pay attention and stay aware, the more time you have to react smoothly and calmly. This is why during practice, it is recommended that you switch positions during the ride. Learn how to signal that you are finishing your turn at the front so that someone else can ride through and take over.
Never just. Cyclists who race sometimes even practice contact. While you always want to avoid actually getting in contact with another rider, knowing not to panic if you do can save you in a tight, tricky situation.
You can actually practice this on a field or somewhere with no hard surfaces. Learning how to master the art of draft also means that you need to learn how to sacrifice draft temporarily in order to avoid accidents as well.
Andrew Lowen helps manage content at Moment Bicycles and has been in love with bikes ever since his mom bought him his first tricycle. He plans to compete in his first triathlon next year. Though, he did say the same thing last year. Your email address will not be published.
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