Random Wheelsuckers

[42x16ss]

I was out this morning by myself, just doing a 1.5/2hr tempo ride around one of the more popular loops here. No less than three times I had random guys I rolled past decide to latch on to my wheel. One of them even followed me when I sprinted away from him at 55kmh + !!!!

What creative ways do you guys have for ditching those types that need to cling onto any wheel that rolls past just to hold 30kmh

Some people just don't get the drift and braking suddenly while swerving to the side to make them pass only works until you catch the person in question again

 

[Ulle Relaxes]

On one hand I'm not sure why it bothers you on the other hand you should start blowing your nose or spit behind you.

 

[Euskaltel!]

Find a hill, show em who's boss

 

[RedheadDane]

Barredo them!

You did not hear it from me!

 

[DominicDecoco]

Hit the brakes.

 

[hrotha]

I suck wheels all the time because I have no sense of direction. When I go to the front I always take the wrong turns.

 

[Master50]

You actually can go a little faster with a wheel sucker than on your own. You also tend to go harder when someone is on your wheel so there is that aspect that make the training a bit more effective.

Just thank them and forget it.

 

[Richeypen]

I dont get the problem. Unless they are being dangerous why do you care?

 

[dougvdh]

The way I see it, when cycling, nothing of immediate importance happens behind you (except attacks). You only have to be concerned about what's ahead and beside. Wheelsuckers are behind and don't matter . . .

 

[MarkvW]

I was riding behind this old guy on his expensive bike once, and he swerved all over the road in an attempt to hinder my passing. It was hilarious.

If your trailer isn't a hazard, then maybe you should see a shrink about your problem.
If your trailer is a hazard, politely ask the trailer to give you a little space, and if he refuses, slow down and let him pass.

Doesn't seem like a problem.

 

[The Hitch]

When i ride i let my mind run wild and imagine Im cadel Evans riding to win the tour.

So i wheelsuck absolutely anyone i see for as long as i can.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

When I wheelsuck I imagine I'm Levi Leipheimer.

 

[BroDeal]

You actually can go a little faster with a wheel sucker than on your own.

No, you cannot. That is an old wives tale. It does not happen in reality on the road.

I dont get the problem. Unless they are being dangerous why do you care?

It's all fun and games until the unknown person with unknown skills runs up your backside, ripping the rear derailleur and hanger off your frame, perhaps caused by you braking while not knowing the person was there.

Group riding creates extra risks. Other people should not subject you to those risks without asking.

 

[Fatclimber]

You actually can go a little faster with a wheel sucker than on your own. You also tend to go harder when someone is on your wheel so there is that aspect that make the training a bit more effective.

Just thank them and forget it.

I don't agree that going harder makes training more effective.

For the OP, good luck trying to break people of the habit. It's instinctive for roadies. Heck, I've been out on my mtn bike on the pavement and had people on road bikes drafting off me. No shame.

It's part ego too, sometimes it's tough to let somebody go by without a fight. Have you ever been near somebody on a climb? That's some funny stuff.

 

[Christophe]

Long as they aren't interfering with your specific training plan for the day, no problem. It IS annoying if you're doing a steady-state tempo/threshold ride and somebody latches on, rests for a bit, then expects that you want to go into rotation with them. Just tell them what you're up to and 'no, thank you', they'll generally either sit on or lose interest.

 

[Cycle Chic]

No, you cannot. That is an old wives tale. It does not happen in reality on the road.



It's all fun and games until the unknown person with unknown skills runs up your backside, ripping the rear derailleur and hanger off your frame, perhaps caused by you braking while not knowing the person was there.

Group riding creates extra risks. Other people should not subject you to those risks without asking.

Same happened to me...an oldie had latched on and when I slowed up he took me out - road rash and 3 weeks off the bike...silly old sod !!

If I do it I always ask if its ok.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Sometimes i wheelsuck just for **** sake lol and imagine what a pro would feel like

 

[elapid]

Same happened to me...an oldie had latched on and when I slowed up he took me out - road rash and 3 weeks off the bike...silly old sod !!

If I do it I always ask if its ok.

I think asking is the polite and correct thing to do. I don't mind someone sucking my wheel as long as they have asked and especially if they rotate with me. I specifically recall a charity ride last year and this one woman sucked my wheel and stayed out of the wind for 30km and then took off on the last hill and never once asked if it was OK or said thankyou. I was livid.

 

[usedtobefast]

No, you cannot. That is an old wives tale. It does not happen in reality on the road.



It's all fun and games until the unknown person with unknown skills runs up your backside, ripping the rear derailleur and hanger off your frame, perhaps caused by you braking while not knowing the person was there.

Group riding creates extra risks. Other people should not subject you to those risks without asking.

happened to me.

 

[Boeing]

I was out this morning by myself, just doing a 1.5/2hr tempo ride around one of the more popular loops here. No less than three times I had random guys I rolled past decide to latch on to my wheel. One of them even followed me when I sprinted away from him at 55kmh + !!!!

What creative ways do you guys have for ditching those types that need to cling onto any wheel that rolls past just to hold 30kmh

Some people just don't get the drift and braking suddenly while swerving to the side to make them pass only works until you catch the person in question again

brake surge brake surge repeat


or take them into a corner and mach 90 effort but be sure there is no wheel overlap on the inside. if you can get them outside in a corner there is a chance they are too wide and its over

dont ask how I know

 

[Quixote]

The remote roads of my usual rides! I'd welcome the company even if a wheel sucker. Usually, if I see someone approaching in my helmet mirror, I'll push it a bit to get an idea what I'm dealing with. If they stay with me...it's only to fly by. If they start to drop, I'll slow down to give a wheel.

 

[Master50]

No, you cannot. That is an old wives tale. It does not happen in reality on the road.

Group riding creates extra risks. Other people should not subject you to those risks without asking.

Since I cannot quote the article nor the author lets just say yes you can and old wives are not going fast enough to tell.
It is related to the spill off air causing turbulence so there is no other form of cycling except track where two riders ride close enough on each others wheel to smooth the airflow over a second body. Now the claim in the article with measurements was a KPH or less advantage At higher road speeds like over 30 KPH. I got to meet these old wives you speak of because most of the old women I know don't know jack about drafting ;-)


Fatclimber

most of us that work for a living need to get intensity over a lot of perhaps better ways to be cycling fit. You are correct that a rest day is not a good day to go harder but if hard is the goal then I find a wheel to suck or vice versa helps me go deeper or higher intensity even if for only a few extra seconds which is my point.

 

[BroDeal]

Since I cannot quote the article nor the author lets just say yes you can and old wives are not going fast enough to tell.
It is related to the spill off air causing turbulence so there is no other form of cycling except track where two riders ride close enough on each others wheel to smooth the airflow over a second body. Now the claim in the article with measurements was a KPH or less advantage At higher road speeds like over 30 KPH. I got to meet these old wives you speak of because most of the old women I know don't know jack about drafting ;-)

The literature on this consists of computer simulations, which are often poorly designed, and testing on tracks, where the riders ride much more closely than can be done with normal road conditions. Results range from nothing to insignificant to a small effect. In perfect conditions on a track you can probably get an effect but that does not translate to the road. If you think that someone pulling in behind you on the road makes you ride faster then you are delusional.

 

[42x16ss]

I dont get the problem. Unless they are being dangerous why do you care?

I think it's rude. I also think it shows a weird inability to know what you are trying to acheive on your ride. At least pull up next to me and say hi

 

[42x16ss]

No, you cannot. That is an old wives tale. It does not happen in reality on the road.



It's all fun and games until the unknown person with unknown skills runs up your backside, ripping the rear derailleur and hanger off your frame, perhaps caused by you braking while not knowing the person was there.

Group riding creates extra risks. Other people should not subject you to those risks without asking.

That is my main fear, as most people who do this can be a bit, lets say, Freddish. Doesn't it bug anyone else?