Random Wheelsuckers

[Martin318is]

If they say hello and chat first then I generally have no problem with it. Then it becomes 2 people out for a ride where one is clearly stronger.

If - however - they do the classic of latching on when starting up after a red light or jump on after being overtaken, without saying anything then there is a really simple way to get rid of them. Surging etc from the front is no more successful than doing so trying to break away in a race. Instead....

Stop pedalling.


Let your speed roll way down to stationary if necessary. They will get the hint and ride past. If they say hi on the way past and are chatty then move back to the original 2 guys out riding idea. If they still say nothing at all then go to phase 2. Sit on them for a minute to get a good breath into your lungs, then Attack them. Hard.

 

[Ripper]

How about this ...

Someone jumps on your wheel for a few blocks, and then attacks full speed, looking back several times.

This happens to me sometimes when commuting or when doing a longer, steadier (read - easy or moderate) ride. I am glad by riding I provide some folks the motivation, but seriously

 

[42x16ss]

If they say hello and chat first then I generally have no problem with it. Then it becomes 2 people out for a ride where one is clearly stronger.

My point exactly! Roll up next to me and say hi, get talking and those long boring base km's just might go past a little faster and you could even make a new friend

But honestly, who goes out for a ride thinking "I'm gonna suck the cr@p outta any wheels that pass"???

Edit: Other than Levi Leipheimer....

 

[CobbleStoner]

I'm amused and slightly annoyed by riders who try to drop you, brake, swerve, when you come up on them. I always say 'on your wheel' and pull through after a bit, say hi, at that point they can tell you they are TT training or whatever, and go on with your business. you can tell pretty quickly by someone's form if they are worth riding with (the ones that are usually don't have that attitude). I have no problem towing a weaker rider around.
here in the Netherlands I suck wheels of scooters, they are everywhere on the bike paths, and most realize the draft and with the constant wind here, it is very nice to have a 45kph motorpace

 

[Shady87]

I've had a bike shop group catch up to me at traffic lights. I go off at my pace, which is faster than their designated speed. Some latched on, one guy, seemed to be a group leader, rides up next to me then starts on a rant 'If you want to ride at 40, go with the 40 (km\h) group' and a bit more. I responded 'I don't know who you are, I'm not part of your group, if you want to ride at 35, don't sit on my wheel.'

 

[Polyarmour]

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.

Do you have to be so rude and objectionable?
Why did you have to say that?
Why didn't you just present your argument and leave it at that?

 

[MR_Sarcastic]

If you don't like it, just slow down, until he passes. If he doesn't pass, just ignore him, and don't let him dictate your training.

 

[Afrank]

When someone tries to wheelsuck me it usually is on the bike trail. I usually just keep riding like I don't know they are there, while at the same time slowly upping the pace, until eventually I am going 20-25 mph (depending on wind, conditions, etc.). Usually at that pace they can't keep up. And I've found they are mostly commuters or recreational riders (not racers) and can't take corners as fast as I can.

 

[DirtyWorks]

If you don't like it, just slow down, until he passes. If he doesn't pass, just ignore him, and don't let him dictate your training.

+1

I attempt a conversation when slowing down. If it's some weird glory seeker, then you know pretty quickly. There's just not enough bike riders in the U.S. NOT to talk to other riders.

 

[BroDeal]

Do you have to be so rude and objectionable?
Why did you have to say that?
Why didn't you just present your argument and leave it at that?

Maybe because I find it delusional that someone would think that a random Leipheimer hopping on your wheel will make you faster.

 

[jamiephillips]

Maybe because I find it delusional that someone would think that a random Leipheimer hopping on your wheel will make you faster.

But it does make you ride faster, there's no need for a scientific study, you're just working that bit harder trying to drop the leech!!

 

[maltiv]

If it gets to the point where it's getting on my nerves then I usually just find a hill nearby and go all Gilbert on the poor guy.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

When I get wheelsucked I often just keep the pace and do these little unnoticed accelerations and see how well the wheelsucker holds on. Most of the time they drop after I up the pace for a while. But sometimes I need a little hill. And then I just keep riding the same pace I was riding on the flat to drop them quickly.

When I'm the wheelsucker I just hang on for dear life as long as I can and up a hill I imagine I'm Levi Leipheimer. Although 1 real acceleration will drop me.

 

[Martin318is]

I've had a bike shop group catch up to me at traffic lights. I go off at my pace, which is faster than their designated speed. Some latched on, one guy, seemed to be a group leader, rides up next to me then starts on a rant 'If you want to ride at 40, go with the 40 (km\h) group' and a bit more. I responded 'I don't know who you are, I'm not part of your group, if you want to ride at 35, don't sit on my wheel.'

oh man, I got so angry just reading that! argh!

 

[greenedge]

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

Well this year he did not wheelsuck and he won. This year he even had the measure of Andy in the mountains and this year he was fresh enough to beat Andy ( like he should have against Sastre ).

 

[Martin318is]

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.

Got any video of that? My recollection is of virtually every contender not wanting to work to chase people and leaving Cadel to do it....

either way, <yawn>

 

[Offtheback]

I've had a bike shop group catch up to me at traffic lights. I go off at my pace, which is faster than their designated speed. Some latched on, one guy, seemed to be a group leader, rides up next to me then starts on a rant 'If you want to ride at 40, go with the 40 (km\h) group' and a bit more. I responded 'I don't know who you are, I'm not part of your group, if you want to ride at 35, don't sit on my wheel.'

That's a nice attitude Shady. When I was race training I wouldn't mind someone jumping on my wheel. After a while I'd ask them if they would like to do some Bit & Bit: pulling longer on the front if necessary and it was invariably appreciated & we would part roads later as friends.

I'm not sure about sucking a scooter wheel at 45KPH without asking them first if it was OK. Maybe most Dutch scooter riders are quite savvy about bike racing, otherwise they might be worried about the cyclist clipping a wheel and being inadvertently part of an accident.

 

[Polyarmour]

Wheelsuckers don't annoy me... unless they pass me... then it's on.

 

[Maxiton]

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.

Got any video of that? My recollection is of virtually every contender not wanting to work to chase people and leaving Cadel to do it....

either way, <yawn>

Nah, you can't video your own prejudice. It lives within.

Wheelsuckers don't annoy me... unless they pass me... then it's on.

+1. I don't usually notice wheelsuckers. Until they pass, that is.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Drafting Rules

Whats the opinion on Climbing with someone drafting. I,ve been told twice now, that when i,m gona get out of the saddle to climb I need to push on so i dont hit the drafters wheel behind.

Well my opinion is - I am pulling them up steep climbs and the effort is hard enough without having to do that on steep gradient. I,m a mountain Goat and resent having to consider the person behind if they are getting help by being behind.

My mate said this to me recently after I had powered up a mountain like Nibali with him behind on the rivet. He said at the top I should watch it when i get out the saddle coz he nearly touched my wheel a couple of times. I told him no way - he shouldnt be so close and its hard enough without giving that extra effort !

 

[GreasyMonkey]

Wheelsucking on climbs

If you are on the front in an organised group, then it is reasonable to expect you to upshift one cog as you stand to maintain the momentum, but if you're riding solo and somebody jumps on without asking, then it is "Rider behind Beware".

If they clip your back wheel, 99% of the time it will be them who smacks the tarmac, not you, so they need to take care.

 

[euanli]

I got annoyed the other day taking it easy on my way home. I passed a guy who had stopped for some reason then about 1 minute later he comes sprinting past me only to pull right in front of me so I was sat on his back wheel. I did not change my pace at all and he began to tut and mouth off at me for "wheelsucking" him.

 

[CobbleStoner]

Whats the opinion on Climbing with someone drafting. I,ve been told twice now, that when i,m gona get out of the saddle to climb I need to push on so i dont hit the drafters wheel behind.

Well my opinion is - I am pulling them up steep climbs and the effort is hard enough without having to do that on steep gradient. I,m a mountain Goat and resent having to consider the person behind if they are getting help by being behind.

My mate said this to me recently after I had powered up a mountain like Nibali with him behind on the rivet. He said at the top I should watch it when i get out the saddle coz he nearly touched my wheel a couple of times. I told him no way - he shouldnt be so close and its hard enough without giving that extra effort !

it is the responsibility of the rider following to keep his front wheel off to one side or the other (depending on wind direction) when on a hill, or any time you anticipate the rider in front standing up, although I can appreciate the psychology of your friends attempt get you to pull harder/longer on the climbs...

 

[Zam_Olyas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwwGMoZuYR8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKQ9USiKcDE

 

[BroDeal]

Whats the opinion on Climbing with someone drafting. I,ve been told twice now, that when i,m gona get out of the saddle to climb I need to push on so i dont hit the drafters wheel behind.

Well my opinion is - I am pulling them up steep climbs and the effort is hard enough without having to do that on steep gradient. I,m a mountain Goat and resent having to consider the person behind if they are getting help by being behind.

My mate said this to me recently after I had powered up a mountain like Nibali with him behind on the rivet. He said at the top I should watch it when i get out the saddle coz he nearly touched my wheel a couple of times. I told him no way - he shouldnt be so close and its hard enough without giving that extra effort !

When group riding an expected skill is to be able to get out of the saddle without your rear wheel lurching backward.