Road etiquette?

[Ted S.]

So if you're passed on the open road by a fellow a cyclist and you decide you want to try to close the gap and and end up getting on their wheel is it rude to hang back there and ride in the draft for a while.?

The reason I ask- I was passed on the towpath yesterday afternoon, I was definitely just going slow tooling along about 12mph, the rider on a cross bike with hands on the drops passed about 1 inch from me as there where lots of people out, bikers, runners, family's, dog walkers stroller pushers etc. So to make the pass he had to weave in through the congestion, scared the shit out of me. And he was moving going at least 20mph. So as I watch him start to shrink off into the distance I wonder if I can close the gap, So I stand on it and it takes a few miles but I eventually end up on his wheel, He see's me there and stands up and tries to sprint away but I don't let him shake me, Then he gets in his drops and cranks out a hard pace 24,25 mph but I just hold on.. I'm about an inch off his wheel. Suddenly he Slams on the brakes and skids to a stop. I was having fun, didn't realize this guy was pissed, So a swerve and barley avoid piling into him, I stop and say Hey you alright ?? he gives me a shit look stands up on the pedals and sprints off, doesn't speak a word. So I let him go, When I get to the bridge I cross and on the far side I stop pull off the water bottle, stretch and suck down some fluids, Then I see the rider in question coming across the bridge, apparently he went all the way down to the head gates and was coming back around so I wave, smile and say Hey, I get no eye contact, he looks angry and gets off the saddle and sprints away. ?? this guy nearly wrecked me ,,, on purpose and he's mad?? Really?

[dgaddis1]

Yeah, it's poor form to draft someone you don't know without asking, 'cause you're putting them and yourself in danger. If they don't know you're back there they may do something that could put you both on the ground. Stoping suddenly, swerving, etc.

Of course, it's also poor form to blast by someone that close without letting them know you're coming around first.

[wooglin]

Jan 28, 2013 11:43:42 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

Yeah, it's poor form to draft someone you don't know without asking, 'cause you're putting them and yourself in danger. If they don't know you're back there they may do something that could put you both on the ground. Stoping suddenly, swerving, etc.

Of course, it's also poor form to blast by someone that close without letting them know you're coming around first.

And regardless, don't draft on a crowded MUT.

[beckyl]

I'm glad you both (dgaddis and wooglin) posted with good advice. Nevin and I get folks drafting off us quite frequently on the towpath and most of the time they don't let us know they are back there. This always bothers me because for one thing they sometimes scare me when I can't hear them and if I don't know they are back there I could do something to compromise everyone's safety. With this said, there is NEVER a good excuse to intentionally try to hurt someone...physically, emotionally or whatever. If this guy had a problem with Ted, he should have said something verbally instead of being a dangerous jerk. IMO

[wooglin]

Jan 28, 2013 13:06:41 GMT -5 beckyl said:

If this guy had a problem with Ted, he should have said something verbally instead of being a dangerous jerk. IMO

Just to be clear, both guys (sorry Ted) were being dangerous jerks, Ted the more so for interjecting himself into the other guy's ride. In his defense, he obviously didn't know any better. And I doubt the other guy was all that experienced in pacelining either, because coming to a quick stop is about the only way the guy in front is going to get hurt in this scenario. The guy in back is far far more at risk.

Again, sorry Ted.

[Ted S.]

NO worries next time I'll announce my self in a loud freindly voice and ask permission,,,,

But as a normally socialized adult who obvously new I was back there, He could use his words like a big kid, its as simple as , "hey get off my wheel I don't like that." , He looked at me when I first caught him and proceded to try and drop me, I thought it was game on. We hauled balls down the canal together for a few miles. Skidding in front of me when he knew I was there was not cool. I stopped and tried to be freindly and he took off. I tried to engage him a second time and he ignored me. I may have had poor etiquette initially, but simple polite social behavior isn't to much to ask is it?

Also I know this person and just didn't want to call them out by name we have met numerous times at the cross events and at the dam ride. We have never ofically riden together before(I don't think he owns a mountain bike) but we have been introduced and exchanged words numerous times. He may not of recognized me but that makes little difference. I don't know if he was trying to wreck me or just scrub me off but I will be asking the next time I see him.
I am not deaf and he is not a mute. Simple polite conversation is not too much to ask.

[Ted S.]

PS .. thanks for the advice, don't mind hearing I was in the wrong .. Its why I asked.

[quickag]

you skinny people are funny. I have trucks and cars drafting me. They never let me know they're behind me.