Drafting behind a guy. WOOOOOOO!!!!

[indigoiis]

I drafted four miles last night behind Mister Indy. He "let" me snag on, then pulled us down a long straightaway. It was thrilling. I kind of got tunnel-vision right onto his tire. I felt like if he hit something, we'd be in deep doo doo. It was a very odd exercize in trust and concentration.

He reports we were going 20-22 mph.

This bike has never seen that on a flat. Nor has this chick.

Amazing how that drafting thing works! And way awesome!!! WHOO HOOOO!!!!!

[bmccasland]

I've had the same fun. It is SO exhilarating to draft for miles behind someone you trust. But I agree, there's that little thought in the back of your head that says if he brakes suddenly we're in a BAD way.

[indysteel]

I've been working on paceline/drafting skills all summer and I agree that it can be a total blast. I feel really spoiled at times because I've had the pleasure of drafting behind some very experienced and steady male cyclists who are usually more than happy to pull lil' ol' me. Chivalry is not dead it would appear. It can also be a rush to be at the front of a paceline knowing that, by your own strength and stamina, you're pulling a group of people down the road.

[Kimmyt]

Agreed. There is something just great about a paceline, the whole communal effort thing is really unmatched in any sport I've taken part in. I love when the line establishes a good rhythm, very little needs to be said. Even though when we're really cooking sometimes I can only pull for 1/2 of the time others can, it feels great to come off the front and get a 'good pull' from the others as I drop back.

I think I need to do more group riding, I've been mostly solo this year...

[RoadRaven]

I follow real close behing my partner and my two eldest sons - just inches - I trust them implicitly and it is awesome.

What is a steady recovery ride for them becomes a motor-pacing workout for me. 34-38kph (similar to your pace Indi). Its great. On my own I train between 26-28kph, on flats perhaps up to about 30-32 depending on the type of ride I am doing.

I like riding a pace-line too Kimmy, but only get that opportunity at Saturday races, and there is a big range of ability and experience and I tend to sit a foot or two back, depending on how well I know the person in front when I am in a big bunch.

I am getting to know a couple of the other vet women's riding styles better, and am beginning to ride closer to their wheels when it is just us.

[Eden]

Yes paceline riding is a kick - and drafting a guy is stupendous (ask me about drafting my 6'4" husband!), but please! don't get mesmerised by the wheel in front of you!
Ideally you should still be looking up the road ahead - past about the hip of the person in front of you, so that you can see and react to things down the road rather than being surprised by them. Yes, it can be difficult to impossible when you are small and you are drafting a very large person(s) and this is why it is also important to vocalize and point out obstacles, but still try to not get pulled in by the spinning wheel..... (my red/black striped tires that I used to have were positively hypnotic to some people)

[ehirsch83]

well said Eden!
I was about to post the same thing and then I read your post:-)

[Rumblefish]

I love drafting my bf...he's so fast...and then I'm faster too!

A few things I've found useful to do is actually watch his back brake when I'm not 'scouting' ahead and around him. Atleast this way if I do get some tunnel vision there's a somewhat better chance of avoiding disaster. We've also done some drills while I'm drafting him when he'd break at random times and I'd have to respond. We did this at a slower pace to keep things safer. Another thing I do is match his cadence (which has helped me quite a bit) and stop pedaling when/if he does (this you might already know, but someone might not).

Hope this was helpful!