Loner Manners?

[blondiebiker]

I ride alone most of the time, but I'm very competitive, so whenever I have a guy pass me, I get motivated and start riding behind (usually about 6 feet back) him for as long as I can. Usually they don't seem to mind, but I had an encounter yesterday that made me wonder if this is considered rude...

[tulip]

I'd say that if you catch a wheel and draft real close, some folks might not like that. But staying a bit back, well I see no problem with that. It's a good way to work in some fast pace riding.

Alternately, you could try to ask them if you could ride with them. Of course, you might not want to!

[Geonz]

How would you feel about somebody doing the same thing to you?

This is just my opinion and worth what you paid for it, but I would feel that my space had been invaded. If you're close enough to benefit from my draft, then you're close enough so that I feel obligated to ride so you don't collide with me, especially since i have no idea what your skill level is. I would probably do my darndest to drop you, or slow 'way down. And I'm a loner too - when I go out for a ride, often it's to be by myself.

[MM_QFC!]

I prefer to be asked, when someone wants to draft me; I think it's good etiquette so that I can choose whether I want another's company, and/or the responsibility of someone drafting me too. I've done a well-known dbl century ride a number of times and anytime I sensed a hanger-on back there, it was a guy...a couple of times I slowed and waved them around me because it annoyed me that they didn't even ask! One guy pulled alongside me at a stoplight and said, "I just needed a rest so it was great to have you pull me for a while " (we were in the last 30 or so miles of the 200) and he neither asked me, nor thanked me...just kinda rude!
When I train with either 1 riding buddy or several, then we are clear in wanting to keep to how we've trained, so we usually decline others requests to 'latch on'...just messes up the rhythm, communication, etc that we've built together, so it's nothing personal and it should be OK for anyone to either agree or not to a request, but IMHO, the request should be made.
I think that the same rules apply as if you wanted to join a paceline too; just a considerate request - doesn't have to be anything fancy or that you have to waste time figuring out how to word it or anything. I realize that I've developed some clear opinions as I've seen all too many riders, who have no idea how to paceline, just jump on the end of one and cause crashes or they don't know the signals, strategy or the first thing in how it all works...they just put their heads down and pedal hard without being alert to all of the things that require skill, practice and/or concentration...and I've had friends who've been taken out by those yahoos blowing through, and ending their weekend ride adventure, by literally being edged off the road, crashing and getting hurt, while the paceline keeps going; one or maybe a few (or none usually) screaming 'on your left', as if everyone else who's on the road should immediately jump off their bikes, clear off the road, and get out of their way...yeah, right
Just my $.02...

[Geonz]

That said, sometimes there *is* almost telepathy... I never asked this guy permission, but since I passed his group and he peeled off the front, and we thanked each other at the end...

[ttaylor508]

I have been on both sides of this situation. I have been passed and then paced the rider that passed me, usually staying back 10+ feet because I don't want to benefit off their draft as I am out there for a workout, not to draft. I am not pacing them to annoy them, usually it is simply the fact that we are going the same speed. Many times after they pass, they cannot maintain their speed, so then it leaves me in the situation of either passing them back or slowing down. I have also had riders pace or draft off me, which I really don't mind as long as they let me know they are back there so I can signal any hazards in the road. So, even if you stay 6 feet back, you might let them know you are there so they don't make any abrupt moves that could endanger both of you. Even though 6 feet might seem like plenty of room, some people might feel like you are drafting.

[MM_QFC!]

Same here and, to your point, I've done the leap frog thing quite often too, with those riding at a similar pace on a local loop or an event ride, given the stopping at rest stops, etc...and it always seems as though there are riders who blast past, but can't sustain the lead either on a hill or for the long haul...it's best to give each other space unless otherwise is mutually agreed upon, I think.

[HillSlugger]

During my ride on Saturday a guy came up behind me (startled me!) and then chatted with me and/or hung behind me without ever passing. I kept wondering if he liked the view, didn't feel like passing, or couldn't pass me. I didn't mind him behind me except that I kept wondering where he was and when he'd actually pass.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I would find it unsettling and creepy if a stranger started following me 6 feet behind while I was biking, and did not greet me and ask if it was ok. There are a lot of scary people out there these days, both male and female.

[wackyjacky1]

That said, sometimes there *is* almost telepathy... I never asked this guy permission, but since I passed his group and he peeled off the front, and we thanked each other at the end...

OMG, that was...AWESOME!!!

[Jolt]

I would find it unsettling and creepy if a stranger started following me 6 feet behind while I was biking, and did not greet me and ask if it was ok. There are a lot of scary people out there these days, both male and female.

My thoughts exactly! I would be very unnerved by that. In fact, I don't even like it when I'm walking down a busy street (like in Boston, for example) and there's somebody who happens to be walking at the same pace I am and ends up walking behind/near me for a long stretch. The weird thing there is that it's doubtful they're doing it on purpose, there are lots of other people around so there's not really a reason to feel unsafe, but it still bugs me (and maybe I'm just weird that way)!

[MM_QFC!]

I would find it unsettling and creepy if a stranger started following me 6 feet behind while I was biking, and did not greet me and ask if it was ok. There are a lot of scary people out there these days, both male and female.

Right on the money, as usual, Lisa! There's a difference between friendly leap-frogging or coincidental pacing on a ride, but that silent stalker stuff doesn't fly w/me.

[tulip]

Don't forget that when you're the passer, please SAY SOMETHING to let the passee know you're there. Otherwise the passee might swerve around a pothole or something and not know you're there and wham, down you both go.

[singletrackmind]

Yer not s'posed to hang onto 'em, yer s'posed to lose 'em. Hard. Or die trying.
Cause if yer goin' for the chase you gotta make the kill.



(and then pull over for some fictional reason and hold it....hold it....hold it....ok, he's gone...keel over from lack of oxygen)

[KnottedYet]

If you want to pace, hang back 20 feet or so. If you want to draft, ask first. And don't be surprised if someone says "no." Being drafted by an unknown rider is a hazard not everyone wants to take on.