Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Is there a Protocol
On Saturday I was heading down Beach Road back to the city with the wind blowing stright into my face when a guy cuaght up to me and sat in my slip stream most of the way down Beach Road and it seemed to be a bit of a bludge.
Is there any protocol that says he should of taken his turn to help and should I have politley asked him to take his turn and help out?
I was just on a return trip from Mornington and for those that were out there yesterday would know about the head wind all the way back to the city so would of appreciated a bit of a helping hand.
Not having done too much group riding I was unsure if it was the right thing seeing as it was a Saturday ride.
The thing that got me most was he passed me just as we went past the Saint Kilders turn of and I was too stuffed top catch him and sit in his slip stream.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris Harris on -
Not sure and will be good to see what others think.
Sometimes I slipstream someone after they pass me and I have to work like mad to keep on them.
So me taking the lead is not really an option.
Other times when I catch someone I have a bit of a rest behind them and when I pass just go a little bit quicker than they were going - some stay on me and others don't. It would have been nice if your slipstreamer didn't take off so fast.. he could have not realised, or maybe he was just a tossa.
Sometimes people ask me to take the lead, and I give it a go.
Now you mention it, it would be good to know if there was a signal or something to give people behind that you've had enough and need to either slow down, or swap the lead.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on -
Limpets are dogs, worse, rock spiders, but what can you do? Stop to "fix a problem with your GPS" and the mongrel will have to push on, unassisted :-)
Have to add, I prefer being a lone wolf. No embarrassment if I'm too slow, no resentment from others if I'm too fast.
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Permalink Reply by John E. on -
No need to be worried about it; Steve's reply seems a bit dramatic, hanging on the back of someone doesn't slow them down at all. You can 1) ignore them 2) flick your right elbow forward; if they are experienced they will recognise this as a sign to have a go in front, 3) back off, move left a little and swing your right arm forward to indicate thay should overtake 4) back off and suggest (in a friendly manner) they have a go at the front, or 5) ride together and have a chat, 6) just slow down enough till they get sick of it and go ahead.
Remember, they are tacitly acknowledging that you are a stronger rider, they are not slowing you down, it is good practice for you for when you will be leading a peleton & have the responsibility for all of their safety. Also, he might have done an even bigger ride than you (well done) and be right on the limit of his capabilities. Ride your own ride & don't worry about others!
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Permalink Reply by brian smith on -
If it's someone you know maybe but a stranger? I doubt very much he may be obliging also I feel if you don't want them there let them know or speed off I would not worry about something like that too much myself as for protocal hardly likelly who is going to enfoce it.
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Permalink Reply by Harry Tana on -
Thanks all for your feed back, juts thought there might of been abit of selfe awareness around drafting as well but looks like I will need to sort it out at the time.
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by Chris Harris on
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Good to learn about the move left and right elbow thing.
If I had stuck with road racing for more than 2 races I might have learned that.
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Permalink Reply by LongLoad on -
I'm with Cory, use it as an opportunity to meet people. I don't race, so when I ride I'm either commuting, keeping fit, or enjoying the scenery. Regardless, I plan to make it on my own, if someone tags along that's up to them. I've met some people commuting who follow to learn/share routes, the next time I meet them, they're happy to take the lead or chat.
If you do want to lose the limpets, head for some hills, they won't stay on unless they're serious. If you're on beach road, ride a flat bar, or carry panniers, many beach road riders won't want to be seen trailing you then.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Orloff on -
If I latch on to another rider / group, I always offer to pull a turn, and whenever I eventually turn off / stop, I thank them for the tow.
If someone is sitting on my wheel, I'll do the elbow flick, then the wave through, and if neither works, I'll say something like "don't be shy, it's your turn" and if that gets no response .... either crank it up & drop them or stop to adjust my GPS / check my bidon, whatever.
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Permalink Reply by David_G on -
If someone sits behind me I'm so stoked that I'm leading that's fun enough. On the rare occasions I catch someone, I usually sit there for a while to rest up a bit, I have offered to take a turn and been accepted and that was a nice thing too.
I just take it as it comes, i don't own the space behind me so if anyone wants it they are welcome to it. :)
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Permalink Reply by Dave LTR on -
A good ol wheel sucker thats what he was, you get them all the time down beach road and they tend to annoy me. Not for any reason except, if your going out for a ride, do the work yourself and don't have someone else do it for you, kinda defeats the purpose if you ask me. Group rides are different, next time mate flick your right arm out and see if he/she takes their turn, if not, wait till you get to a hill, slip it up a few gears and drop him on the hill, that'll teach him.
PS: If he comes up and says hello first, then its grand otherwise he's just takin a free ride
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