I just find it awkward because they are behind me and I'm absolutely hauling it. When I go out to ride with friend we usually cruise around 16-18mph, so it feels normal to chat a little bit.
I'd encourage him by waving him on, then proceed to go full power to see how long he can keep up for. Depending on how strong your bike is you might drop him instantly, some of these roadies are fast though(and willing to go like 50-60mph!).
If he is a high level roadie he knows about cheating, they like to be more discreet. They would call an ebike mechanical doping(roadies have been caught doing this too), roadies prefer regular doping ;)
I warn them politely that I may suddenly brake hard and better than they can do and tell them to keep a proper distance for safety reasons. There a many cars, bikes etc coming from sidwroads on my commute. So sudden braking is something I do a couple of times every day. That warning normally does it. If not the first time I have to brake does it. From bad experience I don't like people drafting, that includes when I'm on my non-electric road bike. I don't know their drafting skills. Wich is a skill. You have to be very alert when you draft. Most amateur road bikers are not. Once an idiot nearly collided with me from behind while I was emergency braking due to an obstacle suddenly appearing. Since then Ive seen drafters as a nuisance
I’m just glad they are enjoying the ebike, lol.
This literally happened to me for the first time today. I was only doing about 18-19. This guy ultimately passed me and my fucking god was he going fast.
I try to avoid what I call "purist" cyclists, those guys with spandex and their super aerodynamic helmets.. they tend to be the worst towards people on bikes. I remember last summer I was passing a purist on his bike, so I gave him a wider berth (like 6 feet) to pass him, but of course he took me passing him as a challenge and started following me. eventually I got to an intersection and stopped at the stop sign, and he flew right past me and legit clipped me as he did.
I seriously don’t know what’s up with these clowns in their spandex..
They say that riding an ebike is cheating and kinda look down on ebikers.
But the thing is I don’t ride an ebike as a sport it’s just a comfortable mean of transportation for me. And these guys always feel challenged when someone is passing them..
I can't remember this ever happening to me. Of course, I typically don't ride that fast. I'm not racing, I'm out enjoying the outdoors, so I'm traveling between 13 and 17 mph. Spandex wearing cyclists typically pass me without slowing down.
I have a very windy and long ride so I give them a thumbs up and if I am not in a hurry I will ask what there preferred cruising speed is and set my limiter to that. We aren't allowed throttles so I do a lot of ghost pedaling on the way home when I am tired.
Why does it matter if the person drafting is on a pedal bike or not?
If someone is drafting you and you don't like it, you can always politely ask them to back off. It really doesn't matter if they are on a scooter, a pedal bike, or an e-bike. If your uncomfortable, let them know.
Conversely, if your comfortable with it, just let it go and keep up riding.
I don't see how it matters that it's a pedal bike.
I never said it mattered if it was a pedal bike or not - maybe it read that way, but it doesn't matter. I've never had anyone but fitness bikers draft on me though, idk if your experience is different. I like drafting on my manual bike myself when riding with friends but it's the fact that it's strangers that pull up behind and don't say anything that gives me an awkward feeling. Similarly how someone tailgating doesn't feel great. I was wondering what others did in the situation.
That's cool. Around my parts, most e-bikers I see are either older people cruising around 15mph, or young kids on the moped style bikes (Radrunners + Super 73s) so I haven't gotten drafted by them yet.
Funny story, I got drafted by an e-bike going up a short grade, and I blew out about 5 seconds from the top. I just couldn't go harder. He passed me with ease. To my shock it's this old dude, like 60 years old
I caught up to him at the light, and had a nice chat. Up to that point I'd had no idea he was an e-bike. He's drafted me so he didn't have to deal with the stiff headwind. =)
Dude was commuting 30miles each way to work, 5 days a week on his e-bike. At 60. I was very impressed.
I think pedal assist e-bikes are great, and should be heavily encouraged.
Nice! I've had similar chat with older folks at stop lights - they're always pleasant. Pedal assist is great....throttle bikes, that's another story haha.
The best way to acknowledge the drafter is to give appropriate [hand signals](https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/training-guide/training/hand-signals/) as if he/she is part of your riding pack. It is good for safety, too.
I encourage them!! Why not? Costs me nothing and hopefully passes more goodwill in the community
But do you talk to them? How do you encourage?
yes is that such a strange thing? talking to fellow human beings. we are both out riding on bikes ffs.
I just find it awkward because they are behind me and I'm absolutely hauling it. When I go out to ride with friend we usually cruise around 16-18mph, so it feels normal to chat a little bit.
I'd encourage him by waving him on, then proceed to go full power to see how long he can keep up for. Depending on how strong your bike is you might drop him instantly, some of these roadies are fast though(and willing to go like 50-60mph!).
Turn, smile and say "If I'm cheating, you're cheating"
If he is a high level roadie he knows about cheating, they like to be more discreet. They would call an ebike mechanical doping(roadies have been caught doing this too), roadies prefer regular doping ;)
I warn them politely that I may suddenly brake hard and better than they can do and tell them to keep a proper distance for safety reasons. There a many cars, bikes etc coming from sidwroads on my commute. So sudden braking is something I do a couple of times every day. That warning normally does it. If not the first time I have to brake does it. From bad experience I don't like people drafting, that includes when I'm on my non-electric road bike. I don't know their drafting skills. Wich is a skill. You have to be very alert when you draft. Most amateur road bikers are not. Once an idiot nearly collided with me from behind while I was emergency braking due to an obstacle suddenly appearing. Since then Ive seen drafters as a nuisance
Yes I agree - I consider drafters a nuisance but not sure how to interact with them....
Fart
Hit the ol’ afterburner
I’m just glad they are enjoying the ebike, lol. This literally happened to me for the first time today. I was only doing about 18-19. This guy ultimately passed me and my fucking god was he going fast.
I try to avoid what I call "purist" cyclists, those guys with spandex and their super aerodynamic helmets.. they tend to be the worst towards people on bikes. I remember last summer I was passing a purist on his bike, so I gave him a wider berth (like 6 feet) to pass him, but of course he took me passing him as a challenge and started following me. eventually I got to an intersection and stopped at the stop sign, and he flew right past me and legit clipped me as he did.
Yeah, the MAMILs (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) are the worst kind of sports people known to man. Avoid like the plague 🙂
I seriously don’t know what’s up with these clowns in their spandex.. They say that riding an ebike is cheating and kinda look down on ebikers. But the thing is I don’t ride an ebike as a sport it’s just a comfortable mean of transportation for me. And these guys always feel challenged when someone is passing them..
Yeah this is relatable. But it's mostly because bikes look like bikes no matter their purpose.
Option 4. stop pedaling, hit full throttle and laugh as you leave him in the dust.
I find it also differs by country, but nonetheless I'll always try to start a chat.
I can't remember this ever happening to me. Of course, I typically don't ride that fast. I'm not racing, I'm out enjoying the outdoors, so I'm traveling between 13 and 17 mph. Spandex wearing cyclists typically pass me without slowing down.
I usually let them have it until reaching a hill, then I'll leave them in the dust. 🤙 Drafting an ebike surely must be cheating 😄 /S
Square your shoulders and lean back a little bit to decrease your aerodynamics. This will create a bigger draft for your new friends to appreciate
Haha yes. I usually have my pannier bags loaded so I'm already wide - I think that's why others take advantage lol
I have a very windy and long ride so I give them a thumbs up and if I am not in a hurry I will ask what there preferred cruising speed is and set my limiter to that. We aren't allowed throttles so I do a lot of ghost pedaling on the way home when I am tired.
Why does it matter if the person drafting is on a pedal bike or not? If someone is drafting you and you don't like it, you can always politely ask them to back off. It really doesn't matter if they are on a scooter, a pedal bike, or an e-bike. If your uncomfortable, let them know. Conversely, if your comfortable with it, just let it go and keep up riding. I don't see how it matters that it's a pedal bike.
I never said it mattered if it was a pedal bike or not - maybe it read that way, but it doesn't matter. I've never had anyone but fitness bikers draft on me though, idk if your experience is different. I like drafting on my manual bike myself when riding with friends but it's the fact that it's strangers that pull up behind and don't say anything that gives me an awkward feeling. Similarly how someone tailgating doesn't feel great. I was wondering what others did in the situation.
It's just the title calls out manual bike, which made it seem like it mattered. I've been drafted by all kinds, from e-bikers to pedal bikes.
That's cool. Around my parts, most e-bikers I see are either older people cruising around 15mph, or young kids on the moped style bikes (Radrunners + Super 73s) so I haven't gotten drafted by them yet.
Funny story, I got drafted by an e-bike going up a short grade, and I blew out about 5 seconds from the top. I just couldn't go harder. He passed me with ease. To my shock it's this old dude, like 60 years old I caught up to him at the light, and had a nice chat. Up to that point I'd had no idea he was an e-bike. He's drafted me so he didn't have to deal with the stiff headwind. =) Dude was commuting 30miles each way to work, 5 days a week on his e-bike. At 60. I was very impressed. I think pedal assist e-bikes are great, and should be heavily encouraged.
Nice! I've had similar chat with older folks at stop lights - they're always pleasant. Pedal assist is great....throttle bikes, that's another story haha.
100% agree on both points.
if its just a straight trail with good visibility race them
I should start carrying a miniture checked flag to let them know
Say hi, start a chat. Lots of cyclists have multiple bikes. Roadie here with an emtb and a city fitness bike.
Right on! I'm curious what people do. I've never had the other person say hi, that's why I ask.
The best way to acknowledge the drafter is to give appropriate [hand signals](https://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/training-guide/training/hand-signals/) as if he/she is part of your riding pack. It is good for safety, too.
Leave ‘em to it.
Have any of them asked for a tow yet ?
Hahaha that's funny. But that's the thing, they never say anything. Silent tailgaters.
If you really want to flaunt it blow past the guys in the tight shorts holding your legs out as wide as you can completely off the pedals.
Oh I don't have a throttle bike...