Drafting

Did tadcaster sprint tri last weekend in windy/rainy/haily weather, and on the bike section the first bit was uphill and into the strong wind. I was followed along this section for about a mile and a half by two blokes - who were well inside the 10m box mentioned in the rules, who then both whizzed past once weturned out of the wind (had the buggers on a climb later, though!). What does one do? There's a lot of beginners in the race (indeed I am one myself) - so maybe they didn't know any better, but as the wind was so strong. I rally felt like they gained a fair bit of advantage by sitting on my (and then each others') wheel? Is there an accepted ettiquette?

Comments

  • Draters are scum bags who benefit from someone elses work.
    slow a bit so they get close and then snot at them from the nostril thats got the best angle, or just spit up so it goes over your hesd and into their face, preferably with a nice chewy bit of flem in it.
  • popsiderpopsider ✭✭✭
    How close were they? 10 metres seems like quite a long way - they may not have been within the rules but unless they got within about 3 metres I doubt they got any benefit. I can see how it would be annoying though.
  • you are allowed to tell them to "back the **** off and stop ****ing drafting". if they argue you are allowed to twat them. its cheating, and its dangerous. they are risking getting YOU a penalty as well as themselves, too.
  • JjJj ✭✭✭
    Yes.

    but chucking obscenities and mucous around is SO unpleasant.

    Where's embsay?
  • They felt pretty close - and were certainly within drafting distance of each other when they went past me, so I asume they were sat more or less on my wheel.

    Embsay's just north of Skipton, btw - home of the not very famous Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
  • GodzillaGodzilla ✭✭✭
    oooh the Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway - never heard of it

    But yes drafting is poor - been guilty of it myself last year - joined 3 people who were drafting off me and each other for a spell. Really made a difference and I realised afterwards there is a massive benefit - I don't do it anymore!
  • "oooh the Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway - never heard of it"

    Hence the "not very famous.."!

    I know drafting's not allowed (and have certainly felt the benefits of it when out with friends - an epic ride along the north coast of Arran springs to mind...), but wasn't sure what the done thing was in events like Tadcaster, where there's lots of beginners like me. Seemed odd they didn't mention it in the race briefing (it was in the race notes), but mentioned about 15 other things that'd get you penalised and/or disqualified!
  • I like the way you ask for permission to be cross. Very well mannered.

    I doubt that someone almost 10 metres behind would get any benefit though. I've never noticed anything.
  • dan dandan dan ✭✭✭
    Next time you race just carry a pocket load of drawing pins and nails and if anyone starts drafting just lob a handful of these over your shoulder.

    That'll learn 'em!

    This IS accepted etiquette, by the way.






    They do it in all the best cartoons.
  • GodzillaGodzilla ✭✭✭
    Oil slick - I've got some motorbike spray lube you could hook up to the back of the bike....

    Andy - feel free to yell at them - on my first race someone cut the route short - someone I was racing with saw them do it... Why cheat?
  • JjJj ✭✭✭
    why aren't you lot out training? [candy excepted, a course]
  • GodzillaGodzilla ✭✭✭
    injured knee coach
  • GodzillaGodzilla ✭✭✭
    "Mr bump" didn't help neither so i'm going to try retail then extreme alcohol therapy tonight
  • JjJj ✭✭✭
    [joins Zilla on the injured knee couch]

    's a bugger, innit.

    :o(
  • Leeds half tomorrow - gentle 5 miles before lunch then rugby final on telly this afternoon.
  • JjJj ✭✭✭
    Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!


    :oD
  • I hate drafting - one bloke did that to me for several miles in one race, sitting right on my wheel, and then he misjudged a bend and hit me. I went down but luckily managed to land on the grass verge - he didn't and got a well-deserved very nasty case of road-rash all down his shoulder, arm and side. The idiot then had to nerve, while sitting in the road bleeding, to ask me if I had braked! I replied no I b....y didn't, but if he hadn't been so f.....g close it wouldn't have mattered if I had!
  • popsiderpopsider ✭✭✭
    Of course you could all take up a proper sport where drafting is legal. ;)
  • I have heard of the steam railway you mention Andy. Have yet to go on it though.

    You are right to be very cross, of course they got a lot of benefit, and drafting (except for elites) is illegal, it is also rightly illegal in Ironman. The argument being that it means the strongest cyclist can pull a bunch of freeloaders along then the whole event boils down to a running race.
    It is of course great in a group on a training ride, after going out alone today for 76 miles I certainly noticed the difference in the last 10 when I was struggling into the wind and knackered- but I expect to race in those conditions so it's good practice.
  • They felt pretty close - and were certainly within drafting distance of each other when they went past me, so I asume they were sat more or less on my wheel.

    Embsay's just north of Skipton, btw - home of the not very famous Embsay to Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
  • One for the new guys, older tri guys should really know.

    Drafters are cheaters and we all know that. Problem is and I really know this isn't going thru your head on the day but ignore them.

    The more energy you waste getting worked up about it on the bike the worse your bike leg is going to be. Your heart rate gets up, you start to push harder because you think you will lose them and the whole race strategy is all to pot.

    Best strategy is either ignore or slow down for a few seconds. The reason people draft is because they are CRAP and they know it which is why they sit on your wheels. They will either not show in the results or they won't be good enough to stay with you on a hill.

    Really, do not get worked up, its a waste of your entry fee to mess up your day by crashing and burning on the bike. They are like trolls, scum.

    Hard I know but when you have been in enough races you realise that people are going to do it whatever and the sooner they are caught the better, you can't change that sat on your bike so leave it.
  • Good advice, IR - as I said they shot past me once we got out of the wind, but they slowed down as soon as we got on a proper hill - didn't see them again!
  • its easy to call somebody a c*nt without getting worked up though. i'd ignore them as far as getting angry mid race goes, but calmly unleash foul language at them.
  • JjJj ✭✭✭
  • Jj never thought of you being like that!
  • JjJj ✭✭✭
    [hawks prettily]
  • The latest drafting rules there are now two draft distances depending on type of event...

    19 Pacing/Drafting

    19.1 Competitors are not allowed to draft, ie, take shelter behind or beside another competitor or motor vehicle during the cycling segment of races.

    19.2 Bicycle Draft Zone

    a) For all Age Group Events (except Long Distance)

    The draft zone is a rectangle measuring five (5) metres long by two (2) metres wide. The centre of the leading 2 metre edge is measured from the back edge of the back wheel. A competitor may enter the draft zone of another competitor but must be seen to be progressing through that zone. A maximum of 15 seconds is allowed to progress though the draft zone of another competitor. If an overtaking manoeuvre is not completed within 15 seconds the overtaking cyclist must drop back.

    b) For all Competitors in Long Distance Competitions (Elite and Age Group)

    The draft zone is a rectangle measuring ten (10) metres long by three (3) metres wide. The centre of the leading 3 metre edge is measured from the back edge of the back wheel. A competitor may enter the draft zone of another competitor but must be seen to be progressing through that zone. A maximum of 30 seconds is allowed to progress through the draft zone of another competitor. If an overtaking manoeuvre is not completed within 30 seconds the overtaking cyclist must drop back.

    19.3 The draft zone of one competitor may not overlap the draft zone of another competitor.

    19.4 Competitors may enter the draft zone of another competitor for the purpose of overtaking as detailed above or in the following circumstances :

    a) For safety reasons

    b) At an aid station

    c) At the exit or entrance of a transition area

    d) At an acute turn

    e) If race officials exclude a section of the course because of narrow lanes, construction, detours or for other safety reasons

    19.5 When a competitor is passed by other competitors, it is his/her responsibility to move out of the draft zone of the overtaking competitor. Failure to do so may result in an official caution. A competitor is passed when another competitor's front wheel is ahead of his/hers.

    19.6 Side-by-side riding, while still observing the draft zone, is only allowed on courses that are fully closed to other traffic. On open, or semi-open, courses only single-file riding is allowed.

    19.7 Vehicle Draft Zone: Competitors are not allowed to gain unfair advantage by drafting on officials' escort vehicles, TV and radio vehicles, etc. The vehicle draft zone is a rectangle thirty-five (35) metres long by five (5) metres wide which surrounds every vehicle on the cycle segment. The front edge of the vehicle defines the centre of the leading 5 metre edge of the rectangle. The driver of the vehicle, who must be appropriately briefed by the organiser, is responsible for upholding the zone.

    19.8 In events where there are draft-legal waves the BTA will follow the current ITU ruling on drafting. This may require equipment such as aero bars to be changed (visit www.triathlon.org to view current ITU rules).
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