Wheel Sucking

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Wheel Sucking

Postby Toks » Thu Aug 22, 2013 8:54 am

On the [url=http://www.kingstonwheelers.co.uk/kwccforum/viewtopic.php?t=9995&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=105]Kingston Wheelers[/url] forum I noticed a rather lively thread on 'wheel sucking'. Wow i didn't realise how much it peeves some people off. Before reading the thread I'd never given it that much thought. In my own case I may sit off someone wheel briefly (never real close unless I know them or its an official group ride) but I don't stick there religiously mile after mile unless I'm suffering. And in such cases I'll apologize after a short while and check if their OK about it.
On the other hand if someone sits on my wheel it doesn't bother me in the slightest. If we're evenly matched we may end op taking turns. If not they usually spur me on to ride harder but I will make my slowing, stopping, turning etc very clear with official ACC hand signals :wink:. What does everyone else feel about a stranger jumping on your back wheel?
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Matt.H » Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:05 pm

same as you Toks, no problem at all with people doing it to me - nice to have some company at times and if they are strong, makes sure you keep up the pace.
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Jon H » Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:39 pm

As long as they don't ride into the back of you when you stop at a red light :roll:
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Andrew G » Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:56 pm

[quote="Jon H"]As long as they don't ride into the back of you when you stop at a red light :roll:

Yep had that too. Hate wheel suckers on my commute as there's a load of idiots and a lot of poor riding. Try to keep my distance from them, which seeing as many run red lights and scoot down the inside of buses and lorries isn't difficult. Don't mind it for a short while when out on a ride otherwise, although a hello / do you mind out of courtesy would be appreciated, but sadly normally missing. Find it gets a bit annoying if a stranger just tags on to my wheel for miles though particularly as most that do it then just drop off without so much as a thanks or even acknowledgement. I don't do it myself as I prefer to do my own pacing rather than sit on a wheel.
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Toks » Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:27 pm

[quote="Jon H"]As long as they don't ride into the back of you when you stop at a red light :roll:
Indeed, I always give real clear signals that I'm gonna stop or slow down. Touch wood no rear end shunts so far :D
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Mohammad L » Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:33 pm

Toks, I'm racist against wheel suckers...

I commute to work from s.london to n.london via the city . Whenever someone starts getting clingy with me - I just put it in 53x13 and shake them off. And I give a quick glance to check the damage - oh what pleasure it brings me to see the grimacing faces of the wheel-suckers having failed in their attempt to draft behind me :D

I suppose I should show some gratitude to the wheel-suckers for providing me with opportunities to do micro-intervals

Nevertheless,I like to show 'em who's the daddy :twisted:
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Antloony » Fri Aug 23, 2013 9:15 pm

Does my bleedin' head in.

I overtake someone, they jump on my wheel, I tow them for a bit then flick my elbow out to come through. Through they come and 50 yards later they start to puff and wheeze so I come through again then they just sit there 6 inches from my wheel. So annoying if I'm on a specific training ride. :twisted:
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Paul on the Pearson » Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:42 pm

I must admit I find it a bit annoying, especially when most riders just turn off without even saying "Hello or Bye etc etc".....Your riding along and suddenly your aware of some strange silent presence behind ya...weird....a bit like someone sitting in the seat behind you on a bus even though all the other seats are empty!!
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Phil H » Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:02 pm

The worst thing is when you don't know there's someone there until they swear at you for stopping at a red light.

I must admit that on Sportives I do sometimes hang at the back of a bunch. I've also seem people take measure like wearing white shorts to avoid a turn on the front.
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Re: Wheel Sucking

Postby Dombo » Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:12 am

[quote="Phil the Pie"]The worst thing is when you don't know there's someone there until they swear at you for stopping at a red light.


To which the correct response is "Don't ride so f***ing close then".
On sportives a lot of people don't understand the elbow flick as a sign to come through - on the Dragon Ride one year i was shamelessly tucked in behind some bloke who, to encourage me to take a turn, swung out to the middle of the rode, eased up and almost got taken out by an oncoming car.
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