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"Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal?
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 2007-08-08 2:23 PM |
Master  1790     Tyler, TX |  Subject: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal?I've heard mention, but not discussion, of "legal" bike drafting. Faster cyclists who start in later swim waves (or who are just plain slow swimmers) ride in the draft zone of slower cyclists, slingshot by them when they reach the back tire, then look for the next rider to slingshot off of. Is this acceptable according to the rules, and does it help much? I may have the opportunity to try soon if it is indeed considered acceptable. |
| 2007-08-08 2:27 PM in reply to: #918478 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Yes it is. And yes it does. |
| 2007-08-08 2:38 PM in reply to: #918487 |
| Champion 6539 South Jersey | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Does this mean they stay in the draft zone for a short time, but are sure to overtake within the 15 secs? |
| 2007-08-08 2:40 PM in reply to: #918509 |
Elite 3130 | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? LaurenSU02 - 2007-08-08 1:38 PM Does this mean they stay in the draft zone for a short time, but are sure to overtake within the 15 secs? I believe that's what people mean by "legal drafting," yes. The USAT rules state that, after entering someone's draft zone, you have 15 seconds to pass them or face a drafting violation. Therefore, it is legal to draft provided you pass that person within the 15 sec limit.
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| 2007-08-08 2:42 PM in reply to: #918519 |
| Champion 6539 South Jersey | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? ScottoNM - 2007-08-08 3:40 PM LaurenSU02 - 2007-08-08 1:38 PM Does this mean they stay in the draft zone for a short time, but are sure to overtake within the 15 secs? I believe that's what people mean by "legal drafting," yes. The USAT rules state that, after entering someone's draft zone, you have 15 seconds to pass them or face a drafting violation. Therefore, it is legal to draft provided you pass that person within the 15 sec limit.
LOL. When you put it like that, it makes my question sound so stupid |
| 2007-08-08 2:46 PM in reply to: #918478 |
Champion 6962 Atlanta, Ga | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Yes it helps and is legal. Let's say, for instance, that you are going into a head wind. You aim at the person in front of you who is some what breaking the wind and then you go around. Every second you are not fully breaking the head wind saves you energy. Also, the fact that you have a target in front of you always helps me go faster. |
| 2007-08-08 2:50 PM in reply to: #918526 |
| Elite 3130 | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? LaurenSU02 - 2007-08-08 1:42 PM LOL. When you put it like that, it makes my question sound so stupid Not stupid at all, what you said was right on. I was just explaining what the relevance of "15 seconds" was in case people were not familiar with that rule.
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 2007-08-08 2:51 PM in reply to: #918478 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2007-08-08 3:13 PM in reply to: #918478 |
| Elite 3687 | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Sure it's legal, but doesn't it go against the spirit of the rules? I thought the rule was set up to insure each athletes individual strength and talent are used. It is suppose to be an individual effort, not a group effort on the bike. I have never once read the USAT rule book, so feel free to correct and flame if needed. |
| 2007-08-08 3:22 PM in reply to: #918536 |
| Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Marvarnett - 2007-08-08 2:46 PM At FL 70.3 we started in the last waves and we passed people during the bike all day. The way you draft legally (as long as you are riding faster than the people you are passing) is to ride in line behind them until you are close to the rear wheel and then you open to the left and pass them. Once you accomplish this get to the right as soon as possible and pick up the next target. Yes it helps and is legal. Let's say, for instance, that you are going into a head wind. You aim at the person in front of you who is some what breaking the wind and then you go around. Every second you are not fully breaking the head wind saves you energy. Also, the fact that you have a target in front of you always helps me go faster. Of course make sure you complete the pass within 15 seconds and be aware that it does requires a level of skill to avoid getting to close to the rider in front of you, also let the person in front of you that you are passing, make sure that you are clear to get wide open to the left (make sure there is no one passing at the same time) before switching lanes and then as soon as you pass the rider, swing into the right lane. It is amazing how many riders just swing to the left without even looking if other riders are passing... |
| 2007-08-08 3:27 PM in reply to: #918549 |
| Master 2355 Houston, TX | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? JeepFleeb - 2007-08-08 2:51 PM If I'm passing someone on the bike in a race I'm drafting as much as legally allowable. Even if I'm matching someone's speed but staying the required 7 meters behind them, I'm staying as close as I can without getting a penalty. What is ideal is racing with someone who knows how to maximize the draft within the rules and working together. A rival of mine did this with me in a duathlon a few months ago. We did the first run together and started the bike at the same time. One of us takes the lead, the other is 7 meters back. The 2nd person uses all 15 seconds to pass as close as possible and the 1st person drops back to 7 meters. 30 seconds to a minute later the process starts again and keeps going until we get back to transition. We had the two fastest bike splits that day by a good 90 seconds and only did a fraction of the work that would have required on our own. All perfectly legal. I've done exactly this in a duathlon before also, until the guy powered away from me knowing I was a stronger runner with 3 miles to go. It's a different mind set, it's hey I wan to try to win this race or place as high as I possibly can. That race I was more concerned with placing well then a personal good time. So I rode/ran with my head more then trying to pace everything perfectly. For example on the first run I sat on someone heels instead of taking the lead when it wasn't needed to use up extra effort. Then knowing they were stronger cyclists then me I tried to work with a guy or 2 to make that weakness less. |
| 2007-08-08 3:28 PM in reply to: #918597 |
| Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? mndiver - 2007-08-08 3:13 PM Sure it's legal, but doesn't it go against the spirit of the rules? I thought the rule was set up to insure each athletes individual strength and talent are used. It is suppose to be an individual effort, not a group effort on the bike. I have never once read the USAT rule book, so feel free to correct and flame if needed. Not at all... otherwise they should also prohibit swim drafting and wetsuits as it hinders good swimmers strengths no? Plus with the tight courses in particular and big fields it would be VERY hard logistically speaking... |
| 2007-08-08 3:29 PM in reply to: #918478 |
| Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Yes, as long as the pass is made in 15 seconds. (some one has probably already said this) |
| 2007-08-08 3:31 PM in reply to: #918478 |
| Pro 3906 Libertyville, IL | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Yeah, see, this is all why I keep my swim just middle of the pack. Yeah, thats it. |
| 2007-08-08 3:33 PM in reply to: #918478 |
| Expert 655 Muncie, IN | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Bear with me as this is my first full year of Triatlons and Duathlons. Every race I've been to the RD has said stay to the right except to pass or you'll get a blocking penalty. As long as I'm in that draft zone for no more than 15 seconds I fully believe that I'm within the rules. I'm a slow swimmer and my races this year I have passed a ton of bikes! I've also been in some pretty crowded races that in the first several miles of the bike there's no way to avoid drafting...there were just too many bikes out there! I'm all for the rules but the drafting one kind of gets to me a little. I refuse to slow down if someone passes me. I'll do my best to stay out of his/her draft but I'm just not inclined to slow down to do so. It's really tough when you're pretty evenly matched with someone. I was in a Duathlon a few weeks ago and I was pretty evenly matched with someone for most of the ride and we pretty much went back and forth for 15+ miles but manged to just stay outside of that draft zone which really is hard to do sometimes! |
| 2007-08-08 3:38 PM in reply to: #918637 |
| Expert 655 Muncie, IN | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? amiine - 2007-08-08 4:28 PM Not at all... otherwise they should also prohibit swim drafting and wetsuits as it hinders good swimmers strengths no? Plus with the tight courses in particular and big fields it would be VERY hard logistically speaking... Good point...I was going to bring up the drafting while running but didn't. I've been a runner for 20+ years and drafting while running makes a big difference! |
| 2007-08-08 3:46 PM in reply to: #918616 |
| Champion 11641 Fairport, NY | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? amiine - 2007-08-08 4:22 PM At FL 70.3 we started in the last waves and we passed people during the bike all day. The way you draft legally (as long as you are riding faster than the people you are passing) is to ride in line behind them until you are close to the rear wheel and then you open to the left and pass them. Once you accomplish this get to the right as soon as possible and pick up the next target. Glad I was able to be of assistance. |
| 2007-08-08 3:46 PM in reply to: #918637 |
| Sneaky Slow 8694 Herndon, VA, | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? |
| 2007-08-08 3:54 PM in reply to: #918669 |
| Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? marmadaddy - 2007-08-08 3:46 PM LOL, thanks Mike! amiine - 2007-08-08 4:22 PM At FL 70.3 we started in the last waves and we passed people during the bike all day. The way you draft legally (as long as you are riding faster than the people you are passing) is to ride in line behind them until you are close to the rear wheel and then you open to the left and pass them. Once you accomplish this get to the right as soon as possible and pick up the next target. Glad I was able to be of assistance.  |
| 2007-08-08 4:44 PM in reply to: #918478 |
| Champion 6993 Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? what if your victum is a mean person and speeds up and you can not pass in 15 seconds? Is there a rule standing you have to let someone pass you? |
| 2007-08-08 4:46 PM in reply to: #918787 |
| Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? chirunner134 - 2007-08-08 4:44 PM what if your victum is a mean person and speeds up and you can not pass in 15 seconds? Is there a rule standing you have to let someone pass you? if I am passing you and my front wheel passes yours, then you MUST fall back out of the drafting zone before you attempt to re-passing me. |
| 2007-08-08 4:55 PM in reply to: #918787 |
Resident Curmudgeon 25290 The Road Back Gold member | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? chirunner134 - 2007-08-08 4:44 PM what if your victum is a mean person and speeds up and you can not pass in 15 seconds? Is there a rule standing you have to let someone pass you? Once you get in the drafting zone you have no choice but to pass. If the person speeds up and you cannot complete your pass withing fifteen seconds, you are in violation. Even if you drop back out of the zone. |
| 2007-08-08 5:01 PM in reply to: #918817 |
| Champion 6993 Chicago, Illinois | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? the bear - 2007-08-08 4:55 PM chirunner134 - 2007-08-08 4:44 PM what if your victum is a mean person and speeds up and you can not pass in 15 seconds? Is there a rule standing you have to let someone pass you? Once you get in the drafting zone you have no choice but to pass. If the person speeds up and you cannot complete your pass withing fifteen seconds, you are in violation. Even if you drop back out of the zone. So you do take some risk if you want to play the sling shot game. Sounds like a fun game to play with a USAT official around. |
| 2007-08-09 6:19 AM in reply to: #918478 |
| Master 2447 Marietta, Ga | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? This is probably one of the most abused rules in triathlon. No matter how long or short the race, you'll always see a pack of folks drafting one another. I think the USAT should just get rid of the whole mess by making drafting legal. Let the bike portion of the race look like a real bike race, a la the Olympics. Think of how much money they'd save on motorcycles. |
| 2007-08-09 6:40 AM in reply to: #919230 |
| Expert 655 Muncie, IN | Subject: RE: "Legal" bike drafting - is it really legal? Motivated - 2007-08-09 7:19 AM This is probably one of the most abused rules in triathlon. No matter how long or short the race, you'll always see a pack of folks drafting one another. I think the USAT should just get rid of the whole mess by making drafting legal. Let the bike portion of the race look like a real bike race, a la the Olympics. Think of how much money they'd save on motorcycles. I haven't really seen what I would call a lot of intentional abuse in the races I've done so far...it's just darn hard to avoid. I think this is especially true when you can't cross the yellow line most of the time and the road is really crowded especially right out of T1. I don't like the draft rule however I don't really want to have the added danger of having a pack of 30 bikes run me down either! Nor do I want to race in a pack like that...has road rash written all over it! |
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