27 December 2008

Higashi-Chichibu...off limits

...not that you're no longer allowed to cycle there but the roads have become extremely treacherous - definitely to be avoided during the coming winter days!

More on my blog with some thoughts about "cycling etiquette" thrown in...

2 comments:

Manfred von Holstein said...

Hmm, maybe you should have led him into icy roads to test his real commitment to drafting...

More seriously, maybe you were simply too fast to let him get out of the slip stream and overtake you to say hi? I wouldn't be surprised given your power and speed!

I agree it is annoying to have someone follow you so closely for so long, considering also that it does entail some risks for yourself. But I wonder how long you consider decent? I have followed others for a few minutes to relax for a moment before passing them and pushing ahead. Is this also considered bad etiquette?

the ups and downs of a belgian amateur cyclist in tokyo said...

Hi Ludwig...it's not just a matter of cyclist etiquette but also of inner pride. How long? Depends on whether or not you do it with panache and on whether or not there is chemistry between both riders. If measurable at all, I'd say no more than 200 meters in real draft formation if the other guy is a total stranger. Longer than that, you either back away and stay at least 10 meters behind or you accelerate, overtake and push ahead. There is no such thing as bad etiquette. One either has acquired it or not.