waterobert said:
How close do you get to the bike in front of you when drafting? I've seen people riding less than a foot from each other. Is it safe?
If you know what you're doing, if you're paying attention, and if the guy in front of you knows what he's doing, it's safe.
Generally, if you're close enough that you're uncomfortable, then you're too close. When I'm racing with people I know, I will get within inches - front, back, left, and right of me. On a beginner-level group ride, I give the guy in front of me 2 or 3 feet.
Some tips - don't watch their wheel, watch their butt. We all have minor variations in speed when we pedal, and if you stare at their wheel, you'll try to adapt to all them. Meaning you'll be really jerky, and you'll waste a ton of energy. Watch their but and you'll ride smoother.
Ride slightly to their right or their left, so that if they suddenly stop, or if you accelerate, or whatever, you don't ram them in the rear wheel, but rather come up slightly next to them.
And finally, most importantly. Ride
behind them, so that the back of their wheel is further forward than the front of yours. If you are "Crossing wheels", if they cut left or right to avoid a pothole, they may crash you. This is, by far, the most common cause of crashes.
