Velomobile drafting

A lycra-clad upright rider "snuck up" on me as I climbed a local high-rise bridge. I saw him just as I crested, moved to the side to let him pass. As soon as the traffic light at the bottom cycled to the point where it was likely I would get the green, I set off after him. Passing speed - 41.1 mph/66.1 kmh, followed by a very quick right turn, lifting my inside wheel about an inch.

Unfortunately, this rider does not stop at the stop sign, but later uses a proper turn signal for his right turn.

It's easy for me to draft him in my velomobile, even off to the side by a good bit and we maintained 21-23 mph (34-37 kph) until I passed him. Having another rider on the road, so close to my speed motivates me to some impromptu training spurts, so I passed him.

I was able to maintain 25 mph/40 kph until arriving at my destination. It appears that this unknown cyclist found it much more difficult to draft a velomobile, than it was for me to draft him.

The last segments of the video are sped up at a 250% rate.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• velomobile
• drafting
• bicycle
• lycra

[KrunchyJD]

Velomobiles are a great solution. They are a great machine. It is also time for elietism in terms of cycling to die a sudden death. We need to stick together as cyclists, because in my experience, here in NSW, Australia, our true enemy is car drivers, not other cyclists. I think velomobiles are great, and I also think bicycles are great. We also have peak oil on the near horizon. When are people going to live up to that reality, and promote cycling in all its forms.

[freddotu]

@KrunchyJD, I once thought that automobile drivers were an "enemy" but such is not the case. In order for cycling to be recognized, such attitudes have to be adjusted. Since I've learned to ride properly, by taking the lane, I've found that other road users are better able to deal with changing lanes and passing safely. Individuals may have personality problems that make them poor drivers, just as those same individuals can post irrational messages here, as I'm sure you've seen below.

[KrunchyJD]

@freddotu After I have been treated like crap by Australian drivers, here in Australia, and see their redneck attitude, and after I have had things thrown at me and told to get off the road, simply because I was riding my bicycle, my attitude I believe is understandable. When I see the attitude of Motorists here be reasonable I will change my mind, but until then, it wont..

Cont...

[freddotu]

@KrunchyJD, I can appreciate that your perspective might be a bit more severe than mine. I once thought that there was no worse place to ride than in most states in the USA, but I've learned that is not true. Certainly your experiences bear that out. There should be a catastrophic failure of petroleum based transportation systems to teach some of these drivers about alternatives.

[KrunchyJD]

My understanding, is that velomobiles are faster on the flat or downhill than uprights, but uprights are faster at going uphills. I Dont think the guy on the bike was pissed off, just competitive.

I personally think cyclists of any description need to stick together, our enemy isnt each other, its the stupid, inconsiderate motorists.

[freddotu]

@HelloOtter, skilled drivers are capable of changing lanes and performing a safe pass. Unskilled drivers become "super pissed off" and endanger others. Perhaps an anger-management course would be useful, along with a driver-refresher course.

[experimental0000]

@KrunchyJD  agreed,

[KrunchyJD]

@ramtes1971 Here Here, CARS and car drivers, but in particular the aggressive ones that try to stop people riding their bikes/ trikes/ velomobiles.

[KrunchyJD]

@KrunchyJD I am a transport cyclist by in large. I also think that people who drive unnecessarily have to take on some of the blame for the oil wars, that their behaviour creates. If they stop others from cycling (which by definition uses less oil), then they are twice as bad at least, because they are creating an even larger dependance on oil. The world is close to peak oil, and we will need now to get oil from more dangerous, hostile, and environmentally destructive places.

[KrunchyJD]

@experimental0000 People who ride/ drive bicycles and tricycles of all styles need to stick together. The problem for cyclists is not other cyclists, it is people in motor vehicles. There are too many cars, and too many car drivers who are aggressive to cyclists. That is my experience here in NSW, Australia, anyway. Bicycle/ Tricycle/ Velomobile riders need to stick together. Our true problem is aggressive car drivers, not other cyclists.

[freddotu]

@HelloOtter, my experience has shown to be the opposite. I have far less trouble with motorists after taking cycling safety courses. The "pissed off" motorist is an overblown illusion. There are plenty of people willing to post inane comments on various forums, but in real life, it's far different than your imagined example.

[HelloOtter]

@freddotu this maybe true - but when a motorist gets super pissed it will most likely be your life at risk, not the motorist's