The Bottomless Lakes F-1 Draft legal race is this coming weekend down in Roswell. As triathletes we are taught to NOT draft or we will be penalized. This race is a draft legal race. What does that mean? It means that we are allowed to draft the other competitors during the bike portion. Most triathletes do not have a concept of how to draft and what the proper etiquette is. The etiquette and techniques are important in order to make it safer. I am going to try to explain a few things in this article on the do's and don'ts of drafting.

When you draft you want to be about 12 to 18 inches away from the person in front of you (or closer if you have the confidence). If you are any further you will not get the effect of the draft. Bike racers are typically 2 to 3 inches away. When you are in the draft come out of your aerobars. Go into your drops. Being aero in the draft does not really gain you anything anyway. You are already doing 30% less work than the person that you are following. When you are in the aero position you will not be able to react quick enough if you need to hit your brakes. When you are up front you can go ahead and ride the aerobars.

Do not look directly at the wheel of the person directly in front of you. It is very dangerous to do this. Try to look a few feet in front of them. If there are more people in front, try to look at their helmets.

When you are in front, do not hit the brakes unless it is an emergency. Slow down by soft-pedaling or not pedaling at all. Same thing when you are in the draft. Do not hit the brakes. Instead sit up an "catch the wind". It is a much safer way to slow down. 

Part 2 will come tomorrow.

Keep the rubber side down