How To Draft Like A Pro | Essential Cycling Skills

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Whether you call it drafting, slipstreaming, riding on a wheel or sitting behind others, it's a crucial skill if you want to learn how to ride with other cyclists. Here's how to do it!
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There are various terms for this particular skill. It may also be referred to as sitting on the wheel, sitting in, drafting, sat on, giving a tow and many more!
Once mastered this skill, you can reap the benefits. It will have you saving you 30-40% energy compared to riding on the front in the wind, helping you ride further as well as gaining riding confidence.
It's important to initially practice this as much as possible, start by riding approximately half a wheel (30cm) behind the rider in front, who has to be riding smoothly. As your confidence grows gradually reduce this distance until your front wheel is around 15cm behind the rider in front's rear wheel.
Key tips:
Remember to keep your head up so you can see any changes in direction ahead. Don't stare in a trance like state at the wheel in front of you, just the occasional check to make sure of your distance.
Avoid heavy braking as it will require more energy to get back onto the wheel in front, it's better to feather the brakes to scrub off any speed.
The direction of the wind plays a very important part of sitting on a wheel, our graphics in the video show you just how to do it!
What are your tips for sitting on the wheel in front? Let us know in the comments 👇
Watch more on GCN...
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Filmed on location in Mallorca.
Music:
Saturn 3 - Ulas Koca
Photos: © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphot... & ©Tim De Waele / www.tdwsport.com
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Опубликовано:

1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 204

@budesmatpicu3992 7 лет назад

How to wheelsuck like a pro... today with Simon Gerrans.

@peertje3078 7 лет назад

budes matpicu haha so true. Though you have to admit it has had its benefits for him :) the famous Cancellara draft in MSR a couple of years ago

@woozertoo 7 лет назад

"Cyclist's sixth sense"--say that three times, fast.

@JAWORA46 7 лет назад

Tom? What happened to your Project One TREK Madone that you designed yourself? ;)

@JAWORA46 7 лет назад

Jamskof Yes, that's the one. I didn't know that anyone but me knew about this bike since Tom isn't really keen on sharing his success with others.

@p44doyle44 7 лет назад

The intro music sounds more like a horror movie tone. And being in slow mo makes it eerie!!!!!

@markgeyer1 7 лет назад

Stranger Things esk, yeah ha!

@BucketlistFitRunning 7 лет назад

Like a creepy christmas carol.

@p44doyle44 7 лет назад

I'm waiting for a creepy doll to show riding a tricycle

@penrar 7 лет назад

I like the music, very 80's. Stranger Cyclists!

@davidthomas9647 7 лет назад

I was so creeped out by those red shoes that I didn't even notice the music.

@paulflory3532 7 лет назад

No mention of the consequence of touching the wheel in front. It usually leads to a crash and a broken collarbone. Therefore when you know you are tired, for example towards the end of a ride, back off slightly and try to be more vigilant.

@xGshikamaru 7 лет назад

indeed ! It happened to a friend of mine last year, that was a very bad crash, and since we usually ride on less frequented roads the firemen were not that quick to get to the place where we stood. Luckily I was using my cellphone as a GPS unit since I don’t have a dedicated bike computer. Always take a cellphone with you for cases like this !

@jureklancar8148 7 лет назад

What exactly happens when the wheels touch? Does it lift the front wheel of the rider in the back?

@paulflory3532 7 лет назад

+Jure Klancar - I've been lucky enough to never have had it happen to me. I believe what happens is that the rear rider's front wheel is pushed to the side, as if he suddenly steered in that direction. Unable to steer the wheel back (because the front rider's rear wheel is in the way), he can't move his tires' contact patches back under himself to regain his balance. So he loses balance and falls.

@James-zu1ij 7 лет назад

When wheels touch from behind the wheel usually bounces off. This is a "lucky strike" If the guy behind gets his front wheel slightly in front of the rear rim of the chap in front and hit from the side then disaster will strike. This action prevents the chap in the rear from steering his bike which is essential for balancing. The chap in front will come out of it unscathed. Meanwhile you will singlehandedly bring down 6 or 7 riders behind you.

@till969 7 лет назад

You can smooth the transition when going out of the saddle by shifting up a gear or two (also makes sense speedwise since you are likely to drop your cadence).

@jackdooley8203 7 лет назад

As a rider who likes to jump out of the saddle a lot, I have taught myself to say "standing" just before doing so. I know it helps the guys behind me and is now so ingrained I find myself saying it even when riding alone!

@andreygromov99 7 лет назад

i misread the title i thought it said how to drift like a pro lol

@carleisma9894 3 года назад

Same lol

@gcn 7 лет назад

Great comments and tips coming in!

@BucketlistFitRunning 7 лет назад

Excellent video as always. Needed these so I can no kill anyone in my future group rides.

@jackhammer40k_ 7 лет назад

Has Tom been banned from riding his Trek (that he designed apparently)?

@ZeroSeriesMMX 7 лет назад

I'd been thinking the same, but if Lasty were to draft behind Matt using that Madone, it spells danger... due to better aerodynamics, I guess.

@levihoward4470 6 лет назад

EatRideGrow he's not banned for ridding bike that's our freedom banning him from ridding is like banning his freedom to ride

@gcn 7 лет назад

Let us know your tips for drafting/slipstreaming/riding on the wheel👇

@daandvn 7 лет назад

Global Cycling Network just hold their saddle

@gcn 7 лет назад

#Naughty

@levijefferies6971 7 лет назад

Pull into the wind to slow down and look at the other riders elbow. Best tips i have learned.

@lucianonarno1408 7 лет назад

#Sabotage

@lennartmeinke8861 7 лет назад

Global Cycling Network Make sure what you are slipstreaming behind. Motorbike? Bad because of fumes. Cars/Buses/Lorries? Bad because they don't see you which might cause accidents Cyclists? Ok, but make sure to take your takes at the front. No need to be a wheelsucker. Also, if it isn't on a group ride/race, make sure to say hello to the guy in front, it's polite and he knows you are there which allows him to point out obstacles and adjust braking. That's about it

@charlesgould8047 7 лет назад

I tend to not feather my brakes if I get too close to the lead rider. I dissipate speed by just sitting up or pulling out from behind the lead rider. This will slow you down slightly and is safer than feathering.

@lemao_squash4486 3 года назад

Doesn't work if you won't slow down in time

@lucianonarno1408 7 лет назад

Tom looks like a baby. He should be sitting in your lap instead of your wheel, Matt. :)

@marcomarkproductions 5 лет назад

How do you get on the bike without it falling over

@stevehambley55 7 лет назад

Also drop back or to the side when taking a drink from your bottle or looking back prior to a turn.

@racer7141 7 лет назад

1:41 Look Up! I think Chris Froome was sick the day they taught that in Cycling 101

@paulcee9761 7 лет назад

I'm certain current thinking is to do it behind something big, with an engine - and a cameraman on the back..?

@GeorgNikodym 7 лет назад

That was a really nice demonstration of the bike going backwards when standing out of the saddle on a climb. In our local learn to race program, riders behind are taught to be extra careful when the grade goes upward since the rider in front may stand up at any point (in other words, don't assume that the rider in front has watched this video :)

@keinumatti 7 лет назад

What wheels are the boys running in this vid?

@VegasCyclingFreak 7 лет назад

Too bad where I live most everyone does solo rides so I never get to have the pleasure of drafting. :-(

@seanmagtuloy 6 лет назад

I thought Gordon Ramsey was a chef? just kiddin.

@bomberex7809 4 года назад

Honestly drafting is so fun. I am not necessarily the best rider in my mountain biking group but when we do road biking practices I am able to stay pretty close to the pack for good intervals just due to drafting.

@ivarbrouwer197 7 лет назад

Missed skills in this video: the leading cyclist should also position him/herself in the wind direction so the follower has the space to sit in the draft. (In races this can be tactically overlooked.) put more emphasis on not overlapping the wheel. Beginners often sit very close on the wheel, this costs energy too, leave a little bigger gap and you can be more relaxed, saving energy. Double vision is indeed very important, especially in a peloton, on a velodrome on in rush hour traffic: look ahead to be able to anticipate the action of the riders in front of you.

@werdsmyth 7 лет назад

How to draft like a pro? Spend the off-season doing track league and have your coach repeatedly shout at you if you're more than half a wheel away from the guy in front.

@jen3800 6 лет назад

i have been off the road for 6 years and had forgotten the last tip about getting out of the saddle to accelerate, doing it gradually. that was something i once got yelled at for in a club ride, as well as not holding a line. it was my first year in a club and it was sloppy as hell to begin with, but in the end i was a respected member. i personally try to do more work at the front of the group than required, because i know one day i will need their help and i won't feel so bad about not being able to do my share of the work once in a while. excellent show, by the way!

@sebastiangiray3614 3 года назад

Does drafting also effective at low speed? maybe 10-20kph?

@carlosa9728 2 года назад

I think it would be less effective

@A_youtube_channel_ Год назад

at 10 kph it would basically do nothing but if your going 20 it's ussaly worth it

@leedorney 7 лет назад

1 OF THE BIGGEST THINGS that p!ss me off - riders who're nervy in a group PRACTICE...or another - riders who floor themselves in a group and literally topple over, yes ive seen it and not pretty at speed...relaxing is the vibe you need to PRACTICE...and if said group isnt able to accomodate, find another group, roadies can be arsey at heart ! And lastly, if the fitness aint too good who's bothered about those that sit-on - get over yaselves !!! eveyone goes faster anyhow #rantover

@forloop7713 7 лет назад

anything more than 5mm between your front wheels and the wheel in front and you are losing power

@JS-tb9hu 7 лет назад

Martin S so if they stand up out of the sale you are stuffed.

@lucianonarno1408 7 лет назад

Martin S WHAT do you mean? I just hook my fork dropouts to their rear skewer.

@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589 7 лет назад

Wear some glasses so you don't get shit in eyes! Basic skill!

@tmfrs2 7 лет назад

Is the skewer on the red canyon placed correctly?

@gcn 7 лет назад

😳 Lasty must have been in a rush, consider him told off!

@Enidub 7 лет назад

Why are the stooped like that towards the end of the video? What are they trying to hiding from? We know what bikes you're riding already. We need explanations!

@barretwaltz6631 2 года назад

Where is the line between riding on the wheel to draft and "half-wheeling"? Could you have a video expanding on the advantage of riding at various distances?

@marloumaso708 4 года назад

Nice content . new subscriber here watching from philippines 😀

@RealMJSr 7 лет назад

I hated the wind, I became a master wheel sucker for a long time. It also helps when most of your cycling friends are bigger than you.

@tedgodfrey2708 7 лет назад

I do Disagree with the savings of energy.. Let me explain I am 6Ft 8IN (203.2CM) tall.. But everyone else in the group always thanks me for the tow..

@taylormcintyre5759 7 лет назад

Tom's presenting skills in this video were top notch!

@befitcycle 7 лет назад

these red fizik shoes are sick!

@bengt_axle 7 лет назад

Very important that the rider in front does not use the brakes as a casual cyclist would, but instead averts obstacles by riding around them. Learn to point (early beforehand) and communicate with hand signals because the person behind you cannot always hear you. Take turns moving to the front while maintaining constant speed. Practice bumping into the rear tire in front of you at low speed and in a safe spot so that you can learn to maintain control of the bike if the wheels touch. Unless you are a pro or an experienced racer riding with the same, DON'T CROSS THE WHEELS as shown in the video! That's too dangerous for novices.

@MultiWerner11 7 лет назад

tom and matt, more like 'the fashion guys'

@MikeBertelsenDK 7 лет назад

It would be fun if the presenters changed channel for 1 video without saying anything, so Matt would suddenly be on a MTB presenting whatever they would normally present :D

@gcn 7 лет назад

Health & Safety would go wild!

@PieZello 2 года назад

I always draft the deliveroo and just eat cyclists 😂

@James-zu1ij 7 лет назад

I have 2 tips I think can be quite important 1. When the wind is from the side, the echelon can be too large. people who are desperate to hang on will risk riding on the wrong side of the road. Simply start another echelon 45 degrees to the rear on the wind side. You can still get a bit of a pull from the other echelon. 2. If you are about to run into somebodies back wheel and take out the whole peloton, simply stand up this will give you about 6 inches of rearward adjustment. This save you from disaster and importantly, not scrub any speed off. Just one last thing If the person in front could kindly indicate if he/she can no longer hold the wheel. It save the guys behind from going into the red to bridge the gap. Here is a question to all. Is it ok to give somebody a nudge from behind to help them keep the wheel. I get mixed reaction. Usually the grouchy middle ranked guys look at you in horror, others very thank full. You can tell when somebody is not going to make it but you know the whole group is gonna slow down in the next 20 seconds.

@joerchron 7 лет назад

That slow mo shot of Tom's hub made me weak at the knees...

@jackglossop4859 3 года назад

Back when GCN presenters were actually able to enunciate properly

@StreamBikesNL 7 лет назад

Tom your red Canyon is absolutely gorgeous, what beautiful lines and colour scheme! I like it even better than your Trek! Do you like your Rotor crank and are you satisfied with it?

@glennoc8585 7 лет назад

when do the.lines blur between drafting and parasitic wheel sucking us the question. we've all.met or know that person that always tries it on lol.

@michellelee8933 2 года назад

It seems like a scarily close distance, i don’t even bike at all right now, but I want to find myself doing this one day in the future. It must feel good being pulled.

@Agione82 5 лет назад

Why are you guys not wearing gloves? Just curious because riding in wind numbs hand and makes reaction slower?

@julianvanoudheusden3118 7 лет назад

Hi GCN, I have one more question; if the wind comes from the left or right, how far do I need to ride next to the rider in front of me? Do I need to ride like Matt was doing, or with my frontwheel next to his backwheel, or even more forward?

@theylivewesee1674 7 лет назад

which shimano groupsets have road hydraulic disc brakes??

@gr4yz4 7 лет назад

The end of this video looks like there will soon be a "7 Magnificent Ways To Hide Behind Your Bicycle"

@mwbgaming28 5 лет назад

Just install a reversing camera so you can see who is behind you and how far away he is, no sixth sense needed

@begrackled 7 лет назад

How the hell do you mic the outdoor dialogue so that it isn't just all wind noise? Seriously, it's kind of amazing.

@JonCannings 7 лет назад

don't ride to close if not confident and relax your upper body.

@juknevij 7 лет назад

You should have a "GCN does Science" video showing that drafting also works for the guy riding at the front. It's just a few watts, but we all know that marginal gains matter.

@juknevij 7 лет назад

I found this: www.iawe.org/Proceedings/EACWE2013/B.Blocken.pdf Apparently it is a 2-5% drop for the leading guy. Wheelsuckers will take you home quicker.

@morbidi 4 года назад

Was this video shot at Portugal, by any chance?

@teuast 7 лет назад

Back in January I went on a group ride with my dad and some of his mates, and there was this one section where my dad and I ended up in a break with one other guy for about ten miles along a straight coastal highway with some fairly strong winds. I'd never ridden in a paceline before, certainly not at that speed, but man, once we got into the rhythm, we tore it up on that section, average speed according to Strava was close to 25 mph. There was this cafe we'd all agreed to rendezvous at, and the three of us got there probably close to ten minutes before the rest of the group rolled in. Thing was, I think I had an easier time with that than the other two. My dad is about 6'2" and the other guy was probably about the same, but I'm 5'10" on a good day and weigh probably 30-50 pounds less than either of them, so I could draft on them just by being kind of in the vicinity, whereas the others had to really tuck in to get any aero advantage off of me.

@gcn 7 лет назад

yep, you can really make others hurt once they "lose/drop the wheel" in front.

@ssjktjessica6 6 лет назад

I lads great vid and learnt something again,but going off subject ,nice shoes what one's are they ?

@smfr123 7 лет назад

Matt's zip pull is making clicky noises on his microphone!

@simonrano8072 7 лет назад

Also learned the meanning of "peppy music" today, another great learning from GCN !!

@cyclejockey4397 7 лет назад

Thanks for the tips GCN. Always enjoy the show !

@jairus4356 7 лет назад

Arm warmers and leg warmers but no gloves!? Is it cold or is it hot?

@miguelsaez340 7 лет назад

Had a laugh watching poor lasty run out of breath :D Cool video though :)

@TheROOTminus1 7 лет назад

Good to see Matt's still holding true to form and rocking the top stacked stem setup #StephensUncutClub

@jacqueschiron4035 7 лет назад

I hadn't realized until now how creepy drafting was.

@sampadpadhi21 7 лет назад

someone please ask Lasty to wear his glasses!! He seems dazed and confused!

@NeoPayneHK 7 лет назад

love the music you choose for!!! Saturn 3 - Ulas Koca!!! thanks!

@flyro2000 7 лет назад

ngl i thought it said drift and got really exited ahha

@langy8525 7 лет назад

The more and more I see your new kit lads the more I like it. Very classy!

@blengravers 7 лет назад

I wonder do your power meters reflect this 30%-40% difference? Considering whether you are 2nd wheel off or further down peloton.

@tylerporter9889 7 лет назад

King Fish Yes, they do. Power depends so much on a lot of factors like gradient, rider weight, and speed, but it is easy to see a huge jump in power when you get out of the draft.

@dioright 7 лет назад

What's happen with Tom's TREK that he designed?

@GordonMoat 7 лет назад

So much drafting, I had to close the window.

@GordWayne 2 года назад

Very cool, you guys are great at explaining stuff

@bartektunia 7 лет назад

I'm fastest

@Mohiiihi 7 лет назад

what model was that canyon that Tom Last was riding?

@bret_moss 7 лет назад

"Sitting on the front" - Is this a thing? I was under the impression when on the front you're either Drilling it or Driving the Pace!!

@hawkeye7862 7 лет назад

Bret Moss yer dragging everyone else along saving them power and using ore of your own on a long race chances are you won't last on the front for the whole race sit behind a few reserve energy and have lots left for the end of the race

@feltspat9970 7 лет назад

(peppy music) ♥

@Windband1 7 лет назад

Lads, what about when it's time to switch with the other rider(s)? How do you do that? A hand signal? Thanks,

@craigwilson118 7 лет назад

The front rider 'flicks their elbow' to indicate they want you to pull through, then they will pull to the side of the group and slowly slip backwards as you maintain the pace. You will often see the pros in a break near the end of a race flicking the elbow for another rider to take a turn, but as they move aside the others follow them forcing them to be on the front longer as they try to save energy to outsprint them. If they cannot get agreement the break will usually fail as it slows down due to nobody sharing the work.

@alexmarr409 7 лет назад

What Canyon is lasty riding?

@pioneltapinessi947 7 лет назад

You guys visiting the States?

@slowhite03 7 лет назад

What happens in a tailwind situation? Would the person in front get the draft? I'm curious now

@gscheuing 7 лет назад

I think as long as the group is riding faster than the tailwind the draft dynamics would remain the same, but to a lesser extent. For example, riding 20 mph with a 15 mph tailwind would be similar to riding 5 mph with no tailwind. If the tailwind was faster than the group's riding speed, I would assume the rear rider is receiving a stronger "push" than the front rider, who is blocked off from the beneficial wind. Of course I could have this all wrong.

@samleonard1916 7 лет назад

Matching Fizik shoes looks pretty sweet

@liambarber9036 7 лет назад

if you keep your head ahead you will stay ahead.

@christophertrapp4195 7 лет назад

Hey Tom, tell us about those Q Rings!

@georgewilson5837 7 лет назад

Noobie question what actual difference does a tapered headset and fork make?

@JS-tb9hu 7 лет назад

@craigwilson118 7 лет назад

The difference in diameters top/bottom stiffens the front end a bit which gives more accurate steering when leaning over... less chance of the fork flexing sideways a bit which would put the front wheel slightly out of alignment with the back wheel. It will track better through these fast turns requiring less correcting inputs. The lower bearing race which takes more force is also larger so it will last a bit longer. If you ride gently on smooth terrain it will probably not make a noticeable difference.

@cyrilgoldenrock 7 лет назад

Is Lasty riding ovalised chainrings? Thoughts/experiences?

@gcn 7 лет назад

he is! He likes them.

@gabouel 7 лет назад

Will you save more energy riding behind several people, or even bunch, peleton ?

@gcn 7 лет назад

if surrounded by a bunch you kind of get "sucked" along.

@joes3703 3 года назад

Where has this video been?

@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589 7 лет назад

Crossing wheels on your diagram?

@softisgamesx3981 5 лет назад

draft behind a truck..... much faster

@nickhutchinson9068 7 лет назад

what wheels are Matt and lasty riding?

@sibslifestyle 3 года назад

Mtb trails

@murmamirrmohaimen2271 7 лет назад

Please make how to lunge like a pro. I wanna be a sprinter. And just less than 50000 subs to 1 million.

@gcn 7 лет назад

did you see when Matt beat Greipel?

@murmamirrmohaimen2271 7 лет назад

Yes I did see when Matt 'beat' Greipel but please make the video I requested.

@Calum_S 7 лет назад

The best way to get comfortable with drafting is to practice as much as possible. Matt Stephens wins the prize for stating the obvious.

@TheEnzodu62 7 лет назад

I saw that Matt and Dan are using a power2max type S power meter ! So, would you recommend it (in terms of power reading and accuracy) ?

@TheEnzodu62 7 лет назад

BikeDeal.ca thanks, I was just asking that because I would like to upgrade my stages one to a power2max

@TheEnzodu62 7 лет назад

BikeDeal.ca I have a last generation ultegra 130 BCD 53/42 with 170mm cranks on it. I'm pretty sure that I have a leg stronger that the other (I'm thinking that due to left leg being bigger than the right leg) so I would like to quantify that difference (impossible to do with my only left leg stages power meter)

@TheEnzodu62 7 лет назад

yep I was looking at power2max for thier quality and lower prices compare to Powertap for exemple