Drafting on bikes
Fi
Posts: 31
in General Chat
Hi, I’m so nervous; I’m doing a sprint triathlon this weekend. I am very confused. I watched the triathlon on TV and they were drafting on the bikes. I thought you weren’t allowed to do this – or is this a rule that just applies to certain distances? I don’t want to get disqualified if I end up in a drafting scenario can anyone shed some light as there are no rules with regards to this in my race pack. The cycle route is only 14miles.
Thank you
Thank you
0
Comments
Imagine a box around your bike, 3 metres wide and seven metres long. Your front wheel is in the front and centre of the box. If another competitor enters the box, even partly, then they have 15 seconds to get out of the draft zone either by overtaking or dropping back.
You must also be seen to be making progress while within a draft zone, i.e you must be trying to overtake. You can't just pop into somebody's draft zone for 15 seconds, then out again, then in again etc etc.
Roadside marshalls, and marshalls on motorbikes will be out on the course to police the drafting rules.
BTA do not generally allow draft-legal age group races unless you get special permission.
Why are Elites allowed to draft? That is a discussion for another much more shouty thread.
Good luck!
Official rules here: http://www.britishtriathlon.org/uploads/files/Competition%20Rules%202006.pdf
I agree that sometimes you end up hanging back a bit (outside the drafting zone) to see if you should pass the guy in front or if will he speed up. This happens a lot on hills when everybody bunches up.
I, for one, am really glad there is no drafting for the non-Elites. I am not a road racer mainly because I find the tactics a bit overwhelming.
Good luck! What Tri are you doing?
Hope you enjoy it!!
Iain.
I'll probably see you there! What number are you (that's if you want to tell me) - I'll cheer you on if I see you. My start is at 10.59 but I plan to get there very early so I can watch the other competitors and how they do it! All the best for your race.
Fi
Good luck
Hopefully I do better at the Highworth Tri in September. Are you doing that one too?
Iain
I have the Bible and while it is fascinating, actually found it quite dificult to really set up a sensible programme.
Can I recommend the 220 Training Application that is on this very site. Its not cheap at around £100, but once you have it, it will give you everything you need to plan a whole year's training for now and forever.
It really gave me some structure this year and I have already got my winter programme set up. Final tri next week, a couple of Half Marathons (drunken challenge with mates) then 3 weeks off training at end of October, then the tool kicks in from November to March [;)]
I was looking at the results, the winner must have had wings.
Swim 06:19
Bike 00:35:31
Run 00:16:36
total 01:01:10
and thats with a penalty of 2.00 mins
I've now found out that yes I can push out a 37 minute 22K even with a head wind so I must try harder at the next event.
The Highworth is over near Swindon. The event flyer was stuck to most cars at the Malmesbury tri. The details are at http://monkey-web.com/tri/ but the closing date is pretty soon.
Paulfitz - £100!!! mmm I'd need to know more about it before I spent that kind of money - is there a link (...and are you on comission, are you a secret 220 employee roping people into this package...!)
tri_dot_dom thanks for the info on Chippenham Wheelers and the ride at Castle Combe - now that does sound fun...and all for £1...bargin. I'll see if some of my friends want to give it a try. 37mins for a 22k - that's fast - you'll definately beat your time next year (if you enter again)
Thanks for the info and I may see you out on the circuit.
Fi