How To Draft Like A Pro | Essential Cycling Skills

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 👇

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Filmed on location in Mallorca.

Music:
Saturn 3 - Ulas Koca

Photos: © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com

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