What About This Scenario:
1. You're inside the draft zone of the bike (Mr. First) in front of you and begin to pull off to the left to execute your pass. But a quick glance shows that another rider is passing you, as you're about to make your own pass. So you wait a tick and pull out behind this third rider as he passes you.
2. You are now inside the draft zone of the third rider and you're both ticking away your 20 seconds to execute the pass.
3. The wheel of Mr. Third breaks the plane of Mr. First and, the pass having been completed, he moves over the right, in front of Mr. First. Hopefully he continues his pace and extends the gap between first and third.
You now have two choices:
1. As Mr. Third passes Mr. First, you drop into the space between them. Or...
2. After passing number 1, you pass number 3 and move over to the right.
The second option leaves you 100 percent in the clear, as you're never close to being in violation, and your actions and body language communicate to a draft marshal that you're definitely making your own way through the field.
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If you choose the first option, you might identify yourself to a race official that you're someone to watch. Note that when you take up your position between Third and First, you will be inside the draft zone of Mr. Third—meaning you should pass him within 20 seconds. But you don't. Instead you back out of this space, exiting the zone from the rear, which you have 20 seconds to do. However, in the scenario above, when did your 20 seconds start? Does a draft marshal have a watch, counting off the 20 seconds, on both you and Mr. Third?
This is where a draft marshal is going to rely on his experience as a cyclist to know when someone is trying to intentionally draft, by observing his or her actions and body language.
When in Doubt
Understand that a draft marshal is very likely an athlete and he'll rely on his experience with body language and other tells to identify the intentional drafters among a field of over 2,000 athletes.
1. To be safe stay four bike lengths or more off the wheel in front of you.
2. Communicate with your body language, completely sitting up in the hoods and coasting, that you're intent on getting out of what may be a questionable distance as quickly as possible.
3. If you think you may be on the bubble of four bike lengths, beware of adjusting your spacing by soft-pedaling. This tells the draft marshal that you're metering out your power to maintain your interpretation of four bike lengths.
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Blocking
Always ride as far to the right as you safely can, except when passing. In fact, the only time you're any where other than far to the right is when you are in the act of passing another athlete. I can't tell you how many times I'm seen Mr. Macho riding in the middle of the lane...because certainly no one could be passing him...except the 10 guys stacked up behind him trying to pass him.
Never ride side by side with anyone, for any reason. Say hi, pass them or let them pass you.
Outside Assistance / Pacers on the Run
No one, regardless of their projected finish time, reasons for racing ("just finish" vs. Kona), etc., is allowed to have anyone other than an athlete in the race run next to them. No, you can't finish the race and then go back out into the dark and help them finish the run. Once you cross the finish line you are no longer a competitor. Any assistance you give another athlete is outside assistance.
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Comments Heard from Other Athletes re Drafting, Race Officials, etc.
I saw huge packs out there. Why weren't more penalties given?
What appears from the rear or from the side of the road to be a large pack of drafting cyclists can often be quite different when observed from a motorcycle traveling at the same speed, at close distance, and offset to the side. Often proper spacing is observed, rather then being static, as athletes are in the act of passing and being passed. In other words, groups of cyclists are often much more dynamic than they appear to be when observed from the rear or from the side of the road.
So while drafting does occur, it's usually not as bad as you think. Understand that three conditions need to be met before a penalty can be assessed:
1. The motorcycle and official must ride safely near the offender for at least 20 seconds.
2. An infraction needs to be observed.
3. The motorcycle and official must ride safely and directly next to the offender to issue the penalty and communicate instructions to the athlete.
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