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    Are Wheelsuckers Ruining Cycling? | GCN Show Ep.682



    In this week’s GCN Show, we dive into the controversial training crash of Jonas Vingegaard and the heated debate around “wheel sucking” etiquette on public roads. We also celebrate Mathieu van der Poel’s historic 8th world title and discuss the massive cleanup on Strava that saw millions of incorrectly categorized activities deleted. Plus, we look at the latest in e-bike legislation and Google’s new AI navigation features for cyclists.

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    Chapters: ⏱️
    00:00 – Welcome to the GCN Show!
    00:44 – Mathieu van der Poel: The CX G.O.A.T?
    02:21 – Jonas Vingegaard’s Training Crash Drama
    05:00 – The Etiquette of Sitting on a Stranger’s Wheel
    15:45 – Google Gemini AI Navigation for Cyclists
    16:56 – New Jersey & New Hampshire E-Bike Laws
    20:00 – Strava Deletes 2.3 Million Activities
    21:05 – Record-Breaking Cycle Across 5 Frozen Lakes
    29:15 – Hack/Bodge of the Week
    35:50 – Caption Competition
    37:12 – Comment of the Week

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    The “wheelsucker” debate is a classic—some see it as a compliment, while others see it as a dangerous invasion of personal space. Have you ever had a stranger sit on your wheel without asking, and how did you react? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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    View 38 Comments

    38 Comments

    1. @gcn on

      The "wheel sucker" debate is a classic—some see it as a compliment, while others see it as a dangerous invasion of personal space. Have you ever had a stranger sit on your wheel without asking, and how did you react? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

    6. @JimHill-hp5of on

      I never worry about wheel suckers, nor do I wheel suck. I am ols and slow, oftenriding a recumbent trike, no point in sucking up to my wheel unless you've bonked horribly. I ride for exercise, enjoyment and the fress hair.

    7. @emil_copenhagen on

      I mostly ride alone, and the few times I'm able to hold on to someone's wheel I have no where near the power to get up on their side just to say "hi, thanks, I'll be gone before you know it". If someone's at my wheel I just feel spured on and a bit proud: Imagine someone else is as slow as me…! In the rare cases of me holding on for more than a couple of minutes, as the gentleman I am of course try to take a lead, with the inevitable result, that he (or she) soon find me too slow, overtake me and drop me.
      Sometimes, however, I do waste an immense amount of energy on going up on their side, AND speaking(!) at the same time. Something along the lines of "I have nothing to contribute with. I just try to hang on for as long as I can", going back on the wheel, getting dropped within seconds.

    12. @TreyGruel on

      At the Sea Gull Century a couple years ago, I unknowingly paced a group of about 30 riders for 10+ miles. I was just keeping my own pace, passing a handful of riders here and there. At one point, I sat up to enjoy the scenery a bit and, right away, I got passed several guys from a cycling club, who thanked me for the pull I'd been giving them. I had no idea anyone was behind me. Decided to jump on the back of them and use their draft for a bit, but more and more riders kept coming thru! I recognized a couple of the jerseys from ones I'd passed earlier, which gave me a hint as to how long they'd been behind me.

      I generally ride on my own, even at events like that, but I'll sometimes use someone else as a pacer to keep myself from pushing too hard. If I do, I'll check with them that it's OK and take a few turns on front, as well.

    13. @ahgaut on

      Having a new GCN show was the thing I needed to get on my bike and do my 90 minutes Z2 ride today. Thanks for the inspiration and the Show. (I watched to the end)

    14. @DavidFritzIII on

      Just ask first before jumping on someone’s wheel… at least they will know to signal intentions and danger… when you sneak up and say nothing, who knows they may not know, brake and then you’ve crashed and look like a knob

    18. @johnbeckett4173 on

      Yes I did, sort of…… about 30 years ago I was on a solo ride (Wirral) and a certain "CB" passed me. He says hello and we chat a bit, I jump on his wheel. I'm doing great or i think i am …. no I'm not, idiot me didn't realised how much he had backed off to "allow me to chat" …. anyway after about 90 seconds he politely says "i have to crack on, I'm training"…. you know that scene in the first Star Wars when they go to hyperspace, yep I looked up and BLAM, he had gone………. best "I've been dropped" shock ever …..

    20. @ZombieBikeMike on

      Rule number one. Don’t be a dick. “Hi pro, may I bask in your glory for the 2 minutes I can keep up with you”

      “Hi random cyclist, we seem to be well matched in pace, would you mind if I joined you, or should I push on a bit to get past”

      “Hi person who is faster than me, I’d love to try and keep up, is that ok or should I drop back?”

      It’s not hard (unless you’re British) but give it a go!

    21. @ZombieBikeMike on

      I love the idea that someone would like to ride alone. Men’s mental health is at breaking point. Understand that someone may want to just be by themselves. Top message

    24. @SpicyFPV on

      To me it depends on the situation. On popular trail systems with lots of people around? Its hard to avoid sometimes. I have followed people for a few miles because they were going about my speed and with such heavy oncoming bike/pedestrian traffic the chance to pass just wasn't there. Have had people follow me for the same reason and doesn't bother me. If I was off by myself on the road just enjoying my time outdoors and some person comes up and hugs my wheel? Different story. They have no excuse besides trying to do it. Then it becomes weird.

    25. @tomglista on

      I have no problems with someone on my wheel. I've bonked and needed help to finish the ride. But please tell me you are there. One time, I was riding (what I thought was solo). There was a pothole, and I passed it somewhat close. I then heard a clunk and "SH**!" If I had known the two of them were there, I would have pointed out the hole, and the guy directly behind me would not have had a pinch flat.

    26. @phoffen3829 on

      It seems to kill a lot of people on road bikes to actually converse with other human beings that are not in their "group". I think engaging the guy is the only solution. The people who can actually ride, and are not there to show off, are usually pretty good about everything, but many other riders are insecure, and threatened. I don't think some people know it is bothering the guy in front, so need to be just told, nicely.

    28. @simonwoodthrillerwriter on

      When it comes to wheelsuckers and wheel sucking, I wish people wouldn't do it. It's not necessary to ride an inch from someone's wheel, especially when you don't know the rider. About a decade ago, I used to ride with a work friend group on Thursday evenings. One of the guys always insisted riding an inch from the rider in front for a slipstream. One night he touched wheels with one of our riders on a downhill and went down hard on his head. He died on the way to hospital. The fallout from the incident got pretty ugly and the group disbanded. For me, riding someone's wheel just isn't worth it.

    29. @phoffen3829 on

      Had another thought: professional cyclists training in Spain wearing team kit, not wanting to be bothered is pretty rich. They wear the kit for a reason, then might complain when somebody approaches them. Find some isolated place if you want to do your thing in private, but then, you wouldn't have anyone fawn over your uniform, would you? Your complaint is with your team, not the public.

    30. @manunava1776 on

      I imagine the registration & licencing of eBikes is just another way to allocate those extra funds (TAXES!!) to the bums, junkies, criminals, & illegals taking over certain countries….. 🤔

    32. @DirtyFrontrangeMtbr on

      E bikes, especially ones that you don’t need to pedal to move. Should be categorized as motor bikes. Too many of them in Denver and the people using them are mostly idiots I wouldn’t consider to be bicycling as all.

    33. @davidburgess741 on

      In retrospect, it's not ok to suck wheels of riders you don't know. They jammed on the brakes. I promptly blew their doors off. I took a break, passed them easily 10 minutes later. They would have benefited mightily in that headwind.

    35. @matt99943 on

      Isn't it normal to ask as they past or ride next to them for a second? If you don't know they are sitting on and get off seat or brake they might run into you. Plus snot rockets 🚀 👌. Can't see many say don't sit on if yell mind if I draft or sit on etc.

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