How far back do I have to stay from other riders, and how do I pass?

Question

Accepted Answer

In a draft-illegal race (section 4.5): The draft zone is 12 meters (about 39 feet, roughly six bike lengths) measured back from the leading edge of the front wheel of the rider ahead, across the full width of the road. Behind a motorcycle it's 15 m; behind any other motor vehicle, 35 m. To pass: enter the zone and keep moving through it. Your front wheel must pass the other rider's front wheel within 25 seconds. Age-group athletes may pass straight through the slipstream. Pass on the left (unless told to ride on the far left). You can't drop back out or sit in the zone once you've entered it. When you're passed: you must immediately drop back and keep dropping back until you're out of the passer's draft zone. Re-passing before you're out is a blue card. You may enter the zone without penalty while legally passing, for safety, near an aid station, approaching or leaving transition, at an acute turn, or where officials have exempted a section. Penalty: drafting, failing to pass in time, or not dropping back is a blue card. Passing on the wrong side is a yellow card.