Well after about 450 miles on the Neo its finally happened this morning, (it was going to happen sooner or later), another cyclist on a racing bike passed me!!!!!
I was doing around 15.8 to 16 mph (sweet spot) into a fairly strong head wind and the cyclist came past me going a couple of miles an hour faster than me. If I had been on my e-mtb I would have just let him go but as I was on the Neo I thought I would see if I could stay with him if possible.
I was shocked to find how easy it was to just sit on his wheel and be sheltered from the wind, even though we were doing around 18 mph most of the time it was actually easier than riding on my own at around 16 mph. I think I have read that when riding behind someone into a strong head wind you can save about 30% of your energy.
After a few minutes he looked behind him and I could tell from the expression on his face he had quite a shock to see me right on his wheel. A couple of minutes later he turned off, looking rather crest fallen. I suspect when he passed me he did not realise I was on an e-racing bike. Its very difficult to notice the motor and slightly thicker down tube when riding behind me.
I had sort of been hoping a decent rider would pass me just to see if I can stay on their wheel. It was extremely easy to do it into a strong wind, but it will be interesting to see if I would find it as easy if we had been riding with a strong tail wind. I imagine it would then be a lot more difficult for me to stay on a good riders wheel when the wind is in our favour.