[kazinator]

If I were to guess today, I'd say that my front wheel was within about 2 meters or so of the tail gate.

This is obviously dangerous, but the truck was going slow; slow enough that if it slammed on the brakes, I would have been able to react (and failing that, not get badly hurt).

It was a strange sensation. It took effort to pedal up to the tailgate, but then you feel the effort drop off, as if you went over an invisible ridge.

[imp0cat]

For something similar, look up "wake thieving" on yt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtT6PyY_7vQ

[zonkerdonker]

Aerodynamic drag scales fast! iirc, at 10mph, 50% of the rider's outputted power is overcoming air resistance, and at 30mph its over 90%

[ianburrell]

I think the article must have ignored drag, which makes their estimate of 35-40 mpg unrealistic. Tour de France sprinters can reach 45mph speed, but the average Tour speed is more like 25-30 mph. Running is less efficient, and less aerodynamic, than cycling.