Mike Murray
It is explicitly against the rules to have some riders track stand and
others held start or foot down start, even in a TT. Now whether you get
called on it is a matter of if the official wishes to enforce that, just
like any other rule. Evidently at Baker this year they did not.
Holding riders is not a tough job, I have never dropped one and I have held
lots. To make it more of an issue is that I barely have 700c standover
clearance. A held start should be less of a safety issue especially compared
to a "track stand if you like" plan.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: OBRA [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Tony Pawley via
OBRA
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2017 10:47
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Starting rule - one foot down
Mike, many thanks for your reply. I concur that in several instances a
trackstand isn't warranted and actually impedes forward motion. In the case
of the Baker Cycling Classic it seems to go both ways. The uphill TT I
watched in horror as the holder wasn't able to get a good grip on one racer,
and he (the racer) almost took the tent out trying to stay upright. I was
allowed to trackstand and this case due to the incline was able to get a
much faster start than if I had been held or had a foot down. My
understanding is that this is about safety so I can see the need to have a
whole pack with feet down.
Next morning's full on TT was a different story, that flat course almost
demands a hold from the race official. As much as I love to trackstand it
just doesn't make much sense in that case.
So, is it explicitly against the rules? I don't mind being held or having a
foot down occasionally, but IF I can balance on my own at a uphill TT again
like Baker it would be most appreciated.
Thanks again for your work and we'll be down from BC again for the road race
schedule and Chainbreaker next year.
Mike Murray
October 11, 2017 at 6:37 PM Reply
Track standing for the start of a TT would be a disadvantage. It would be
far better to sit relaxed having a holder. Track standing would require
bunching up your leg muscles. It also raises the possibility that you happen
to be rocking backwards at your start time delaying your start. On a held
start you can always be sure that your first move at the start time is
rolling forward. There is also the issue of judging a false start, always
difficult with bike starts but worse if the rider is balancing. If track
standing was equivalent to held starts you would see track riders doing it
for the many track timed events. No one ever does. I understand that there
people that are preternaturally proud of their ability to track stand but
they need to get over themselves.
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: OBRA [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Tony via OBRA
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2017 07:54
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Starting rfule - one foot down
Can we clarify exactly how this rule pertains to TTs? Why can't we
trackstand is my question more precisely. It does seem crazy to say the
rider has to either take a hold or have a foot down, and for those of us who
can trackstand aren't supposed to. I understand the rule on this for 'cross
is clear enough, but what about TTs?
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