Adams, Mike

I have seen head on's with cars and both times nobody walked away, one died and one crippled.

We certainly don't get paid enough to risk serious injury. If you're riding strong and in the first group, 10 to 15 deep, have fun and hammer. If you're not then hold you're place and keep the rubber side down for you and your fellow racers to race for another day. Another part of racing is being thoughtful of your fellow riders. This is evident in the pros as well as us weekenders, if you violate the yellow line you are eliminated immediately. We are developing into a nationally recognized racing area lets not muck it up by an avoidable mishap. Just my two cents.

Mike Adams

50+ Masters



-----Original Message-----

From: John Bravard [mailto:j-bra-@comcast.net]

Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 11:09 PM

To: OBRA

Subject: [OBRA Chat] Centerline at Cherry Pie





I shared my thoughts with my team, and a few asked me to post them on the

OBRA list.



The last two kilometers of the Cherry Pie RR were pretty dicey. There were a

lot of people charging hard and going every which way for 4th through 54th

place. The road was open for the last 200m, but folks were all over the

centerline for the last 2km. I hope the guy who crashed recovers quickly and

completely, but one thing I noticed is that he crashed in the oncoming lane.

We race on open roads, and adding a car to this mishap would likely have

made the injuries he sustained look pretty minor.



I, and quite a few others, would like to see riders pulled on the spot when

crossing the centerline during races. It's dangerous, and it's a clear

advantage over those who work their way up properly. Pulling riders during

the early part of a race would set an example and likely keep it from

happening in the latter stages. All we need is for someone to become a hood

ornament and we'll see road racing severely reduced in Oregon.



I know officials have their hands full at these races, and I'm not sure that

it is possible to crack down on centerline violations when so many people

are doing it. I've seen riders reprimanded after a tough 3+ hour road race,

and this caused a lot of hard feelings with the official finally reducing

disqualifications to warnings. On the spot warnings and disqualifications

would eliminate second guessing after the race, and, I believe, provide an

effective deterrent for the rest of the racers. Are there any ideas on how

officials could effectively enforce centerline violations during a race?



In closing, stay to the right of the centerline and heckle the hell out of

those who cross it. If you're in the front of the group for the sprint and

feeling good, then go for the win and be safe. If you're in the back of a

big field with nothing but assholes and elbows 50 deep in front of you, then

don't even think about sprinting, keep your head up, and watch out for

people in front of you hitting the pavement.



John Bravard



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