Nick Glazener
Agreed. I saw a Team O rider in the cat 3/4/5 race intentionally
cheating by using the open lane to improve his position at the very
beginning of the race. I saw him do 3 times. I would say that this
kind of obvious cheating should result in an immediate DQ without
warning. Just like the pre-race helmet rule. I know it is difficult
for officials to do that. As an official, I would use more
consideration if someone used the open lane to avoid an accident.
I know of an official at the Cherry Pie that gave 2 warnings to a couple
riders before a DQ on the third offense. The official was given an
obscene gesture for the decision. This is definitely unacceptable. I
suggest an automatic liscense suspension for such behavior. The
liscense can be reinstated by paying the fee again and a written apology
to OBRA and the officials.
The cheating Team O rider didn't bother me at all. However, if he had
tried to get back over the line anywhere around me I would have been
very aggressive to not allow him back in. I am not really an anal
hardass. I just believe in the acceptance that there are consequences
for our actions. So the consequences for crossing the center line are a
DQ or death. We still have the freedom to choose.
John Bravard wrote:
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