Ted
My first big race as a USCF official was the 1992 (or 1991?) Casper Classic
in Wyoming. I was an assistant ref and Dave Leahy was the Chief Ref. I
clearly remember Dave instructing us to note all riders with poorly placed
numbers. If a number could not be read from our position in the race
caravan due to poor placement or obstruction (e.g., covered by a vest), then
the infraction was on the order of a 5 to 10 second time penalty for the
stage. The penalties were effective and number placement was impeccable by
the end of the week.
Now, as an OBRA official, not being to resolve numbers from the field or
finish is one of my greatest frustrations. Evan, Sal, Mike, and others are
all correct. Size does matter. And all of that white space around the
number provides contrast and improves the signal to noise ratio.
Many post-race hours are logged by Candi, Terri, and other Judges to scan
video and finish line camera stills for recognizable faces and/or team
jerseys because numbers are absent or illegible. Their efforts to compile
the race results, with as few errors or gaps as possible, are remarkable.
~Ted Turner
----- Original Message -----
From: Evan MacKenzie
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 3:53 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Numbers
If you like to make the officials' jobs harder when they are counting 100+
racers as they finish each lap, go ahead and fold your number so it is
smaller.
If you want to make it harder for the officials to figure out who you are
when you cross the finish line, make your numbers smaller.
If you want to confuse the officials by making your number blend into the
design on your jersey, make your numbers smaller.
If you want to anger the officials who are trying to monitor riders in a
road race, and drive at the same time, make your numbers smaller.
If you want to confound every effort our kind and generous officials make to
put on a good race, by all means make your numbers smaller!
If you want to be sure we will have officials at our races, who don't get so
frustrated by poor number placement that they quit helping us (MANY OF THEM
FOR FREE), please leave your numbers the size they are, and affix them to
your jersey so the officials can read them. I'm not even 5' 6" and I have
enough room on my jersey for mine. Yeah, maybe I can't get into all three of
my pockets. Big deal. Just how much junk do you need to carry in your jersey
for a race anyway? Get a bento box for your top tube or a gel flask holder
or something if you need that much junk.
-Evan
Evan MacKenzie
Urban Planner I
City of Hillsboro
150 E. Main Street, 4th floor
Hillsboro, OR 97123
503-681-6154
evanm@ci.hillsboro.or.us
http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Planning_Department/
Try Hillsboro Maps!
Tons of info on any (addressed) property in Hillsboro
http://hillsboromaps.ci.hillsboro.or.us/hillsboro/index.cfm
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----------(_)/ (_)______Get on your bikes and ride!