r r
Thank you Candi. Very good point. So would you say, that the BB's (1 and 3) finish goes against what you would like to see? The abolishment of all downhill or dip finishes?
All categories should be taken inconsideration when plotting out a course. When its just a pro 1/2 field, make it more crazy. But when you have many different fields racing the same course, one must take into account the lack of experience in the beginners field. As a former mt bike race organizer, in another state, i knew the pros could handle how the course was, but still went out and smoothed things out to help the beginners get through it safely. Remember, just because you and i know how to ride our bike in these situations, does not mean the person next to you or in a lower field finds finds it to be as easy.
From: cmurray@obra.org
To: bikexcr@hotmail.com; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Banana Belt Updates
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 10:55:14 -0800
We had a very ugly crash at last years Victor Point Road race
where one rider almost died. And this was just in a little dip before the
finish. While I think tht many fields can handle them, a Cat 4 and Cat 5
field has more variables. I for one do not want any downhill sprint
finishes.
Candi Murray
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
[mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of r r
Sent:
Tuesday, March 04, 2008 10:50 AM
To: Erik Voldengen;
obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Banana Belt
Updates
Thank you Erik. Finally someone in OBRA land
opened up to look outside the box. He may have even explained it better than I
had.
The main point WAS, downhill finishes do not have a place in road
racing. Like Erik stated, in a TRUE sprint, only the TRUE sprinters are at the
front, while the climbers and tt riders are hanging off the back watching.
Therefore its a SPRINTERS race, and the sprinters get their chance.
In a
downhill finish, such as BB, you have EVERYONE there. There is no separation of
skill that should naturally occur, even in a flat sprint. Therefore you truly do
take the SKILL out of the sprint, and start to throw in more luck and danger.
Yes, i do watch all those BIG races, and yes i have seen ALL those
crashes. But when have you ever seen a downhill finish in either of those races?
Answer me this. If you can give me an exact example and video proof, ill shut
up. But till then i will stand by my view, and shun me as you may, but i just
cannot agree that a downhill finish is something to be excepted and argued for.
You want a downhill finish, go race DH on your mt bike.
V
> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:40:34 -0800
> From: erikv@erikv.com
>
To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Banana Belt
Updates
>
> I know this is a little off topic in regards to the
original post, not
> to mention unpopular, but I'll have to differ with
the opinion that
> downhill sprints are just as safe as any other,
especially at this
> course.
>
> On a flat sprint, take PIR
for example, we'll hit 40mph sometimes, but
> only the fast guys in front.
On a downhill sprint, EVERYONE is at
> 40mph, and it goes up from there.
Say what you will, superhandlers,
> but bikes handle differently at those
kind of speeds. Combine that
> with gravel laiden shoulders (and isn't
there a bridge to compress the
> group in the final K?), and I can
completely see V's point of view.
> Not the safest finish, but then it's
my choice whether to race or not.
>
> -Erik
>
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