Candi Murray/Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn
I was trying to put together some rules and suggestions for stages races as
I know many people will be doing their first one. Can some of your more
experienced help me out here?
1. You must finish each stage in order to continue on the next one. - Not
only do you have to finish but you have to finish within the time cut with
is 20% of the winners time. If you come in outside the time cut you are out.
The one exception to this is the crit - which the Cat 4's will not be doing.
But in a crit if you are off the back the official will pull you and prorate
your time - But make sure if you plan to 'pull' yourself that you have an
official do it and record your number or you will be listed as a dnf
2. Mark your wheels, both on the bike and in support with as much
identifying info as you can fit; name, number, team, address, e-mail, phone
number, mother's maiden name, etc. For the wheel that goes into support
also put a card in the spokes that can be grabbed out as the support person
gives YOUR wheels to someone else.
3. If you should come in off the back remember who you were riding with and
make sure that the officials see you. However when you do this, NEVER ride
back across the finish line a second time.
4. Getting times on 300 + riders is one of the most difficult tasks an
official does.
If you have a problem with the results of a stage you have up until the
start of the next stage to contact the Chief Judge and make your position
know. I truly think that officiating a stage race is more physically
demanding than riding one, just in a different way. There are literally
thousands of calculations to be made often with marginal or non-existent
data. It is IMPOSSIBLE to not make mistakes.
5. Should you have a mishap (crash, mechanical etc) within the last
kilometer of a stage then you will get the same time as the field you were
in, but make sure that an official knows where it occurred and what your
number is.
6. Spare wheels: If you put your own wheels in check to see if they were
used each day. Nothing beats seeing that crash prone guy riding your wheels
for most of the race. Can you leave spare wheels in the follow car for the
weekend or must you haul them around each day?
7. No matter how tired you are after the last stage, don't trust someone
else putting your bike & wheels on the roof racks or in the trunk. Check to
make sure it's all packed and accounted for.
8. Know what a wheels support lottery is. Check to make sure if your number
is picked each day. If you have special wheels, 10spd, etc and need special
spares, it's your responsibility.
9. Make sure numbers are pinned correctly for each stage.
10. You are racing with the same folks for 2-3 days. Wash your clothes
daily.
11. Show up when called the first time at the tt's.
12. Every chance you get eat and rest.
13. You must sign in for every stage - except the time trial. No sign in -
gets a time penalty.
Remember most of all, have fun! See you there! Make sure you all stop by
and tell me how it is going.
Candi