Jess Mace
This conversation extends to a few riders also ..I saw some behavior during the Mens B race at Rainier (at the 6 pack) that I thought was
absolutely inappropriate and dangerous. It involved two guys connected during a remount after the barriers at speed one guy was run over slightly and absolutely FREAKED out, got up totally pissed off, picked up his bike and actually THREW IT at some spectators they had to scramble to avoid being hit by a
flying bike. If they had had a child with them or a dog or simply someone not paying attention, it would have been ugly. After he collected himself, he realized his bike wasnt broken .he remounted it and continued with his race .
If he had a team jersey on, I would have contacted his team personally .he did not and I couldnt see his number.
Jess Mace, MPH, CCRP
Clinical Outcomes Research - Oregon Sinus Center
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Oregon Health & Science University
503.494.5886
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Joel Morrissette
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 9:28 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Course safety and apology
Agree with all the above. Generally speaking, our spectators have been great about keeping their heads up around the course. As a reference, the USGP courses tape the entire length and leave well-marked breaks for spectator crossing. While I don't suggest that organizers tape the whole course, perhaps some well-placed tape at the busier crossing areas with a marked break ("spectators cross here - look both ways") would fix much of the problem.
-Joel
On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 9:18 AM, Jay Rideout wrote:
Brady,
One very unfortunate way to lose a venue is with a spectator accident. Educating the participants, competitors and spectators, happens at several levels... all revolve around raising the level of concern. I don't think you should feel like a jerk on this.
As the population increases preservation of our race venues becomes much more difficult. The owners, private and government, with decreasing budgets will always opt for the easy solution of eliminating the event. And the real jerk, who percipitated this action, probably won't give a damn.
I agree that there is a need to educate at several levels before yelling becomes necessary but as a last option it beats physical interactions between spectator and competitor bodies every time.
Supportively,
Jay
--- On Wed, 10/29/08, Brady Brady wrote:
> From: Brady Brady
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Course safety and apology
> To: "obra@list.obra.org"
> Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 8:54 AM
> During one of the races last weekend (I think, Sunday's)
> I yelled a couple of times at people on the course--sorry if
> those people were your friends / loved ones.
>
> One was a girl, probably only a young teen, rolling around
> next to the jump by the barriers, her back to the course...
> the others were over by the barns somewhere, strolling
> leisurely across the course. I didn't verbally
> assault--just something like "off the course!" and
> "hey!", but as I recall, the volume and tone were
> not gentle.
>
> Later I felt like a jerk...
>
> In each case, though, I was leading a good chunk of riders
> as we were coming around blind bends in the course. While I
> got by without too much trouble, saying nothing might have
> subjected these unsuspecting folks to a barrage as a pack
> rushed through... not good for anyone.
>
> These people weren't racers... they were just friends
> and family out for a good time. I'm so glad they were
> there--it makes the races a lot more fun when they are.
>
> But let's make sure we continue to educate our guests
> as best we can as to how the races work, where the
> "danger spots" on the course are, and how to
> safely get across the course.
>
> And please pass along my apologies.
>
> Brady
>
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