Were there any pictures taken at this last race?
----- Original Message -----
From: Jacob Furniss
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] thanks short track ss racers
Europeans have a more sophisticated approach to passing slower riders. Here is a reminder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVKeDfQu0k&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Frace.cx%2F2008%2F12%2F22%2Ffrom-the-sands-of-belgium%2F&feature=player_embedded
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Europeans have a more sophisticated approach to passing slower riders. Here is a reminder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNVKeDfQu0k&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Frace.cx%2F2008%2F12%2F22%2Ffrom-the-sands-of-belgium%2F&feature=player_embedded
Spencer wrote:
"as a SS racer i take issue with the completely different skill sets
involved in the women's and ss races. once upon a time, the single
speeds were for chumps who couldnt or wouldnt race. its about the
ride, not about the speed. with the advent of the 'blinglespeeds' that
has changed and many of us are competitive..."
And I respond:
As a "chump" (read: newbie racer) with a singlespeed that is decidedly lacking in "bling", I'm not sure how to take this. Should I be offended? Should I be resolved to somehow get faster in a hurry? Lacking that ability, should I continue to race even though I will surely be lapped by the leaders long before it's over? (If I am racing in the Beginner class, against women half my age, should I be even doing it on a singlespeed? I've noticed that not many Beginners do.)
When is racing about winning, and when is it about having a safe, fun experience? And where is the overlap between these states? Should there BE an overlap? Or should races be set aside for the truly "competitive" to race apart from those who are new to the scene?
My own experiences as a first-year racer have been overwhelmingly positive. Organizers and other racers have been friendly and encouraging. More experienced racers who found themselves lapping me have almost always called out that they were passing (and I DO appreciate that!). I have finished at or near the back of my category each time, exhausted from the effort but still smiling. Above all, I have been reminded CONSTANTLY by those around me that I should go out and have fun, no matter what. And believe me, I've been having the time of my life.
It seems that, while there is plenty of room for the highly competitive rider to excel, the Portland Short-track XC Series is designed to be especially welcoming to those who are new to racing. I hope that it will remain that way, and I greatly look forward to racing again next Monday night.
Happy riding! --Beth Hamon
http://bikelovejones.livejournal.com
http://veloquent.blogspot.com
My brother had a slot car set that had a drone car running at half
speed that you had to pass. Made the race more interesting. Why would
it be cool to throw logs on the course and do a zany le mans start but
not to have to skillfully pass slow chicks? Speaking as perhaps the
most lapped girl on the course ;) I can echo Angela's observation. The
SS riders particularly at the front of the pack are above and beyond
respectful. They know how to pass and they know how to make up the
fraction of a second they lost because of their decision to not drive
me off the track. I would miss their Doppler shifted "thank you. Good
job!" if they were moved to a different race. That being said someone,
probably in a heated battle for 29th place felt the need to almost
send me face first into a tree last night. An elite rider would not
have tried to make that pass I think. So I guess there will always be
someone who doesn't get the whole spotsmanship concept.
- Rachael
On Jul 14, 2009, at 11:18 AM, "Bushnell, Spencer" wrote:
> as a SS racer i take issue with the completely different skill sets
> involved in the women's and ss races. once upon a time, the single
> speeds were for chumps who couldnt or wouldnt race. its about the
> ride, not about the speed. with the advent of the 'blinglespeeds'
> that has changed and many of us are competitive. those close passes
> will happen whenever someone is riding drastically different
> speeds. for many of us, those passes are safe to us, but apparently
> not safe to the women being passes. I am not a race promoter, nor
> do I attempt to be. i'm sure there are reasons that we are on the
> course at the same time, but it will continue to be sucky for a lot
> us as long as we are passing lapped and slow traffic or being passed
> by aggressive SSer's
> my 2 cents
> spencer
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org on behalf of Angela Horton Gapay
> Sent: Tue 7/14/2009 8:21 AM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] thanks short track ss racers
>
>
>
> Short track single speed racers:
>
> Last night's spontaneous Le Mans start for the ss racers seemed to
> be humorously received by racers as much as those watching the
> start. Way to embrace the race fellows and Alice! Anyway I want to
> thank you single speed racers who must have heard from me and others
> about the careless and often dangerous passes that were made last
> week when the women went before the men, because it seems most of
> you went out of your way to indicate your passing last night as well
> as taking the time to not cut us off turn after turn. Some of you
> can pass just about anywhere and seem confidently resolved to
> practice patience when passing would interfere with the riders
> muddling through in front of you. You set an excellent standard for
> ss racers. Your efforts are appreciated and admired! However, the
> week before many racers, not quite as skilled or caring, apparently
> got schooled and stepped up their race etiquette to join you. I
> know not everyone had the same experience as I did last ni
> ght, but thanks for keeping it safe and fun out on the course for me.
> Angela
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>
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as a SS racer i take issue with the completely different skill sets involved in the women's and ss races. once upon a time, the single speeds were for chumps who couldnt or wouldnt race. its about the ride, not about the speed. with the advent of the 'blinglespeeds' that has changed and many of us are competitive. those close passes will happen whenever someone is riding drastically different speeds. for many of us, those passes are safe to us, but apparently not safe to the women being passes. I am not a race promoter, nor do I attempt to be. i'm sure there are reasons that we are on the course at the same time, but it will continue to be sucky for a lot us as long as we are passing lapped and slow traffic or being passed by aggressive SSer's
my 2 cents
spencer
________________________________
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org on behalf of Angela Horton Gapay
Sent: Tue 7/14/2009 8:21 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] thanks short track ss racers
Short track single speed racers:
Last night's spontaneous Le Mans start for the ss racers seemed to be humorously received by racers as much as those watching the start. Way to embrace the race fellows and Alice! Anyway I want to thank you single speed racers who must have heard from me and others about the careless and often dangerous passes that were made last week when the women went before the men, because it seems most of you went out of your way to indicate your passing last night as well as taking the time to not cut us off turn after turn. Some of you can pass just about anywhere and seem confidently resolved to practice patience when passing would interfere with the riders muddling through in front of you. You set an excellent standard for ss racers. Your efforts are appreciated and admired! However, the week before many racers, not quite as skilled or caring, apparently got schooled and stepped up their race etiquette to join you. I know not everyone had the same experience as I did last ni
ght, but thanks for keeping it safe and fun out on the course for me.
Angela
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DISCLAIMER:
This message is intended for the sole use of the addressee, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee you are hereby notified that you may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this message.
Short track single speed racers:
Last night’s spontaneous Le Mans start for the ss racers seemed to be humorously received by racers as much as those watching the start. Way to embrace the race fellows and Alice! Anyway I want to thank you single speed racers who must have heard from me and others about the careless and often dangerous passes that were made last week when the women went before the men, because it seems most of you went out of your way to indicate your passing last night as well as taking the time to not cut us off turn after turn. Some of you can pass just about anywhere and seem confidently resolved to practice patience when passing would interfere with the riders muddling through in front of you. You set an excellent standard for ss racers. Your efforts are appreciated and admired! However, the week before many racers, not quite as skilled or caring, apparently got schooled and stepped up their race etiquette to join you. I know not everyone had the same experience as I did last ni
ght, but thanks for keeping it safe and fun out on the course for me.
Angela
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