CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

Luciano bailey

2009-08-10

where are these clips I want to see

From: bikexcr@hotmail.com
To: drjackbo@yahoo.com; obra@list.obra.org; atedgerton@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 23:50:03 -0700
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

Oh ya

Did you hear?! Michael Jackson passed away! No freaking way!

From: bikexcr@hotmail.com
To: drjackbo@yahoo.com; obra@list.obra.org; atedgerton@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 23:35:59 -0700
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

Youre all wrong anyways. After careful analysis and watching the clip 100 times....

The rider in red, along with the guy on his wheel behind him, on the far right of the clip on the outside of the curve, was already in a line way too wide before the ball got there. This rider had already over cooked the corner and was heading into the curb with or without the ball. But like i said previously, high speed racing with spectators at close proximity in an uncontrolled environment, shit happens and its part of the sport. Im not justifying the guy throwing the ball, it was VERY WRONG of him to do so, yet still, refer to clips I shared previously as evidence that spectators get in the way at times and its unfortunate that its at the racers expense.

Now thats it. Subject over. You cant beat a dead horse anymore nor rewind time.

Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 21:11:00 -0700
From: drjackbo@yahoo.com
To: obra@list.obra.org; atedgerton@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

At the risk of resurrecting a dead topic:

I was a spectator at corner #1 when the Cat 3 crash associated with the tennis ball happened. I am sure of the following:
- The ball was on the course at corner 1 before the riders came through. Even before the crash happened, spectators were yelling "who threw that ball"? It was bouncing about head high for the riders. I saw it bouncing among the riders and could only hope that it would bounce off the course before anything happened.
- The ball was thrown by a guy (at least mid-20s) from a balcony about 25 yds away from the course. Several people in the park and on the inside of the turn saw him throw it and identified him. It was not a bouncing ball that got away from some kids. It is virtually certain that the guy threw it with the intention of getting it onto the course.
- The race official at the corner said the cops were called. I never saw them show up -- which doesn't mean they didn't. So I don't know if there was any follow-up.

My opinion: the guy deserved a charge of reckless endangerment. It was the height of irresponsible behavior.

This is just opinion:
- I have raced only a little (PIR, Banana Belt), and never done a criterium. But it seems to me that at the very least one would flinch a little if a tennis ball was suddenly headed towards your face. How many of us can hold our heads still when a ball is unexpectedly coming at us at 30mph? And it seems to me that only a little flinch could cause a wheel touch and a consequent chain reaction. I think it's unfair to blame the racers for a crash caused by something so totally unexpected on a course as a bouncing tennis ball.
Certainly stuff happens in a race. But guys crash in the Tour all the time for a variety of reasons. Are those guys unprepared for race conditions?

IMHO, riders can't possibly train to hold their lines and stay upright under any conditions whatsoever. Should they go out and train while their friends throw tennis balls at them?

IMHO again, the tennis ball caused the crash. The best I can think of the guy who threw it is that he just had no idea what could happen. My problem is, I have no idea how to prevent such idiocy by spectators in the future.

Jack

.................................
Jack Bennett
bennett.jack@yahoo.com
.................................

--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Adam Edgerton wrote:

From: Adam Edgerton
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 5:26 PM

Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that. I was sitting on the left
side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
lead rider. The race split in two directions as some riders went to
the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed. The front
riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
us. And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball. That
> was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place because
> the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the outside
> edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
> the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to the
> first two fallen racers, I have no idea where the tennis ball came from but
> I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were already
> down.
> Jeremy
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill wrote:
>>
>> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>> destroyed.
>>
>> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>
>> From: Candi Murray
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>
>> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not
>> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the
>> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>> Candi
>> ________________________________
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>> To: 'Obra'
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>> I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
>> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you
>> down. That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>> swerving around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The chance
>> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>
>>
>>
>> The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed out
>> of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Murray
>>
>>
>>
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of john
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>> To: Obra
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>>
>>
>> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>> pack. Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis
>> ball and hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc,
>> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your
>> riding close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of
>> a crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold
>> your line, be smooth.
>>
>>
>>
>> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
>> Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
>> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
>> contact sport. Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they
>> are then you have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey
>> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up
>> laughing.
>>
>>
>>
>> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't
>> want to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race,
>> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>
>>
>>
>> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>> properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
>> slightly.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>>
>> ROTFLMAO.
>>
>>
>>
>> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>> yesterday.
>>
>>
>>
>> Red Flags
>>
>> Yellow Flags
>>
>> Green Flags
>>
>> Checkered Flags.
>>
>>
>>
>> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>
>> a crit is so important.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>>
>> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>>
>>
>>
>> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>>
>> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>>
>> yellow".
>>
>>
>>
>> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>
>> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>>
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> --
>> jms, pe pdx, or
>> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
_______________________________________________
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obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

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Oh ya

Did you hear?! Michael Jackson passed away! No freaking way!

From: bikexcr@hotmail.com
To: drjackbo@yahoo.com; obra@list.obra.org; atedgerton@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 23:35:59 -0700
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

Youre all wrong anyways. After careful analysis and watching the clip 100 times....

The rider in red, along with the guy on his wheel behind him, on the far right of the clip on the outside of the curve, was already in a line way too wide before the ball got there. This rider had already over cooked the corner and was heading into the curb with or without the ball. But like i said previously, high speed racing with spectators at close proximity in an uncontrolled environment, shit happens and its part of the sport. Im not justifying the guy throwing the ball, it was VERY WRONG of him to do so, yet still, refer to clips I shared previously as evidence that spectators get in the way at times and its unfortunate that its at the racers expense.

Now thats it. Subject over. You cant beat a dead horse anymore nor rewind time.

Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 21:11:00 -0700
From: drjackbo@yahoo.com
To: obra@list.obra.org; atedgerton@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

At the risk of resurrecting a dead topic:
I was a spectator at corner #1 when the Cat 3 crash associated with the tennis ball happened. I am sure of the following:- The ball was on the course at corner 1 before the riders came through. Even before the crash happened, spectators were yelling "who threw that ball"? It was bouncing about head high for the riders. I saw it bouncing among the riders and could only hope that it would bounce off the course before anything happened.- The ball was thrown by a guy (at least mid-20s) from a balcony about 25 yds away from the course. Several people in the park and on the inside of the turn saw him throw it and identified him. It was not a bouncing ball that got away from some kids. It is virtually certain that the guy threw it with the intention of getting it onto the
course. - The race official at the corner said the cops were called. I never saw them show up -- which doesn't mean they didn't. So I don't know if there was any follow-up.
My opinion: the guy deserved a charge of reckless endangerment. It was the height of irresponsible behavior.
This is just opinion:- I have raced only a little (PIR, Banana Belt), and never done a criterium. But it seems to me that at the very least one would flinch a little if a tennis ball was suddenly headed towards your face. How many of us can hold our heads still when a ball is unexpectedly coming at us at 30mph? And it seems to me that only a little flinch could cause a wheel touch and a consequent chain reaction. I think it's unfair to blame the racers for a crash caused by something so totally unexpected on a course as a bouncing tennis ball. Certainly stuff happens in a race.
But guys crash in the Tour all the time for a variety of reasons. Are those guys unprepared for race conditions?
IMHO, riders can't possibly train to hold their lines and stay upright under any conditions whatsoever. Should they go out and train while their friends throw tennis balls at them?
IMHO again, the tennis ball caused the crash. The best I can think of the guy who threw it is that he just had no idea what could happen. My problem is, I have no idea how to prevent such idiocy by spectators in the future.
Jack

.................................

Jack Bennett

bennett.jack@yahoo.com

.................................

--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Adam Edgerton wrote:

From: Adam Edgerton
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 5:26 PM

Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that. I was sitting on the left
side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
lead rider. The race split in two directions as some riders went to
the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed. The front
riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen
behind
us. And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball. That
> was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place because
> the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the outside
> edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
> the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to
the
> first two fallen racers, I have no idea where the tennis ball came from but
> I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were already
> down.
> Jeremy
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill wrote:
>>
>> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>> destroyed.
>>
>> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>
>> From: Candi Murray
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland
Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>
>> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not
>> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the
>> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>> Candi
>> ________________________________
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>>
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>> To: 'Obra'
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>> I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
>> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you
>> down. That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>> swerving around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The chance
>> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>
>>
>>
>> The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed out
>> of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Murray
>>
>>
>>
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of john
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>> To: Obra
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>>
>>
>> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>> pack. Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis
>> ball and hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc,
>> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your
>> riding close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of
>> a crash. NEVER. This is
what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold
>> your line, be smooth.
>>
>>
>>
>> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
>> Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
>> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
>> contact sport. Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they
>> are then you have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey
>> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up
>> laughing.
>>
>>
>>
>> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't
>> want to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their
kids race,
>> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>
>>
>>
>> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>> properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
>> slightly.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> T. Kenji
Sugahara wrote:
>>
>> ROTFLMAO.
>>
>>
>>
>> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>> yesterday.
>>
>>
>>
>> Red Flags
>>
>> Yellow Flags
>>
>> Green Flags
>>
>> Checkered Flags.
>>
>>
>>
>> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>
>> a crit is so important.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>>
>> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system
for criterium.
>>
>>
>>
>> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>>
>> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>>
>> yellow".
>>
>>
>>
>> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>
>> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>>
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> --
>> jms, pe pdx, or
>> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

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Youre all wrong anyways. After careful analysis and watching the clip 100 times....

The rider in red, along with the guy on his wheel behind him, on the far right of the clip on the outside of the curve, was already in a line way too wide before the ball got there. This rider had already over cooked the corner and was heading into the curb with or without the ball. But like i said previously, high speed racing with spectators at close proximity in an uncontrolled environment, shit happens and its part of the sport. Im not justifying the guy throwing the ball, it was VERY WRONG of him to do so, yet still, refer to clips I shared previously as evidence that spectators get in the way at times and its unfortunate that its at the racers expense.

Now thats it. Subject over. You cant beat a dead horse anymore nor rewind time.

Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 21:11:00 -0700
From: drjackbo@yahoo.com
To: obra@list.obra.org; atedgerton@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

At the risk of resurrecting a dead topic:
I was a spectator at corner #1 when the Cat 3 crash associated with the tennis ball happened. I am sure of the following:- The ball was on the course at corner 1 before the riders came through. Even before the crash happened, spectators were yelling "who threw that ball"? It was bouncing about head high for the riders. I saw it bouncing among the riders and could only hope that it would bounce off the course before anything happened.- The ball was thrown by a guy (at least mid-20s) from a balcony about 25 yds away from the course. Several people in the park and on the inside of the turn saw him throw it and identified him. It was not a bouncing ball that got away from some kids. It is virtually certain that the guy threw it with the intention of getting it onto the
course. - The race official at the corner said the cops were called. I never saw them show up -- which doesn't mean they didn't. So I don't know if there was any follow-up.
My opinion: the guy deserved a charge of reckless endangerment. It was the height of irresponsible behavior.
This is just opinion:- I have raced only a little (PIR, Banana Belt), and never done a criterium. But it seems to me that at the very least one would flinch a little if a tennis ball was suddenly headed towards your face. How many of us can hold our heads still when a ball is unexpectedly coming at us at 30mph? And it seems to me that only a little flinch could cause a wheel touch and a consequent chain reaction. I think it's unfair to blame the racers for a crash caused by something so totally unexpected on a course as a bouncing tennis ball. Certainly stuff happens in a race.
But guys crash in the Tour all the time for a variety of reasons. Are those guys unprepared for race conditions?
IMHO, riders can't possibly train to hold their lines and stay upright under any conditions whatsoever. Should they go out and train while their friends throw tennis balls at them?
IMHO again, the tennis ball caused the crash. The best I can think of the guy who threw it is that he just had no idea what could happen. My problem is, I have no idea how to prevent such idiocy by spectators in the future.
Jack

.................................

Jack Bennett

bennett.jack@yahoo.com

.................................

--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Adam Edgerton wrote:

From: Adam Edgerton
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 5:26 PM

Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that. I was sitting on the left
side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
lead rider. The race split in two directions as some riders went to
the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed. The front
riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen
behind
us. And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball. That
> was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place because
> the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the outside
> edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
> the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to
the
> first two fallen racers, I have no idea where the tennis ball came from but
> I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were already
> down.
> Jeremy
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill wrote:
>>
>> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>> destroyed.
>>
>> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>
>> From: Candi Murray
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland
Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>
>> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not
>> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the
>> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>> Candi
>> ________________________________
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>>
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>> To: 'Obra'
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>> I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
>> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you
>> down. That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>> swerving around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The chance
>> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>
>>
>>
>> The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed out
>> of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Murray
>>
>>
>>
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of john
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>> To: Obra
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>>
>>
>> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>> pack. Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis
>> ball and hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc,
>> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your
>> riding close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of
>> a crash. NEVER. This is
what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold
>> your line, be smooth.
>>
>>
>>
>> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
>> Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
>> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
>> contact sport. Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they
>> are then you have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey
>> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up
>> laughing.
>>
>>
>>
>> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't
>> want to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their
kids race,
>> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>
>>
>>
>> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>> properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
>> slightly.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> T. Kenji
Sugahara wrote:
>>
>> ROTFLMAO.
>>
>>
>>
>> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>> yesterday.
>>
>>
>>
>> Red Flags
>>
>> Yellow Flags
>>
>> Green Flags
>>
>> Checkered Flags.
>>
>>
>>
>> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>
>> a crit is so important.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>>
>> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system
for criterium.
>>
>>
>>
>> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>>
>> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>>
>> yellow".
>>
>>
>>
>> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>
>> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>>
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> --
>> jms, pe pdx, or
>> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.
http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=PID23384::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:NF_BR_sync:082009


Jack Bennett

2009-08-09

At the risk of resurrecting a dead topic:
I was a spectator at corner #1 when the Cat 3 crash associated with the tennis ball happened. I am sure of the following:- The ball was on the course at corner 1 before the riders came through. Even before the crash happened, spectators were yelling "who threw that ball"? It was bouncing about head high for the riders. I saw it bouncing among the riders and could only hope that it would bounce off the course before anything happened.- The ball was thrown by a guy (at least mid-20s) from a balcony about 25 yds away from the course. Several people in the park and on the inside of the turn saw him throw it and identified him. It was not a bouncing ball that got away from some kids. It is virtually certain that the guy threw it with the intention of getting it onto the course. - The race official at the corner said the cops were called. I never saw them show up -- which doesn't mean they didn't. So I don't know if there was any follow-up.
My opinion: the guy deserved a charge of reckless endangerment. It was the height of irresponsible behavior.
This is just opinion:- I have raced only a little (PIR, Banana Belt), and never done a criterium. But it seems to me that at the very least one would flinch a little if a tennis ball was suddenly headed towards your face. How many of us can hold our heads still when a ball is unexpectedly coming at us at 30mph? And it seems to me that only a little flinch could cause a wheel touch and a consequent chain reaction. I think it's unfair to blame the racers for a crash caused by something so totally unexpected on a course as a bouncing tennis ball. Certainly stuff happens in a race. But guys crash in the Tour all the time for a variety of reasons. Are those guys unprepared for race conditions? 
IMHO, riders can't possibly train to hold their lines and stay upright under any conditions whatsoever. Should they go out and train while their friends throw tennis balls at them?
IMHO again, the tennis ball caused the crash. The best I can think of the guy who threw it is that he just had no idea what could happen. My problem is, I have no idea how to prevent such idiocy by spectators in the future.
Jack  

.................................

Jack Bennett

bennett.jack@yahoo.com

.................................

--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Adam Edgerton wrote:

From: Adam Edgerton
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 5:26 PM

Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that.  I was sitting on the left
side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
lead rider.  The race split in two directions as some riders went to
the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed.  The front
riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
us.  And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball. That
> was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place because
> the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the outside
> edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
> the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to the
> first two fallen racers,  I have no idea where the tennis ball came from but
> I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were already
> down.
> Jeremy
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill wrote:
>>
>> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>> destroyed.
>>
>> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>
>> From: Candi Murray
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>
>> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not
>> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the
>> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>> Candi
>> ________________________________
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>> To: 'Obra'
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>> I have to disagree.  You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
>> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and  is could certainly knock you
>> down.  That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>> swerving around the ball.  The best bet would be to ignore it.  The chance
>> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>
>>
>>
>> The bigger issue is where did it come from.  I hear that it was tossed out
>> of a window into the course.  That is probably a crime.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Murray
>>
>>
>>
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of john
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>> To: Obra
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>>
>>
>> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?!  This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>> pack.  Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ?   Ignore the tennis
>> ball and hit it.  YOU NEVER EVER swerve.  A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc,
>> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves.    A big pot hole appears and your
>> riding close quarters,  YOU hit it.  never try to save wheels at expense of
>> a crash.  NEVER.  This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.  Hold
>> your line, be smooth.
>>
>>
>>
>> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
>>  Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
>> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
>> contact sport.  Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they
>> are then you have the wrong mindset.  We don't have body armor like hockey
>> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up
>> laughing.
>>
>>
>>
>> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup.  As a spectator i don't
>> want to see it.  And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race,
>> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>
>>
>>
>> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>> properly.  Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
>> slightly.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>>
>> ROTFLMAO.
>>
>>
>>
>> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>> yesterday.
>>
>>
>>
>> Red Flags
>>
>> Yellow Flags
>>
>> Green Flags
>>
>> Checkered Flags.
>>
>>
>>
>> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>
>> a crit is so important.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>>
>> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>>
>>
>>
>> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>>
>> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>>
>> yellow".
>>
>>
>>
>> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>
>> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>>
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> --
>> jms, pe         pdx, or
>> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


scott hill

2009-08-09

i thought the ball caused the crash on the front straight, not in the turn. i saw the guy change his line just before the crash, but i had no idea why until now. i was not involved in the crash, but close to it. it answers a few questions i had about why he swerved in the middle of the corner.
 
scott

--- On Sun, 8/9/09, Adam Edgerton wrote:

From: Adam Edgerton
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Sunday, August 9, 2009, 2:18 AM

I found youtube footage of the tennis ball crash.  Watch at 8 seconds
(or 57 seconds in slo-mo) in as the ball comes bouncing in from the
right side.  Looks like the ball itself didn't take anyone out - just
made people change lines all over the place and guys shot wide into
the curb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzipFqbNX88

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 9:52 PM, Adrian Richardson wrote:
> Oh god, i created a monster. I did not want this to be a "who's to blame"
> fest, or a "what it takes to be a crit racer" forum...
> I was just saying... Next time when an official tells me to slow down,
> should i just keep going balls to the wall? After this last race it seems
> that maybe the time it takes to think about abiding to race authority is
> time shaved off your overall result.
> I don't even want to bring up crashed riders getting their free lap with the
> lead group. I guess i should have just fallen vs making the effort to avoid
> the crash and resume racing.
> Sad to even think about these kind of tactics.
> -Adrian
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 6:10 PM, David Hart wrote:
>>
>> I have been racing for years. I have seen poor riding skills in crits in
>> the last couple of years (cat 3 & cat 4). A lot of riders just don't know
>> how NOT to panic. I will say that even the most skilled riders go down but
>> most are avoidable. I recommend some downhilling & xc mtb. There are so many
>> obstacles that if you panic, you won't survive 5 minutes. Just my thought of
>> course. I also just have issues with riders that just don't know how to ride
>> a bike through corners (keep a line, counter steer and not braking).
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:26 PM, Adam Edgerton
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that.  I was sitting on the left
>>> side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
>>> tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
>>> lead rider.  The race split in two directions as some riders went to
>>> the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
>>> avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed.  The front
>>> riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
>>> us.  And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
>>> cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
>>> the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
>>> midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
>>> take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.
>>>
>>> Adam
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
>>> > Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball.
>>> > That
>>> > was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place
>>> > because
>>> > the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the
>>> > outside
>>> > edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess
>>> > as
>>> > the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to
>>> > the
>>> > first two fallen racers,  I have no idea where the tennis ball came
>>> > from but
>>> > I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were
>>> > already
>>> > down.
>>> > Jeremy
>>> >
>>> > On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill
>>> > wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>>> >> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>>> >> destroyed.
>>> >>
>>> >> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> From: Candi Murray
>>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>> >> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>>> >> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>> >>
>>> >> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was
>>> >> not
>>> >> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball
>>> >> on the
>>> >> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>>> >> Candi
>>> >> ________________________________
>>> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
>>> >> On
>>> >> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>>> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>>> >> To: 'Obra'
>>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>> >>
>>> >> I have to disagree.  You can hit water bottles no problem but a
>>> >> solidly
>>> >> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and  is could certainly knock
>>> >> you
>>> >> down.  That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>>> >> swerving around the ball.  The best bet would be to ignore it.  The
>>> >> chance
>>> >> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> The bigger issue is where did it come from.  I hear that it was tossed
>>> >> out
>>> >> of a window into the course.  That is probably a crime.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Mike Murray
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
>>> >> On
>>> >> Behalf Of john
>>> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>>> >> To: Obra
>>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?!  This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>>> >> pack.  Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ?   Ignore the
>>> >> tennis
>>> >> ball and hit it.  YOU NEVER EVER swerve.  A waterbottle, a tennis
>>> >> ball, etc,
>>> >> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves.    A big pot hole appears
>>> >> and your
>>> >> riding close quarters,  YOU hit it.  never try to save wheels at
>>> >> expense of
>>> >> a crash.  NEVER.  This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.
>>> >>  Hold
>>> >> your line, be smooth.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is
>>> >> unnacceptable.
>>> >>  Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>>> >> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when
>>> >> someone
>>> >> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT
>>> >> a
>>> >> contact sport.  Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think
>>> >> they
>>> >> are then you have the wrong mindset.  We don't have body armor like
>>> >> hockey
>>> >> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and
>>> >> come up
>>> >> laughing.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup.  As a spectator i don't
>>> >> want to see it.  And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids
>>> >> race,
>>> >> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>>> >> properly.  Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the
>>> >> saddle
>>> >> slightly.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>>> >>
>>> >> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>>> >> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>> >>
>>> >> Rick Johnson
>>> >>
>>> >> Bend, Oregon
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
>>> >> George
>>> >> Santayana
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> ROTFLMAO.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>>> >> yesterday.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Red Flags
>>> >>
>>> >> Yellow Flags
>>> >>
>>> >> Green Flags
>>> >>
>>> >> Checkered Flags.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>> >>
>>> >> a crit is so important.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C
>>> >> Johnson
>>> >> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA
>>> >> should
>>> >>
>>> >> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as
>>> >> a
>>> >>
>>> >> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course
>>> >> "standing
>>> >>
>>> >> yellow".
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>> >>
>>> >> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Rick Johnson
>>> >>
>>> >> Bend, Oregon
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
>>> >> George
>>> >>
>>> >> Santayana
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> OBRA mailing list
>>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> jms, pe         pdx, or
>>> >> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>>> >> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> OBRA mailing list
>>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> OBRA mailing list
>>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > OBRA mailing list
>>> > obra@list.obra.org
>>> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> david hart
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Adam Edgerton

2009-08-09

I found youtube footage of the tennis ball crash. Watch at 8 seconds
(or 57 seconds in slo-mo) in as the ball comes bouncing in from the
right side. Looks like the ball itself didn't take anyone out - just
made people change lines all over the place and guys shot wide into
the curb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzipFqbNX88

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 9:52 PM, Adrian Richardson wrote:
> Oh god, i created a monster. I did not want this to be a "who's to blame"
> fest, or a "what it takes to be a crit racer" forum...
> I was just saying... Next time when an official tells me to slow down,
> should i just keep going balls to the wall? After this last race it seems
> that maybe the time it takes to think about abiding to race authority is
> time shaved off your overall result.
> I don't even want to bring up crashed riders getting their free lap with the
> lead group. I guess i should have just fallen vs making the effort to avoid
> the crash and resume racing.
> Sad to even think about these kind of tactics.
> -Adrian
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 6:10 PM, David Hart wrote:
>>
>> I have been racing for years. I have seen poor riding skills in crits in
>> the last couple of years (cat 3 & cat 4). A lot of riders just don't know
>> how NOT to panic. I will say that even the most skilled riders go down but
>> most are avoidable. I recommend some downhilling & xc mtb. There are so many
>> obstacles that if you panic, you won't survive 5 minutes. Just my thought of
>> course. I also just have issues with riders that just don't know how to ride
>> a bike through corners (keep a line, counter steer and not braking).
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:26 PM, Adam Edgerton
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that.  I was sitting on the left
>>> side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
>>> tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
>>> lead rider.  The race split in two directions as some riders went to
>>> the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
>>> avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed.  The front
>>> riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
>>> us.  And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
>>> cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
>>> the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
>>> midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
>>> take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.
>>>
>>> Adam
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
>>> > Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball.
>>> > That
>>> > was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place
>>> > because
>>> > the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the
>>> > outside
>>> > edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess
>>> > as
>>> > the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to
>>> > the
>>> > first two fallen racers,  I have no idea where the tennis ball came
>>> > from but
>>> > I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were
>>> > already
>>> > down.
>>> > Jeremy
>>> >
>>> > On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill
>>> > wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>>> >> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>>> >> destroyed.
>>> >>
>>> >> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> From: Candi Murray
>>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>> >> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>>> >> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>> >>
>>> >> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was
>>> >> not
>>> >> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball
>>> >> on the
>>> >> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>>> >> Candi
>>> >> ________________________________
>>> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
>>> >> On
>>> >> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>>> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>>> >> To: 'Obra'
>>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>> >>
>>> >> I have to disagree.  You can hit water bottles no problem but a
>>> >> solidly
>>> >> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and  is could certainly knock
>>> >> you
>>> >> down.  That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>>> >> swerving around the ball.  The best bet would be to ignore it.  The
>>> >> chance
>>> >> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> The bigger issue is where did it come from.  I hear that it was tossed
>>> >> out
>>> >> of a window into the course.  That is probably a crime.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Mike Murray
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
>>> >> On
>>> >> Behalf Of john
>>> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>>> >> To: Obra
>>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?!  This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>>> >> pack.  Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ?   Ignore the
>>> >> tennis
>>> >> ball and hit it.  YOU NEVER EVER swerve.  A waterbottle, a tennis
>>> >> ball, etc,
>>> >> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves.    A big pot hole appears
>>> >> and your
>>> >> riding close quarters,  YOU hit it.  never try to save wheels at
>>> >> expense of
>>> >> a crash.  NEVER.  This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.
>>> >>  Hold
>>> >> your line, be smooth.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is
>>> >> unnacceptable.
>>> >>  Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>>> >> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when
>>> >> someone
>>> >> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT
>>> >> a
>>> >> contact sport.  Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think
>>> >> they
>>> >> are then you have the wrong mindset.  We don't have body armor like
>>> >> hockey
>>> >> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and
>>> >> come up
>>> >> laughing.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup.  As a spectator i don't
>>> >> want to see it.  And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids
>>> >> race,
>>> >> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>>> >> properly.  Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the
>>> >> saddle
>>> >> slightly.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>>> >>
>>> >> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>>> >> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>> >>
>>> >> Rick Johnson
>>> >>
>>> >> Bend, Oregon
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
>>> >> George
>>> >> Santayana
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> ROTFLMAO.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>>> >> yesterday.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Red Flags
>>> >>
>>> >> Yellow Flags
>>> >>
>>> >> Green Flags
>>> >>
>>> >> Checkered Flags.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>> >>
>>> >> a crit is so important.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C
>>> >> Johnson
>>> >> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA
>>> >> should
>>> >>
>>> >> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as
>>> >> a
>>> >>
>>> >> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course
>>> >> "standing
>>> >>
>>> >> yellow".
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>> >>
>>> >> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Rick Johnson
>>> >>
>>> >> Bend, Oregon
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
>>> >> George
>>> >>
>>> >> Santayana
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> OBRA mailing list
>>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> jms, pe         pdx, or
>>> >> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>>> >> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> OBRA mailing list
>>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
>>> >> OBRA mailing list
>>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > _______________________________________________
>>> > OBRA mailing list
>>> > obra@list.obra.org
>>> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>> >
>>> >
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> david hart
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>


Adrian Richardson

2009-08-08

Oh god, i created a monster. I did not want this to be a "who's to blame"
fest, or a "what it takes to be a crit racer" forum...
I was just saying... Next time when an official tells me to slow down,
should i just keep going balls to the wall? After this last race it seems
that maybe the time it takes to think about abiding to race authority is
time shaved off your overall result.

I don't even want to bring up crashed riders getting their free lap with the
lead group. I guess i should have just fallen vs making the effort to avoid
the crash and resume racing.

Sad to even think about these kind of tactics.

-Adrian

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 6:10 PM, David Hart wrote:

> I have been racing for years. I have seen poor riding skills in crits in
> the last couple of years (cat 3 & cat 4). A lot of riders just don't know
> how NOT to panic. I will say that even the most skilled riders go down but
> most are avoidable. I recommend some downhilling & xc mtb. There are so many
> obstacles that if you panic, you won't survive 5 minutes. Just my thought of
> course. I also just have issues with riders that just don't know how to ride
> a bike through corners (keep a line, counter steer and not braking).
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:26 PM, Adam Edgerton wrote:
>
>> Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that. I was sitting on the left
>> side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
>> tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
>> lead rider. The race split in two directions as some riders went to
>> the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
>> avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed. The front
>> riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
>> us. And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
>> cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
>> the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
>> midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
>> take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.
>>
>> Adam
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
>> > Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball.
>> That
>> > was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place
>> because
>> > the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the
>> outside
>> > edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess
>> as
>> > the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to
>> the
>> > first two fallen racers, I have no idea where the tennis ball came from
>> but
>> > I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were
>> already
>> > down.
>> > Jeremy
>> >
>> > On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>> >> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>> >> destroyed.
>> >>
>> >> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>> >>
>> >> From: Candi Murray
>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> >> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>> >> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>> >>
>> >> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was
>> not
>> >> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball
>> on the
>> >> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>> >> Candi
>> >> ________________________________
>> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
>> On
>> >> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>> >> To: 'Obra'
>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> >>
>> >> I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
>> >> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock
>> you
>> >> down. That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>> >> swerving around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The
>> chance
>> >> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed
>> out
>> >> of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Mike Murray
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
>> On
>> >> Behalf Of john
>> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>> >> To: Obra
>> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>> >> pack. Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the
>> tennis
>> >> ball and hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball,
>> etc,
>> >> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and
>> your
>> >> riding close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at
>> expense of
>> >> a crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.
>> Hold
>> >> your line, be smooth.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is
>> unnacceptable.
>> >> Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>> >> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
>> >> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
>> >> contact sport. Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think
>> they
>> >> are then you have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like
>> hockey
>> >> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come
>> up
>> >> laughing.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't
>> >> want to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids
>> race,
>> >> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>> >> properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the
>> saddle
>> >> slightly.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson <
>> rickcjohnson1@gmail.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>> >> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>> >>
>> >> Rick Johnson
>> >>
>> >> Bend, Oregon
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
>> George
>> >> Santayana
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>> >>
>> >> ROTFLMAO.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>> >> yesterday.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Red Flags
>> >>
>> >> Yellow Flags
>> >>
>> >> Green Flags
>> >>
>> >> Checkered Flags.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>> >>
>> >> a crit is so important.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson> >
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA
>> should
>> >>
>> >> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>> >>
>> >> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>> >>
>> >> yellow".
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>> >>
>> >> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Rick Johnson
>> >>
>> >> Bend, Oregon
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
>> George
>> >>
>> >> Santayana
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> OBRA mailing list
>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> jms, pe pdx, or
>> >> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>> >> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> OBRA mailing list
>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> OBRA mailing list
>> >> obra@list.obra.org
>> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > OBRA mailing list
>> > obra@list.obra.org
>> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> >
>> >
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> david hart
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


David Hart

2009-08-08

I have been racing for years. I have seen poor riding skills in crits in the
last couple of years (cat 3 & cat 4). A lot of riders just don't know how
NOT to panic. I will say that even the most skilled riders go down but most
are avoidable. I recommend some downhilling & xc mtb. There are so many
obstacles that if you panic, you won't survive 5 minutes. Just my thought of
course. I also just have issues with riders that just don't know how to ride
a bike through corners (keep a line, counter steer and not braking).

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:26 PM, Adam Edgerton wrote:

> Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that. I was sitting on the left
> side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
> tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
> lead rider. The race split in two directions as some riders went to
> the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
> avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed. The front
> riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
> us. And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
> cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
> the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
> midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
> take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.
>
> Adam
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> > Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball.
> That
> > was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place
> because
> > the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the
> outside
> > edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
> > the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to
> the
> > first two fallen racers, I have no idea where the tennis ball came from
> but
> > I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were
> already
> > down.
> > Jeremy
> >
> > On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill
> wrote:
> >>
> >> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
> >> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
> >> destroyed.
> >>
> >> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
> >>
> >> From: Candi Murray
> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
> >> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
> >> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
> >>
> >> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was
> not
> >> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on
> the
> >> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
> >> Candi
> >> ________________________________
> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> >> Behalf Of Mike Murray
> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
> >> To: 'Obra'
> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
> >>
> >> I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
> >> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you
> >> down. That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
> >> swerving around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The
> chance
> >> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed
> out
> >> of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Mike Murray
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> >> Behalf Of john
> >> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
> >> To: Obra
> >> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
> >> pack. Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the
> tennis
> >> ball and hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball,
> etc,
> >> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and
> your
> >> riding close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense
> of
> >> a crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.
> Hold
> >> your line, be smooth.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
> >> Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
> >> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
> >> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
> >> contact sport. Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think
> they
> >> are then you have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like
> hockey
> >> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come
> up
> >> laughing.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't
> >> want to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids
> race,
> >> if going to end up in an emergency room??
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
> >> properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the
> saddle
> >> slightly.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson <
> rickcjohnson1@gmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
> >> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
> >>
> >> Rick Johnson
> >>
> >> Bend, Oregon
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
> George
> >> Santayana
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
> >>
> >> ROTFLMAO.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
> >> yesterday.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Red Flags
> >>
> >> Yellow Flags
> >>
> >> Green Flags
> >>
> >> Checkered Flags.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
> >>
> >> a crit is so important.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA
> should
> >>
> >> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
> >>
> >> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
> >>
> >> yellow".
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
> >>
> >> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Rick Johnson
> >>
> >> Bend, Oregon
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" -
> George
> >>
> >> Santayana
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> OBRA mailing list
> >> obra@list.obra.org
> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> jms, pe pdx, or
> >> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
> >> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> OBRA mailing list
> >> obra@list.obra.org
> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> OBRA mailing list
> >> obra@list.obra.org
> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

--
david hart


scott hill

2009-08-08

I agree with the stupid crashes last night, i got to see several because i was at the back, and most were caused by stupid riding. bombing corners and not holding your line were the main causes of the crashes i saw. that kind of riding in a cat 3 crit is unacceptable.
 
scott

--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Neil Green wrote:

From: Neil Green
Subject: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:44 PM

It's a bike race...crashes happen.  I feel for everyone who got hurt, but that's an unfortunate part of the sport.  As for the tennis ball...it sounds like it was a random accident.  There were multiple wrecks last night that were caused by rider error.  If you're pissed about expensive equipment getting broken, don't race with expensive equipment.  If you're not able to handle your bike, race cyclocross...
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Neil Green

2009-08-08

It's a bike race...crashes happen. I feel for everyone who got hurt, but that's an unfortunate part of the sport. As for the tennis ball...it sounds like it was a random accident. There were multiple wrecks last night that were caused by rider error. If you're pissed about expensive equipment getting broken, don't race with expensive equipment. If you're not able to handle your bike, race cyclocross...


Adam Edgerton

2009-08-08

Jeremy, I'd have to disagree with that. I was sitting on the left
side 3rd or 4th wheel from the front going into corner 1, and the
tennis ball came onto the middle of the course right in front of the
lead rider. The race split in two directions as some riders went to
the right side of the ball, while I went to the left and was able to
avoid the curb fairly easily by scrubbing some speed. The front
riders were nearly to corner two when we heard the crash happen behind
us. And to earlier comments that a tennis ball shouldn't be enough to
cause a crash - that's a guaranteed crash if someone runs it over, but
the problem for the front riders was that it was at head-level in
midair as we passed it, and I don't think any of us were prepared to
take a tennis ball to the face at 30MPH.

Adam

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Jeremy wrote:
> Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball. That
> was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place because
> the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the outside
> edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
> the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to the
> first two fallen racers,  I have no idea where the tennis ball came from but
> I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were already
> down.
> Jeremy
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill wrote:
>>
>> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
>> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
>> destroyed.
>>
>> --- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:
>>
>> From: Candi Murray
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
>> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>>
>> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not
>> there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the
>> deck and did not intentionally throw it.
>> Candi
>> ________________________________
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Murray
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
>> To: 'Obra'
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>> I have to disagree.  You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
>> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and  is could certainly knock you
>> down.  That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
>> swerving around the ball.  The best bet would be to ignore it.  The chance
>> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>>
>>
>>
>> The bigger issue is where did it come from.  I hear that it was tossed out
>> of a window into the course.  That is probably a crime.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Murray
>>
>>
>>
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of john
>> Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
>> To: Obra
>> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>>
>>
>>
>> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?!  This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
>> pack.  Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ?   Ignore the tennis
>> ball and hit it.  YOU NEVER EVER swerve.  A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc,
>> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves.    A big pot hole appears and your
>> riding close quarters,  YOU hit it.  never try to save wheels at expense of
>> a crash.  NEVER.  This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.  Hold
>> your line, be smooth.
>>
>>
>>
>> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
>>  Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
>> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
>> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
>> contact sport.  Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they
>> are then you have the wrong mindset.  We don't have body armor like hockey
>> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up
>> laughing.
>>
>>
>>
>> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup.  As a spectator i don't
>> want to see it.  And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race,
>> if going to end up in an emergency room??
>>
>>
>>
>> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
>> properly.  Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
>> slightly.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
>> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>>
>> ROTFLMAO.
>>
>>
>>
>> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
>> yesterday.
>>
>>
>>
>> Red Flags
>>
>> Yellow Flags
>>
>> Green Flags
>>
>> Checkered Flags.
>>
>>
>>
>> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>>
>> a crit is so important.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>>
>> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>>
>>
>>
>> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>>
>> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>>
>> yellow".
>>
>>
>>
>> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>
>> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>
>>
>>
>> Rick Johnson
>>
>> Bend, Oregon
>>
>>
>>
>> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>>
>> Santayana
>>
>>
>>
>> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> --
>> jms, pe         pdx, or
>> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


Jeremy

2009-08-08

Just to clarify, the crash was not initially sparked by a tennis ball. That
was more of an after-effect. The crash happened in the first place because
the front group took the corner too wide and two unlucky guys on the outside
edge had nowhere to go but the curb. From there, it turned into a mess as
the rest of the group came around. Even standing in close proximity to the
first two fallen racers, I have no idea where the tennis ball came from but
I can say for sure it went onto the course after a couple bikes were already
down.
Jeremy

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM, scott hill wrote:

> did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the
> thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally
> destroyed.
>
> --- On *Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray * wrote:
>
>
> From: Candi Murray
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
> To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
> Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM
>
>
> The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was
> not there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on
> the deck and did not intentionally throw it.
> Candi
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Mike Murray
> *Sent:* Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
> *To:* 'Obra'
> *Subject:* Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>
> I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly
> hit tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you
> down. That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by
> swerving around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The chance
> that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
>
>
>
> The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed out
> of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.
>
>
>
> Mike Murray
>
>
>
> *From:* obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] *On
> Behalf Of *john
> *Sent:* Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
> *To:* Obra
> *Subject:* Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>
>
>
> A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3
> pack. Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis
> ball and hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc,
> will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your
> riding close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of
> a crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold
> your line, be smooth.
>
>
>
> In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.
> Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a
> while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone
> touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a
> contact sport. Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they
> are then you have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey
> players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up
> laughing.
>
>
>
> It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't want
> to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race, if
> going to end up in an emergency room??
>
>
>
> And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
> properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
> slightly.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson >
> wrote:
>
> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>
>
>
> Rick Johnson
>
> Bend, Oregon
>
>
>
> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana
>
>
>
> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>
> ROTFLMAO.
>
>
>
> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep yesterday.
>
>
>
> Red Flags
>
> Yellow Flags
>
> Green Flags
>
> Checkered Flags.
>
>
>
> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>
> a crit is so important.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote:
>
>
>
> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>
> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>
>
>
> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>
> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>
> yellow".
>
>
>
> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>
> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>
>
>
> Rick Johnson
>
> Bend, Oregon
>
>
>
> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>
> Santayana
>
>
>
> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
>
> --
> jms, pe pdx, or
> http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


scott hill

2009-08-08

did you have the boy get his parents, so they could help pay for the thousands of dollars in bike parts and clothing that he accidentally destroyed.

--- On Sat, 8/8/09, Candi Murray wrote:

From: Candi Murray
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
To: mike.murray@obra.org, "'Obra'"
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, 7:00 PM

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The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the deck and did not intentionally throw it.
Candi

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Mike Murray
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
To: 'Obra'
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

I have to disagree.  You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly hit tennis ball is not so compressible and  is could certainly knock you down.  That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by swerving around the ball.  The best bet would be to ignore it.  The chance that you would hit it solid is pretty small.
 
The bigger issue is where did it come from.  I hear that it was tossed out of a window into the course.  That is probably a crime.
 
Mike Murray
 

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of john
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
To: Obra
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
 
A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?!  This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3 pack.  Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ?   Ignore the tennis ball and hit it.  YOU NEVER EVER swerve.  A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc, will NOT cause a crash if no one swerves.    A big pot hole appears and your riding close quarters,  YOU hit it.  never try to save wheels at expense of a crash.  NEVER.  This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago.  Hold your line, be smooth.   

 

In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable.  Go practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a while, or simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone touches you... but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a contact sport.  Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they are then you have the wrong mindset.  We don't have body armor like hockey players where you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up laughing. 

 

It really bothered me to see that huge pileup.  As a spectator i don't want to see it.  And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race, if going to end up in an emergency room??     

 

And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering properly.  Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle slightly.  

 

 

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote:

What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!

Rick JohnsonBend, Oregon  "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana
 

T. Kenji Sugahara wrote: ROTFLMAO.  Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep yesterday.  Red FlagsYellow FlagsGreen FlagsCheckered Flags.  As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning ina crit is so important.  On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote: 
To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA shouldconsider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.  It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a"waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standingyellow".  Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate dangerStanding Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed  Rick JohnsonBend, Oregon  "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - GeorgeSantayana  Jonathan Vinson wrote:       

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--
jms, pe         pdx, or
http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/
-----Inline Attachment Follows-----

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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


Candi Murray

2009-08-08

The boy that the ball belonged to came down to the judges stand. I was not
there but I heard that he was very apolgetic. He had bounced the ball on the
deck and did not intentionally throw it.
Candi

_____

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Murray
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:58 PM
To: 'Obra'
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly hit
tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you down.
That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by swerving
around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The chance that you
would hit it solid is pretty small.

The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed out
of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.

Mike Murray

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of john
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
To: Obra
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3 pack.
Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis ball and
hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc, will NOT
cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your riding
close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of a
crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold your
line, be smooth.

In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable. Go
practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a while, or
simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone touches you...
but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a contact sport.
Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they are then you
have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey players where
you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up laughing.

It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't want
to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race, if
going to end up in an emergency room??

And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
slightly.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
wrote:

What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
Santayana

T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:

ROTFLMAO.

Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
yesterday.

Red Flags
Yellow Flags
Green Flags
Checkered Flags.

As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
a crit is so important.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
wrote:

To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.

It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
"waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
yellow".

Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
Santayana

Jonathan Vinson wrote:

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

--
jms, pe pdx, or
http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/


Mike Murray

2009-08-08

I have to disagree. You can hit water bottles no problem but a solidly hit
tennis ball is not so compressible and is could certainly knock you down.
That is not to say that the crash and more damage was done by swerving
around the ball. The best bet would be to ignore it. The chance that you
would hit it solid is pretty small.

The bigger issue is where did it come from. I hear that it was tossed out
of a window into the course. That is probably a crime.

Mike Murray

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of john
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 4:28 PM
To: Obra
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3 pack.
Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis ball and
hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc, will NOT
cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your riding
close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of a
crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold your
line, be smooth.

In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable. Go
practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a while, or
simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone touches you...
but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a contact sport.
Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they are then you
have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey players where
you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up laughing.

It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't want
to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race, if
going to end up in an emergency room??

And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
slightly.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson
wrote:

What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
Santayana

T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:

ROTFLMAO.

Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep
yesterday.

Red Flags
Yellow Flags
Green Flags
Checkered Flags.

As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
a crit is so important.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson
wrote:

To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.

It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
"waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
yellow".

Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
Santayana

Jonathan Vinson wrote:

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

--
jms, pe pdx, or
http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/


A stray tennis ball caused the crash ?! This is Ridiculous in a CAT 3 pack.
Aren't any of you getting taught how to ride ? Ignore the tennis ball and
hit it. YOU NEVER EVER swerve. A waterbottle, a tennis ball, etc, will NOT
cause a crash if no one swerves. A big pot hole appears and your riding
close quarters, YOU hit it. never try to save wheels at expense of a
crash. NEVER. This is what my club taught me 20 some years ago. Hold your
line, be smooth.
In my opinion, that amount of crashing in a Cat 3 pack is unnacceptable. Go
practice cornering, go bounce of each other in a grass field for a while, or
simply learn to relax a bit so you don't go down when someone touches you...
but beyond that no should be touching you, this is NOT a contact sport.
Crits are not suppose to be crash fest's, if you think they are then you
have the wrong mindset. We don't have body armor like hockey players where
you can get hit, do a couple flips, land on ice, and come up laughing.

It really bothered me to see that huge pileup. As a spectator i don't want
to see it. And as racers, who wants to race ? or let their kids race, if
going to end up in an emergency room??

And by the way if you are sliding out in corner, you aren't cornering
properly. Get some weight on your front wheel by coming out of the saddle
slightly.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 11:40 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote:

> What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
> Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!
>
> Rick Johnson
> Bend, Oregon
>
> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana
>
>
>
> T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:
>
> ROTFLMAO.
>
> Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep yesterday.
>
> Red Flags
> Yellow Flags
> Green Flags
> Checkered Flags.
>
> As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
> a crit is so important.
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote:
>
>
> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>
> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
> yellow".
>
> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>
> Rick Johnson
> Bend, Oregon
>
> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
> Santayana
>
> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

--
jms, pe pdx, or
http://bikeeng.blogspot.com/


Rick C Johnson

2009-08-08

What is that saying about great minds thinking alike?
Oh yea, that's pretty much the saying!

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana

T. Kenji Sugahara wrote:

>ROTFLMAO.
>
>Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep yesterday.
>
>Red Flags
>Yellow Flags
>Green Flags
>Checkered Flags.
>
>As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
>a crit is so important.
>
>On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote:
>
>
>>To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
>>consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>>
>>It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
>>"waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
>>yellow".
>>
>>Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
>>Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>>
>>Rick Johnson
>>Bend, Oregon
>>
>>"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
>>Santayana
>>
>>Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>


Scott Jones

2009-08-08

The twilight crit has always been a crash fest. Every year I have raced it,
there is at least 2 crashes if not more. I've narrowly missed getting caught
behind them. Its a big race with money and pride on the line, just like most
races. The safest place to be in a criterium is at the front, maybe top
10-15 riders. I agree with Michael, its part of racing, yet unfortunate the
situation that took place.

An officials duties are to make it fun and safe. Sorry that some of you felt
you were not treated fairly, but crashes have been and always will be a part
of racing.

-Scott

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 9:43 AM, J.Michael Manning wrote:

> Not to sound insensitive to the concerns and misfortune of those riders
> caught behind the crash, but that's just racing. There were at least four
> crashes in the Cat 3 race, and each time it created a break in the field. I
> was fortunate enought to get through two of those and get back with the
> leaders. Others were not so fortunate... I just happened to be in the right
> place and reacted quickly. But even the final outcome was the result of a
> crash. The two riders who finished ahead of the pack were in front of the
> crash, while the rest of us had to regroup and chase. Again, there was a
> sizeable group who got gapped. That's the nature of crit racing. Imagine if
> the officials neutralized us everytime there was a mishap. I think their
> main concern is simply safety.
> Mike Manning
>
> "Athletic Excellence is my Business"
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 08:20:36 -0700
> From: rickcjohnson1@gmail.com
> To: jvbiker@gmail.com
> CC: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern
>
>
> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>
> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
> yellow".
>
> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>
> Rick Johnson
> Bend, Oregon
>
> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana
>
>
>
> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>
> My perspective is similar. I was near the front when we came through after
> the big crash on the front straight. I heard no instructions over the PA.
> There was one official who gave us the "two hands
> palms down" sign, which says to me, "slow down, there's an obstacle on the
> course." I thought
> there might be *another* crash around turn one; we slowed and soft pedaled
> through turns 1-2, then
> resumed race pace. I was unaware that there was a pack split.
>
> I think that the only other choices the officials had were:
> --stop the race and restart
> --neutralize and regroup using the lead moto (dangerous on this course as
> it would've bunched us
> badly)
>
> Super-fun race. Easy to get gapped or stuck on the wrong side of the
> accordion--happened to
> me last year.
>
> Thanks to the officials and promoters and especially to those who raised
> money to make this
> race happen!
> JV
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 1:29 AM, Trevor Spahr wrote:
>
> Adrian,
>
> I understand exactly what you're saying. From my side of things this is
> how it went down. I was leading the group through the caution zone when I
> believe the pack split. The notice I got was, "slow down, slow down" from
> an official standing just beyond the recovering racers on the course. In
> the race, the action was happening so fast that, yes I did slow, from my own
> judgment, enough to be safe and to the right, then resumed racing after we
> got through the caution zone. I can see that this reaction among multiple
> racers easily creating the split in the field because the accordion effect
> is bad enough in the corners during a crit, but on a straight leading into a
> corner is doubly bad.
>
> I'm sorry for the bad situation, and I hope a speedy recovery to all those
> involved in the accidents during the race, my teammates included, but I
> don't think there was any intentional rule breaking on the racers' part. I
> personally chalk it up to a racing incident. I mean, I may have made it
> through that accident and the split unscathed but later was wrecked out with
> 3 to go and missed the opportunity for a free lap. That's the luck of the
> draw.
>
> All this being said, it was an amazing race. I can't express enough my
> gratitude towards the sponsors, the officials, the racers and the fans.
> That was by far the most fun/exciting crit I've ever had the pleasure to
> participate in. Thank you all and I'll see you again next year.
>
> Trevor.
>
> On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Adrian Richardson <
> wakeupadrian@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> First off I just want to make clear that this is not a complaint. I am
> very thankful for all those who volunteered and helped out with one of
> Portland’s fastest and popular events.
> As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what happened with
> the split. As you may or may not know, during the middle of the race there
> was a huge crash which involved what I believe to be a stray tennis ball
> from some kids playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it
> was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.
> I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was brought to my
> knowledge that the lead group did not follow the officials demand, and
> greatly benefited from it. While the second group, the abiders, suffered
> tremendously. Also, after the race, I heard that those who crashed and got
> their free lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.
> I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game in
> criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day, but when
> official intervention completely changes what’s to be assumed, that’s where
> i am curious.
> What is to be said about not following the official’s command? Should it be
> something to be thought about? Or acted upon immediately?
> This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any actions to follow.
> But I would like maybe a little more insight to what actually happened, and
> validation to the gossip I have heard throughout the night…
> For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my apologies go out to
> you.
>
>
> Thank you,
> -Adrian Richardson
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing listobra@list.obra.orghttp://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Express your personality in color! Preview and select themes for Hotmail®. Try
> it now.
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


T. Kenji Sugahara

2009-08-08

ROTFLMAO.

Guess what I just bought from Amazon.com and arrived on my doorstep yesterday.

Red Flags
Yellow Flags
Green Flags
Checkered Flags.

As Mike notes- situations such as this demonstrate why positioning in
a crit is so important.

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Rick C Johnson wrote:
> To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should
> consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.
>
> It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
> "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
> yellow".
>
> Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
> Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed
>
> Rick Johnson
> Bend, Oregon
>
> "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George
> Santayana
>
> Jonathan Vinson wrote:
>


J.Michael Manning

2009-08-08

Not to sound insensitive to the concerns and misfortune of those riders caught behind the crash, but that's just racing. There were at least four crashes in the Cat 3 race, and each time it created a break in the field. I was fortunate enought to get through two of those and get back with the leaders. Others were not so fortunate... I just happened to be in the right place and reacted quickly. But even the final outcome was the result of a crash. The two riders who finished ahead of the pack were in front of the crash, while the rest of us had to regroup and chase. Again, there was a sizeable group who got gapped. That's the nature of crit racing. Imagine if the officials neutralized us everytime there was a mishap. I think their main concern is simply safety.

Mike Manning

"Athletic Excellence is my Business"

Date: Sat, 8 Aug 2009 08:20:36 -0700
From: rickcjohnson1@gmail.com
To: jvbiker@gmail.com
CC: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] CAT 3 Portland Twilight Follow Up and Concern

To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA should consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.

It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a "waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing yellow".

Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana

Jonathan Vinson wrote:
My perspective is similar. I was near the front when we came through after the big crash on the front
straight. I heard no instructions over the PA. There was one official who gave us the "two hands
palms down" sign, which says to me, "slow down, there's an obstacle on the course." I thought
there might be *another* crash around turn one; we slowed and soft pedaled through turns 1-2, then
resumed race pace. I was unaware that there was a pack split.

I think that the only other choices the officials had were:
--stop the race and restart
--neutralize and regroup using the lead moto (dangerous on this course as it would've bunched us
badly)

Super-fun race. Easy to get gapped or stuck on the wrong side of the accordion--happened to
me last year.

Thanks to the officials and promoters and especially to those who raised money to make this
race happen!
JV

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 1:29 AM, Trevor Spahr wrote:

Adrian,

I understand exactly what you're saying. From my side of things this is how it went down. I was leading the group through the caution zone when I believe the pack split. The notice I got was, "slow down, slow down" from an official standing just beyond the recovering racers on the course. In the race, the action was happening so fast that, yes I did slow, from my own judgment, enough to be safe and to the right, then resumed racing after we got through the caution zone. I can see that this reaction among multiple racers easily creating the split in the field because the accordion effect is bad enough in the corners during a crit, but on a straight leading into a corner is doubly bad.

I'm sorry for the bad situation, and I hope a speedy recovery to all those involved in the accidents during the race, my teammates included, but I don't think there was any intentional rule breaking on the racers' part. I personally chalk it up to a racing incident. I mean, I may have made it through that accident and the split unscathed but later was wrecked out with 3 to go and missed the opportunity for a free lap. That's the luck of the draw.

All this being said, it was an amazing race. I can't express enough my gratitude towards the sponsors, the officials, the racers and the fans. That was by far the most fun/exciting crit I've ever had the pleasure to participate in. Thank you all and I'll see you again next year.

Trevor.

On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Adrian Richardson wrote:

First off I just want to make clear that this is not a complaint. I am very thankful for all those who volunteered and helped out with one of Portland’s fastest and popular events.

As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what happened with the split. As you may or may not know, during the middle of the race there was a huge crash which involved what I believe to be a stray tennis ball from some kids playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.

I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was brought to my knowledge that the lead group did not follow the officials demand, and greatly benefited from it. While the second group, the abiders, suffered tremendously. Also, after the race, I heard that those who crashed and got their free lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.

I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game in criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day, but when official intervention completely changes what’s to be assumed, that’s where i am curious.

What is to be said about not following the official’s command? Should it be something to be thought about? Or acted upon immediately?

This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any actions to follow. But I would like maybe a little more insight to what actually happened, and validation to the gossip I have heard throughout the night…

For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my apologies go out to you.

Thank you,

-Adrian Richardson

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
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Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

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Rick C Johnson

2009-08-08

To remove the ambiguity from these types of situations perhaps OBRA
should consider adopting a motorsports style flagging system for criterium.

It sounds to me like the recent conditions would best be described as a
"waving yellow" at the site of the incident and a full course "standing
yellow".

Waving Yellow = extreme caution, immediate danger
Standing Yellow = Neutral, proceed at reduced speed

Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana

Jonathan Vinson wrote:

> My perspective is similar. I was near the front when we came through
> after the big crash on the front
> straight. I heard no instructions over the PA. There was one
> official who gave us the "two hands
> palms down" sign, which says to me, "slow down, there's an obstacle on
> the course." I thought
> there might be *another* crash around turn one; we slowed and soft
> pedaled through turns 1-2, then
> resumed race pace. I was unaware that there was a pack split.
>
> I think that the only other choices the officials had were:
> --stop the race and restart
> --neutralize and regroup using the lead moto (dangerous on this course
> as it would've bunched us
> badly)
>
> Super-fun race. Easy to get gapped or stuck on the wrong side of the
> accordion--happened to
> me last year.
>
> Thanks to the officials and promoters and especially to those who
> raised money to make this
> race happen!
> JV
>
> On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 1:29 AM, Trevor Spahr > wrote:
>
> Adrian,
>
> I understand exactly what you're saying. From my side of things
> this is how it went down. I was leading the group through the
> caution zone when I believe the pack split. The notice I got was,
> "slow down, slow down" from an official standing just beyond the
> recovering racers on the course. In the race, the action was
> happening so fast that, yes I did slow, from my own judgment,
> enough to be safe and to the right, then resumed racing after we
> got through the caution zone. I can see that this reaction among
> multiple racers easily creating the split in the field because the
> accordion effect is bad enough in the corners during a crit, but
> on a straight leading into a corner is doubly bad.
>
> I'm sorry for the bad situation, and I hope a speedy recovery to
> all those involved in the accidents during the race, my teammates
> included, but I don't think there was any intentional rule
> breaking on the racers' part. I personally chalk it up to a
> racing incident. I mean, I may have made it through that accident
> and the split unscathed but later was wrecked out with 3 to go and
> missed the opportunity for a free lap. That's the luck of the draw.
>
> All this being said, it was an amazing race. I can't express
> enough my gratitude towards the sponsors, the officials, the
> racers and the fans. That was by far the most fun/exciting crit
> I've ever had the pleasure to participate in. Thank you all and
> I'll see you again next year.
>
> Trevor.
>
> On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Adrian Richardson
> > wrote:
>
> First off I just want to make clear that this is not a
> complaint. I am very thankful for all those who volunteered
> and helped out with one of Portland’s fastest and popular events.
>
> As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what
> happened with the split. As you may or may not know, during
> the middle of the race there was a huge crash which involved
> what I believe to be a stray tennis ball from some kids
> playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it
> was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.
>
> I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was
> brought to my knowledge that the lead group did not follow the
> officials demand, and greatly benefited from it. While the
> second group, the abiders, suffered tremendously. Also, after
> the race, I heard that those who crashed and got their free
> lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.
>
> I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game
> in criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day,
> but when official intervention completely changes what’s to be
> assumed, that’s where i am curious.
>
> What is to be said about not following the official’s command?
> Should it be something to be thought about? Or acted upon
> immediately?
>
> This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any
> actions to follow. But I would like maybe a little more
> insight to what actually happened, and validation to the
> gossip I have heard throughout the night…
>
> For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my
> apologies go out to you.
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> -Adrian Richardson
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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>
>


Jonathan Vinson

2009-08-08

My perspective is similar. I was near the front when we came through after
the big crash on the frontstraight. I heard no instructions over the PA.
There was one official who gave us the "two hands
palms down" sign, which says to me, "slow down, there's an obstacle on the
course." I thought
there might be *another* crash around turn one; we slowed and soft pedaled
through turns 1-2, then
resumed race pace. I was unaware that there was a pack split.

I think that the only other choices the officials had were:
--stop the race and restart
--neutralize and regroup using the lead moto (dangerous on this course as it
would've bunched us
badly)

Super-fun race. Easy to get gapped or stuck on the wrong side of the
accordion--happened to
me last year.

Thanks to the officials and promoters and especially to those who raised
money to make this
race happen!
JV

On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 1:29 AM, Trevor Spahr wrote:

> Adrian,
>
> I understand exactly what you're saying. From my side of things this is
> how it went down. I was leading the group through the caution zone when I
> believe the pack split. The notice I got was, "slow down, slow down" from
> an official standing just beyond the recovering racers on the course. In
> the race, the action was happening so fast that, yes I did slow, from my own
> judgment, enough to be safe and to the right, then resumed racing after we
> got through the caution zone. I can see that this reaction among multiple
> racers easily creating the split in the field because the accordion effect
> is bad enough in the corners during a crit, but on a straight leading into a
> corner is doubly bad.
>
> I'm sorry for the bad situation, and I hope a speedy recovery to all those
> involved in the accidents during the race, my teammates included, but I
> don't think there was any intentional rule breaking on the racers' part. I
> personally chalk it up to a racing incident. I mean, I may have made it
> through that accident and the split unscathed but later was wrecked out with
> 3 to go and missed the opportunity for a free lap. That's the luck of the
> draw.
>
> All this being said, it was an amazing race. I can't express enough my
> gratitude towards the sponsors, the officials, the racers and the fans.
> That was by far the most fun/exciting crit I've ever had the pleasure to
> participate in. Thank you all and I'll see you again next year.
>
> Trevor.
>
> On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Adrian Richardson > wrote:
>
>> First off I just want to make clear that this is not a complaint. I am
>> very thankful for all those who volunteered and helped out with one of
>> Portland’s fastest and popular events.
>>
>> As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what happened with
>> the split. As you may or may not know, during the middle of the race there
>> was a huge crash which involved what I believe to be a stray tennis ball
>> from some kids playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it
>> was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.
>>
>> I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was brought to
>> my knowledge that the lead group did not follow the officials demand, and
>> greatly benefited from it. While the second group, the abiders, suffered
>> tremendously. Also, after the race, I heard that those who crashed and got
>> their free lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.
>>
>> I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game in
>> criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day, but when
>> official intervention completely changes what’s to be assumed, that’s where
>> i am curious.
>>
>> What is to be said about not following the official’s command? Should it
>> be something to be thought about? Or acted upon immediately?
>>
>> This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any actions to
>> follow. But I would like maybe a little more insight to what actually
>> happened, and validation to the gossip I have heard throughout the night…
>>
>> For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my apologies go out to
>> you.
>>
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> -Adrian Richardson
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


Trevor Spahr

2009-08-08

Adrian,

I understand exactly what you're saying. From my side of things this is how
it went down. I was leading the group through the caution zone when I
believe the pack split. The notice I got was, "slow down, slow down" from
an official standing just beyond the recovering racers on the course. In
the race, the action was happening so fast that, yes I did slow, from my own
judgment, enough to be safe and to the right, then resumed racing after we
got through the caution zone. I can see that this reaction among multiple
racers easily creating the split in the field because the accordion effect
is bad enough in the corners during a crit, but on a straight leading into a
corner is doubly bad.

I'm sorry for the bad situation, and I hope a speedy recovery to all those
involved in the accidents during the race, my teammates included, but I
don't think there was any intentional rule breaking on the racers' part. I
personally chalk it up to a racing incident. I mean, I may have made it
through that accident and the split unscathed but later was wrecked out with
3 to go and missed the opportunity for a free lap. That's the luck of the
draw.

All this being said, it was an amazing race. I can't express enough my
gratitude towards the sponsors, the officials, the racers and the fans.
That was by far the most fun/exciting crit I've ever had the pleasure to
participate in. Thank you all and I'll see you again next year.

Trevor.

On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Adrian Richardson
wrote:

> First off I just want to make clear that this is not a complaint. I am very
> thankful for all those who volunteered and helped out with one of Portland’s
> fastest and popular events.
>
> As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what happened with
> the split. As you may or may not know, during the middle of the race there
> was a huge crash which involved what I believe to be a stray tennis ball
> from some kids playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it
> was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.
>
> I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was brought to my
> knowledge that the lead group did not follow the officials demand, and
> greatly benefited from it. While the second group, the abiders, suffered
> tremendously. Also, after the race, I heard that those who crashed and got
> their free lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.
>
> I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game in
> criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day, but when
> official intervention completely changes what’s to be assumed, that’s where
> i am curious.
>
> What is to be said about not following the official’s command? Should it be
> something to be thought about? Or acted upon immediately?
>
> This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any actions to follow.
> But I would like maybe a little more insight to what actually happened, and
> validation to the gossip I have heard throughout the night…
>
> For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my apologies go out to
> you.
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> -Adrian Richardson
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


T. Kenji Sugahara

2009-08-08

Adrian-

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. At times, our officials
are under a lot of pressure- especially with crashes- and there are
many things happening at once. Having not been there and not having
spoken to any riders or officials, I can't speculate as to what may or
may not have occurred. But, we had some of the best officials out
there today- and the most experienced. Those included, Lynn Goss,
Rick Kneuven, Candi Murray, Terri Camp, Brian List, Luciano Bailey and
Andrea Fisk. If you have a concern, bring it up immediately after the
race. I can't promise that you will get the answer that you want but
it is important that you do report it. I will definitely speak to our
officiating staff and find out what transpired.

Thanks for bringing this up.

Kenji Sugahara
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association

On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 11:05 PM, Adrian
Richardson wrote:
> First off I just want to make clear that this is not a complaint. I am very
> thankful for all those who volunteered and helped out with one of Portland’s
> fastest and popular events.
>
> As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what happened with
> the split. As you may or may not know, during the middle of the race there
> was a huge crash which involved what I believe to be a stray tennis ball
> from some kids playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it
> was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.
>
> I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was brought to my
> knowledge that the lead group did not follow the officials demand, and
> greatly benefited from it. While the second group, the abiders, suffered
> tremendously. Also, after the race, I heard that those who crashed and got
> their free lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.
>
> I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game in
> criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day, but when
> official intervention completely changes what’s to be assumed, that’s where
> i am curious.
>
> What is to be said about not following the official’s command? Should it be
> something to be thought about? Or acted upon immediately?
>
> This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any actions to follow.
> But I would like maybe a little more insight to what actually happened, and
> validation to the gossip I have heard throughout the night…
>
> For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my apologies go out to
> you.
>
> Thank you,
>
> -Adrian Richardson
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>


Adrian Richardson

2009-08-07

First off I just want to make clear that this is not a complaint. I am very
thankful for all those who volunteered and helped out with one of Portland’s
fastest and popular events.

As much as I am satisfied with my efforts, I got to ask what happened with
the split. As you may or may not know, during the middle of the race there
was a huge crash which involved what I believe to be a stray tennis ball
from some kids playing nearby. The crash resulted in a split field, and it
was attempted by the officials to neutralize the race.

I was in the second group that actually "slowed" down. It was brought to my
knowledge that the lead group did not follow the officials demand, and
greatly benefited from it. While the second group, the abiders, suffered
tremendously. Also, after the race, I heard that those who crashed and got
their free lap were allowed to continue with the lead group.

I know that crashing and split fields are the name of the game in
criteriums, I was preparing for that same scenario all day, but when
official intervention completely changes what’s to be assumed, that’s where
i am curious.

What is to be said about not following the official’s command? Should it be
something to be thought about? Or acted upon immediately?

This issue to me is just a bother, I do not wish for any actions to follow.
But I would like maybe a little more insight to what actually happened, and
validation to the gossip I have heard throughout the night…

For those riders who crashed and couldn’t continue, my apologies go out to
you.

Thank you,

-Adrian Richardson