John Bravard
In addendum to Candi's note on race/stage race etiquette.
NUMBERS:
David Douglas - Washington's primary race promoter - reminded the folks
there that putting the numbers horizontal over the pockets instead of on
the side where finish line cameras can pick them up is unacceptable. This
may make you look like a Euro pro, but it won't get you placed in the
races we do and makes the promoters job much more difficult.
Note: A teammate of mine was listed as a DNF for the Walla Walla stage
race due to placing his numbers "Euro style" in the final stage criterium.
Boo hoo.
Don't make Candi remind us over and over again: DO IT RIGHT!
TRASH:
Time and time again I witness Pro/1/2 riders throwing bottles and
bar/gel wrappers on the road after emptying them. While I did see one
Oregon rider throw a bottle - and quickly reminded him not to do that
again - I saw out-of-staters (mostly out-of-country) more than once
trashing the race route Sunday. Since they don't get the pleasure and
benefit of reading diatribe on the OBRA list, I suggest that racers
recieve a stern (possibly profanity-laced) lecture before road races about
the importance of not trashing the countryside at our dwindling race
venues.
I'll even go as far as to suggest some possible punishments:
1. Throw an offending rider out of the race where everyone can see.
(Punishes the offender and deters future littering.)
2. Throw the offending riders' team out of the race. (Bet his teammates
would take the punishment further than the officials could.)
3. Have the offending riders' team clean the course after the stage to be
allowed to continue or to collect prize money if it's the last stage. Do
not allow the offending rider to assist them with the cleanup in any way.
(Cleans the course and applies the rule of peer punishment.)
Just a few ideas here. I'm tired of seeing intentional littering of the
race venues. If it fit in our pockets full, then it will fit when empty.
Accidents happen - things slip out of our hands when we're eating/drinking
at 35 mph, but there is no excuse to willfully throw your trash on the
course.
- John