Evan Plews
I agree. One of the biggest turn offs about cycling is how much of it really boils down to throwing money around for a gram. In fact, I have been as guilty as anyone over the years. However, I would say for me it has always been about the latest and greatest tech stuff rather than getting an advantage on the next racer. You know, all you out there with your I-this and I-that electronic crap--its the same thing... I just like bike stuff;)
However, as time has gone by I see this glass as more half empty than full. At some point we are going to have to take a hard look at our sport and possibly adopt some ideas from autoracing--maybe stock and mod classes. You want to spending $1000 per pound for your bike fine. You want to race on clinchers and have fun there is a place for you, too!
I got out of downhill racing for two reasons: not having a death wish and getting sick of buying/breaking the latest gizmo on a nearly daily basis. Unfortunately as utlilitarian as the original (and some still) cross racing was, it has become the epitome of a money sink... cross-crusade is a perfect example of countless broken carbon wheels and ruined tubulars often costing in excess of $2k for the set.
That coupled with categories for every possible age and skill level sandbagging angle seems to have soured a perfectly good thing. I would like to see metal wheels and clinchers be the break point. Maybe age graded categories only. Say like the old MTB days. Junior, Senior, Master, and Grand Master. Mens and womens, stock and mod... oh, it is getting ridiculous again!
I can't think of a single thing about the UCI that I like... and I hate the concept of equipment rules but in some small way it does seem like a noble cause.
Evan Plews
www.evanplews.com
503-949-4879
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:37:47 -0700
From: RickCJohnson1@gmail.com
To: brian.p.johnson@gmail.com
CC: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] UCI and cyclocross tire sizing
Brian,
It's easier to understand their logic if you step back and look the big picture. In theory one of the primary obligations of any racing organization is to ensure the continued health and success of the racing. Cost containment is usually one of the bigger problems that any racing organization will face. The scenario starts out like an arms race - a new thing is tried and proven to be an advantage. Very quickly everyone who hopes to be competitive must have it. Then the next thing comes along, and another. This innovation is all well and good up to a point. But often what happens is the participants start to fall behind because their budgets won't allow the continued expense of the arms race. They quit racing and participation falls off. If the situation continues uncorrected it can result in the demise of the series or the even the entire organization. I've seen this pattern repeated many times in motorsports.
So, the sanctioning body (in this case the UCI) has felt a need to adjust the balance by limiting the number of tires (and therefore wheels) that each competitor must have in order to cover all possible conditions. It's not about attacking freedom of choice, just keeping a even level of competition and a reasonable cost for the series.
Rick
Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon
Every revolutionary idea seems to evoke three stages of reaction...
One, it's completely impossible.
Two, it's possible, but it's not worth doing.
Three, I said it was a good idea all along.
Arthur C. Clarke
Brian Johnson wrote:
I really don't understand the UCI. How does this restriction on tire size help? Their rulings just seem so arcane.
Although I saw what looked like a Surly Pugsly running around at the last STXC. I'm sure that these abominations will be showing up at CX this fall and just RUIN the "fun" for everyone. Perhaps OBRA should take a more "hands on" approach like the UCI and prevent us all from devolving into amoeba.
Then again, I'm an amateur and almost 40 so I don't really matter to cycling as a sport at all. Please ignore me.
* * *
My father asks : "Do you live here or ride bikes?"
http://liveorridebikes.blogspot.com
My life as a Crossniac:
www.crossniacs.com
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