Melanie Rathe
Excellent reminders!
I've become intimate with the bib and shoulder numbers over that past 24 hours. The whole time I was sorting them I kept thinking.....
"Riders are going to pin their number upside down, I just know it! That means #669 will become #699!" Ugh. Scorer and camera operators nightmare; and don't even ask how the Chief Judge will be affected! Note: Your category name will be on the bottom of the bib, if that helps.
REMEMBER: Good results are possible with proper number placement!
We are all excited for a fun, successful cross season here in Oregon. Let's do our best to make it awesome!
Melanie
PS. If you get #888 ignore this message ;o)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Candi Murray"
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 3:11:23 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] My Annual Cyclocross Letter
Thank you for racing Cyclocross! We are so excited to send out our annual Welcome to Cyclocross note. The whole OBRA CCX staff appreciates your participation and hopes that your love of this wacky sport will match our own. There are a few things that will make the experience more enjoyable for you and for us!
:
1. At the 2011 Annual Meeting team voted to revert back to the standard age calculations. So your cyclocross age is the age you will be as of December 31, 2012.
2. When you pick up your Cyclocross number you will be issued a corresponding shoulder number. We ask that you wear this number on your left shoulder at all events. To be clear, two number, one side, one shoulder at all races.
3. If you lose either of your numbers, you will be asked to purchase a new set for $5.00 Handwritten numbers will not be allowed.
4. New for 2012 we have created a Women category C field.
Categories for Cyclocross are primarily self selected. A general guideline to help you pick the correct category is :
Category A- elite level riders
Category B- Cat 3 Road or Cat 2 MTB riders.
Category C- this category exists in the men's fields only. Cat 4/5 Road, Cat 3 MTB
Beginner- those new to the sport
Master's- CCX age 35+ unless noted on the race flyer. Master's may be limited by categories listed above.
Juniors- CCX . Because of safety concerns, children with an actual age of 12 and under may not race at the same time as adults.
Clydesdale- 200 pounds
It is very important that you keep the number. Dont assume that one number will work for all the races you attend, however this year almost all of the races will accept just one. Please ask wear the correctly issued number. Your number category dependent so if you ride in more than one category be sure to wear the correct number for the appropriate category. We have attempted to make this easy on you by printing the category that the number is good for on the bottom of your number. Also, if you are upgraded during the season you will have to pick up an entirely different and separate number. Please keep your numbers separate and wear the correct one for the correct race!
The number should be pinned on the left side for all races. The first pin should go just down from the armpit and the others should keep the number taut and secure on your left side. Feel free to use more than 4 pins. The photo below shows the rider on the left with perfect number placement, while the rider on the right, unfortunately, does not.
Cyclocross is scored using human scorers and a high speed Finish Lynx camera to record every number, every lap. At a regular Cross Crusade race this means we will record between 8,000 and 10,000 numbers. Because this is so labor intensive it is very important that your number placement is correct. Incorrect or unreadable numbers will lead to many additional hours of work for the officials and result in erroneous results. Our unofficial policy has been No visible number, no score. Also, do not sit up until after you have crossed the finish line completely and do not cross the finish line more than once. Any movement in front of the camera activates it. Please do not walk in front of the camera.
Please, please do not cross the finish line twice. Do not ride backward across the line, do not walk across the line. The Finish Lynx camera records all movement across the line and this simple policy will make results much easier for everyone.
Most races will be unable to post results at the event. You can find them later at www.obra.org. If you feel a mistake has been made, it is your responsibility to notify the judges within 24 hours of the internet posting. You can find the email for your Chief Judge at the top of the results page for the race. Make sure that you include the race you participated in, your race number, what you were wearing and what you think the error might be. Results will be considered final 24 hours after the final posting on our website Please do not ask us to make corrections weeks after the event.
Remember:
1. The Finish Lynx camera is motion activated so please avoid walking, or standing in front of it. Every time it is activated it takes the scorers away from actually doing their job. Never ride or walk backwards past the finish line after you have finished.
2. Once racing has begun, warm up on the course is not allowed. There will be some short warm-up periods allowed; check on the race flyer or at registration. Please do not ride while other categories are racing. The penalty for this may be disqualification.
3. Rowdy spectators are a part of Cyclocross so please enjoy yourselves; however, please do not ring any bells around the finish line. The bell signifies the last lap and oxygen-deprived competitors are easily confused. Take your cowbells to the run ups, and yell and ring to your hearts content.
4. If an official removes you from a race, requests for you to put on a helmet, or any other request please follow their instructions. Failure to comply with requests from officials may result in you being excluded from racing in the future.
5. If you have a suggestion or concern, contact the promoters, the Chief Official or OBRA. Please do not complain to a volunteer or the property manager.
6. Be a responsible citizen. Poor behavior reflects upon us all. Dont urinate in public, litter, drink alcohol when not allowed, ride across sports fields, or use foul language. Complaints from the general public make it very difficult to secure a location for races the next year.
7. Have fun!
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