Eric Kytola

not when idiots come down the inside of the road 10 miles an hour faster so

they can pick up some spots, slam on the brakes, skid deep into the corner

and force the rest of wide to avoiding plowing into them now that they are

going 3.7 mph.



-----Original Message-----

From: Candi Murray/Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn [mailto:cmur-@obra.org]

Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 8:53 AM

To: Math-@dowa.com; obra

Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Rider dies at race in Tucson







I can't speak for all officials. I know that in the cat 3 field this week,

after 2 riders crossed the centerline, the officials had a devil of time

getting them to withdraw. This with driving up besides them, having the

finish line crew shout at them and more. Sometimes it is very hard to get

to the riders due to traffic. But I very much agree with the idea of

immediately throwing them up.



and what is with taking the whole road to make the turn at the damn, can't

it be done from one lane?



Candi





-----Original Message-----

From: Math-@dowa.com [mailto:Math-@dowa.com]

Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 8:07 AM

To: cmur-@obra.org

Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Rider dies at race in Tucson





Seems this is now the topic of conversation on topica and i was just

curious as to why the officials are not stricter on the issue. Every

race an official/promoter stands at the front of the group and sternly

warns of the active centerline. But come race time there are numerous

violations, some blatant some not,(I am guilty myself), yet I think I

can count on one hand the number of announced violations post race over

the last few years! In the bb series alone we all crossed the line

going in to the turn leading to the damn, why not shut the race down and

throw the whole 1,2 pack out.......set an example if you will.



I mean no offense, the obra officials are grand but it seems the

complaining and the constant reminding does little when the rules are

not policed in a public fashion.



Thanks candi,



-----Original Message-----

From: Candi Murray/Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn [mailto:cmur-@obra.org]

Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 7:30 PM

To: obra

Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rider dies at race in Tucson



This past weekend a Cat 2 rider died when he was struck by a vehicle as

he

swung out across the centerline to avoid a crash in front of him.

The number one reason we get for riders crossing the centerline was

"Someone

bumped me". The only death that we have had in Oregon at a bicycle race

involved a centerline. Please take all this in consideration as you

make

your choices on where to ride. I am an old women and I do not want to

outlive any of you

Candi



To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com



To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com

Candi Murray/Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn

I can't speak for all officials. I know that in the cat 3 field this week,

after 2 riders crossed the centerline, the officials had a devil of time

getting them to withdraw. This with driving up besides them, having the

finish line crew shout at them and more. Sometimes it is very hard to get

to the riders due to traffic. But I very much agree with the idea of

immediately throwing them up.



and what is with taking the whole road to make the turn at the damn, can't

it be done from one lane?



Candi





-----Original Message-----

From: Math-@dowa.com [mailto:Math-@dowa.com]

Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 8:07 AM

To: cmur-@obra.org

Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Rider dies at race in Tucson





Seems this is now the topic of conversation on topica and i was just

curious as to why the officials are not stricter on the issue. Every

race an official/promoter stands at the front of the group and sternly

warns of the active centerline. But come race time there are numerous

violations, some blatant some not,(I am guilty myself), yet I think I

can count on one hand the number of announced violations post race over

the last few years! In the bb series alone we all crossed the line

going in to the turn leading to the damn, why not shut the race down and

throw the whole 1,2 pack out.......set an example if you will.



I mean no offense, the obra officials are grand but it seems the

complaining and the constant reminding does little when the rules are

not policed in a public fashion.



Thanks candi,



-----Original Message-----

From: Candi Murray/Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn [mailto:cmur-@obra.org]

Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 7:30 PM

To: obra

Subject: [OBRA Chat] Rider dies at race in Tucson



This past weekend a Cat 2 rider died when he was struck by a vehicle as

he

swung out across the centerline to avoid a crash in front of him.

The number one reason we get for riders crossing the centerline was

"Someone

bumped me". The only death that we have had in Oregon at a bicycle race

involved a centerline. Please take all this in consideration as you

make

your choices on where to ride. I am an old women and I do not want to

outlive any of you

Candi



To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com

David Auker

Indeed, we can't live without it.



 I am in total agreeance with the centerline rule. (...)

Riding is in itself a dangerous activity. Looking at our race productions,

comparing the number of accidents with the amount of participation, we are

usually involved in safe situations quite well protected and thought out.

What a wonderful organization of so many individuals, OBRA! We come

together to quest the awesome holy grail of wheeled athletic competition; we

duke it out, but at the same time we really watch out for each other!



I try and salute a "thanks" to corner marshals, even during the race. They,

and all the many other officials, drivers, promoters...wow! Hugs and

kisses!



One scenario I would present as unsafe, one that I haven't seen for a while,

but would like to offer as something to avoid: criteriums where a barrier of

cones is placed, enabling oncoming traffic and the race to "share" a

roadway. At a rather major criterium in WA (no longer on the schedule), we

descended into a tight corner, into one lane, and descended further (fast

speed) into another very tight corner. To our right, all along this stretch

were traffic cones, and... oncoming traffic in the adjacent lane. VERY

spooky.



It seems to me that most accidents occur while riding/training. Be careful

out there, and for gods' sake, please don't wear black while riding in

traffic! Camouflage is for animals, not bike riders.



David

Brad Cockman, DC

I am in total agreeance with the centerline rule. Having been a witness

to the death in Oregon (that Candi speaks of, 1982 or 83?) d/t crossing

of the centerline I can tell you all that you never want to witness

anything like it. However, in the case of the guy that was killed, it

was a bike handling issue that sent him across the road and into the

front of a Honda Accord. For whatever reason he came around me out of

the saddle, lost a handle on his bars, glanced off the guy in front of

me and over-corrected into the oncoming lane as we were within about

500m of the finish line. This was in a "public" category for unlicensed

riders. Sad as it was, the error was his and his alone and can only be

chalked up to inexperience.



At BB#3 this past weekend there were numerous times I had a little deja

vu, descending on a rain soaked road into an off camber corner with

cars, mainly racers leaving, speeding the other direction. I had visions

of getting forced across into the oncoming lane. At this time I'd

implore that if you are leaving a race while another race is going on,

pull over or at least slow the F down. You do not want a fellow racer,

or anyone for that matter, coming thru your windshield. (Which btw the

woman in the passenger seat of the aforementioned Accord had to be

carted to the hospital too.)



Be safe out there.







David Kerchinsky wrote:

 It is so important not to cross the center line. Most think it's just

one

of those 'stupid rules' in racing. Serious consequences follow for not

watching your line. Rules exist for our safety and to others.



One rider on Sunday crossed the center line to advance several riders.

I

wonder if it would be worth it if a car was coming up that hill at the

same

time. I fear for all racers safety when I see this happen. I have also



been bumped across the center line but quickly get back in and behind

that

rider.



The biggest fear I have on these open road races is getting hit by a

car.



Watch that line!







David Kerchinsky

North River Racing

Camas Day Races July 27 & Aug 3

Southwest Washington's Cycling team!

http://www.wordsports.com/nrr.htm









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David Kerchinsky

It is so important not to cross the center line. Most think it's just one

of those 'stupid rules' in racing. Serious consequences follow for not

watching your line. Rules exist for our safety and to others.



One rider on Sunday crossed the center line to advance several riders. I

wonder if it would be worth it if a car was coming up that hill at the same

time. I fear for all racers safety when I see this happen. I have also

been bumped across the center line but quickly get back in and behind that

rider.



The biggest fear I have on these open road races is getting hit by a car.



Watch that line!







David Kerchinsky

North River Racing

Camas Day Races July 27 & Aug 3

Southwest Washington's Cycling team!

http://www.wordsports.com/nrr.htm









_________________________________________________________________

The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*

http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

Candi Murray/Oregon Bicycle Racing Assn

This past weekend a Cat 2 rider died when he was struck by a vehicle as he

swung out across the centerline to avoid a crash in front of him.

The number one reason we get for riders crossing the centerline was "Someone

bumped me". The only death that we have had in Oregon at a bicycle race

involved a centerline. Please take all this in consideration as you make

your choices on where to ride. I am an old women and I do not want to

outlive any of you

Candi