Don Leet.
I double flatted today, dnfed and I still think this is the funnest race in Oregon, Melanie was great when I reported my DNF. The only bummer is I have to wait a year for the next one.
Don
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 28, 2013, at 6:08 PM, Steven Beardsley wrote:
> Mel, thanks for judging this great race. Petr and his crew, our officials and Sellwood cycles makes this the one mountain bike race each year that I never miss. So much fun (and pain).
>
> On Apr 28, 2013 5:55 PM, "Melanie Rathe" wrote:
> My apologies for the confusion with the Clydesdales at Bear Springs today. I thought it was clear to the group what was happening but apparently I was mistaken.
> Will do better for future races.
> Melanie
>
> ;o)
>
> From: "Trey Jackson"
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2013 5:03:12 PM
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Clydesdale Starts at XC Races
>
> All,
>
> TLDR: OBRA needs to standardize when Clydesdales start, and definitely NOT make last minute changes via "announcements" that most people can't hear.
>
>
>
> I just finished the Bear Springs Trap. Great course, awesome conditions, and it was well marked - I (fortunately) didn't get off course. Thanks for putting it on, I'll be there next year.
>
> When I arrived to pick up my pre-reg packet, I was told by the OBRA official that the starting times were on the other table. I went over to that table and read that Clydes would start after all the CAT 2 Men, and before the CAT 2 Women (I think the start time was to be 11:14). Perfect - easy to line up, and just like the Mudslinger this year.
>
> However, while I'm in that position, and the oldest groups of CAT2 Men are lining up to start, we hear that this is the last of the CAT 2 Men and next will be the CAT 2 Women. Someone yells out, "wait, what about Clydesdales?!" and we're told by the OBRA official, that the Clydes already left, and she'd announced that three times.
>
> With all due respect to the OBRA official at this race (she's been nothing but professional):
>
> OBRA XC races need to standardize when Clydesdales are staged.
>
> Regardless of standardization, the time sheet was very specific, and calling an audible change at the start line just leads to confusion.
>
> This is the third time (out of 7 races!!!) that this kind of thing has happened to me since I began racing last year, and it's very frustrating.
>
>
> I realize Clydedale is a TINY portion of the XC racers (8 out of 350 for the Mudslinger this year), but if you're going to recognize it as a category, then commit to it.
>
>
> Race promoters and OBRA officials:
>
> 1) The megaphone/loudspeakers you use at the XC races are unintelligible beyond 30 feet.
> When the CAT2 Men were lining up, none of the CAT2 Women around me could understand what was being said.
>
> 2) Stick to the schedule that was printed, don't make last minute changes.
>
> 3) Standardize the Clydesdale category. With rare exception, the XC races start in the order pros/CAT1(men,women)/CAT2(men,women)/CAT3...
> Put Clydesdale in there somewhere, and STICK TO IT for ALL XC races.
>
>
> I don't care where Clydes start, between CAT2 Men and Women is nice - the ladies are always cheery, and the guys can be a bit ... intense. Heck, put us with the CAT1 Men - we can be moving obstacles on the course to give it more challenge. Just do it consistently.
>
> Look, the starts to the XC races are chaotic in general, I think some small improvements could really help clear up confusion among all the riders (not just us big-boned-boys). Perhaps OBRA could provide signs on 4' poles and hold them up, indicating which category is to start next (maybe this is race promoters' responsibility, I don't know). It seems like a small investment that would provide a benefit at every race.
>
> Last year, Pickett's Charge had everyone staged with simple signs on the side of the road - it couldn't have been clearer.
>
>
>
> As for me, I'll be lining up with the CAT1 men from now on, getting in the way of everyone who is trying to start ahead of me - but it's the only way I've found to guarantee that I can ride with the other Clydes. So, I apologize in advance to all the Pros and CAT 1 Men&Women - the large guy standing in your way at the start is probably me.
>
>
> thanks,
> TJ
>
> --
> Trey Jackson
> bigfaceworm@gmail.com
>
> "Like any truly useful program, `hello' contains a built-in mail reader."
> -- GNU's Bulletin, July 1996
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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