| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| grantus |
Posted - 17 Apr 2012 : 10:00:11
Didn't want to hi-jack Martin's Nick Hardy results thread but thought Gary C made a very valid point about the amount of riders racing for clubs that don't promote.
Awkward situation as it is logical that road race fields should be selected on merit but is it fair if a large chunk of fields are made up with riders from clubs that don't promote i.e. stronger riders move to 'race team' type clubs who tend not to promote events so you've maybe got a situation where riders from clubs such as Falkirk and ERC who both put on about 4 or 5 races each per year may not get a start in other events because they aren't in as good form as guys who have moved on to the racing teams?
P.S. reckon it's worth a discussion - not meant as a dig against anyone or any club as personally I don't race now but if I did I reckon i'd struggle to get into any event anyway because i'm seriously crap but even riders a whole lot better than me are finding it hard to get starts.
I know it's not straightforward as you could have guys from clubs who promote a lot but who never help out and vice versa, lads from clubs who don't promote but may help out regularly at other local events, etc. so in no way is it black and white but there is obviously a demand for more races so who is going to put them on?
Lots of regions in England have race leagues.
Would there be an appetite for local clubs i.e. Mid CA for example, to get together to even put on a league where preference for entry is given to riders from other promoting clubs in the league then any spare spaces can go to others? Perhaps that could be better in each region, especially with the cost of fuel, etc. and getting to events these days i.e. having more local events on your doorstep so to speak?
Thoughts? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ian sharp |
Posted - 16 May 2012 : 20:39:31
I can totally see where Isobel is coming from,but,yes Comms MUST punish riders for suicide tactics!
That"Sprinting into oncoming traffic"gamble is as old as the hills,yet it still goes on!
Answer---Stop the race?
No,not fair to the sensible riders.
So what,then?
Commissaires MUST have the guts toDQ that rider!
You are not here to be one of the lads,FFS,you are the Official face of Scottish Cycling,and as such,you MUST take appropriate action to save the name of the Race,the sport,and SC!
In football,the opium of the masses,a player CAN be suspended "Sine Die"
SC has the power to do the same.
SC:- One.
Nutters:-nil! |
| thatrivethurts |
Posted - 16 May 2012 : 20:20:58
quote:
[i]Originally posted by isobel smith[/i]
[br]Have to concur with all that is said re poor riding in RR's.
Seen to many close calls and even worse riders running into cars.
Don't commissaire RR's any more as I don't want to be the most unpopular person there as I'd just pull the offending riders out or even worse stop the event.
But that's exactly what needs done Isobel, and frequently until it stops being an issue. It also should't make you unpopular because the field SHOULD BE fully supportive of Commissaires ensuring the safety of all concerned in, and in the vicinity of an event.
The The Drummond had to be stopped a few weeks back for a warning to all riders and disqualification of a few because of the absolutely reckless riding down the A71. It was good to see strong Commissaire action for the good of all, more of that needs to be done before the tide of public opinion turns very much against racing on the road.
I can easily see the Police going from discouraging, as is their standard response to all requests currently, to actively blocking events if it keeps up. |
| isobel smith |
Posted - 16 May 2012 : 17:11:12
Have to concur with all that is said re poor riding in RR's.
Seen to many close calls and even worse riders running into cars.
Don't commissaire RR's any more as I don't want to be the most unpopular person there as I'd just pull the offending riders out or even worse stop the event. |
| thatrivethurts |
Posted - 15 May 2012 : 23:06:38
quote:
[i]Originally posted by GutoW[/i]
[br]quote:
[i]Originally posted by Graham McG[/i]
[br]quote:
[i]Originally posted by anicelluk[/i]
police moto rider stopped the race as he clearly didn't understand the safest way riders can react to crosswinds
Er, don't think sprinting in the right hand gutter in the face of oncoming traffic (and flicking out at that last possible second with no warning shout) would meet anyone's idea of safe riding in a crosswind. Riders doing this were gambling that oncoming traffic would stop, and hoping that riders behind didn't want to risk their lives and would ride in the wind and get dropped.
I agree Graham - a cynical and suicidally dangerous move.
If I had been comm at that race - I would have been looking at not just DQing the responsible riders but at a possible suspension of their licence. Such riding is dangerous to the riders to the general public and gives other road users the impression that we are irresponsible idiots who deserve all we get when one of us is hurt (or worse).
Can you imagine the outcry if a car driver had tried that stunt?
God sent me to skin you alive...
[/quote]
You're not kidding, but the trouble is that that sort of riding occurs in the majority of races I've been involved in, there's too many people watching too much telly
It's quite frankly scary watching some of the riding that occurs and as Guto rightly says it's things that you would't condone or I suspect even dream of doing in a car, so why the flipping heck do you think it's a good idea to do it with all the protective benefits of Lycra? This riding over the centre line/solid lines/blind crests/round bends/in the face of oncoming traffic and doing it at times the full width of the oncoming lane and just expecting them to stop is just crazy and is undoubtedly going to end in tears at some point.
I've lost count of the number of times I've had dogs abuse from the public over the suicidal riding habits of people in races up here, as have the NEG riders and many static marshals and I'm fed up with it. Riders are all long gone and don't hear a cross word it's all the volunteers who get it and you wonder why it's hard to get people to volunteer!!!!
I don't know if it's a case of too good a job being done by the NEG up here and riders just expecting effectively closed road conditions, but with a couple if exceptions it's not and should not be treated as such.
You are your own worst enemies when it comes to the general publics perception of road racing, and I don't blame them and can easily understand the frustration and anger of drivers who have been forced off the road onto verges in many cases. Yes there's many idiots in cars when it comes to us on our bikes but riding like this doesn't help and there's no-one can change that but you. There's quite a few of you need to take a long hard look at your behaviour because you're putting yourself, other racers, the public, the goodwill off the public and the continued ability to race on the open road in jeopardy.
flame away if you will, but sometimes the truth hurts |
| franco porco |
Posted - 13 May 2012 : 07:08:14
Did a fantastic event up in Aberdeen on Saturday 32 riders signed on. Just Saying! |
| barky |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 16:39:27
I think we're at about 32-ish so far, still loads of room.
http://www.vortexraceteam.co.uk |
| DeeP |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 16:20:30
quote:
[i]Originally posted by barky[/i]
[br]Only 62 in Scottish champs so far too. See what we have by Saturday night when entries close.
http://www.vortexraceteam.co.uk
How many women, Barky? |
| pedrodelmurdo |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 13:36:04
1 st 2 nd 3 rd
It's all fine saying that folk don't want to ride with elites etc. THis year I have turned 1 st cat and found a lot of races in Scotland I can't ride. I think in total I only have 8 or 9 event s. All that is going to happen to guys like me are that they are to bounce from 1 st to 2nd to 1 st cat. Personally all I want to do is race every week without travelling up and down to England. Next year I think the brakes will be going on 100 metres before the finish line so I don't accumulate the points.
Swally time feeling fine! |
| Jambo75 |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 13:03:53
I think the problem comes from this as per prev post :
Scotlands racers :
4 Elite
9 1st
54 2nd
230 3rds
551 4ths
I think allot of people are put off by racing against elite and 1st cat riders because they think they have no chance and will get a doing. personally enjoy racing with elite riders occasionally, and maybe just maybe I'll pull off the unexpected ( or not )but like to try.
This has made me think about the race/races that I am currently looking to organise, I was looking at having a 1/2/3 cat race and also a 4th cat race running at the same time but maybe just one race for 2/3/4 would be better.
What's the general thoughts? race is looking like being on 1st July
Slow down it's wet |
| barky |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 10:22:50
Only 62 in Scottish champs so far too. See what we have by Saturday night when entries close.
http://www.vortexraceteam.co.uk |
| RobW |
Posted - 02 May 2012 : 09:41:43
Its a shame that given all the chat on here about shortage of Road Races in the calendar that this weekends Davey Campbell doesnt have 80 starters. How come races like the British Eagle can be so oversubscribed, but other great races nearby arent full? Is 2/3/4 racing the limit of most riders ambition? |
| MCoopland |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 18:23:25
quote:
[i]Originally posted by steven robertson[/i]
[br]some good points in there.like the one about the lad asking for train times
Is it the no 43 or the 46 bus to get to the strip for your race Steve?
Martin Coopland
www.crotchguard.co.uk
Crap name - great product!
|
| steven robertson |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 13:25:35
some good points in there.like the one about the lad asking for train times |
| andyr |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 12:28:16
Scotland not the only place affected by problems with races :
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40041&t=12848809 |
| GutoW |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 10:54:02
Sounds like a great idea James, could be the basis for a new "Classic"!
God sent me to skin you alive... |
| Jambo75 |
Posted - 24 Apr 2012 : 09:37:02
1st point of action is to get a date sorted out then I can get to work on the other arrangements.
My preferance would be end of June or July. I will have a good look at the callander and pick the best dates as it looks pretty full.
Sat 30th June or Sun 1st July seems to be a free weekend in between Hugh Dornan Memorial Race to Roseneath 24th June and Arthur Campbell Road Race 7th July.
Sound Good????
|
| Rab W |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 17:12:12
or if you want the climb to make the selection towards the end, start with a shorter circuit and finish with once up the climb?
|
| Rab W |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 17:09:20
Jambo how about 1 lap of the crow, then finish with a finishing circuit, like the balfron circuit used for the scottish champs? |
| grantus |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 17:07:40
that'd be a great leveller - hitting the Crow with 8 miles to go - carnage!! |
| grantus |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 17:06:19
good stuff! |
| MCoopland |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 17:01:45
quote:
[i]Originally posted by Jambo75[/i]
[br]
Tell you what, if that one gets off the ground i'll stand and wave a flag for ye
I'll hold you to that
Plan is to start and finish in Fintry so as not climbing the crow from the gun, main race 2 laps 50 miles and 4th race cat race 1 lap. Finish just before Clachan hotel on the newly surfaced section, be like the Champs-Elyees.
Plans in early stages but hope to get it sorted for July or Aug this year.
Slow down it's wet
[/quote]
if you get that rolling james, i will come and stand on a corner or drive a car.
Martin Coopland
www.crotchguard.co.uk
Crap name - great product!
|
| Jambo75 |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 16:56:46
Tell you what, if that one gets off the ground i'll stand and wave a flag for ye
[/quote]
I'll hold you to that
Plan is to start and finish in Fintry so as not climbing the crow from the gun, main race 2 laps 50 miles and 4th race cat race 1 lap. Finish just before Clachan hotel on the newly surfaced section, be like the Champs-Elyees.
Plans in early stages but hope to get it sorted for July or Aug this year.
Slow down it's wet |
| Rab W |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 16:44:50
8:30 at WEST brewery for a get together then?
Rab |
| grantus |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 16:14:31
Bad enough trying to haul ass over that course once Jambo75.
Tell you what, if that one gets off the ground i'll stand and wave a flag for ye |
| andywoo |
Posted - 23 Apr 2012 : 16:11:56
only if you run it on a sunday though james |
