Eliminate time trial and aero bikes from racing.
Anton Berlin
1. Allows better comparisons across the spectrum of cyclists
2. Lowers the entry barrier for equal participation
3. Allows rider to stage race without excessive transport costs
Of course the industry makes a lot of money from aero equipment so
it's an uphill battle but for me there's something pure and true about
a road bike.
Scott
Wouldn't you imagine that any elite racer with an actual honest to
goodness chance to win and who is traveling to stage races doesn't buy
their own bikes?
Anton Berlin
I know they either have them, buy them or sponsor provides. But what
about the guy trying to move up? The system shouldn't be rigged
against open competition. As is, it is.
Kurgan. presented by Gringioni.
Dumbass -
I watched a triathlon on Universal Sports today and since they now
allow drafting, all the Tri-Freds were riding with road bike bars.
I was switching between that race and the Tour de Suisse on Versus and
the difference in bike handling skills is startling.
Triathlon would be more interesting if they switched the order to:
swim, run, bike.
thanks,
Kurgan. presented by Gringioni.
NoDannyNo
Get rid of derailleurs, pneumatic tires, and "lycra-spandex" as well
and you'll really have something there.
Mark J.
The story is told of a triathlon once held in the order run, bike, swim.
"DNF" meant "Did Not Float."
Mark J.
Anton Berlin
This isn't an anti-tech rant, it's more of a democratic one. They've
eliminated aero bikes from the hour (at least the one that counts)
many aero features from mass starts, radios, and minimum weight
limits.
The thought isn't out of line.
B. Lafferty
Amit Ghosh
and plus fours and pipe smoking.
Anton Berlin
Actually, it looks like they are already making this a reality.
Page 42
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/USAC_rulebook-1.pdf
(h) Time trial events may restrict the competitors to mass-start
bicycles in one or more classes, provided that the restriction is
stated in the race announcement and technical guide. This includes
time trials in stage races.
Amit Ghosh
<kgringi...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> I watched a triathlon on Universal Sports today and since they now
> allow drafting, all the Tri-Freds were riding with road bike bars.
dumbass,
they are still behind in the sense that the courses are designed as if
they are for running rather than bike racing.
if the bike leg was the last one the winner would break though a tape
like it was a marathon.
z, fred
Dumbass,
The only reason people attempt the "Eddy Merckx" hour record rather than
the Boardman/Superman record is because they think the Merckx style
record is easier to break. If they thought they could break the Boardman
record by riding with discs, aero helmets, and aero bars, then they
would do it. The UCI will still accept and recognize it, but still call
it "best hour performance" instead of the hour record. But if you go
faster than 56.375 kilometers in one hour, who cares what they want to
call it. Everyone will know you are the faster mofo ever for an hour.
Boardman is not like Dave Lettieri who is still the reigning national
Junior 17-18 Omnium champion (because the event hasn't been held since
then).
z, fred
Dumbass,
This is nothing new. Event promoters have always had the right to put
contingencies on races or equipment as long as they announce it in the
race permit, flyer, and bible.
NoDannyNo
Of course it will never happen but I'd be interested in seeing a
"regular bikes only" TT stage in the Grand Tours. Back in the day,
Merckx, Gimondi, Ritter, etc. were all doing ~50 kph TTs on standard
lugged steel road bikes, No "skinsuits" or Alien-monster helmets to
be found.
NoDannyNo
Certain forms of pipe smoking as modern as an 11-tooth sprocket.
H. Fred Kveck
"B. Lafferty" <b...@nowhere.com> wrote:
> (the real kind that gets stiff between rides).
Sean Kelly would not approve.
cur...@the-md-russells.org
What passes for subtle on rbr.
Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...
derf...@gmail.com
>
> 1. Allows better comparisons across the spectrum of cyclists
> 2. Lowers the entry barrier for equal participation
> 3. Allows rider to stage race without excessive transport costs
TT participation would likely go down were it not for the opportunity
to spend $ and ride on the latest fast gear.
Honestly, being able to ride that much faster on an aero rig is part
of the attraction. otherwise it is only suffering. (it's suffering
in any case, but at least you're going a lot faster)
As I recall Nature Valley is making the TT be "Merckx-style" ... and
people were not happy about it.
B. Lafferty
Fred Flintstein
Focksticks,
A TT on an unpaved surface would accomplish this. A friend that is
running a TT had their course altered by road construction. I tried
to make the case for this, but was unsuccessful.
Fred Flintstein
Amit Ghosh
> > and plus fours and pipe smoking.
>
> Certain forms of pipe smoking as modern as an 11-tooth sprocket.
rbr prefers pole smoking.
Betty
>> Certain forms of pipe smoking as modern as an 11-tooth sprocket.
Amit Ghosh wrote:
> rbr prefers pole smoking.
11 tooth pole smoking is a bit excessive.
KGring
>
> Of course the industry makes a lot of money from aero equipment so
> it's an uphill battle but for me
Dumbass -
That's why your "battle" is doomed.
Brad Anders
Your idea makes sense at an amateur level. At a pro level, I like the
bikes and aero gear. ITT's are incredibly boring, and looking at all
the different gear makes it marginally interesting to the fans. It
also brings in some sponsor money for the riders and teams.
TT's are so boring that we need some new rules. In ITT's, you should
also be permitted to draft off faster riders, unless they're on your
team. In TTT's, they should permit the teams to use one or more
tandems, or even 3+ rider bikes. I also want to see a derny-paced ITT
in the TdF, on wide-open, dead-flat roads. I figure an average speed
of 160 km/hr for a 50 km ITT would be possible.
Brad Anders
Betty
> I also want to see a derny-paced ITT
> in the TdF, on wide-open, dead-flat roads. I figure an average speed
> of 160 km/hr for a 50 km ITT would be possible.
And the crashes would be much more spectacular.
Fred on a stick
> TT's are so boring that we need some new rules. [...] I also
> want to see a derny-paced ITT
I call dibs on Bill C. Kurg takes Fat Steve.
Brad Anders
wrote:
I'm (almost) serious about the derny race. Better yet, the dernys
should be piloted by ex-pro's, e.g. Merckx, Riis, and of course,
LemonD. I'd just love to see a LemonD / LANCE pairing.
Brad Anders