I'm not sure why that's even a question and why you are asking, it's wrong for so many reason. Kind of like if I asked how do you feel about people stealing in a store?

Third Circle of Hell



YMMV

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Douchebag move, not enough to get excited about it though

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My Blog - http://leegoocrap.blogspot.com

On the weekends I go for a long ride I usually hit the coast for at least a short bit to enjoy the scenery and weather. It's not uncommon for me to ride by a race that is going on given that I live in San Diego and we have events it seems every weekend. I feel bad enough when that happens, I couldn't imagine actually jumping into a course and using the aid stations. Hell when we have MTB races that I know are going on I'll make sure to steer clear of those trails to give the competitors space and those races are much more open to public access given the size, locations and nature of the sport.

Yeah, it's a dick move to bandit a race.

To be fair, any agents. Estate agent, literary agent, biological agent and Mulder (not Scully obvs). 'Agent' is figuratively Latin for parasite. Except Newsagents, got nothing against them but it's their own stupid fault for not choosing a better name. I apologise if this seems harsh but they started muck spreading while I was half way through a turbo session in my garden and I'm in a bad mood.

Stupid. Why do the race unless you're actually "racing it".. go run somewhere else or sign up for the race.

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OlympicHopeful.com - Interviews with aspiring Olympians | Strava
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“More often than not bad luck meant bad plans” -Joe Abercrombie

I accidentally bandited a local 10k once. I knew the route went through the neighborhood adjacent to mine, and down the multi-use path I frequently run on. I was planning to do my own short run, and, knowing it was "Kirby Derby Day," checked online for the start time. Website says 10:00. I think "no problem, it's 9:10. I'll be back home by the time they hit the entrance to 'the Chimneys,' they won't be in my way, nor will I be in theirs. I'll run my usual route" When I went across the main road into the next neighborhood, I was surprised to see and aid station already set up. The workers started cheering me. Apparently the race actually started at 9, and they all thought I was the leader. A little farther down the way, I got my "5k split" read to me, and advice that "there's a guy behind you, and he's closing fast" (i.e. the real race leader). A more honorable person would have made an impromptu route change and gotten out of the way, but I was a little ticked that they had the start time wrong so I stuck to my route. And I'm not gonna lie, I took a water at the next aid station. It was a hot, sticky day, OK? Besides, the unexpected audience resulted in my outrunning my targeted RPE. If they think you're winning, you at least have to look like you're trying hard, right? I didn't follow the course all the way to the end, though, so I didn't eat any unearned cookies, granola bars, or bananas. I did have fun the next Monday telling all my friends how I was leading the Kirby Derby at the 5k mark.

I also swam an open water race and a couple swim meets while taking sudafed for seasonal allergies, before I was aware it was on the WADA list as a banned substance for competition.

So which one of the levels of hell am I going to have to go to?

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"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"

I think if races had a better system of exchanging bibs for those who are unable to participate (injured, plans changed, didn't train enough) like a stub-hub, I would hold bandits in much greater contempt.

I have raced with a bib from friends/family who are unable to participate.

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/kj

http://kjmcawesome.tumblr.com/

I don't think this is the same thing as an intentional bandit + It's a funny story

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OlympicHopeful.com - Interviews with aspiring Olympians | Strava
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“More often than not bad luck meant bad plans” -Joe Abercrombie

As long as its an open race (i.e. you don't need to qualify to enter), then I don't have a problem with using someone else's bib. That's not banditing IMO.

There may be a transfer clause in the RD's fine print that you are breaking, but at least someone paid for the race.

My wife had an injury that impacted her training, so we ended up running a 30 km race as a 2 x 15 relay. We used our own transportation to get to the relay spot, so didn't drain any resources of the race.

I bandit a local century, b/c it sells out ridiculously far in advance.
This year I refilled one water bottle (with water), peed once in the portajohn, and helped myself to two 2 orange slices.
I'm pretty much over it and have learned to love myself despite my sins.

For a race, not acceptable.

A century like event, on public roads, and not availing themselves of the food stops, no problem.

Why do you think it's acceptable for a Century but not a Race? btw I have never done a race that is not on public roads.

I feel that we should be entitled to it.

I am living off my equity and it sure enough took me a long time to get there, being able to live close to the race course and all the action. I pre-payed.

I am also an awesome athlete and you should be happy that a grace your event with my presence. I add priceless value!

And if it weren't by any chance, it would be all Obama's fault!

I think it can be more difficult than you imagine.
3 years ago I was in Bormio and we had planned to ride up the Stelvio, we woke up to find that there was some Belgian sportive going up it on that day. We waited until they were gone (it took ages) then started our climb, but we were riding with lots of paying riders. Were we bandits? I ashamedly admit to filling my bottle at the aid station at the top.

Closed road events are a different thing, but open road is difficult. If they don't use the facilities, then they have every right to be there.

People who don't get drawn to ride, but ride anyway is pretty morally grey for me. People who don't want to pay, but ride anyway are clearly in the wrong.

In running I think it is clearer that they are in the wrong, in my original example we wanted to ride the Stelvio because it is beautiful and challenging. No one decides to run 26.2miles as fast as they can in Boston just for shits and giggles, unless they are doing the marathon.

Riding, say, a sportive course alongside an event isn't something I've ever done intentionally but I can't see a major issue with it, providing you don't use event facilities. After all they're typically on open public roads, so you're perfectly entitled to be there. However, using anything that the event entry fees went towards providing, or interfering with participants in any way would not, in my opinion, be acceptable behaviour.

I do what I can to stay clear of all events. I am not a competitor and fortunately there have only been a couple of times where my course had some overlaps with a race course that I was unaware until later. It is funny that twice my course overlapped a charity ride and riders followed me off their route when my course went a different direction. I had to turn back and tell them they were off course. The look on their faces with absolute confusion kind of like, "but you're on a bike so you must be one of us" when I had to tell them again not to follow me if they want to finish their course. And a couple of times passing by a sag stop or turns with the volunteers trying to wave me into the stop or to turn with confused looks and a couple of times sag vehicle drivers pulling up next to me and telling me I'm off course. Kind of makes me giggle a little inside. :-)

On topic, I have a friend that seems to have no guilt jumping into paid events and races. I always feel a bit uncomfortable when she tells me that she does it because a friend paid to ride and the friend wanted her company. She also said she ate their food and refilled her bottles. I am not going to be someone's morality judge, but it is not something I want to do. I have been asked to join friends in the same manner, but simply said no.

Once when on a 100 mile training ride, I did inadvertently do a 3 mile section of a Sprint Tri, and overtook someone racing. I didn't tell him I had 90 miles in my legs :-)

If you intentionally 'bandit' an event people paid for, then that's freeloading, yes.

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29 years and counting

I've accidentally "bandited" two races, though I never take any aid so I don't know if it really counts... the first was a marathon from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs, MI. It's on a bike path and people were cheering, yelling that I was in second place about 20 miles in. I tried explaining to people that "this" is not the body of a second place marathoner unless there are only two people entered (200+ pounds), but finally gave up and just enjoyed the moment. The second was the last leg of the Dalmac ride from Lansing to Mackinac... I guess it's not really a race, more of an organized ride, but I couldn't figure out why there were hundreds of people on my route! They offered some food at the finish (my turn around) but I stuck with refueling my bottles. The first at least made for a fun story.

We'll have to think about that one



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Found myself in the middle of a ‪#‎ColorRun‬ one morning last year, when my route crossed over theirs in a couple spots, and we shared a mile & a tenth [their finishing straight, my 4th]

They must've done a wave start, because I was in with the 12 year-olds

I ran on the sidewalk to a) not confuse anyone at the finish line [being a small person, I could be mistaken for a tall-ish 12 y/o LOL]; b) not get color pigment all over me

Comment of the day: this big, BIG dude [6-6 plus, three & a half bills, easy], was out for his morning walk: XXXL T-shirt & basketball shorts, near a "splash point" his friends were working, at Mile 2, I'd say

"Color Run today, dude!" a friends shouted "You're in it, right?"
"I won it, already" he answered "In fact, I'm on my third lap"

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

"Using someone else's bib" has caused legal problems. A few years ago a borrowed bib user had an accident. He had not signed the waiver. I think USAT or the RD brought the bib lender into the lawsuit. That is the reason that this can get you a long suspension (maybe lifetime) from USAT.

It's a massive liability issue for a race director.

It is part of the reason why we have a race transfer/deferral policy, but not a person-to-person transfer option (we let people transfer to one of our other events, or to the same race the following year).

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Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

Need to update that with Grayson Allen.

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Pink? Maybe. Maybe not. You decide.

Grayson Allen is NO Christian Laettner ... in so many ways [although, Coach K never benched Laettner]

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

D'Wife and I do a Charity Ride for MS every year that goes thorough our town; I am often tempted to pull off and just walk into my friend's house and come out with a beer or two

While we are registered riders, and have paid our fees and done our fundraising, I have been guilty of over-reaching at the aid stations, my jersey pockets overflowing with surplus snacks, Gummi-Bears, Clif bars and bags of chips & pretzels. So much so, that one rider, after politely giving me an “On Your Left” followed up with “Dude!!! It looks like you have a whole Wawa back there!!!”

That being said, when I have volunteered at the aid station the next day [for the riders on their way back] I have never reprimanded anyone for "taking too much"

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Similar experience, I did a ride once where my route intersected for about a mile with tri that was happening. I made sure to be through that section before the first swimmers were out of T1 but because I was the first cyclist the locals saw a I got a great, cheering reception.

"So that's what the front of the race is like" I thought to myself having never actually been there.

I think it is two fold-

I have rode/ran Quassy on Sunday when I raced on Sat...all numbers pulled from my bike, rode to see how friends were doing, never touched an aid station-did not then or now have an issue with it.

True "Bandit" either with a fake bib or using someone else's bib, nope never, never would-things like stealing and theft of services clearly come to mind.

Amazing. I am stealing that line.

I've done it once in the New Orleans Rock & Roll half marathon a few years ago. Had some buddies running it and they wanted me to do it with them but asked me the week of the race and when I went to register the price had gone up to something ridiculous like $110. I refuse to pay that much to just run on public streets. I mailed a $60 check to New Orleans Children's Hospital as a donation (made more sense than giving R&R a ridiculous race entry fee) and ran the race without taking anything from aid stations (just carried my own gels and water). Didn't cross the finish line or attend the after race festival either. No regrets.

$110 is a pretty normal price for a half; especially week of. Don't even look at a Disney event if you think $110 is a lot.

The tone and class of SLOWTWITCH has fallen so far in recent times. I can remember when the use of vulgar terms like "Christian Laettner" would have been banned by the moderator. (There are still small towns in Kentucky that keep a stake and a pile of firewood for the day that the Supreme Evildoer is captured and brought to hear the REAL final buzzer)

So let's use this example, one I've done once. Say you're spectating a race need to get a longer ride or run in (in a not so friendly running or cycling part of town) and begin your ride/run an hour before the event using the closed roads, not taking anything from the aid stations and being conscious to get back to the sidewalk/alternate roads around the times the leaders and remainder of the racers. To me this is a moral grey area as I am taking advantage of the closed roads (as they begin to put up barricades and the likewise) but am not truly taking anything from the race organization nor participants race experience.

agree. I stumbled into the run leg of a triathlon because it was on a path right outside my neighborhood that I run all the time. I went out for a run, turned the corner, and all of a sudden I was in the middle of a bunch of runners. I only was on a short section of the run with them. If I was on my bike I would probably change my route so I wasn't in the way of competitors.

I've done a similar thing a number of times. Out for a ride, a portion of which is a marked bike course. As the roads have always also been open to traffic, I've never felt bad about it, nor have I ever considered in banditing a race. I don't use any aid stations, don't cross any lines, and when my planned route veers off, I leave the course. Yes, sometimes there has been a coned off lane of a multi-lane road, and I'll ride in that, but mostly because it's not safe to ride in the car lane.

I'll also add that I've never planned this. Just happen to come upon a race while on my ride. They used to hold triathlons at Bonelli park, which is also a popular circuit for cyclists. A common route is to ride from my house 30 miles to Bonelli, do a circuit, and return. Not going to change that just because there's a triathlon going on where the roads are also open to traffic. SDSR is a different matter.

Because I've never seen a century where the roads were closed to others. If the roads are open, and you're not using aid stations or other resources designed for paying participants, why not? Why should someone avoid those roads when they're still open to the public?

There was the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "I Hate Christian Laettner." One of the better ones. My takeaway -- Laettner was actually (and is) a decent guy. Grayson Allen? Maybe he'll grow up.

Could RDs put a liability waiver on the back of the bib like they do on the back of the lift ticket in skiing? Something to the extent of "the wearer of this bib waives all rights to sue the race or it's amazing director even if you were too cheap to pay the nominal participation fee and just got the bib from someone else."

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Oui, mais pas de femme toute de suite (yes, but I am not ready for a woman straight away) -Stephen Roche's reply when asked whether he was okay after collapsing at the finish in the La Plagne stage of the 1987 Tour

The short answer is no.


The long answer is that most of the waivers that you see at ski areas are dependent on exceptions within the general statutes that further limit the liability of ski areas relative to normal businesses. See, for instance, Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 32, §§ 15217, 15218.


Also think about in an instance of an emergency situation. Runner A takes Runner B's bib. Runner A has an incident where he must be brought to the hospital. Runner B's family is the one getting called. Now you have a claim for emotional distress that's also got to be managed.


To make a long story short: don't bandit. Don't take someone else's bib unless you have a specific transfer protocol to do so. I agree we should all have more flexible policies (hence our transfer/deferral one), but in the absence of them...don't do it the wrong way.

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Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

I have done this and I see nothing wrong with it. I have done my long runs on Ironman run courses before as a spectator while everyone was out on the bike. Essentially I was running while they were setting up aid stations. I even had a few volunteers offer me stuff but I never took anything. I had on a IM finisher's shirt from a previous race so I am guessing it was pretty obvious to any volunteers there setting up that I was a spectator/sherpa doing my workout while my friends were all out on their bike. I was done long before the first pros were off their bikes so I was in nobody's way at all.

Thanks for the explanation. I assumed as much, but am still disappointed in our citizens. RDs need a stronger lobby (kinda pink). How about giant posters at the start line every runner has to pass before starting the race? or is it the same idea as the back of bib waiver?

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Oui, mais pas de femme toute de suite (yes, but I am not ready for a woman straight away) -Stephen Roche's reply when asked whether he was okay after collapsing at the finish in the La Plagne stage of the 1987 Tour

Need a signature (or at least an electronic one). Registration is best time to do so. And you need that from each ACTUAL registrant.

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Editor-in-Chief, Slowtwitch.com | Twitter

Yes, I saw that too [the most recent airing was on the 25th Anniversary of The Stomp/The Buzzer-Beater on March 28th] and I'd have to agree with you


Just not publicly



Yeah, when nobody drafts him. In reality, he's not that good

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

Yes, I would avoid those roads since I'd be freeloading. The race has to pay for extra traffic controllers (typically Police, Sheriff Deputies) and possibly permits as well. I would find other roads to ride on for that day, out of respect for the event.

You can make an argument that you have a right to ride the road, but at the end of the day you're just a freeloader.

I was out on a ride once and realized it was the same day and along a portion of the California AIDS Ride route. I kept riding (it was Highway 1). I ended up getting a flat and 4 riders stopped and changed it for me. I tried explaining that I wasn't in their ride but they didn't care. Friendliest cyclists I've ever met.

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Hillary Trout
San Luis Obispo, CA

Your trip is short. Make the most of it.
https://www.slogoing.net/

Their knee caps should be removed and then placed back in the race a year later to see how competitive they are.

It's not an argument. It's a fact. If the roads are open to the public, they are by definition open to the public.

And I don't see the freeloading argument. Yes, the event may be paying for extra security, for its participants, as well as some level of traffic control, which inconveniences non-participants. The additional traffic control, etc., is there because the route is being swarmed by a bunch of participants. The net benefit to those who just happened to be using portions of the route is likely in the negative.

It's not like I or most others seek out these routes because there's a century going on and we want to take advantage of the very minimal, if any, additional traffic control. It's that we're doing our normal, preplanned route, which just happened to coincide with an event.

You're essentially saying that, as an example, if 50 miles of PCH is being used for a century ride on a particular day while still being open to all other users, anyone who doesn't avoid that long stretch is a freeloader. That's ridiculous.

So having car traffic stopped along PCH would be an "inconvenience" for you?

As I said, I would stay off the route for that day - out of RESPECT for the event. Freeloaders have no respect or honor..

This guy is trolling. Freeloading by riding on a public road that isn't even closed for the event? Get out of here with that nonsense.

Sorry for bumping a thread from earlier this year, but I just had to share my "bandit" story...

I don't recall the year... probably mid-90's. A pro tour bike race had a stage finish at what was then Kennesaw State College (now a university). The route to the finish went past our subdivision. Having a stage finish close to home was a cool opportunity so I decided to ride the five miles from my house to the finish line.

Of course, the route I rode just happened to be the same route as the race. And, like any tri or cycling geek, I wore cycling shorts and a jersey that looked a lot like a team jersey (sported my employer's logo, as we used it for MS charity rides). I left my house well before the race was expected to pass by, because I wanted to see the finish.

The roads were not yet closed near my house, but... a few spectators had begun to set up chairs and get ready for the peloton to pass by. Some people noticed me riding, and began to cheer for me. I guess they thought I was the leader in a breakaway. At first I thought it was strange for them to cheer - then I realized that unless they knew team jerseys, I looked like a competitor in the race. It was fun thinking that I was riding a race route, with people cheering for me.

Well... at some point the route took a couple of extra turns and I knew a faster way to get to the finish. So, I left the route and made my way to the finish. It was a fun experience, and my first time watching a pro race finish.

Yeah, not really a bandit story, but still a fun memory that came to mind as I read other similar accidental bandit experiences.

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I used to have a signature...