Could a device be created that automatically measured the distance between two bikes, and relays this information back to race organizers, perhaps by riding past a sensor or something?
I was thinking some sort of laser or acoustic ranging system could be mounted to each bike–a sensor in the front, and a transmitting device in the rear. The receiver on the front of each bike would pick up a signal from the transmitter on the rear of each bike, and it would track the time the 2nd bike spent within the first bike’s draft zone. Over 15s on someone’s tail within 7 (or 10) meters? You’re flagged immediately with a penalty. Boom. I’m pretty sure the hardware aspect can be done. I think an even bigger challenge than the hardware though would be the software. Trying to program the present drafting rules into any system would be a nightmare. Passing in particular would be difficult to enforce with an electronic system. Obviously, the system wouldn’t be useful unless everyone has one, but maybe someday the per-unit cost will get low enough that, like timing chips, eventually they can hand them out like timing chips…
People would also probably bitch about having to put these things on their bikes…
Can it be done? If it is done, it was my idea…I think.
Hmm…I don’t know if RFID can be used for ranging. Anyone know? Obviously if it could then you could install two chips on the handlebars, and the lateral distance could be judged as well by solving a simple geometry problem.
Or maybe if RFID doesn’t work for ranging it could be used to trigger a laser ranging system whenever the RFID system detects the presence of a bike in the draft zone…
It is all a matter of expense. RFID has many types and each has a different range. Anywhere from inches to miles. Depending on antennea and receiver. It all comes down to cost.
how would the idea of a backing sensor, or front bumper sensor for cars be any different.
Way different. The ones used on cars are really only useful when you get within a couple feet. The drafting sensor would have to work at over 20.
I would much rather have a sensor that tells me when I enter the draft zone. You ask this like it’s a brilliant question but I’m missing the significance…
how would the idea of a backing sensor, or front bumper sensor for cars be any different.
Way different. The ones used on cars are really only useful when you get within a couple feet. The drafting sensor would have to work at over 20.
I would much rather have a sensor that tells me when I enter the draft zone. You ask this like it’s a brilliant question but I’m missing the significance…
Hmmm… you must have a different car. Mine starts beeping when an object is about 3 yards away…far greater than a couple feet.
Personally, knowing that someone is drafting me really means nothing. Pisses me off, but I am not going to change too much of what I am doing…maybe ride closer to the edge and next to potholes. And one that indicates I have entered a draft zone would only be necessary if I wanted to get as close to drafting/cheating as possible…which I would not need either, maybe in Hawaii in the first 50 miles. But even then it would not matter.
No need for either really. Might be nice to have on the elites in Kona to see how many times they enter a draft zone since they are not allowed to “slingshot.”
I wasn’t trying to post any specific numbers. The point is that this system is only useful if it can detect the presence of a rider at ~20 feet—well beyond the distance at which the system employed in cars’ bumpers is relevant or capable. I don’t think that system works directionally either, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
I’m thinking this would need to be on the order of 200grams or less total mass and probably a ~10 cubic inches in order for people not to deem it an aerodynamic or functional intrusion and eschew it completely…
I wasn’t trying to post any specific numbers. The point is that this system is only useful if it can detect the presence of a rider at ~20 feet—well beyond the distance at which the system employed in cars’ bumpers is relevant or capable. I don’t think that system works directionally either, but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
I’m thinking this would need to be on the order of 200grams or less total mass and probably a ~10 cubic inches in order for people not to deem it an aerodynamic or functional intrusion and eschew it completely…
why not something that officials could use, like a radar gun, that detects the distance between riders. But even at that, they have to be in that proximity for a certain amount of time.
Maybe the solution of not packing so many people on a course is the best one.