Anyone ever come across something like this before?: http://www.triserieswa.com.au/race-2-champion-lakes1.html
From the section under: Venue Information: Please note that the venue is prone to high winds, use of disc wheels will be determined on event morning so please be prepared with spare non-disc wheels.
How on earth would they determine what consitutes as too windy for a disc? The race has just been and gone and i didnt take part, just found it curious how something like this would be judged- seems like the disc/wind myth is alive and well still.
I thought some on here were actually mentioning how a disc actually stabilizes their bike in gusty winds and that modern discs behave differently than discs of old in that regard. Many I think create negative drag at certain high yaw angles just prior to “stalling”, effectively acting like a sail. I wonder if its’ actually a myth now. Disclaimer… I’ve never ridden a disc.
I think a little race in Kona doesn’t allow disc wheels. Neither does Lanzarote.
I don’t know about Lanzarote, but at Kona they never allow discs. It’s not that sometimes you can use a disc and sometimes not, so you don’t have to take an extra wheel. OP is talking about a race where the RD decides on the morning of the race whether discs will be allowed – a very different scenario.
“The whirlwind came from the side and took his wheel like a sail from underneath him,” Aitken said.
"It took his bike from being vertical to horizontal in a split second, so you’re talking about a metre off the ground.
“It was just one of those things where Mother Nature hits you head on.”
Dennis was 14km into the course when the tornado swept him up about 3.30pm.
It does make sense for Kona and Lanza - both islands - both windy so you will be flying there. Makes sense to have a blanket ban - saves everyone hassle and expense and its a level playing field.
Where its mainland but known to be windy - then I think it also makes sense for the RD to make the call. Its his race - he wants it to be as safe as possible.
We had a race in Ontario a few years back where a strong storm rolled through race morning. They ended up cancelling the swim and not allowing discs on the bike.
USAT is probably different, but I think Triathlon Ontario/Canada has a rule that if winds are over a certain speed the race director and race referee can not allow the use of discs. The only negative I see to this is if someones other option is significantly shallower than the front. I think that would lead to more blowing around than with a disc on the back.
At least they give a warning in advanced so you can be prepared. I also bring a back up set of training wheels just in case.
Is the issue about whether a disc is safe in a windy race or that you have to bring another wheel in case they won’t allow a disc? In the latter, I see it no different than the water temp being on the edge of wetsuit/no wetsuit. Wetsuits can cost pretty close the same as a disc. Plus, given that scenario, your whole race kit may change based on the wetsuit decision. That decision can be made practically right up to start time as the officials frantically search for a patch of cool water to measure.
Is the issue about whether a disc is safe in a windy race or that you have to bring another wheel in case they won’t allow a disc? In the latter, I see it no different than the water temp being on the edge of wetsuit/no wetsuit. Wetsuits can cost pretty close the same as a disc. Plus, given that scenario, your whole race kit may change based on the wetsuit decision. That decision can be made practically right up to start time as the officials frantically search for a patch of cool water to measure.
Not quite the same. Wetsuit yes/no is easy, because you don’t have to replace the wetsuit with anything – you can swim in most tri kits, so you don’t, strictly speaking, need more kit. You HAVE to replace your rear wheel if the RD decides no discs on race day – you can’t just take it off, as you can’t ride without a rear wheel.
Is the issue about whether a disc is safe in a windy race or that you have to bring another wheel in case they won’t allow a disc? In the latter, I see it no different than the water temp being on the edge of wetsuit/no wetsuit. Wetsuits can cost pretty close the same as a disc. Plus, given that scenario, your whole race kit may change based on the wetsuit decision. That decision can be made practically right up to start time as the officials frantically search for a patch of cool water to measure.
Not quite the same. Wetsuit yes/no is easy, because you don’t have to replace the wetsuit with anything – you can swim in most tri kits, so you don’t, strictly speaking, need more kit. You HAVE to replace your rear wheel if the RD decides no discs on race day – you can’t just take it off, as you can’t ride without a rear wheel.
You’re right. People might actually have to gasp plan ahead and be prepared for more than one scenario. EVERYBODY PANIC!!!
Its gets pretty freaking windy at the bottom of the hills, especially with a good land breeze blowing in the morning.
The bike leg is held on the cycle path round the outside of the lake - its ‘quite’ narrow, so maybe this presents an issue when its windy, particularly with any congestion on the course. But I would agree with the comments that this needs to be a bit more prescriptive, ie ‘no discs’ so save any ambiguity.
Atta also run TT’s round the lake, so I’m not sure what their take is on it?
I dunno, maybe they should just ay no discs. Then there’ll be the whining on ST the day after “it was so calm, why couldn’t we use discs???” blah blah. There’s really no ambiguity as it says “please be prepared with a non disc alternative”. So I guess people can choose to race there, and if they have a disc available they need to have a non disc available. Practical? I’m sure not for all, but all I’d do is pop the wheel cover off and good to go.
All races are subject to change due to weather conditions, water temps, etc. I knew flying up to Canada that if at the race meeting they said no discs I’d have to deal with it.
But the point of the post was that this is not unheard of. In fact, thousands upon thousands of folks race in races with this exact language every season