I just did the Pacific Coast Tri this morning and had a lot of fun. It seemed to go well, outside of canceling the swim for high surf, and the few packs of drafters.
My question is- When you see packs of drafters with very recognizable sponsors and/or sponsored teams, does it make you NOT want to patron the sponsors because of their cheating athletes?
I never gave this a thought before, but there was one south Orange County bicycle store with several younger male athletes obviously contributing, even to the point where spectators were yelling at them.
Anyway, it made me think that I am not going to shop at the team’s store anymore. I decided this was probably a little rash, but I did tell one of their older teammates who was not apart of this that they did not represent the store or team well.
Curious on others thoughts…
I think you should take your approach one step further and tell the shop owner, via email or in person, why you no longer feel comfortable shopping at his/her store.
Nothing worse for a business owner to lose a customer without knowing it. I much prefer to face the heat and deal with a complaint, then never hear anything.
I agree with the Captain. These guys are most likely thinking they will get some hardware for thir sponsor while they are actually making their sponsor look bad. The sponsor did not cheat, his riders did so be sure to let him know how you feel.
That is a big issue with team uniforms, every time I see an LA Tri team kit I think cheater because I have seen their team members blatantly cheat at several races like they were in a team time trial. But it’s a huge club and I am sure the majority are not cheaters.
Dave
Yeah,
Certainly influences whom I give my business to.
Kind of a shame, though, because it is not the bike store owners fault.
But I think he should have made the athletes aware of their responsibility when wearing the kit.
Code of conduct and such.
Yea, I agree, too. I think it is only fair to let the sponsors know. Maybe, the sponsors and teams can take some action to reduce drafting.
I would love to see a “call out” or thread or blog with personal videos (pics too limiting) of offending athletes. Although, then you would probably get a Finman thread with chummed waters and a pack mentality.
Nothing changes behavior faster than a sponsor getting pissed at you. Go for it; you don’t have to say you’re never using them again, just express your disappointment at how “their” athletes were performing. They give these guys gear to get good publicity, not bad.
Re LA Tri Club. I race against those guys and gals a lot and have never seen them gravitate toward organized drafting. Like the PP said, it’s a huge club and on a big tree there will be a few bad apples.