i heard from a friend in the race there were tacks all over the road early on the bike. he heard there were something like 200 flats around that area. anyone else hear about this?
While I have no information specifically about this incident, I would suggest that the source of the information: "i heard from a friend in the race " is sketchy.
At a lot of big races there seems to be a rumor or suggestion that this either happened once, that someone threatened it or that it is happening. This may stem from an incident in Hawaii years ago were it actually did take place.
Tough to say- until I actually saw a tack or spoke directly with someone who did- I wouldn;t be overly concerned as this seems to surface every year.
I had a friend call yesterday who had dropped out of the race due to tacks on the road. They had 2 flats in a short distance in the early stages of the race. Her husband also had a flat in the area. She said someone had salted the road with tacks.
Look on Gordo’s forum and you’ll see last years winner mention it happening again.
I’ve heard of it a few times at IMC and yes, there was an incident several years ago in hawaii - roofing tacks all over the road.
Hmmm. I stand corrected. Thank you Sir (Ma’am).
I didn’t see any mention that the pros had any issues with flats on the course. So someone put them there after the pros went through or gawd forbid, it is another racer trying to get an edge perhaps?
So sad this happens if it is in fact true.
M~
Yes, my friend got three flats within the first 15 miles!
This is crazy, you go through all that work and money and such to have your race ruined…
I did IMC in 2001 and there were indeed tacks on the McLean Road to Oliver section. I know because I was riding in the top 50 at that point, got two flats, and was told by a volunteer that I should just start riding and a support van would be along shortly. Well, after riding for 28+ miles on a rear flat up and over Richter pass, a van finally arrived. I was told by them that they were busy helping all the people with flats in same area I got mine.
It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that this happened again in this area. It sucks but all you can do is to check your tire before you put your new tube in, or ride tubular.
While I have no information specifically about this incident, I would suggest that the source of the information: "i heard from a friend in the race " is sketchy.
If you have no information specifically about this incident then why would you question the veracity of NC or his friend?
I know that in 2 of the 3 IM-Moo races there has been tacks or nails on the road.
Do these jerks know that this could be a fatal prank? With high speeds, trees, etc., I wish one would get caught just once.
tom
my friend is indeed a very reliable source as well as a professional at the race. looks like this whole marriage thing has made you a little jumpy…JK
In general I feel punishments for most crimes are too severe.(Anti-death penalty, etc, etc) But if they find the bastards responsible for this I think they should be hung up by their scrotums and a thousand tacks stuck in their bodies.
While I have no information specifically about this incident, I would suggest that the source of the information: "i heard from a friend in the race " is sketchy.
If you have no information specifically about this incident then why would you question the veracity of NC or his friend?
Tom is just mad because Mars is not at it’s closest point and as large as the moon in the night sky, He did not win the lottery after passing on the “Irish Luck” e-mail to 15 of his friends, Tom also forwarded the Bill’s Gates MS e-mail tracking software that would pay him $1,000 for forwarding the e-mail only to find out it was a HOAX.
Tom was smart enough not to give money to the guy who woke up with his kidney stolen.
I think we should unquestionably agree with – and know with out a doubt – that everything posted on Slow Twitch is the absolute truth!!!
on topic – it sucks that some asshole would throw tacks on the race course – I have also seen someone lean out their car window and smash glass bottles onto the side of the road right in front of us as we were racing. I sure wish the race offical motorcycle was there to go get a licence plate.
It is pretty hard to stop this sort of thing. It is sort of IM terrorism if you ask me. Never catch 'em, but if you do, I say make 'em eat their droppings.
That is so lame, and really makes me want to do IMC (not). Can you imagine the cost of going there and having that ruin your day?
Which country is the biggest tack maker??? let’s find out and invade it! 
Which country is the biggest tack maker??? let’s find out and invade it!
I think it’s France. They need lots of tacks to hang the white flags up. 
Happened back in 01’ as well…early in the race. Tons of people at the side of the road shortly after the the McClean creek turnoff.
It’s a shame it happened again. I feel for those whose races were compromised or finished early.
I saw a very very brief mention of it yesterday on Ironmanlive.com when i was following the race.
I know I’m going to regret this post but here goes, I would much rather be riding TUFO tires if tacks are present. A) With sealant they are pretty tack proof. B) If any tubies flat on a fast downhill you can come to a very controlled stop vs most clinchers.
Styrrell