What’s up with some people’s need to bring their own flimsy little bike stands when the race director has provided racks? The last race I was at two people near me were using their own little stands and their bikes kept tipping over into other bikes. Those things may work in our garage, but not worth a damn on the grass.
A guy whose bike was on the receiving end of a couple fallen bikes said, “look buddy, if your bike is lying on top of mine when I get to T1, I’m going to toss your bike and that damn stand in the f’in lake.”
I agree with you that if somebody brings their own rack to a race (assuming there’s space), it’d damn well better stay upright and not disrupt others.
However, I can also admit that I’ve sometimes thought about building and bringing my own rack, since most of the races I’ve done can’t seem to find racks that are high enough to rack my insanely huge 58cm Cannondale by the seat. Racking by the shifters breaks my rubber bands holding my shoes when I roll the bike back. So I can understand why you would bring your own rack, although I currently lack the motivation to build one.
As long as they’re not disrupting anybody, and there’s room, I say go for it.
I agree with you that if somebody brings their own rack to a race (assuming there’s space), it’d damn well better stay upright and not disrupt others.
However, I can also admit that I’ve sometimes thought about building and bringing my own rack, since most of the races I’ve done can’t seem to find racks that are high enough to rack my insanely huge 58cm Cannondale by the seat. Racking by the shifters breaks my rubber bands holding my shoes when I roll the bike back. So I can understand why you would bring your own rack, although I currently lack the motivation to build one.
As long as they’re not disrupting anybody, and there’s room, I say go for it.
Nonsense. The racks, besides providing a place to put your bike, serve to instill some order in the transition area: “You can put your bikes in these locations”. If you decide to put your bike somewhere else, chaos ensues. I’ve seen bikes leaning against fences, against the end of a rack, and lying on the ground next to the marked area. You don’t get to decide whether you are disrupting anyone. If the rack positions aren’t assigned by number, get there early to get a decent spot or take whatever is left when you do get there.
As for your rubber bands, that’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. I can’t rack my 58cm P2K (and is your 58cm somehow bigger than everyone else’s 58: “insanely huge”?) by the saddle either, so I don’t. If you can’t figure out, or are too lazy, to just lift your rear wheel when backing your bike off the rack, you have a problem.
I totally agree with you, those racks belong in the garage and not in the transition area. I think its the directors responsibility to make sure their are enough racks, and the athlete’s responisbility to get a spot.
I have no sympathy for those peeps that can’t seem to get a spot. Get there early, and get a good spot. Some people think getting there 30 minutes before the event is early…getting there 15 minutes before the offical transition area opens is early. That’s normally 1:30 or 2 hours before the event. There is always that guy, that is coming in when everyone is putting on their wetsuits getting ready for the start, that starts pushing people’s bikes around “hey man, I need a spot too”…I hate that guy!
I totally agree with what that guy said…I have thrown bikes before that were in my way.
Once again, we fall victim to the monotonic expression of the typed word. This forum would be something like half its current size if we could insert sarcasm into our posts…
Anyways, my “insanely huge” 58cm was intended to be a sarcastic comment, based on the fact that it’s not all that large, nor am I. I would think that we could find some racks somewhere that would allow such a bike to be racked by the saddle.
I have been able to figure out that if I lift my wheel my cranks will not spin. And most of the time I remember. Sometimes I do not. The point is, if you can get your own rack in somewhere without disrupting anybody, or being in the way, then I still think you can do just that. Most of the races I’ve done seem to have less than adequate rack space anyways.
That’s a good point. I’ve done a race (non-USAT) that encouraged people to bring their own racks, as the rack space they had was inadequate. But now that you mention it I don’t think I’ve ever seen homemade racks at a USAT race.
For the general good of the forum, anybody know USAT/OAT/etc. rules for homemade racks?
That’s a good point. I’ve done a race (non-USAT) that encouraged people to bring their own racks, as the rack space they had was inadequate. But now that you mention it I don’t think I’ve ever seen homemade racks at a USAT race.
For the general good of the forum, anybody know USAT/OAT/etc. rules for homemade racks?
Here are the transition rules:
7.2 Placement of Equipment.
All participants shall place equipment only in the properly designated and individually assigned bicycle corral and shall at all times keep their equipment confined to such properly designated areas. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.
7.3 Bicycle Placement.
All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in the properly designated bicycle corral after completion of the cycling course and before beginning the next segment of the event. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.
7.4 Obstruction and Interference.
No participant shall impede the forward progress of another participant or interfere with another participant’s equipment while in the transition area. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty, unless such obstruction or interference renders another participant unable to complete the event, in which case the penalty shall be disqualification.
I have never seen someone show up with their own stand before. I have seen a transition area too small and overcrowded so people start leaning bikes everywhere though. On curbs, ends of racks, wherever.
What really bugs me about transition areas is when you get your ass up early to grap a primo spot, set up, go for a warm up…etc stop by to check on things 10 minutes before the race is about to start and some dumbass is trying to squeeze his bike in the already little gap between your bike and the next! If you are late, rack your bike in Siberia!
How about the idiot that comes to transition when you are out for a warm up ride and takes your spot, moves your stuff, including wetsuit hanging where your bike should be!
I had never seen these rules and I don’t think most race officials have either. A few weeks ago at the half vineman (bike/run transisition is 15 miles away from the start) I was a little slow on the bike and found two bikes racked directly over my run gear and now spaces nearby. Sorting this out took several extra minutes. I thought that was very poor form from my fellow competitors.
Thats why I assign bike racks based on number (and sort numbers by age group.) Everybody gets the same property line and space. I wouldn’t hesitate to remove a personal rack. Given the transition area security it wouldn’t get in in the first place.
Thats why I assign bike racks based on number (and sort numbers by age group.) Everybody gets the same property line and space. I wouldn’t hesitate to remove a personal rack. Given the transition area security it wouldn’t get in in the first place.
More people should do that. Great idea, unfortuneately I haven’t seen it at any of my races.
hey Irongirl…speaking of transitions…you done any racing yet this season? Wondering if you’re doing Parry Sound this weekend…might be nice to see a fellow forum member at the race…not too many of us going that far north for a race.
edit:
scratch that…just noticed where Brockville was in relation to the race location…a tad far to go for anyone…yikes. You must be doing the Canadian half or something then.
I’ve almost bought a little rack to carry with me, but only for those small events that don’t have racks and make you lay your bike down; I freaking hate that! Probably not that many races like that, but I’ve managed to find a couple.
If racks are available, get there early and use them.
ahhhh there’s the rub…getting there early…and getting the best spot on the rack…totally key to my events. Buying coffees for the race crew and RD doesn’t hurt to greasing palms in the event some moron decides he wants to move your stuff when you head out for a warm up. Having a well caffeined RD (courtesy of you) all strung out and ready to snap on your side when you return and get into a heated arguement with said dough head is never a bad thing.
Thats why I assign bike racks based on number (and sort numbers by age group.) Everybody gets the same property line and space. I wouldn’t hesitate to remove a personal rack. Given the transition area security it wouldn’t get in in the first place.
More people should do that. Great idea, unfortuneately I haven’t seen it at any of my races.
I’ve seen it a few times recently. Makes thing so much simpler. RD just has to make sure they give enough space for everyone.