The Rider who crashed is a good buddy of mine - I will get the lowdown on the circumstances from him.
MH
It sounds from the caption like he crashed into something and that this was the result.
I also think it is “acceptable” for a wheel to break when crashed into a barrier. Isn’t that what happened?
Re: consequences: For whom? 1.) The wheel company? 2.) The rider? 3.)The barrier? 4.) The TDG Race? 5.) Hungry lawyers?
1.) none
2.) I hope he is OK.
3.) none
4.) Positive; many knuckle-heads here love to see a wreck or two…reminds them of NASCAR, it should increase interest in the sport.
5.) Hopefully, Zero…but, you just never know when those jackals show up circling a carcass…if one is hungry enough, at least threatening letters will be generated.
If the wheel failed CAUSING the crash, that’s an entirely different story, with different consequences.
No, he’s talking of the “crumple test” that the UCI has said that wheels have to pass.
silly, silly, silly…
for those of you still wondering what it means to get “flicked” (ref: Lance Armstrong - Its not about the Bike), that image may well be a good example of the aftermath of what happens when you try muscle your way into another teams leadout train just before the bell. If you look over the mechanics shoulder, you will see a metal latic work with a plastic banner attached to it - that railing apparatus is what “barrier monstor” refers to. I dont know specifics, but it appears that Jonathon Sundt from the Jittery Joe’s team may have either got stuffed or over cooked a corner and his front wheel did not take kindly to riding on the the metal latice of the baricade resulting in a 30+ mph getoff that pretty much toasted (snarfed) that carbon Cane Creek wheel!
Michael
Well, he didn’t really get flicked.
Jonny was riding shotgun for JJ’s GC rider, and he got forced wide on a corner running into the finish. The next thing he knew, he was upside down doing about 35 mph. Did a complete flip, got up and had to wait for the wheel car, while trying to convince the medics he was OK to ride.
He hit the extended leg of a barricade at over 35 mph. Ouch. Apparently, spectators were completely freaked out - screaming in panic, never seen a bike crash in their lives, thought he was done for.
He’s OK, and still riding.
Jonny’s nicknamed “the Cat…” Scratch on more life off.
MH
Kraig:
Isn’t that what the wheel should have done, absorb the shock and break? That looks like good engineering to me, but, what do I know, and I would certainly defer to your manifest expertise in this area?
Interesting post…
-Robert
IIRC, the purpose of the UCI regulation was for the rim to fail before the spokes did, reducing the risk of someone being impaled by a spoke in the event of a crash. The result was that a few manufacturers reportedly had to redesign their rims to make them weaker (rather than simply add spokes).
Well, he didn’t really get flicked. …he got forced wide on a corner running into the finish. The next thing he knew, he was upside down doing about 35 mph.
Any idea who forced him wide? Probably not intentional, but that certainly is one way a rider gets “flicked”!
Michael
"Wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly at what impact energy level a wheel catastrophically fails, though? "
Hmmmm. Sounds like another project for you Kraig.
Kraig:
Yes, I agree, and I assume those forces must be very high to meet UCI standards, or am I wrong? Since I’m 185 lbs, my interest isn’t just academic!
-Robert
"Any idea who forced him wide? Probably not intentional, but that certainly is one way a rider gets “flicked”! "
No, word is it wasn’t a flick - no single guy forced him wide, it was simply a case of too many riders in too little space, combined with barrier legs that stuck a foot or so onto the course, and Jonny riding like Jonny.
I think it was Gord who flicked Dionne T Redlands.
MH
I’ve seen Johnny race Cross…I’m surprised he didn’t try to bunnyhop the “monster barrier;-)”
Cheers,
Jonathan C. Puskas
Envious Cross Racer
Yeah, Jonny has good “ups.”
He’s really fun to race ‘cross with, even more fun to go drinkin’ with. Add Wellsey to the picture, and things just get ugly…
Boy, do I have some good stories…
MH
Wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly at what impact energy level a wheel catastrophically fails, though?