Taking the “it’s not my responsibility” route is lame. So is “it’s against the rules” excuse. It’s just water. It’s not tools, it’s not giving them your bicycle, and it’s not providing a draft. It’s a drink of water. Being an a$$hole to other people over water is not what participating in triathlon is about.
I guess you never been saved from a long walk back to the start area with a flat tire because someone actually stopped their race to give you their spare tube. Nice people exist and I now have a strong feeling that there are some real A-holes out there too.
**d. **Unauthorized Assistance. No participant shall accept from any person (other than a race official) physical assistance in any form, including food, drink, equipment, support, pacing,…
i’d still take my chances with providing support if under the conditions described and i was able to. in a non-sanctioned race i seriously doubt any referee, marshall, or RD would find an issue with providing a little sustenance. worst case…there is always an appeal which would no doubt get a fair amount of attention providing the folks involved became squeaky wheels.
What do you mean “It’s only water?” By that argument why does the rider without it want it so badly? Why should a rider with water jeopardize her race for the sake of some ill-prepared stranger? As I said, if she decides to share, that’s great, but if she decides she doesn’t have any extra, by what right does the other rider have any claim to it?
<< Taking the “it’s not my responsibility” route is lame. So is “it’s against the rules” excuse. It’s just water. >>
He didn’t say he wouldn’t do it, just that the person shouldn’t feel entitled to his water.
Besides, I’m a much bigger a-hole. I’d take a full water bottle, throw it at the guys front tire to cause him to crash, then lecture him about being prepared while I pick up said water bottle lest he try to use MY water to clean his wounds or satiate his thirst…THE NERVE!
If you plug it into “Anal-litical Cycling”, you will see that me taking your water is actually doing you a favor because it removes wind drag and lightens your bike. You should actually be thanking ME for wanting to take your water.
does that account for the increased drag i have created by leaving my perfectly honed super aerodynamic position that I have held for the whole race without wriggling about to hand you a bottle? and would it not depend on where I took the bottle from (down tube, seat tube or behind the seat)?
During IM FL I was on the course supporting my wife on the bike course - on one of my stops I happened to stop by a Porta John on the course - a racer came up stopped to use said facility and asked me if I would hold his bike. Of course I complied - just then a sag wagon from Inside out drove by and shouted at me for providing outside assistance - I questioned his parenthood and happily gave the bike back to the racer.
First race this season, sprint distance, and this one guy and I are battling back and forth on the bike. We got talking, and he forgot to put his bottles on the bike. I always have two on, even for short stuff. So I offered him a bottle, and he took a gulp and handed it back, and we continued to race on.
Funny enough, I popped my chain off halfway through the bike, had to stop of course, put it back on, and then hammered like hell to catch the guy again, and ended up beating him off the bike. Was a good race
During IM FL I was on the course supporting my wife on the bike course - on one of my stops I happened to stop by a Porta John on the course - a racer came up stopped to use said facility and asked me if I would hold his bike. Of course I complied - just then a sag wagon from Inside out drove by and shouted at me for providing outside assistance - I questioned his parenthood and happily gave the bike back to the racer.
PS - Give the water if asked
What would have been hilarious is if you tossed the bike into the Sag Wagon as it was going by. Just make yourself scarce when the guy comes out of the Porta John.
