Stuff
First off, as far as the Spenser dude goes, we can’t make everyone happy. This is where we chat about our races and what not. It’s all good. Now how about we discuss this. When a group of 5-6 riders are fighting it out and the leader comes up behind you to lap you and everyone moves over and slows up to let him go. Is it lame or not lame for 1 guy to hop on his wheel and use the leader to get away from the rest of the group. Should the leader have to race his way through the group? I don’t want to hold him up if it’s a tight battle for 2nd, but I don’t want to let some dude do that again either. Maybe I should be faster so I’m not getting lapped. That would solve alot.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
The target audience of this blog is for crossniacs and our sponsors and Spencer is neither.
If you are getting lapped - get the hell out of the way and let them through. I’ve had to lap riders the past 2 weeks are very critical points in the races. This usually happens with 2 or less laps to go. Both races I was on the attack and in the process of bridging or dropping the group I was with. Luckily both races the lapped got over and did not interfere. If they tried to jump on my wheel I would have popped them. You shouldn’t jump on their wheel and get a free ride, unless you are solo. They are lapping you for a reason. If someone in the group does jump on them, you tell the officials and give them an ear-ful at the end of the race. I’m not 100% sure of the rules, but I believe lapped riders are supposed to get pulled….the only reason they don’t pull you at most races is because the officials are being nice.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Yeah, it’s lame for one person to “steal a draft” basically, but on the other hand, if someone has the legs to do it… everyone else in the group should start paying better attention.
I always hop on Doug Swanson’s or Aric Hareland’s wheel when they go by, if I can, to get back up to speed. Generally, I don’t care about 5th or 10th or whatever. I’m just there to have some fun and do the best I can.
The officials have pointed out that lapped riders should technically be pulled from the race, so I’m not going going to complain about anything.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:03 am
I was surprised to see the dude jump like he did. I thought he was starting to fall off the back of our little group and then when we let the leader through he was latched on and gone in a second. The question was answered though. I always have let the leader go if he is lapping me and will continue to do so. It was a somewhat short course so lapping was an issue Sat. Plus Doug Swanson is so damn smooth on the cross bike, he’s just fast. Thanks for chiming in guys.
cj
October 30th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
LAME!! However, it’s always tempting to grab a faster wheel. I found myself doing it at Red Barn on the gravel road section. I didn’t gap other riders, but it’s still not right in my book. When lapped by faster riders, you should let them through and continue with your race as if they’re not there.
On Sat. the 2 riders chasing Guy pushed through me on a tight section of the course. I was glad to let them by, but the only warning I got was “Inside Line” when they where right on my wheel. Their pass forced me into the trees and I lost what little momentum I had. I lost time and space to the guys behind me. The leaders may be laping me, but I’m still racing. Is there a universal signal to let riders know you’re about to lap them? Does the faster rider get the best line?
October 31st, 2007 at 5:41 pm
if you are getting lapped, they should call out “leader” or “riders up” …if you are getting lapped you can make an effort to move over when space allows. you shouldn’t have to stop and get off the course
November 4th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
The rider in front has the right to his line. Moving out of the way of lapping riders is a courtesy, but shouldn’t be expected if it presents a danger to the rider in front. A second or two isn’t worth putting a rider into the bushes either. Unlike Oregon, a lot of racers in MN seem to take their cyclocross a bit too seriously, and this isn’t the first time a lapped rider has been put into the ditch, even in C races!