Ahhh, too easy. Thanks Will.

the Bike Shop is the name Mate.

Thanks moto guy, will do for sure. And thanks for being out there in the heat.

What's the name of the shop? I have to thank him anyway for a badly needed race tire prime.

...that pit guy at the Modesto Crit was Tony who owns the Bike Shop in Modesto/Salida.

Give him a call and thank him. He would like that.

Will

Another great job at the Modesto Crit this past weekend by the wheel pit guy. There was a guy in the pit who couldn't have been more helpful. He took all racer's wheels, noted their jersey number, grabbed a big yellow card and wrote the number in big black marker, then attached it to the wheels. All the wheels were set in a separate tent next to the announcer's and official's platform. You needed to show your number to get your wheels back. No stress, no problems, the guy's attitude couldn't have been better.

I don't know who you are Modesto Crit wheel pit guy, but whoever you are I salute you.

Another example of how easy to implement wheel pit security can be.

Tim, the one-legged Cat 4, you are the man!!!

Yes, definitely kudos to Martin D. for stepping up and performing an obvious and critical role at the crit. As easy and important as it is to do, I just don't understand why this role is not filled regularily at all crits on the NCNCA calendar.

Also, kudos to the VSRT/Livermore Cyclery race team and as always Williams Wheels for their great organization and support. Williams has to be one of the most responsive vendors I have ever seen. Guys on the team I race for swear by them, their products and especially their customer service.

Cheers Tim to you, Martin and the VSRT/Livermore Cyclery team.

rjdmillerca wrote:Just thought I'd cap this discussion with the news that at this weekend's Wente Crit the wheel pit was manned by someone I think from either Livermore Cycling Club or VSRT (or both?). The guy seemed to have no problem checking in and out wheels. He even marked them with the racer's numbers. And with all those crashes and flat tires, I don't think he even broke a sweat.

Gee, someone did the seemingly impossible. Provided effective security in a wheel pit at a crit. Great job and Kudos to to the Wente crew.

Thanks for the Kudos, I'll make sure to pass them on to Martin D., the Wheel Pit maistro at the Crit. He's a long time member of the Valley Spokesmen Racing Team (we're now VSRT/Livermore Cyclery for anyone who is counting), and told me that he volunteers for that job every year at the Crit. He had no idea about the wheel thefts discussed in this and other threads until someone mentioned it on Sunday. It is just a job he likes to do, gives him time to watch the racing in between checking wheels in and out and helping launch racers returning to the Crit.

Though Martin thought it was a little funny/silly that he sometimes had to convince people to give him rider numbers (which he did confirm as much as possible), or even just to mark their wheels. After being told the of the lost wheels he got even more careful about matching wheels in and wheels out.

Of course, Kudos should also go to Keith Williams of Williams Racing for not only cheerfully providing neutral wheel support, but also for answering questions about his components, selling wheels to interested folks, and even finding the time to join in on the racing. Thanks Keith!

Maybe it was, 'manned' by Tammy. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Just thought I'd cap this discussion with the news that at this weekend's Wente Crit the wheel pit was manned by someone I think from either Livermore Cycling Club or VSRT (or both?). The guy seemed to have no problem checking in and out wheels. He even marked them with the racer's numbers. And with all those crashes and flat tires, I don't think he even broke a sweat.

Gee, someone did the seemingly impossible. Provided effective security in a wheel pit at a crit. Great job and Kudos to to the Wente crew.

Why not give Tammy Thomas a call and have her work the pit as part of her sentence- Judging by her, "racing days" photo she'd scare the s*@t out of anyone thinking of stealing a pair of wheels.

...Like the racer who was spotted using someone else's (lost/stolen) wheel a few weeks later. How could you not know what wheels are yours?! Stealing from your fellow racers? People like that shouldn't be allowed to race for a long while.

JQuist wrote:How 'bout video surveillance of the wheel pit? Lots of basic camcorders out there that could do the job...

Personally, that's one of the better solutions I've read in this thread. But each, individual, promoter will have to supply thier own camera. Also, provides evidence to submit to police.
Whoever is stealing these wheels needs to spend time in jail.

How 'bout video surveillance of the wheel pit? Lots of basic camcorders out there that could do the job...

casey wrote:There is no NCNCA rule about clubs having to promote, or help promote a race to be an NCNCA member club. Likewise there is no USCF rule about a club having to promote a race to be a USCF member club. If a club wants to be a sponsored club ( ie have sponsor names and or logos on their race kit) then they are suppose to promote or help promote a race.

Thanks for the clarification Casey.

There is no NCNCA rule about clubs having to promote, or help promote a race to be an NCNCA member club. Likewise there is no USCF rule about a club having to promote a race to be a USCF member club. If a club wants to be a sponsored club ( ie have sponsor names and or logos on their race kit) then they are suppose to promote or help promote a race.

The sad fact is that most wheels that are stolen from a wheel pit are probably done by other racers. I don't think some non racing resident from Hanford decided to pimp their ride by taking a fly set of wheels from the wheel pit. If you read some of the national type racing forums you can probably think of the name of some racers who have been accused in those forums of being a wheel thief ( in some cases more than once). Since in most cases it is sadly a fellow racer who is walking off with wheels that don't belong to them I question how effective a wheel pit monitor will be in stopping this kind of thief unless there is a way to strictly enforce checking wheels in and out of the pit.

Yea, I like what Cerveloman has suggested re club sponsored crits. I for the most part always saw this position, wheel pit monitor for lack of a better name, as a volunteer position manned by a member of a sponsoring team. I think if it was manned by an experienced racer it would be even better since they would probably know what, how and who to look out for. Racing a bike is an acquired taste, a small community, and we all tend to know each other to a greater or lesser extent.

I still think if wheel pits are going to be used in crits, then there ought to be a requirement for whoever is putting on a race that they have someone designated to man the pit for the specific reason to guard against theft. Again, this doesn't have to imply liability to the person assigned or race promoters or organizers. That can be included in a disclaimer statement signed by each racer at registration. Like I said before, I think this would successfully take care of 95% of the CURRENT problem.

Lastly, and maybe most important, I know this discussion has been a little heated at times and I've certainly been guilty of fanning the flames. I just want to say regarding Casey in particular, in all the time I've been reading his posts and dealing with him at races I've never known him to be anything other than a reasonable man. In fact, I think this is the first time I've disagreed with anything he's said or posted.

My intent here is to apologize in advance to Casey or anyone else who may have felt personally attacked by anything I've posted here. My opinion is just that, just my opinion, and if we disagree it's not intended to be a personal attack on anyone else. In the past (and in the future I'm sure) I have been guilty at times of letting my emotions steer my comments more than I think is constructive. I continue to believe in the positions I've expressed here, but I mean no ill will toward anyone, promoters, officials or racers.

I agree with all you said, Warren.

One consideration IMO people are failing to understand is that Hanford (the event of stolen wheels) is Promoted by Velo Promo. VP being a business that promotes 34 events, with a set payroll and doesn't have the volunteer resources that an individual club has. A quick example of basic over head is VP's employees arrived Friday night to set up for Orosi RR then moved to Hanford on Sunday. Thats two nights of hotel costs, which I belive VP pays for. Then add gas costs for the vehicles to move the stage plus other equipment, plus much more overhead. I wouldn't be surprised if VP had $2k-$4k invested, into one event, before they set foot on a course. Any small business is going to hire the minimal amount of people to get the job done, which means VP doesn't have the extra people to put in the pitt. Robert would have to hire one more employee for that task. Justin had stated "There was a $3,000 purse in just our heat. Coulda been $2,900 and nobody would have really cared-- they could have just sacrificed their "hot lap" opener, which was $100" as a way to pay for an extra employee." That may be true in this one race. But what about Santa Cruz (another VP event) or the other 6 crits that don't have a huge prize pool to pull moneys out of? Madera Stage Race (VP event) has the TT and Crit going on at the same time. How many people does VP have to pay for that one day? One extra employee to an small company is a big hit on profit. Thus my suggestion for the pitt.

I belive it's an NCNCA rule; that for clubs to be members of NCNCA they have to promote one race. A club has 40+ members to draw from with no payrole or overhead. Those 40+ members can also recruit friends and family to help volunteer. Under those conditions, then yes, it's simple to assign one more person to watch wheels.

There's no need to go to such extremes to make the pit reasonably reliable, as it is already at almost all races with just one monitor in the area.

It's reasonable to expect that a potential thief is less likely to steal wheels if there is a person in the pit area, than if no person is in the pit area.

There are many things that race organizers do and/or provide as a service or benefit to the riders and having a pit monitor is one of those things. Since a vast majority of criteriums have this important service then it's reasonable to complain when an organizer doesn't provide this service.

OTOH, which races are so important that you have to put expensive wheels in the pit, and not in any way concealed inside a bag? If you must put expensive wheels in the pit then maybe you need to have a friend hovering nearby to keep watch on your wheels for you.

justin wrote:cervelo-man wrote:
What I read was your attacking the character of thief (rightly so) and then blamed the promoter and NOT the thief. People may have responded better had you blamed the thief and then began a discussion on what steps can be taken to better protect our equipment, instead of attacking the promoter/officials/payed emplooyee's and Valley races as a whole.

Huh, that's funny... Here's what I remember saying:

"Hanford Promoters: you had how many people working on this big, well-funded race? Great race overall, but couldn't you spare maybe one person to monitor the wheel pit? Kinda lame."

And it is kinda lame. That's not an attack, it's a performance evaluation: "great race, but..."

I do believe I repeatedly stated what needed to be done to protect our equipment. But I suppose you can read whatever you like between the lines.

"Kinda Lame" is an attack and negates any so called perforfomance evaluation. But, that is trivial and doesn't solve anything.

Now, for the second time, here is my suggestion on how we can begin to deal with this.

Do some kind of coordining off the pitt area. Useing PVC pipe and blue tarps, build a blind between pitt and sidewalk. Can be apart of the NCNCA equipment. Riders sign a release of liabilty form before placing wheels in pitt. Wheels have numbers matching the riders. Charge a $5 fee (paid to security personal and equipment rental) pitt fee. Fee is charged ONLY to riders placing wheels in pitt. Use duct tape as a line between wheels and race course. Nobody is allowed to cross the line except security, including during race. Riders have to show race number that matches wheel number to retrieve wheels.

Quit expecting others to voluntarily watch our equipment.

cervelo-man wrote:
What I read was your attacking the character of thief (rightly so) and then blamed the promoter and NOT the thief. People may have responded better had you blamed the thief and then began a discussion on what steps can be taken to better protect our equipment, instead of attacking the promoter/officials/payed emplooyee's and Valley races as a whole.

Huh, that's funny... Here's what I remember saying:

"Hanford Promoters: you had how many people working on this big, well-funded race? Great race overall, but couldn't you spare maybe one person to monitor the wheel pit? Kinda lame."

And it is kinda lame. That's not an attack, it's a performance evaluation: "great race, but..."

I do believe I repeatedly stated what needed to be done to protect our equipment. But I suppose you can read whatever you like between the lines.

justin wrote:Mad Axeman wrote:If you choose to have training wheels as your pit wheels, that's great for you. But don't impose your personal economical preferences on the rest of the district. Some people like to have race quality wheels in the pit.
Just like you have the right to have cheap wheels in the pit, they have the right to have a wheel that is comparable to what they race on.. . They also have the right to have the confidence that those wheels will be there when the race is over.

-R

Wow, my faith has been restored (a bit). For a while I was rather dumbfounded at the attitude of the people responding. Their first step was to blame the guy who was robbed.

"Oh, a crime was committed? Well that's YOUR PROBLEM! What? You're suggesting a promoter actually do something to try and prevent it? HOW DARE YOU?"

Then, of course, the suggestions that you just drop out of a race when you flat and not leave wheels in the pit, or we just cancel the pits altogether.

Some of you people are capable of completely ridiculous logic...

What I read was your attacking the character of thief (rightly so) and then blamed the promoter and NOT the thief. People may have responded better had you blamed the thief and then began a discussion on what steps can be taken to better protect our equipment, instead of attacking the promoter/officials/payed emplooyee's and Valley races as a whole.

Mad Axeman wrote:If you choose to have training wheels as your pit wheels, that's great for you. But don't impose your personal economical preferences on the rest of the district. Some people like to have race quality wheels in the pit.
Just like you have the right to have cheap wheels in the pit, they have the right to have a wheel that is comparable to what they race on.. . They also have the right to have the confidence that those wheels will be there when the race is over.

-R

Wow, my faith has been restored (a bit). For a while I was rather dumbfounded at the attitude of the people responding. Their first step was to blame the guy who was robbed.

"Oh, a crime was committed? Well that's YOUR PROBLEM! What? You're suggesting a promoter actually do something to try and prevent it? HOW DARE YOU?"

Then, of course, the suggestions that you just drop out of a race when you flat and not leave wheels in the pit, or we just cancel the pits altogether.

Some of you people are capable of completely ridiculous logic...

That's exactly the point, Tripp. The two people who have lost wheels didn't lose a cheap pair of training wheels.
They something of substantial value.

If you choose to have training wheels as your pit wheels, that's great for you. But don't impose your personal economical preferences on the rest of the district. Some people like to have race quality wheels in the pit.
Just like you have the right to have cheap wheels in the pit, they have the right to have a wheel that is comparable to what they race on.
It's also quite possible that it's there wheel they had a flat on that walked off.
They also have the right to have the confidence that those wheels will be there when the race is over.

BTW: Questioning someone's judgment is not a personal attack.
It is however granting you an opportunity to reconsider your position with a little more thoughtfulness to the community you are addressing, rather than your own personal view point.

-R

Again, (in absolute bewilderness of your "let's do nothing perspective" and questionable judgment)...SERIOUSLY?!!!!!

Nice. Personal attacks. Always the hallmark of a developed intellect. Next you are probably going to tell me that your dad is stronger than my dad and that he makes more money. Whatever.

I'd rather have a few more guys out on the course, making sure that a truck doesn't drive onto the course (the way one did at Martinez this past weekend) than have someone guarding my training wheels. If you have enough folks to have two marshals at every marshal station, then great. But a lot of promoters don't have that luxury.

Worked well at Wente last year - racing quite early (yes, I still suck) no one was there for a formal check-in, but while getting my wheels after my 2nd race a guy sitting nearby asked if I had marked my pit wheels.... "uh, duh, I... nope."

then, he quickly noticed I was grabbing a Kenda wheel bag and had Kenda on my team kit and said to me and another guy there, "I can see from the kit and wheelbag they are either yours or a team mate's, so go ahead, but you should really mark your wheels with your name or the race number for the day." I thanked him and have since applied a Sharpie in this manner.

Yes, probably not 100%, but not rocket science.

So you are telling us that having someone who has been physically handed the wheels, organized them, and made sure they all had a number tag, isn't going to offer any type of detourent when they confront a suspicious person nosing around wheels in the pit?

Again, (in absolute bewilderness of your "let's do nothing perspective" and questionable judgment)...SERIOUSLY?!!!!!

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :evil: :evil: :evil:

-R

Let me state it a different way. I understand the point. My conclusion is that a pit monitor who isn't operating the equivalent of a "coat check" system isn't going to stop a racer from wading into the pit and walking off with someone's wheels. I'm not aware of wheel pit theft being a rampant problem. Maybe it is becoming a problem, but these two victims are the first ones I can remember hearing about in a long time. For the most part, we do a good job of policing ourselves.

Furthermore, I disagree that it would be easy to assign a pit monitor.
The type of enforcement you are describing can only be implemented by a particular person. What I mean by that is that the person acting as pit monitor would need to be very familiar with racing and racers to recognize someone who is out of place. Usually the folks with that level of sophistication are responsible for other parts of the operation, such as posting results and handing out prizes, etc. In my organization, I've only got a handful of folks with that level of sophistication. I've got limited resources, and if I've got extra folks, I'm going to use them to do things like making sure my course stays safe.

But having a pit monitor probably also depends more on the specifics of the race (e.g., number of non-racing spectators, location of the wheel pit, etc.). At some races, it makes more sense than others, because the wheel pit isn't always in an area where folks in general can keep an eye on it, while at other races, the wheel pit is positioned so that anyone who doesn't belong there is going to stick out to a lot of people.

My point is that such a person really wouldn't stop someone from walking off with a set of wheels.

And actually, I don't worry about locking my car. I'm tired of paying $250 for new windows broken to steal $3.00 worth of change out of the cup holder.

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!! Finally, the voice of reason.

Thanks Axeman.

Tripp,
What do you mean you don't understand it?
Seriously?!
So are you telling me you don't lock your car at night because it won't do any good if someone really wants to steal it?
They could just break the window.
I know, put all your valuables out on the front lawn because it really isn't that hard to break into a house anyway. So what good does it do to lock the door?

I have worked the wheel pit at Wente before, and it was pretty easy to notice when a strange face came up and started grabbing wheels. The first thought is "that person does not look familiar". The next thing that happens is the wheel pit monitor says to the stranger "hey, what are you doing?". The person will either tell them whose wheels they are picking up and describe them in order for the monitor to help them locate the wheels, scram, or snatch and run. In the latter the monitor will at least have a description of the person who is an obvious thief.

Like it was said early, it's not 100% but 95% is pretty damn good, and it sure beats doing nothing. PAHLEASE!

I guess I don't really understand the point of the promoter having someone to monitor the wheel pit. People bring wheels into and out of the pit all day long. Does the pit monitor challenge each person who is taking wheels out of the pit? Are wheels handled like a coat check? It seems to me that would be the only way to really change the dynamics of wheel theft. All that is required to steal a set of wheels is to walk to the pit, take a moment pretending to figure out where your wheels are, spot a nice set, and pick them up like you own them. So unless the pit monitor is taking wheels from people and giving a claim check, I don't see how having someone keep an eye on the wheel pit would change things. I don't recall Wente having a claim check system when I've raced there.

At Land Park we have the pit set up behind fencing, and right next to the officials. So if you want to steal a set of wheels, you have to do it from right under our noses and the official's noses. But of course, so many people go in and out of the pit, all you need to do is walk up and grab a pair.

:?

An "official" is not responsible for wheel security. He/she has other responsibilities as forementioned. An additional person attached to the security of wheels I can see with check in-check out .

I dont like what I read that promoters are not doing anything to aid in this problem. Wrong. I know that to be not true.They are aware AND making changes.

Obviously a solution has not been found.

Keep on hammerin' it out. A solution will be found,

Will

Casey, a wheel pit with someone specifically assigned to watch and secure its contents (hopefully a requirement at all crits), but with no liability to the race organizer or officials, would change current practice.

And I can't believe with all that goes into organizing a crit (I'm involved in organizing a road race now) that getting someone to man the pit in the way I've suggested would put such "a burden" on organizers. It's just one more guy, please.

Gee, making it a requirement to have the wheels and wheel pit beyond the reach of the general public, like under a fenced pop up with the wheels in the middle, is such a creative idea. Think we have the smarts to come up with some even better ideas??? We can land a man on the moon with basically 286 processor computers. Think we have the creativity to solve this problem??? All we need is TO WANT TO DO IT.

Having a person, official or otherwise, would be more of a deterrent than there is now... which is to say there is none. Except, of course, at crits where they've already implemented this apparently revolutionary way of thinking.

And I absolutely think discouraging racers from bringing a top notch spare of wheels sends the wrong message. Again it's the old, "It's your fault for putting such expensive wheels there."

And this idea is not a hollow "solution" as you put it. I can work. It, like every new idea, just requires action.

I'm done arguing. You can lead a horse to water, but, well... you know the rest.

Wheels are currently left in the pits are the risk of the owner so your proposal wouldn't change the current practice. Yea someone from the race staff could check wheels in and out. The problem is that once the wheels are checked in they have to be put someplace. If the wheels are placed within reach of the show fencing around the pit there is still noting to stop someone from walking past and snagging a set of wheels while the wheel pit monitor's attention is turned elsewhere. I think having a monitor may give some people a false sense of security.

I think other steps can work better as a deterrent to having wheels taken while not putting additional burdens on a promoter ( and possible exposing promoters to greater liability). As I have said wheels going into a pit should be permanently marked with the owners name ( or at the least their team). Painting or other wise marking the hubs so the wheels can be easily identified from a distance will make it less appealing to sue the wheels in a race since the owner can more easily identify his stolen wheels. Not putting really good wheels in the pit. I just think in the long run all of the above will be much more of a deterrent to wheel theft than a monitor who can't possibly keep his/her eye on all the wheels all the time.

I'm just not a big fan of "solutions" that on the surface look like they are addressing a problem but really probably don't make a situation better

Casey,

That's why I suggested it be made mandatory that each race have a paid official or volunteer (possibly from the hosting team) specifically assigned to work the wheel pit, check wheels in and out, and make sure someone is always present to deter theft.

Again, again, again, this is not rocket science. A very simple idea.

And regarding liability... all this can be done with the understanding that all equipment left in the pits is left at the owners risk. The race officials and organizers incur no responsibility. It could even be made a part of the liability waver we sign when we enter each crit.

And as I stated before, I believe this would solve 95% (not 100%) of the CURRENT problem.

I just don't understand why this is so hard or why there is so much push back.

Note that officials who are in the pits have to much to do to keep an eye on everyone's wheels or check wheels in and out. The officials need to be paying attention to the race in progress.

I can see a problem in that if a promoter does have a person in the pits with the idea that that person is watching out for wheels then what happens when some wheels do go missing. Is the promoter taking on additional liability? Are riders more likely to ask for compensation for their lost wheels. I can easily see this happening in the future.

I can't think of a worse reason not to tackle a problem than because a 100% fool proof answer hasn't been thought up.

And I also can't think of a worse reason to stop having free laps than nobody wants to take on the challenge of trying to make wheels in the wheel pit more secure.

As I said before, why not just make it mandatory to have an official or volunteer available at crits for checking in and out all the wheels? How complicated is this?

My guess is this action alone would solve 95% of the current problem. And notice I'm not interested in having to be 100% successful.

That's now 4 cents from me.

Or just not race at all!

(I had to try to use Casey's "logic")

Or go with the easier approach and simply not have free laps. Then there is no need for a wheel pit and no need to have people put their wheels where they might get stolen.

casey wrote:miketrackman wrote:Rope off the wheelpit. Mandate volunteer from sponsoring club to check in all wheels before each race with the persons race number attached. After race they can pick up wheels by showing their number. No number no wheels. Its not fort knox but its is the easiest and most cost effective way to do it.

And what happens when the above system is in place and wheels still go missing?
I was thinking the same thing. Once promoters are forced to provide security for wheels (that are voluntarily left in the pitt) they are then going to be expected to be financially liable for replaceing stolen wheels. Law suits and scams are sure to follow mandated security.

Here's a begining idea. Do some kind of coordining off the pitt area. Useing PVC pipe and blue tarps, build a blind between pitt and sidewalk. Can be apart of the NCNCA equipment. Riders sign a release of liabilty form before placing wheels in pitt. Wheels have numbers matching the riders. Charge a $5 fee (paid to security personal and equipment rental) pitt fee. Fee is charged ONLY to riders placing wheels in pitt. Use duct tape as a line between wheels and race course. Nobody is allowed to cross the line except security, including during race. Riders have to show race number that matches wheel number to retrieve wheels.

Id say all ideas have some use when riders hard earned wheels are being ripped off under our noses. Hardly comprehensible.

Id prolly lead the lynching if one was caught! :D

C'mon now. No one is saying that having a pit monitor will prevent all thefts, but it will help reduce the possibility of thefts. So don't toss out the idea because it's not perfect-it is still a useful idea.

.....next! :roll:

miketrackman wrote:Rope off the wheelpit. Mandate volunteer from sponsoring club to check in all wheels before each race with the persons race number attached. After race they can pick up wheels by showing their number. No number no wheels. Its not fort knox but its is the easiest and most cost effective way to do it.

And what happens when the above system is in place and wheels still go missing?

Rope off the wheelpit. Mandate volunteer from sponsoring club to check in all wheels before each race with the persons race number attached. After race they can pick up wheels by showing their number. No number no wheels. Its not fort knox but its is the easiest and most cost effective way to do it.

All of this could be easily solved if people would just pin their numbers correctly!

Sorry, I just couldn't resist...

Some kind of minimal security/oversight is reasonable if you're gonna have a pit. Or get a pro to do it like Tom suggests, regardless, just do it. Will it prevent ALL thefts? No but it is a reasonable step that will help a lot. And not blaming Justin at all, but try to resist putting bling wheels in said pit.

How about No Wheel Pits at all? Nobody's equipment in jeopardy - hire a service company for your event and use their equipment. Those guys will look after their inventory like eagles and provide wheel changes, many have complete bikes for free laps, and full tool selection for almost any issue. A small investment in the budget can bring significant returns for athletes in need. I've seen many criteriums with gazillions of wheels sitting in a pit 100 feet long and competitors needing a whole lap worth of time just to locate their wheels.

Tom S.
Pilarcitos

Can't help myself here. I gotta chime in. Something we do so well here in the U.S. of A. is play a game called blame the victim. I get the sense that in some of these posts there is an undertone that this is somehow Justin's fault that his wheels were taken and he's now just S.O.L.

There's no way wheels in the pit should be subject to theft, ever. Justin's suggestion of having a paid official or volunteer (possibly from the hosting team) in the wheel pit is simple and straight forward. In fact, it's so straight forward that it's already been implemented in some races I've raced.

The fact that Justin's wheels were stolen is not his fault, nor is it anybody else's who's had wheels taken. This is not an insurmountable problem or issue. In fact, it's really simple to solve. All race organizers and the NCNCA need to do is decide they want to fix it.

So let's just cut the crap about throwing our hands up in the air like there's nothing we can do at races. Make it a requirement at crits to have someone in the pits to check in and out wheels, as well as make sure none walk away. Simple, not hard, just has to be implemented.

Remember a few years ago Velo Promo had their cash box stolen from Reg and they had a couple of their people at the reg area when the cash box was stolen. Just because there is someone standing in the pit all day shouldn't give you a very secure feeling that your wheels will not be stolen. You probably reduce the chance of your wheels walking off if you have a method to permanently make your wheels with you name or club name. This is in addition to marking your wheels with your race number to make it easier to find in the pits. Also putting your old beat up training wheels in the pit will help reduce the chance of theft. Why steal the beat up wheels when someone has but the expensive high end wheels in the pit.

justin wrote:cervelo-man wrote:Clubs use volunteers from their club. VP pays the people in there organization. For VP to place security on the wheels, we voluntarily placed in the pitt, is an extra $100 per Crit. Do you think VP will absorb that cost? I don't.

Uh, right. There was a $3,000 purse in just our heat. Coulda been $2,900 and nobody would have really cared-- they could have just sacrificed their "hot lap" opener, which was $100.

What about the races that only have $100-$200 purses?

No one takes someone else’s wheels by mistake…

Yeah, there are some good suggestions about how to avoid theft. But really we racers need to help each other out. If you see some suspicious activity around the wheel pit or elsewhere at the races deal with it or report it. No one wants this to grow into a bigger problem such as car break- ins while you’re racing…

Everyone keep an eye out and we’ll do our best to shut this crap down….