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Power Cranks in BHRR E4
Tue, 05/13/2008 - 12:57am
Cycling is unique in that we are all competing against and collaborating with each other in order to finish the race safely and return to our real jobs (unless you're one of those guys lucky enough to have the natural gifts to go pro).
I spent the race day working the registration tent and was next to the radio operator. I heard an inordinately large number of crash calls come in for a course such as Berkeley Hills.
Obviously, it's hard enough staying upright in normal conditions. It's even harder when riding Power Cranks which I've heard are 1. more fatiguing than regular cranks and 2. both hang down when coasting. (a potential pedal strike risk).
At the end of the E4 race, a number of riders came in and complained of someone who rode Power Cranks in the race and was wobbly throughout. Since I wasn't in the race and don't have first-hand knowledge, I'm not going to go off on anyone. But I think that we all need to think about this and take some blame/responsibility for our personal safety.
For the rider on the power cranks: Definitely think that it's foolish to ride these things in a race. You may say to yourself "I didn't crash and I have the strength to ride these in a race." Maybe that's so, but as there are ripple effects from all of our actions in a pack, the fact that you were reported by multiple people as squirrely causes everybody to adjust to you. I don't know if you caused a crash yesterday, there hasn't been a report of that nature. It's possible that you may in the future be a contributing factor in a highly preventable crash. I would hope that you would be more responsible when riding with your fellow racers.
To "power cranks" teammates: The pack in general and teammates in specific should be a safety reinforcing influence. If the rider had teammates in the race, I'd wager that some of you knew that he was going to use power cranks in the race. At least one of you should have used your judgment to advise against doing so.
To the E4 starters: Your safety is also in your own hands. If you're standing next to somebody with faulty, deficient or dangerous equipment, it's your prerogative to speak up, not only for your safety, but for that of the field. I've had somebody make a mechanical suggestion to me about brake rub before and I've seen somebody else mention a frayed cable to another rider. In each case, nothing but gratitude for those who pointed out problems. We've all got to take responsibility for our collective safety whenever possible.
thanks
One for each missing sleeve?
endo wrote:There is a barrier on the side of the road.2806333/
So at most you can only fit one or two riders abreast. So its not an excuse or make it right but its an explanation as to why its happening.
It is an excuse though! And not a rules violation.
It's what Caltrans calls an intermittent one-way traffic control. The road is bust-up there, so it alternates as a one-way road in either direction. You can't be on the wrong side of a one-way road.
If that's a rules violation, all I can say is Holy San Ardo!
Mad Axe, what's sleeveless-jersey guy's second violation?
R4L
dude! that fusion guy didn't shave his legs -- clear violation there USCF 17-2-6
Lorri Lee Lown
http://www.velogirls.com
in defense of the race organizers...
that section of road was marshalled by CHP precisely because of the stop sign. CHP controlled traffic in both directions for racers to pass. I am not sure if this completely absolves the riders, but the race organizers did think about this.
back to the topic: power cranks...they should be banned from any kind of group riding. anyone who allows that person to even train with him is doing everyone a disservice. all it takes is a simple, kind word of advice, spoken off to the side. --alex.
There is a barrier on the side of the road. Its obscured by the riders. Here is a better picture of what is there which is why they are crossing the yellow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26101289@N03/2487079042/in/set-721576050228...
So at most you can only fit one or two riders abreast. So its not an excuse or make it right but its an explanation as to why its happening.
R4L,
Contestants do not get to use the buzzer.
You are disqualified.
-R
Mad Axeman wrote:Here is a hint, count the sleeveless guy twice.
Second hint, look at the helmets for centerline violations.
Power Cranks count as 1.
BZZZZZZT! Sorry, no, but thanks for playing.
It is a trick question though (hint: "Stop" painted on right lane).
Back in the day, before Liberace rewrote the already questionable rules of cycling attire, there would have been mass violations for the black socks, and not-black shorts.
And sadly if Power cranks are a rules violation I believe it would only be based on a subjective decision by the ref, right?
So the correct answer is 2:
1 sleeveless jersey (1K2)
2 thirteenth rider is missing bar-end plug on right drop. (1J1D)
You need to reverse the photo in photoshop to see #2 though.
R4L
Here is a hint, count the sleeveless guy twice.
Second hint, look at the helmets for centerline violations.
Power Cranks count as 1.
I count 4
#1 - Center line
#2 - Sleeveless jersey
#3 - Power cranks
and #4 the fashion violation with the guy riding yellow tires
Mad Axeman wrote:Here is a fun game...
Who can guess how many violations are in that photo?
-R
Assuming center line was in effect (it isn't entirely clear in the flyer) I see 7 and possibly 8 violations. Is riding on directly the centerline a violation?
Here is a fun game...
Who can guess how many violations are in that photo?
-R
I came across this forum a little after the fact, but for what it is worth here is a pic of the guy with the power cranks in the 4s at berkeley.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26101289@N03/2487083008/in/set-721576050228...
His team is Team City. I know one of his teammates pretty well, I will ask him to have a word with him and bring this forum to his attention, if it is not already. Hopefully this will prevent him from using them in the future in races.
SteelerHoo wrote:
To the E4 starters: Your safety is also in your own hands. If you're standing next to somebody with faulty, deficient or dangerous equipment, it's your prerogative to speak up, not only for your safety, but for that of the field.
And to clarify here, the "deficient equipment" isn't the power cranks but rather the brain of the rider who would line up at a mass start race on a bike equipped with power cranks. Not sure how to fix that...sudoku reps?
R4L
I’d be very interested to hear how the crash happened and what happened to the guy who caused it? I was the racer with the sheared off fork. Frame was also damaged. Luckily, my body is not hurt. I’m really sorry to hear about those taken off in an ambulance.
This was not necessary at all. We were on a straight downhill section, no curve, no chance to move up really (or be dropped for that matter). It’s too bad and, at the very least, very expensive. Any rider who endangers the pack should feel morally obligated to not race until he/she can ride safely. It should be obvious that riding with power cranks does nothing but endanger others in a race.
I'm right there with you.
jonathan wrote:From the rulebook:
1J2. Riders are responsible for their selection of
competition equipment and for taking reasonable precautions
to insure that its condition is adequate and safe for use in
competition.
That's why I said "unsafe". Otherwise the ban on PC's could be seen as arbitrary.
From the roolbook:
Quote:
1J2. Riders are responsible for their selection of
competition equipment and for taking reasonable precautions
to insure that its condition is adequate and safe for use in
competition.
(a) To maintain compliance with these regulations, the
equipment and uniform of one or more riders may be
examined at any time to discover the use of items which are
not allowed or which are obviously improperly adjusted,
insecurely fastened, or which may present a danger to the
rider(s). The chief referee shall prohibit the use of any such
items discovered during the examination. Such examinations
are conducted at the discretion of the chief referee. An
examination of every rider's equipment is not required.
(b) The Federation and any race organizer or sponsor, and
their respective agents, officials, employees and volunteers,
shall not be liable for any damages or injuries arising from or
connected in any way with the condition or adequacy of any
rider's competition equipment or uniform, regardless of
whether or not such competition equipment or uniform was
examined or was not determined to be in violation of the
rules.
I think powercranks should be banned in mass-start events as unsafe equipment. How do you avoid hitting a pedal in a corner when both pedals are hanging down at the bottom? How do you put your weight on both feet at 9 and 3 to prepare to jump over something or at least lessen the impending bump?
Quote:For the rider on the power cranks: Definitely think that it's foolish to ride these things in a race. You may say to yourself "I didn't crash...
Actually, he *did* crash.
Or at least somebody racing power cranks did, right at the base of Papa Bear on what I think was the final lap. Took a decent group of guys down with him, too. After sorting out of the wreckage, he started riding again & before the feed zone (where I was) his front tire blew, which sent him swerving across the lane where he nearly took out the closest guy to him (who wasn't very close).
On his walk up to the line he stopped in the feed zone to blame his teammate for crossing his front wheel and "taking him out", and had absolutely no clue that the people commenting on the power cranks weren't excited about them like he was.
I didn't recognize his kit, and I wasn't in the field so all I know about the crash is what I saw from a distance & what he said later, but based on that he has no idea he's doing anything dangerous.
I drove a rider involved in the E4 crash on the descent back to the parking lot. He was checked out by the nurse and given the OK and I loaded up his body and gear into my minivan. His new Specialized helmet was cracked and the forks on his new Specialized Tarmac had sheared clean off halfway up the fork blades. He was in good spirits but was concerned about what his repair costs would be to get his equipment back in working order.
Checked out another rider and he had sheared off the sidewall of his Zipp 404 and the sew up tired had rolled off the rim. The glue appeared to tacky to the touch and I wonder if the glue had been given enough time to dry.
Both expensive days for these two individuals and they were lucky enough not to be any of the individuals who had to be taken to the hospital.
But as Todd stated...getting your equpiment in good working order is important not only for your own safety but for the safety of others around you. We can't control tne weather, the conditioning of other racers, or the errant actions that they sometimes exhibit but with the inherent dangers associated with bike racing we should try and address the things we do have control over.
Paul
This is a big concern. even in p1-2 races there are people with poorly tuned bikes. a slipping chain may not seem like a big deal but jumping hard on that is dangerous. every once in a while a guy will roll up to the line with a tubular tire with a tread about to peel off its casing. A couple years ago at the brisbane circuit race, the p1-2 field wouldn't let a guy start because his tire was in such bad shape. It is our duty to ourselves to make sure the race is as safe as possible.
Absolutely 110% agree.
I wanted to respond so that this important issue didn't get swept under the carpet.
Ron