racing safety

Fiona was using one - I'll raise the issue with her.

It probably didn't help that, in an effort to keep the multitracks in the same race and based on previous performances, we put Ian in the slower race. I think next time you'll be with the fast boys (and me) Ian!

Preston is probably the most problematic track, in terms of people getting in each other's way, because of the corner combinations. I take great care not to block people and still don't always spot a streamliner bearing down on me.

It is however everyone's right to hold a sensible line through corners and the ultimate responsibility lies with the faster bike to pass safely, but I agree with Ian that anything that can be done to make this safer and easier should be pursued.


Edited by GeoffBird - 13 July 2009 at 9:27am

You won't be last if you go as fast as you did on Sunday, but I promise not to tell Fiona it was you if you let me beat you in the next race. 

The use of earphones on the road can be a contentious question, too.  Several people over the years - mostly car-drivers of the same breed that who fail to see the irony in their complaints about cyclists being "unsafe" because of not wearing helmets - have complained to me about how "dangerous" cycling with earphones is.  My stock response is that these people can hear as much as a driver can, with windows closed and a radio on, so should car radios be banned?  Should deaf people not be allowed to drive, or cycle?  Personally, I never ride with earphones.  This is partly because I wouldn't want to be unable to hear the clues to the dangerous manoeuvre that some driver is about to subject me to, and partly because I cycle to empty my head of everything but the cycling.

My own feelings about earphones on the track are similar: I wouldn't use them myself, and don't really understand why anyone would want to.  I would discourage others from using them, but should they be banned as dangerous?  I understand streamliner pilots can hear nothing from outside, above the roar of the vibrating fairing; in fact, I wonder that they don't protect their hearing with ear plugs! 

If it's a question of riders knowing what's happening behind then compulsory mirrors would be a more logical solution (I believe the Americans have rules on this).  Someone can propose a rule to that effect, if they want to, but it won't be me as I don't want to make additional barriers to discourage new racers, nor extra rules to police, though I'd encourage everyone racing to use a mirror, both for safety and competitive advantage.

If it's about erratic behaviour on the track, we usually find a quiet word about taking a predictable line and keeping to the inside of the track, if a slower rider, effective.  (Though, as Geoff points out, the latter is not quite so easy where there are combinations of bends.)  I'd prefer that approach above a thickening rule-book.

As someone accustomed both to lapping and to being lapped, I no longer call out to riders I'm about to pass.  If I don't call, I'm pretty sure where they're going to be in 2, 3, 5 seconds' time.  If I do call, I can never be sure what's going to happen next.  It's all too easy for a rider unversed in the conventions to mistake a warning that he's about to be passed on the right for a request that he moves right, or simply to be startled into a swerve. 

 

Edited by Adrian Setter - 13 July 2009 at 1:56pm

Adrian Setter wrote: Should deaf people not be allowed to drive, or cycle?

I am actually fairly deaf and wear aids most of the time - but I can't wear them when riding as the wind noise is unbearable! As a result when riding I try to compensate by being more observant using the mirror all the time and constantly looking over my shoulders to check what is coming, before i move position - this did not happening with one (junior??).

The incident i am referring to involved a rider suddenly moving off the racing line onto it whilst i was about to overtake, she didn't hear me shout, and i had to slam the brakes on to the point of locking one wheel up - if i had been on a bike i would have Lee'd it big style, as it was i was able to pass her on the outside, by a couple of inches.. Luckily the result was a little flat spot on a tyre and me nearly c****ing in my shorts.......I really dread to think what would have happened if i had run into her, as my combined 17stones of blubber and trike hitting a young person even at a closing speed of only 15mph i fear she would have come off worse.

Maybe this is an educational matter rather than a "rule book" one. It should be emphasised at the beginning of a race that looking behind before manouvering is a must, and if you can't turn your head then mirror(s) should be used.

Apart from that one incident all was marvellous - but it only takes one incident to turn a great day out into a bad one...!!!

I still don't think that listening to music when racing is condusive to paying attention........