Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.gringorio
07-13-04, 08:57 PM
Warning: Rant to follow :mad:
This story may apply to other traditional training rides in your area. The bustop ride leaves from the Bustop (a topless bar) in north boulder at 5pm every Tuesday and Thursday. My first bustop ride was in 1982 and I rode them faithfully for over 8 years. Since that time i've only ridden them once in a while until this summer during which i've gone a number of times now. Anyway, 'back then' we always pointed out road debris no matter how hard we rode (these rides are near race pace usually). However, during the last few weeks a number of riders in the middle of the pack have hit, among other things, a small board (3 riders), a rock (2 riders), and car tire rubber. My beef is that the guys at the front of the pack have not pointed out road hazards. This is a big deal because of the danger of hitting road debris at speed combined with a large pack and high auto traffic which could lead to serious injury or worse. I recognize and accept the risk of riding in a group of experienced riders on a public road; however, I find it inexcusable to not point out debris. Tonight was no exception: during the short descent into Lyons going 35+ mph the rider in front of me suddenly served (we were about 7 riders from the front of the pack) and pow! I hit a fist-sized rock. The damage: trashed front rim, blow out, and teeth broken off the large chain ring, small chain ring bent, and ruined chain. If i went down I would have taken out the 25 or so riders behind me.
So, for those specific individuals who have earned my wrath, I don't care how good you are, what team you ride for, or that it's a 'training ride,' point out the @!#$ing road debris!!!!!
Thank you for listening ... I feel better now :D
This story may apply to other traditional training rides in your area. The bustop ride leaves from the Bustop (a topless bar) in north boulder at 5pm every Tuesday and Thursday. My first bustop ride was in 1982 and I rode them faithfully for over 8 years. Since that time i've only ridden them once in a while until this summer during which i've gone a number of times now. Anyway, 'back then' we always pointed out road debris no matter how hard we rode (these rides are near race pace usually). However, during the last few weeks a number of riders in the middle of the pack have hit, among other things, a small board (3 riders), a rock (2 riders), and car tire rubber. My beef is that the guys at the front of the pack have not pointed out road hazards. This is a big deal because of the danger of hitting road debris at speed combined with a large pack and high auto traffic which could lead to serious injury or worse. I recognize and accept the risk of riding in a group of experienced riders on a public road; however, I find it inexcusable to not point out debris. Tonight was no exception: during the short descent into Lyons going 35+ mph the rider in front of me suddenly served (we were about 7 riders from the front of the pack) and pow! I hit a fist-sized rock. The damage: trashed front rim, blow out, and teeth broken off the large chain ring, small chain ring bent, and ruined chain. If i went down I would have taken out the 25 or so riders behind me.
So, for those specific individuals who have earned my wrath, I don't care how good you are, what team you ride for, or that it's a 'training ride,' point out the @!#$ing road debris!!!!!
Thank you for listening ... I feel better now :D