Cyclocross Racing - the shoulder bump

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HawgFuel
10-26-10, 02:46 PM
this is my first year racing cat 4 35+ mens cx. it is tons of fun, but only 4 races under my belt. I'm not in contention for top 10 but I'm competing and improving. Last week I got to start in the second row based on random last number on my bib. The start was on a paved straight flat and everyone sprinted towards the first turn. Halfway there I get quite a heavy shoulder bump that caused my balance to be briefly thrown off a bit and the bike a bit wobbly. I recovered fine enough but a little surprised and kept riding.

When is the shoulder bump appropriate and when is it not?

flargle
10-26-10, 03:31 PM
***** happens. Get over it.
HawgFuel
10-26-10, 03:36 PM
It seems like it is part of the sport. Just curious when is it a good way to pass and when it isn't.

Andy_K
10-26-10, 03:50 PM
I don't think it's ever appropriate to bump someone as a technique or strategy.

In my mind, the critical distinction here is between "it happens" and "people do it" -- "it happens" indicates that it's a side-effect of other things that are going on.
HawgFuel
10-26-10, 04:01 PM
I know I wrote I thought of revenge, but that isn't me. It was only a passing thought. I'm not into hurting people. I'm the guy who calls out on your left during the race.

But the shoulder bump is a technique used during the race. I've seen guys shoulder bump and pass a number of times even when there appeared to be a line the passer could take without contact.
thenomad
10-26-10, 04:05 PM
Will chasing him down, angrily locking horns with him, forcing you both off to crash into a tangled mess of legs and bike result in you having a better weekend in your fun hobby? You'll be out money, make an enemy and have no more racing, possible bike damage etc.
It's possible someone wobbled and forced him to go into you. IF it were a purposeful bump to get through an opening then by all means defend your line to the extent you feel comfortable but it sounds like you let a whole body through and past so you'd have to give up the line.

At least it wasn't a headbutt

http://www.youtube.com/v/r1JtMpBiSWQ?fs=1&hl=en_US
UBUvelo
10-26-10, 08:02 PM
as phil liggett would say, "argey-bargey"
gfactor
10-26-10, 09:45 PM
Protect you bars. Bump shoulders.