hack

We also lost a rider during an ITT last year. Details were spotty, out and back course, driver crossed over yellow line to pass cyclist in her lane and hit another cyclist in the opposite lane head on. CHP argued hit cyclist wasn't to the right, but knowing that conditions of the road, it would make sense to be away from the shoulder to avoid the extensive potholes.

dz_nuzz

@hack I remember hearing about that story. As far as I am concerned whoever crossed the yellow line is the one at fault. If she hit a car head-on and killed the occupant, would they have had the same argument?

Not to go too far off-off-topic: I would say that the road race crashes I have been around have certainly been more severe than the crit crashes. It seems like crit crashes are more likely to be a slide out, which suck, but don't seem to have the same total "Oh god" factor.

The worst crit crash I have seen was at Fitchburg one year, where a friend went into a (hay-baled) pole. He was okay all things considered.

The worst road race crash was at Tour of the Catskills a few years ago, where during a descent some guy crashed on the "extra loop" descent (if anyone knows what I am talking about.) I was directly behind him and watched him go from descending at about 40 mph to tumbling down the road. His bike kicked up and flew at me, and I barely dodged it with the thing bouncing off my shoulder as I went across the yellow line. Later in the race the official pulled up to us and said "He is...........*long pause*......alright". I don't really know what caused the crash but I think he got caught in a rut in the road. There is only so much you can do if that happens when you are descending in a pack.

Yep.

hack

Agreed 100%. No clue how our CHP could see it any differently. I just did some quick google searching to see if there were any updates on the incident or any consequences for the driver. Did not find any other articles other than the initial reports.

shovelhd

I'm referring to a different event then. I was there. I started him. He ran into the back of a parked pickup 30
seconds later.

Nicholas_Landy

Sorry for the later response @Doge thanks for taking the time to look into my information on Facebook and all. Yes i do love the group rides i have to say! i have only been cycling for a little under 2 months and love riding in big groups. I am very comfortable and confident in group rides, i think that is because i am coming from 6 hard years of Competitive cross country running. I am so used to running in big packs which makes it a lot easier in situations like that. I have been told i have the natural talent and the endurance for the sport as well as the little extra push as some of the more experienced guys have told me i the past couple weeks. I love the competition this great sport has to offer, like when i ride with the A & B groups i hate being in the back drafting on people. It always seems like i don't preform as well in the back of the pack as i would in the front (If that makes any sense) I have been recommended to go and talk to Frazier Cycling that i need to join so i can get all the experience and extra push that i have in me.

Harlan

I saw a similar "rut" crash at Catskills last year. Stage 2 in the middle of a pack. Guy was right next to me. That was the diciest day, I recall someone getting their front wheel taken out by a swerving rider on the right side of the road, also very close to me and face planting. Then chasing back on. Also I crushed a bottle whilst drinking from mine own.

TheKillerPenguin

Were you in the giant 3/4 field as well? There were some crazy crashes, yes. A junior that now rides for Holowesko Devo was able to catch back on after getting intimate with the pavement which was really impressive given we weren't exactly taking it easy. I seem to recall like 3-4 guys flying off the road at the intermediate sprint as well...

Harlan

Yes I was. I believe the intermediate sprint was where the guy ate dirt. That was my first race as a 4 and was a real eye opener.