Ethics Question #7 - The Bandit Race
 

Rather than file for permits and get permission from various agencies, a group of riders decides to put on a "training ride" with decent prize money. They have no real permission to use the road course. Only a phone call to the local law enforcement.
The course crosses one major trunk line, goes through a few stop signs and one red light.

No insurance.
No marshals.
No printed rules.
Just a gathering in a parking lot and a line painted on the road somewhere up ahead.

Do you race it?

Sounds like Need For Speed - Cycling Underground......holla back.

how much money, how much buy in?
First rule: we don't talk about bike club.

2nd rule: We dont talk about bike club.

Bandit racing pretty much describes everyones club training ride. But without the cash prizes.

Here's an idea. Instead of playing poker, just have everyone throw in 5 bucks. Winner takes all.

3rd rule: If this is your first time at bike club, you have to race.

i race only if i have one gear, no freewheel, no brake, and a timbuk2 bag. bonus points if i have an excessive amount of saddle to bar drop or a checker patterned top tube protector.

No, no and hell no. more on that later.

-bullseye

I'd want personal knowledge of the course (of course), but hey what the hell.

No, of course not. That'd be irresponsible and very, very bad...





























;)

I agree, isnt this pretty much a regular training ride? Again just take out the prize money and thats what you have.

Sure.

hell yeah i would race it. as a matter of fact ive been thinking about organizing something like this next spring

ask the lawyers on the board if they'd want to be the guy offering the prize money.;)

The Fast and the Furious: Two-wheeled fury!

Maybe I should have added - it's a 2-hour drive from home.

depending on the course i would

A call to the cops? What did they say "A pack of 70 cyclists is going to be blowing through stop signs and lights, come out and bust us if you want."?

I wouldn't race it. Plenty of sanctioned races around here.

Only if I know the course well or the money is really good.

Sounds like an alleycat race, haha.

This was essentially what the Tour da Chicago was this year. Unfortunately, there was an accident resulting in the death of one of the participants. The whole issue sparked a debate in the SSFG forum about whether or not alleycats should require the participants to sign waivers. Some of the alley cat organizers have a standard disclaimer at the beginning of their races. Something along the lines of "your life isn't worth a free beer, etc, etc."

I think if you're going to go through the effort to secure sponsors, make up fliers, and organize the race, you can take the time to make sure you get the proper permits, a cheap insurance rider, and a standard waiver.

Well, if it's a bandit race, I'd really need one of these:

http://www.allmusclecars.com/pontiac/77tapfgleam.jpg

But, we'd have to look out for these guys:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/smokey13.jpg

Correct, and those are usually crazier than real races since there aren't any officials enforcing the rules. I can only imagine what kind of blood bath would happen if you added prize money to the mix!

Are these the guys you train with all the time? If so, are all the usual courtesies invoked (flat or mechanical and you are SOL, but sprints are OFF if there is traffic and you wait for a regroup if traffic breaks up the group)? If the later I might give it a go. The two hour drive seems to indicate that such is not the case, though. In that case I would pass.

Is this an invitation? Will I be yelled at?

Geez. just Saturday I drove 2 hours for a rally to get dropped by the area hammerheads, and I paid $25 for the privilege.

There's an annual race in TX which I won't name that was a bandit event last year... most guys never even noticed, it was run just like a real race.

Depends on where in Michigan it is...:o