While marshalling at 8.04pm, minute 34 racetime, a competing rider overshot the left-hand corner completely, then riding across the front of a car coming north, rode on the grass round the nearside of the car and proceeded south. A split second later and he would have collided with the side of the car. I did not get the rider's number. I did however have to take the flack from the car driver who was perfectly entitled to hand it out. Although I understand the rider apologised to the event organiser at the finish, Clifton Cycling Club York can do without incidents of this nature as it can give the club a bad name.
Compliments to the rest of the field who made this tricky 90-degree corner safely.
Mac
SPOCO 7.7.11 Terrington Bank top
Moderator: Moderators
I was also marshalling same night (different corner) and one car could have stopped and given me a ticking off too!
imo it is impossible to take Welburn X roads "safely" at speed of some riders. Especially given damp conditions - maybe issues with some kit if don't have right brake blocks?
Stating the obvious but you need to be aware of cars turning out opposite, cars coming down hill (fast!) and also look left to avoid drifting out into path of oncoming traffic. And be capable of stopping if necessary!
In case fast folks think comments above aimed at them the top riders and, in fact, most riders I recognised as "experienced" on course were best at taking corner. Freewheeling from quite a way out, head up looking around, and braking on approach - unlike others who appeared not to slow down at all!
My fellow marshal and i were not blameless in all this. It is a difficult situation standing on corner with much better visibility in all directions than rider approaching at speed in damp. I know we are not supposed to do anything other than point direction. But could not bring myself to not hold up hand and issue a "STEADY" warning (as well as pointing direction) if felt caution required! (We were also doing the wrong thing in declaring route "clear" if we were absolutely 100% sure it was). I appreciate all the notes specifically say marshals should not do this but my experience as a rider is that most do on the "bad" corners?
imo it is impossible to take Welburn X roads "safely" at speed of some riders. Especially given damp conditions - maybe issues with some kit if don't have right brake blocks?
Stating the obvious but you need to be aware of cars turning out opposite, cars coming down hill (fast!) and also look left to avoid drifting out into path of oncoming traffic. And be capable of stopping if necessary!
In case fast folks think comments above aimed at them the top riders and, in fact, most riders I recognised as "experienced" on course were best at taking corner. Freewheeling from quite a way out, head up looking around, and braking on approach - unlike others who appeared not to slow down at all!
My fellow marshal and i were not blameless in all this. It is a difficult situation standing on corner with much better visibility in all directions than rider approaching at speed in damp. I know we are not supposed to do anything other than point direction. But could not bring myself to not hold up hand and issue a "STEADY" warning (as well as pointing direction) if felt caution required! (We were also doing the wrong thing in declaring route "clear" if we were absolutely 100% sure it was). I appreciate all the notes specifically say marshals should not do this but my experience as a rider is that most do on the "bad" corners?