by
Rob
Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:01 pm
I've had some feedback that my earlier post on this thread wasn't very positive or helpful. I apologise.
The problem is I do feel very strongly about this and I should explain properly. My approach to the issue is sort of the same with helmets. It's up to the rider whether to wear one or not, but if asked for advice I'll say you should wear it. And if I hear someone trying disuade someone else I'll join in and put the counter arguement.
Its the same with racing on motorways. If anyone wants to do it, it's up to them as long as they've thought it through. But many new riders read this forum and its important, I believe, that they hear the arguement as to why it's a bad choice.
There are so many reasons that I think the idea of racing on the A63 is bad - I just don't know where to start....
The obvious point is the safety one. While all forms of cycling are accompanied by some risk this one is unique as the danger all comes from behind. There is nothing you can do about it and you are just relying on the other road users driving sensibly (like they usually do eh?) If it goes wrong it will go wrong in a big way and it won't be just a bit of gravel rash. But it's not the safety issue per se that is top of my worry list.
What is top of my list is the image of the sport. This is the only cycle racing Jo Public sees. I used to work in Gilberdyke and most of my colleagues lived in Gilberdyke, Newport, S Cave.... all around the start of the V718 discussed. They knew all about racing on the A63 as they had passed the riders many times. They never commented to me about the athletic prowess of the riders or how fast they were going. To a man they thought the riders were dangerously irresponsible, insane, a danger to themselves and others. And to a man, be inference, they thought all cyclists were the same. Do you think they would let Little Johny join a cycling club based on their observations?
What also worries me is the sporting ethic that goes behind the chasing of fast times. This is harder to explain. In the event at the weekend Nige was 5th - a great result. Had the race been on the lanes either side of the A63 Nige would still have come 5th. But to most of us mortals who come about 63rd its no big deal to train a bit harder and come 61st. Because a TT is a "race of truth" by definition you will come 60 oddth week after week. So we look for improvements in our times instead. After a few seasons training our fitness levels start to plateau and improvements in our own physical strength become smaller than improvements (speed increases) from aerodynamic aids, the weather and, importantly here, the course. Training takes a back seat as we simply race at every opportunity to catch the good weather. The sport becomes an arms-race governed by how much disposible income we have to throw at aerodynamic aids. And we hunt out faster and faster courses. A fast course has a smooth surface, few gradients, no oncoming traffic (dual carriage way) and lots of following traffic. And we all end up racing on motorways. When we focus on absolute speed, rather than speed relative to everyone else, the sporting ideals soon get relegated.
I hope the above explains my position in a suitably adult manner. Its everybody's personal choice as to what/where they ride, but I don't want our new recruits to believe that in order to succeed in our sport or to be respected by their peers they need to ride up and down a motorway at 28mph - which of course Nige wasn't saying, but the culture can very soon build up.