Impact of Pandemic on Racing
#376
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Liked 437 Times
in
263 Posts
Science moves slow and takes lots of wrong turns along the way. We'll fully understand this virus years from now. Until then, it's all an educated guess and a risk/reward calculation. I fully understand why some racers are opting to sit the season out. I was ambivalent about racing myself. But a review of the procedures and a few email exchanges with doctors I race with convinced me that I stood a better chance of crashing than I did of catching the virus if I followed the guidelines, so I raced. Eight days later, I'm not aware of any cases of Covid-19 associated with the event, but I know the organizers and participants are all keeping an eye out for reports. It was made clear to us that our ability to follow guidelines and minimize risk could determine whether racing happened again this year in STL or possibly in the US, so we had plenty of incentive to behave responsibly.
Ultimately, we all make dozens, if not hundreds of judgement calls every day about whether and when to mask, how often to wash, where we should go, how crowded is too crowded, etc.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#377
Senior Member
I'm getting to that point. As an LA President - this isn't what I signed up for. USAC needs to take a stand and do the right thing. The right thing is to just cancel everything for the season. They haven't and they probably won't which is causing me to second guess my role with them. Do I stay because we have been doing the right thing? Do I entertain the calls of others who are trying to start a new sanctioning body within our state? I have enough on my plate as it is so do I just resign and walk away?
I love races and racing but I don't see any reason why we should be doing any of them right now or even this year.
I love races and racing but I don't see any reason why we should be doing any of them right now or even this year.
Likes For himespau:
#378
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Liked 437 Times
in
263 Posts
On a more positive not, which cat did they race and how did they do?
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#379
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,639
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Liked 1,324 Times
in
569 Posts
These are people who have been important to the team since day one. All of them are. They are friends and have volunteered tons of time over the years. I'm barely keeping up with repairs and don't need this right now.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#380
I opted not to race this past weekend. Just didn't seem necessary for me to travel to race right now. All my races are cancelled for the year. I'm looking at 2021.
I like racing, but I'm OK with everything being cancelled in the interest of general public health and safety.
What I find most interesting is that racing has been declining for years. Guys would rather do the local hammer ride than a real race. Now that races are being cancelled, it seems like a lot of those same people are screaming about it.
I like racing, but I'm OK with everything being cancelled in the interest of general public health and safety.
What I find most interesting is that racing has been declining for years. Guys would rather do the local hammer ride than a real race. Now that races are being cancelled, it seems like a lot of those same people are screaming about it.
#381
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,639
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Liked 1,324 Times
in
569 Posts
I learned long ago that no one in any role ever is completely irreplaceable. I have no doubt the organization would be fine without me.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#382
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,639
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Liked 1,324 Times
in
569 Posts
I opted not to race this past weekend. Just didn't seem necessary for me to travel to race right now. All my races are cancelled for the year. I'm looking at 2021.
I like racing, but I'm OK with everything being cancelled in the interest of general public health and safety.
What I find most interesting is that racing has been declining for years. Guys would rather do the local hammer ride than a real race. Now that races are being cancelled, it seems like a lot of those same people are screaming about it.
I like racing, but I'm OK with everything being cancelled in the interest of general public health and safety.
What I find most interesting is that racing has been declining for years. Guys would rather do the local hammer ride than a real race. Now that races are being cancelled, it seems like a lot of those same people are screaming about it.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#383
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,726
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Liked 437 Times
in
263 Posts
There's been a bit of calling out and doxing in Illinois. If someone goes and does something in your team kit it's then researched via Strava and results and people are calling each other out or sending emails asking for public statements to condemn the action or activity. I got hit up last week by someone who is now no longer on the team saying the lack of a public statement was a deal breaker for her. I had another simply drop out of everything when the rider who raced mentioned on the team forum he was going to race..
BB
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#384
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 4,444
Bikes: bikes
Liked 1,429 Times
in
711 Posts
In the case of the local race, I know that both the STL county guidelines and the race organizer's guidelines were made in consultation with the CDC, local medical authorities, and a number of doctors and other health care professionals. That doesn't mean they didn't miss something, but its a far cry from simply being "made up".
But I copied and pasted from a letter detailing concerns from the LAs with recommendations from the actual CMO of USACycling. So in that context, yeah, they are just made up and some LAs are totally bull****ting their local health boards to get permits.
Again, what impact or concern you have with that personally isn't the point. The point is that there are some extremely opposing views about racing going around.
#385
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,499
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Liked 380 Times
in
259 Posts
The Como Street ride has always been fast, and brought out many pros from USA to World Tour riders. Right now there is money on winning this KOM and my kid just lost his 8 places in one day after 134,890 attempts.
The KOM hunting seemed to have taken a break, but seems to be coming back - this time with little bits of cash put up by the riders. The amount is not significant, but it says it matters.
About 3:30 in this video.
The KOM hunting seemed to have taken a break, but seems to be coming back - this time with little bits of cash put up by the riders. The amount is not significant, but it says it matters.
About 3:30 in this video.
#386
Senior Member
The Como Street ride has always been fast, and brought out many pros from USA to World Tour riders. Right now there is money on winning this KOM and my kid just lost his 8 places in one day after 134,890 attempts.
The KOM hunting seemed to have taken a break, but seems to be coming back - this time with little bits of cash put up by the riders. The amount is not significant, but it says it matters.
About 3:30 in this video.
https://youtu.be/di8mdZt-tnc
The KOM hunting seemed to have taken a break, but seems to be coming back - this time with little bits of cash put up by the riders. The amount is not significant, but it says it matters.
About 3:30 in this video.
https://youtu.be/di8mdZt-tnc
#387
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 10,499
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Liked 380 Times
in
259 Posts
About every other post of min on this is about Como.
Now $400 for the hill. The biggest purse in the USA right now :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGto...MDAOOe8bWYIYYA
Now $400 for the hill. The biggest purse in the USA right now :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGto...MDAOOe8bWYIYYA
Likes For Doge:
#388
Version 7.0
About every other post of min on this is about Como.
Now $400 for the hill. The biggest purse in the USA right now :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGto...MDAOOe8bWYIYYA
Now $400 for the hill. The biggest purse in the USA right now :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGto...MDAOOe8bWYIYYA
I watched the video and when the peloton passed the store with motorcycles out front, I realized it was the Santiago Canyon Time Trial course less the climb along the bike path. I miss that TT.
Likes For Hermes:
#390
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not sure if it's been covered, but is racing on the table even in 2021 in the Northeast US? Massachusetts' phased opening plan can only get to phase 3 out of 4 without a "vaccine or proven treatment." Paired with their competitive sports guidelines, "moderate" and "higher" risk sports, which I would assume mass start events fit into, can't compete even in Phase 3 without modifications that limit close contact.
I get it, public health, but to think there essentially can't be racing without a vaccine despite being told we're in low risk areas and being pressured to pack kids and teachers into school buildings seems a bit contradictory. There might be caveats or details I'm missing, though.
I get it, public health, but to think there essentially can't be racing without a vaccine despite being told we're in low risk areas and being pressured to pack kids and teachers into school buildings seems a bit contradictory. There might be caveats or details I'm missing, though.
#391
out walking the earth
They're already racing in PA. Albeit with masks.
There are definitely things that seem to be left out of this. For instance, like people mostly don't want to do it. So you take a sport with modest participation, toss a pandemic in the mix, and I'm not even sure how promoters who barely made money would be solvent.
I think a sport of mostly middle aged white guys is a pretty low priority compared to getting schools functioning. What you're seeing as a contradiction is really just priorities.
There are definitely things that seem to be left out of this. For instance, like people mostly don't want to do it. So you take a sport with modest participation, toss a pandemic in the mix, and I'm not even sure how promoters who barely made money would be solvent.
I think a sport of mostly middle aged white guys is a pretty low priority compared to getting schools functioning. What you're seeing as a contradiction is really just priorities.
#392
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,639
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Liked 1,324 Times
in
569 Posts
Well I just made it official and cancelled the last race that we typically put on each year. I was REALLY hoping when this all started that this race that would have been on Election week could have been one of the first real races back. It's all kind of meaningless at this point but the act of actually cancelling it has been hard on me. It's the first time in about a decade that I won't be putting on a race.
I do understand there's a lot of families dealing with a lot more serious "first time" situations than worrying about a race and I don't wish to lessen any of that.
Stay healthy and enjoy your ride.
I do understand there's a lot of families dealing with a lot more serious "first time" situations than worrying about a race and I don't wish to lessen any of that.
Stay healthy and enjoy your ride.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#393
Senior Member
Psimet2001 , have you considered putting on a racing series on Zwift or Rouvy or one of the other online platforms?
#394
Full Member
All our races here in Portugal were cancelled back in May, after the pro Volta ao Algarve. Some were postponed until October but obviously they have been cancelled too. Our entire amateur calendar is on hold until next year and further notice - I did one race this year, that's it.
Our Pro racing calendar has resumed of course in line with the rest of Europe but no amateur racing is permitted. We have just been riding in Groups of up to around 30 max on weekends and having the usual informal 'racing' that way.
Our Pro racing calendar has resumed of course in line with the rest of Europe but no amateur racing is permitted. We have just been riding in Groups of up to around 30 max on weekends and having the usual informal 'racing' that way.
#395
Senior Member
It must be hard Psimet after putting your all into promoting races for years to have to cancel them. I hope we are all on next spring (and safely).
#396
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,639
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Liked 1,324 Times
in
569 Posts
Psimet2001 , have you considered putting on a racing series on Zwift or Rouvy or one of the other online platforms?
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Likes For Psimet2001:
#397
Senior Member
Oh, I totally get that, I didn't know if it was possible to use one of those to set up a private race series that you could e-mail past racers from your series invites to so that you could keep the community in place. But yeah, I get not having an interest in dealing with all the garbage associated with that.
#399
I eat carbide.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 21,639
Bikes: Lots. Van Dessel and Squid Dealer
Liked 1,324 Times
in
569 Posts
I agree that the risks for next year will likely not have improved at all, but after having listened to USA Cycling talk the way they do they are going full steam towards as much racing as possibly next year. The states that don't really care are going to be having races left and right. It will be a year of asterisk as those willing to take risks will race everything they can and feel they are the champions while throngs of those who don't feel safe will continue to take shots at the participants ignorance while implying there's a lot of people who could have beat them that decided not to race.
No one will do well in that environment. All of us companies and sponsors will be saddled with choosing between exposure of our products or virtue signaling. Either choice will be torn to shreds. Such a pleasant thought.
__________________
PSIMET Wheels, PSIMET Racing, PSIMET Neutral Race Support, and 11 Jackson Coffee
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
Podcast - YouTube Channel
Video about PSIMET Wheels
#400
I was talking with a promoter not too long ago about how some people were complaining about how they cancelled their fall season. He said that even after they cancelled, they thought they might be able to put on one event for fun. But then he saw the backlash and response to a couple of races that did happen and decided it wasn't worth the hassle.