pro cycling support vehicles
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
pro cycling support vehicles
I think they should eliminate support vehicles and go back to one bike for each rider and you must fix your own bike no outside help. Now those were real bikers, carry a spare tire and a pump! None of these cars zooming in and out of the race honking at the riders spewing exhaust in their faces, It's absurd!!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,235
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18411 Post(s)
Liked 15,531 Times
in
7,327 Posts
When did you race under those conditions?
Likes For indyfabz:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,877
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,961 Times
in
4,687 Posts
Or we could continue allowing riders to have support vehicles with spare wheels and bikes, so that we get closer to a result in which the stronger riders win - rather than the riders who were lucky enough to not suffer punctures or other mechanical issues.
Likes For Koyote:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
just put the riders on a row of stationery's that can simulate terrain & climate conditions. Toss in a random spectator that "jumps" the sidelines & the occasional skunk crossing the path. No flats ever to happen & medical assistance is as close as it'll ever get.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
#5
Full Member
I don't have a problem with support vehicles and extra bikes, I mean they are 'pros' after all.
How about getting rid of all the radio communication between riders and managers? Think about how different strategy would be. Nobody would know who was in the breakaway, no computers telling the peloton how many seconds they have to shave per kilometer to catch that lone rider 20 meters from the finish. Definitely would change to look of races.
How about getting rid of all the radio communication between riders and managers? Think about how different strategy would be. Nobody would know who was in the breakaway, no computers telling the peloton how many seconds they have to shave per kilometer to catch that lone rider 20 meters from the finish. Definitely would change to look of races.
Likes For joeruge:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
I don't have a problem with support vehicles and extra bikes, I mean they are 'pros' after all.
How about getting rid of all the radio communication between riders and managers? Think about how different strategy would be. Nobody would know who was in the breakaway, no computers telling the peloton how many seconds they have to shave per kilometer to catch that lone rider 20 meters from the finish. Definitely would change to look of races.
How about getting rid of all the radio communication between riders and managers? Think about how different strategy would be. Nobody would know who was in the breakaway, no computers telling the peloton how many seconds they have to shave per kilometer to catch that lone rider 20 meters from the finish. Definitely would change to look of races.
Likes For cxwrench:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 490
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 252 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times
in
48 Posts
I'd leave mechanical support cars but eliminate most of the rest. Some officials supervising race only on motorcycles but even that is questionable, simply give them the view of all TV feeds, including cuts that normally don't make it to TV and let them watch is someplace in town.
Team directors unless they travel inside the support vehicles also should get the all feed TV coverage someplace in a town along the race route and if they have to, contact via wireless with the riders. I am sure they can figure out how to overcome the short range of wireless communication with the racers by making a support car to carry a retranslation station. Even the president of the race, like Proudhome (spelling?) in TDF should have no business traveling with the stages, the race can be started by a flag from one of the motorcycles carrying some race judges deemed essential to be on the road with the race field.
All this big car tail behind the big races reminds me of the church officials with that all gold, glitter, big fancy churches, when the spiritual service is just tacked on.
Team directors unless they travel inside the support vehicles also should get the all feed TV coverage someplace in a town along the race route and if they have to, contact via wireless with the riders. I am sure they can figure out how to overcome the short range of wireless communication with the racers by making a support car to carry a retranslation station. Even the president of the race, like Proudhome (spelling?) in TDF should have no business traveling with the stages, the race can be started by a flag from one of the motorcycles carrying some race judges deemed essential to be on the road with the race field.
All this big car tail behind the big races reminds me of the church officials with that all gold, glitter, big fancy churches, when the spiritual service is just tacked on.
#8
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
I think that instant replay should be removed from sports. Let the referees on the field make the call in the moment. Change my mind...
Likes For rosefarts:
#10
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,985
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,808 Times
in
3,316 Posts
You should start your own race organization and make the rules you want. If others want them, they will join and race under your organization.
Likes For Iride01:
#11
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
I hear for all NASCAR races and for LeMans they are eliminating the pits. The drivers will be issued a Harbor Freight tool kit.
Likes For GlennR:
#12
Senior Member
I think there should be just one tool set.... And all the racers have to share.
Each racer will carry one tool apiece. Need the 6mm hex? You'll have to ask the guy who has it. And wait for him to finish with it, if need be.
Each racer will carry one tool apiece. Need the 6mm hex? You'll have to ask the guy who has it. And wait for him to finish with it, if need be.
Likes For Reflector Guy:
#13
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,613
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10955 Post(s)
Liked 7,485 Times
in
4,187 Posts
I like races where there is no support. Its a neat concept to be responsible for getting yourself to the finish line the fastest. Yes there may be issues that affect one person and not another, but that is part of the unknown in the races. Winning these races means a mix of talent on the bike and talent off the bike, plus a smidge of good fortune.
I like races where there is support. Its a neat concept to focus on the strongest/fastest person winning the race by eliminating as many outside factors as possible.
Huh, ends up both can be enjoyed.
I like races where there is support. Its a neat concept to focus on the strongest/fastest person winning the race by eliminating as many outside factors as possible.
Huh, ends up both can be enjoyed.
Likes For msu2001la:
Likes For downhillmaster:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,386
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,968 Times
in
1,917 Posts
Likes For Troul:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,235
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18411 Post(s)
Liked 15,531 Times
in
7,327 Posts
I think participants should be required to use bells.
Likes For indyfabz:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,948
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3949 Post(s)
Liked 7,295 Times
in
2,946 Posts
Likes For tomato coupe:
#19
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Eastern Washington
Posts: 440
Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Competition-1974 Raleigh Folder-1983 Austro Daimler-198? Fuji Monterey-Surly LHT-Surly Karate Monkey-Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Liked 97 Times
in
54 Posts
Reminds me of the Tour Divide. I know little about racing other than I like to watch. I control an alternate universe in my head where I can actually ride a bicycle fast. I do find the support vehicles somewhat obnoxious but not to the point where I think they should be eliminated. To me, the support vehicles are sort of the cycling equivalent of a pit stop in auto racing.
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Late 60's for fun no pay or support I read that Tour De France book by Bill and Carol McGann and they showed these tough old guys battling it out with all the elements on gravel roads,snow, rain no rain gear or allowed any help from anyone or disqualified, strict rules
#21
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,235
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18411 Post(s)
Liked 15,531 Times
in
7,327 Posts
Late 60's for fun no pay or support I read that Tour De France book by Bill and Carol McGann and they showed these tough old guys battling it out with all the elements on gravel roads,snow, rain no rain gear or allowed any help from anyone or disqualified, strict rules
Shall the TdF organizers start milling the mountain roads to recreate the conditions way back when before many of the mountain roads were actually paved? How about going back to the days before gears? You had a rear wheel with one cog on each side. One larger than the other. When you hit a mountain climb, you stopped and flipped the wheel around to the larger cog. Definitely force everyone to go back to racing in wool. What sort of rain gear do you think existed back then?
BTW...Ever see this image of Andy Hapmsten during a stage of the 1988 Giro that he won?:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,877
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,961 Times
in
4,687 Posts
#24
bored of "Senior Member"
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MD / metro DC
Posts: 2,883
Bikes: Cross-Check/Nexus commuter. Several others for various forms of play.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 642 Post(s)
Liked 593 Times
in
453 Posts
My, what a lot of action in this sleepy little forum.
It's a good thing there are so many contributors here. There's a lot of toothpaste to get back into the tube.
It's a good thing there are so many contributors here. There's a lot of toothpaste to get back into the tube.
Likes For slcbob:
#25
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
No teams, drafting, or other "games". Let's see the strongest rider win on their own.