Ttoc6

Just saw the post on social media about policy updates. Opened up their pdf document and it seems they have to put it to a vote to the board but I'm imagining if we are hearing about this change, it's probably going to pass.

I'm glad the rule change excludes collegiate and juniors. No need to make it even more expensive. But let's hear thoughts on this change.

https://www.usacycling.org/usa-cycling-announces-2017-policies-updates.htm

cold turtle

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Anyone here raced with radios before?

mattm

Meh, not a huge deal.

dz_nuzz

Unless there are team cars flying around (Oh god, please no) it will make no difference. I am not sure how many people will be able to afford a set-up and without a car I would guess the range would be limited.

gsteinb

Crits?

Chase! Block. Bridge! Don't work.

hack

Will there be a radio spec requirement? Will they need to be USAC approved and purchased from USAC? If not, can I break out some fisher price 2-way radios and chat with buddies in the break?


Of all the things USAC could focus on, this seems like an odd one.

hubcyclist

Not to hijack the original topic, but I also read that grand fondos will count toward upgrading from 5 to 4 in 2017. For the more experienced folks, seems like they'll have one day licenses available and it won't be limited to 5's

Doge

While I buy electronics for junior, I dislike all electronics for racing. That would inc auto racing.

The more you add these other feedback devices the more w/kg increases in importance. As a racing spectator, the unknown and guessing and speculation is something I enjoy.

But then I would rather have human refs getting it wrong sometimes then video replay too - so for USA, seems I'm not so normal.

On a separate could see it happening note, I spoke with The Parrot guys yesterday about drones for bike races. The concern was following the rider (they have a "follow-me" feature where it will follow the rider who has a two way radio - phone), and not flying over the racers, but to the sides. Still these things annoy me, but they sure make a race look cool.
There we issues with the radio rules - now - hmm, there is some really good drone video opportunity. https://www.parrot.com/us/drones/par...-black-edition

topflightpro

This is not new. USAC offered one-day licenses for cats 1-4 this past year. The difference, however, is that the one-day license for 1-4 had to be purchased in advance online. It could not be purchased at the race. I believe that is still the case.

YMCA

We raced with radios in P12 races during mid-90's. Our team was the first to get in on it. Helped with tactics, but even better helped with caravans at stage races. Flat tires, crashes, needing feeds, road hazard warnings etc...

ElJamoquio

It will make a difference, without team cars. It won't be make-or-break but it will help the stronger teams dominate. The range should be fine for a lot of races...

rubiksoval

I raced with radios when I was 19 and joined a good devo team. Half the time they didn't work, and the other half the only thing I heard was my name to go to the front to pull. Also pretty impossible to talk into them audibly, and they were quite portly.

Needless to say it wasn't a big loss when we couldn't use them anymore.

celticfrost

Drones, baby -- drones.

gerundium

Won't make any noticeable difference in amateur racing imo.

Doge

Who sells the Race Radios?

Could use a cell phone and BT for many situations.

Ttoc6

That's a good point, aren't cellphones not allowed during races? Would this break any other rules? I feel like clarification is needed from USAC even though I doubt anything but the best P/1/2 squads are going to be using them.

Doge

Many sports laws/rules are vaguely written and have supporting interpretations and officials to determine that. I'd just see and ask. I'll see a fairly senior guy this weekend I may ask. I expect the phone would not be an issue. That phone rule preceded the radio allowance and I don't think was expecting headsets to be used.

It would be interesting to setup a business like conference call number with speed dial where riders could one-key dial into - to collaborate against the teams with radios. Interesting - but not legal. The same as the race deals riders make, just broadcast, and recorded :-)

cold turtle

When they changed the rule to allow radios, it appears that they removed the prohibition on phones.

2016: 1J6. Riders may not use radios, telephones, or other such
communication devices. No earpieces may be worn; audio
playback devices are expressly forbidden.

2017: 1J6. Radios. The use of radios is limited to events in the
road discipline for races that are composed exclusively of
riders that are Category 2 and higher, and in time trial
events on the road for all categories. The use of radios is
prohibited for junior and collegiate races. The use of radios is
subject to the following restrictions:
- the power of the transceiver may not exceed 5 watts;
- the range of the system shall be limited to the space
occupied by the race;
- its use is limited to exchanges between riders and the
sports director and between riders of a same team.
- rider may wear only one earpiece
Audio playback devices are expressly forbidden in all
disciplines and categories.

almostfullcity

Sure doesn't read that way to me.