Commuter Race Rules

Crippens1

Can someone send me the UCI link for commuter race rules? My problem is with the race start. I've been pondering this since a race before Xmas when I only became aware the race had started when I ... ahem ... evacuated my nostrils onto the other rider in my slipstream. Now, it's not sour grapes that I lost the race but are there any "ready, steady, go" rules out there!

Lumen

I think ITT rules should apply. No wheelsucking!

Cycling Ireland wrote:

ARTICLE 4 - INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIALS
...
9. Riders will ride alone and unassisted. When overtaking another competitor they will do so as widely as possible (not less than 2 metres) and the overtaken rider will drop back until the other rider is 25 metres ahead. Riding side by side for a distance greater than 1 km constitutes pacing. Infringement of this rule will lead to the disqualification of the competitor(s).

seamus

Purists will tell you that the race never starts and never ends - the entire time you're on the road, you're racing.

However in reality, the race starts for you when you either:

1. Spot a challenger in front of you
2. Have a challenger pass you or draft you

http://www.itsnotarace.org/

Chips Lovell

I'm not in the habit of commuter racing. But if I got hit with someone's snot rocket, then it would definitely be on.

So, start=snot.

Jawgap

1st rule of the Race is you do no talk about the race.

Red lights must be respected

Overtaking must be done with apparently effortless ease - preferably freewheeling while examining your nails.

jumping red lights, looking like you are racing and expending any kind of effort means you are not racing - you have to try without being seen to be trying.

Never acknowledge the other "racer."

snot-rockets are a legitimate form of expression to discourage wheel-sucking, but not otherwise acceptable - anyway snot rockets should be going to the inside not out into the road.

No cutting the race short just because you're about to be overtaken!

niceonetom

The rules of commuter racing may need delineation, but the rules of snot rockets should be known and followed by all cyclists at all times:

OUT! NOT BACK!

irishmotorist

And there's no harm preceding a rocket launch with a quick glance around to make sure there's no collateral damage.

Beasty

Jawgap wrote: »

No cutting the race short just because you're about to be overtaken!

Unless done with appropriate subtleness...

.. "Oh dear, my tyre's a bit soft. I think I might have a puncture";)

Crippens1

OK; it seems that the start will always be vague so the rule must be that whilst commuting you are always ready to race. For finishing I propose that a win can only be claimed if a gap sufficient to leave your opponent at a red. Otherwise a draw can be claimed if one competitior is turning off whilst the other is still leading.

OldPeculier

Jawgap wrote: »

Red lights must be respected

Unfortunately not all seem to abide by this rule:mad:

seamus

Crippens1 wrote: »

For finishing I propose that a win can only be claimed if a gap sufficient to leave your opponent at a red.

Within the city, that doesn't quite work out because the opponent may get caught at a set of traffic lights 200m ahead, giving you the advantage of getting a rolling start when you catch up to those lights. You can really only claim a win or a lose if you reach your destination without having spotted your opponent again because they're too far ahead or behind you.

Otherwise a draw can be claimed if one competitior is turning off whilst the other is still leading.

The rules about turning off are actually quite clear - whoever is ahead when either party makes a turn is the winner. However, sprinting ahead and then turning does not count - you have to hold the lead for a reasonable distance before turning off.

Unfortunately not all seem to abide by this rule

Jumping a red light is an instant disqualification.

gimmeaminute

seamus wrote: »

Jumping a red light is an instant disqualification.

Might as well drive so. *Cough*

Planet X

el tonto wrote: »

I'm not in the habit of commuter racing. But if I got hit with someone's snot rocket, then it would definitely be on.

So, start=snot.

Brilliant.
Had a guy last Sunday, Vets Tour, about 3 ahead of me, CONSTANTLY, emptying the sinuses. Every 2/3 minutes. One stage he let rip and a 4 incher was hanging and swaying in the wind, him bent out to the right trying to get it released.
It was quiet thick and was going nowhere for the foreseeable.

Never took his wheel.

Maybe a good race tactic actually.

Enjoy your lunch out there.

lafors

Planet X wrote: »

Brilliant.
Had a guy last Sunday, Vets Tour, about 3 ahead of me, CONSTANTLY, emptying the sinuses. Every 2/3 minutes. One stage he let rip and a 4 incher was hanging and swaying in the wind, him bent out to the right trying to get it released.
It was quiet thick and was going nowhere for the foreseeable.

Never took his wheel.

Maybe a good race tactic actually.

Enjoy your lunch out there.

Nothing worse than launching a snot rocket only for it to be thick and going in behind your own glasses and spread across your cheek, and leave you with blurred vision after drying on the glasses, guaranteed crash there.
I...eh...saw some other dude....thats right some other dude do it once...... :cool:

Raam

Is anyone else's gloves covered in snot? I know mine are.

Chips Lovell

I've always wondered what happens to motorcyclists who sneeze inside their crash helmets?

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

Is anyone else's gloves covered in snot? I know mine are.

There's this machine you can buy. You put the gloves in and they come out and the snot is gone. It's brilliant.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

There's this machine you can buy. You put the gloves in and they come out and the snot is gone. It's brilliant.

What is this magical machine called?

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

What is this magical machine called?

Zanussi, I think.

Jawgap

OldPeculier wrote: »

Unfortunately not all seem to abide by this rule:mad:

I don't think jumping a red light is a permanent disqualification - I think if the other party jumps then you have won - a moral victory perhaps, but a win is a win:) You are then duty bound to sprint after them when the lights change and catch them before the next lights - makes for great interval training.

Raam wrote: »

Is anyone else's gloves covered in snot? I know mine are.

Not really, I find the cold give it a less viscous quality so it's not readily apparent on the nose wipe.

Ever been cleaning your bike and saw something and thought "so that's where that gollier went."

Jawgap

el tonto wrote: »

Zanussi, I think.

Raam wrote: »

What is this magical machine called?

Mine's called Mrs Jawgap.........:)

Dr_Colossus

el tonto wrote: »

There's this machine you can buy. You put the gloves in and they come out and the snot is gone. It's brilliant.

Jawgap wrote: »

Mine's called Mrs Jawgap.........:)

Does Mrs Jawgap appreciate that?

DirkVoodoo

Jawgap wrote: »

I don't think jumping a red light is a permanent disqualification - I think if the other party jumps then you have won - a moral victory perhaps, but a win is a win:) You are then duty bound to sprint after them when the lights change and catch them before the next lights - makes for great interval training.

This is what I do, it's pretty good training all right. Especially if they are on a road bike going uphill and you still manage to catch them on a singlespeed, always a good indicator of how strong the legs are feeling that day.

Jawgap

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Does Mrs Jawgap appreciate that?

Are you kidding??? If she new I'd posted that we'd get an answer to the age old question - "what happens to cycling gear washed in 80oC with a double helping of fabric softener??"

Actually, I do all my own washing - just so there'll be no one to blame but me if it gets wrecked.

she is also very supportive my cycling - I now have two bikes stashed in the house!!!

Civilian_Target

seamus wrote: »

http://www.itsnotarace.org/

lol! I love their Food Chain Calculator!