Chip Timing and Photos in Sportifs

kencoo

Coming from a running background its standard to have chip timing with splits etc and photos thereafter which can be bought online. Even the small 5kms seem to have them these days.

I just noticed that Naas cycling club (i think) are doing chip timing for the tour de foothills (I think). Seems like a good idea im my opinion....

In the last few years there were plenty of professional photographers at events but ive never seen a picture of myself afterwards to buy or otherwise (not a pretty site regardless) but i think it could be a good opportunity for some sportif organisers to make an extra few quid.

Anyone have an opinion on if this and if chip timing / photos could be a thing of the future in Ireland?

Wishbone Ash

Isn't racing discouraged at sportives - as opposed to competitive 5k runs?

Captain Havoc

There's a quite a few sportives with photos to buy. Sportives are non competitive so I wouldn't be actively encouraging the introduction of chips even if it is nice to get bragging rights and satisfaction if you finish well up the field.

kencoo

There are also breaks taken in sportifs so im not sure exactly how it would work. Its done in France though so it must be possible.

Captain Havoc

kencoo wrote: »

There are also breaks taken in sportifs so im not sure exactly how it would work. Its done in France though so it must be possible.

I've done a couple of sportives where you ride over mats on the way in and out of food stops which stops your time while you're there.

velopeloton

kencoo wrote: »

There are also breaks taken in sportifs so im not sure exactly how it would work. Its done in France though so it must be possible.

In France a sportive is a race.

joe50

irish sportives might actually be safer if they were run as pseudo-races.. currently 'racing' sportives is strongly discouraged, which leads to ridiculously large bunches rolling about the place, often containing inexperienced and nervous riders..

also, heading for the top of a climb or the end of a sportive, all the riders are fairly fresh, but 'afraid' to jump for the line, as they'll get lots of sh*t for it.. this leads to bunching and inevitable crashes

just saying

ashleey

I'm with the Captain. If you want to race, do a race. Sportives are for getting in with a group and challenging yourself.

ashleey

joe50 wrote: »

irish sportives might actually be safer if they were run as pseudo-races.. currently 'racing' sportives is strongly discouraged, which leads to ridiculously large bunches rolling about the place, often containing inexperienced and nervous riders..

also, heading for the top of a climb or the end of a sportive, all the riders are fairly fresh, but 'afraid' to jump for the line, as they'll get lots of sh*t for it.. this leads to bunching and inevitable crashes

just saying

I would respectively disagree. In every sportive I've been on I've managed to join up with a group that matches my (lack of) ability. No crashes. I'm always knackered too. Jumping for the line seems silly when shaking hands with your new found riding partners at the end.

Join a duathlon if you want to race but not in a CI race. Tires me out.

joe50

ashleey wrote: »

I would respectively disagree. In every sportive I've been on I've managed to join up with a group that matches my (lack of) ability. No crashes. I'm always knackered too. Jumping for the line seems silly when shaking hands with your new found riding partners at the end.

Join a duathlon if you want to race but not in a CI race. Tires me out.

well in fairness, I'm only talking about crashes amongst riders that are usually racing.. most lads doing sportives who usually race will be very fresh by the end if the pace is controlled, the bunch will also probably be pretty large.. the jumping for the line is ridiculous, no disagreement there, but to say it doesn't happen is in my experience simply wrong

if there *was* chip timing in sportives everyone could work away at their own pace, trying to set decent times etc.. for the people who are struggling to get around.. then nothing really changes..

timed sportives such as the ones ran on the continent would be imo far safer than the current system

Captain Havoc

joe50 wrote: »

well in fairness, I'm only talking about crashes amongst riders that are usually racing.. most lads doing sportives who usually race will be very fresh by the end if the pace is controlled, the bunch will also probably be pretty large.. the jumping for the line is ridiculous, no disagreement there, but to say it doesn't happen is in my experience simply wrong

if there *was* chip timing in sportives everyone could work away at their own pace, trying to set decent times etc.. for the people who are struggling to get around.. then nothing really changes..

timed sportives such as the ones ran on the continent would be imo far safer than the current system

Are you suggesting that riders aren't trying to get decent times because they're not chipped?

kencoo

I would not be capable of "racing" in any type of cycle race, as i would be incapable of racing in a running race. Nevertheless i do like to perform against myself, knowing if i have improved in fitness etc by looking at average times spent rolling.
The boards are full of comments from riders who use bike computers to do just this.
It might be an idea to see how others in the same sportifs faired. i.e. did you ever fall into the second/third group in a sportif and wonder how far the first group were in front be it 10mins or 3 hours? i do..... doesnt mean that ill race to the front.

at1withmyself

Isn't this what Strava, Garmin Connect etc.. is there for...

joe50

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Are you suggesting that riders aren't trying to get decent times because they're not chipped?

some are, some aren't

the difficulty arises when you get say an A6 rider keeping up with an A2/3 who's taking it handy.. under normal circumstances this would never happen, but when the pace is controlled, and there's a huge mix of riders, with a 'ban' on racing.. crashes happen.. people are apprehensive about going flat out, but don't want to get left behind, it's the worst of both worlds

ashleey

I've not been on a sportive that is controlled for the whole distance.

What's A6 by the way?

Captain Havoc

joe50 wrote: »

some are, some aren't

and how will being chipped alter this?

ROK ON

Timing chips in sportifs. I have done a few.
Tuppence worth - increase in the cost for no added benefit. Pure waste.

Esroh

ROK ON wrote: »

Timing chips in sportifs. I have done a few.
Tuppence worth - increase in the cost for no added benefit. Pure waste.

+1

I have organised one as well and can say the feedback from riders was it ruined the day as there was no atmosphere with everyone hammering it to get a time.

With the closed roads the Etape Hibernia was ridden like the Marathons with the elites up front and everyone else riding hard for a time. But given the choice I'd ride Tour of Sligo, Burren, Waterford, kilkenny.

Since my first year in 2008 I have enjoyed the company of people from Foyle CC to the Chaingang. Imo if those events had been timed and people had been 'Racing' I think clubs would do their best to drop you like a stone.

smacl

It's a bit daft to compare times in a sportive, because you're essentially competing against people who aren't in a competition. If you want to compete, compete against those that are also competing, i.e. race. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the first etape hibernia, chips, fanfare and all, though there was certainly an element of fantasy TDF involved.

Ryder

Think there's room for tours - non timed events and sportives - timed.
Start and finish time and up to the individual how they spend rests etc
Can discourage racing with rolling starts or waves
Ultimately you should actually race of you want to race but there also should be a middle ground for people to test themselves without the level of training needed to actually complete a race....or the risks.

Another alternative is to have target time bands to gauge your progress

michael196

600 euro per day for timing chips : cost to the organisers

thats an extra few euro onto the cost for each entrant.

Mercian Pro

michael196 wrote: »

600 euro per day for timing chips : cost to the organisers

thats an extra few euro onto the cost for each entrant.

Or 600 euro more to the charity benefiting from the Sportif. I think once you have done a few, you have a very good idea of your form by the finish. You can also check your average speed or compare your time to the previous year.

michaelm

ashleey wrote: »

What's A6 by the way?

At last my time has come!

ashleey

I wouldn't even make it. Is there a vets level?