Newbie Here

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Quoted message said:

Do you block all passes you can?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Quoted message said:

How about in mixed-class racing? It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Greg

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

Do you block all passes you can?

How about in mixed-class racing?  It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

A few thoughts:

If you're in first place racing a World Cup event in Switzerland with
200 yards to go and there's a guy behind you trying to get around, I'd
say that you've got pole position and, short of raising your hands
from the bars and mauling him, he's got to get around you and
shouldn't expect any favors.

If it's a battle between 23rd and 24th place at the local loop, I
think it's quite silly to give an obviously faster guy a hard time and
prevent them from their chance at charging to the front. In that case,
"on your left" should suffice. A personal example: I had a tendency to
jackrabbit to the front, blow my wad in the first 10 minutes, and
spend the next hour shelled, panicked, and slightly insane. A friend
would start slow, wait for guys like me to fry themselves, and
methodically move through the singletrack pack. It was a calculated
risk that didn't always pay off for him, but when it did he deserved
to win. If every idiot who cooked themselves like me tried to wedge
him off the trail, well, that just doesn't seem right now does it?

If you're riding, say, up a technical uphill and don't want to disturb
your forward motion or move into a bad line, the guy behind can either
wait until you're in the clear or use his superpowers to get around
you.

When I used to race, I'd find myself riding with the same three or
four guys for most of the race, swapping positions every so often.
Generally I'd settle in with guys who were roughly as fast (read as:
slow) as I was, and do something akin to drafting where you'd sort of
let the rider in front of you pull you forward (psychologically). Even
though mtb racinging is pretty mano-a-mano, you can work with other
people.

/s

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Quoted message said:

Do you block all passes you can?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Quoted message said:

How about in mixed-class racing? It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Greg

I'm not sure, but I think I'm beginning to get your drift.

"Scott Gordo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

Do you block all passes you can?

How about in mixed-class racing? It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

A few thoughts:

If you're in first place racing a World Cup event in Switzerland with
200 yards to go and there's a guy behind you trying to get around, I'd
say that you've got pole position and, short of raising your hands
from the bars and mauling him, he's got to get around you and
shouldn't expect any favors.

If it's a battle between 23rd and 24th place at the local loop, I
think it's quite silly to give an obviously faster guy a hard time and
prevent them from their chance at charging to the front. In that case,
"on your left" should suffice. A personal example: I had a tendency to
jackrabbit to the front, blow my wad in the first 10 minutes, and
spend the next hour shelled, panicked, and slightly insane. A friend
would start slow, wait for guys like me to fry themselves, and
methodically move through the singletrack pack. It was a calculated
risk that didn't always pay off for him, but when it did he deserved
to win. If every idiot who cooked themselves like me tried to wedge
him off the trail, well, that just doesn't seem right now does it?

If you're riding, say, up a technical uphill and don't want to disturb
your forward motion or move into a bad line, the guy behind can either
wait until you're in the clear or use his superpowers to get around
you.

When I used to race, I'd find myself riding with the same three or
four guys for most of the race, swapping positions every so often.
Generally I'd settle in with guys who were roughly as fast (read as:
slow) as I was, and do something akin to drafting where you'd sort of
let the rider in front of you pull you forward (psychologically). Even
though mtb racinging is pretty mano-a-mano, you can work with other
people.

/s

-----------------------

My son is the racer, or was. He was leading in class points before a recent
race. The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short Track race. One
mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his way through until a
backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the race. My son lost it
and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up by others
before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from the race and the
series, as well as every race the promoter runs - which is most of the races
on the lower right coast and Florida where he lives. My son has effectively
retired from racing. Oh, for the days of AJ Foyt the pit brawler. Dale
Earnhart was no slouch either. Oh well, these are the days of political
correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and made up.

Seth Hammond said:

"Scott Gordo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

Do you block all passes you can?

How about in mixed-class racing? It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

A few thoughts:

If you're in first place racing a World Cup event in Switzerland with
200 yards to go and there's a guy behind you trying to get around, I'd
say that you've got pole position and, short of raising your hands
from the bars and mauling him, he's got to get around you and
shouldn't expect any favors.

If it's a battle between 23rd and 24th place at the local loop, I
think it's quite silly to give an obviously faster guy a hard time and
prevent them from their chance at charging to the front. In that case,
"on your left" should suffice. A personal example: I had a tendency to
jackrabbit to the front, blow my wad in the first 10 minutes, and
spend the next hour shelled, panicked, and slightly insane. A friend
would start slow, wait for guys like me to fry themselves, and
methodically move through the singletrack pack. It was a calculated
risk that didn't always pay off for him, but when it did he deserved
to win. If every idiot who cooked themselves like me tried to wedge
him off the trail, well, that just doesn't seem right now does it?

If you're riding, say, up a technical uphill and don't want to disturb
your forward motion or move into a bad line, the guy behind can either
wait until you're in the clear or use his superpowers to get around
you.

When I used to race, I'd find myself riding with the same three or
four guys for most of the race, swapping positions every so often.
Generally I'd settle in with guys who were roughly as fast (read as:
slow) as I was, and do something akin to drafting where you'd sort of
let the rider in front of you pull you forward (psychologically). Even
though mtb racinging is pretty mano-a-mano, you can work with other
people.

/s

-----------------------

My son is the racer, or was. He was leading in class points before a recent
race. The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short Track race. One
mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his way through until a
backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the race. My son lost it
and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up by others
before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from the race and the
series, as well as every race the promoter runs - which is most of the races
on the lower right coast and Florida where he lives. My son has effectively
retired from racing. Oh, for the days of AJ Foyt the pit brawler. Dale
Earnhart was no slouch either. Oh well, these are the days of political
correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and made up.

People need to play fair, and they need to leave the race on the course
IMO. When it's done it's done. If you have a problem with how someone
acted on the course then discuss it with an official afterwards.
So too bad about your son. Maybe he can write a nice letter to the
promoter saying he'll never do that again and he'll be able to come back
next year.

Matt (I just kick 'em when they try and pass, especially G.T.)

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

Do you block all passes you can?

How about in mixed-class racing?  It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

Like they both said, don't block just to block, if the guy behind is
obviously faster than you then let him past, but if you're sprinting
for the finish and the guy who's be following you for the last lap is
trying to get past then get them elbow's out and get defensive.

Letting someone past just means you stay to the righthand side of the
trail and keep it going in a straight line. Don't suddenly slow and
try and get out of the way, in most cases the guy behind already
know's how he's going to get past you and he just wants you to carry
on as you were.

When you let someone past be aware that the rider may be using you to
block other fast riders behind him. I've seen riders leave it to the
last second to blast past slower riders, just before entering some
tight single track. This puts you between him and his chasers with the
idea being he can build up a gap before they can get past you.

Also see if you can stay with a faster rider after he passes you, even
if it's for just a couple of hundred yards. You may learn something
from his riding and you'll put a small gap on anybody you're racing
against.

G.T. said:

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

Quoted message said:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Quoted message said:

Do you block all passes you can?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Quoted message said:

How about in mixed-class racing? It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

Greg

Troot, mon.

JD

Scott Gordo said:

Seth Hammond said:

I have some questions for you serious MB racers:

How do you feel about allowing faster riders by you when the track is
narrow?

Do you block all passes you can?

How about in mixed-class racing?  It's understandable to race your peers,
but everyone on the course?

A few thoughts:

If you're in first place racing a World Cup event in Switzerland with
200 yards to go and there's a guy behind you trying to get around, I'd
say that you've got pole position and, short of raising your hands
from the bars and mauling him, he's got to get around you and
shouldn't expect any favors.

If it's a battle between 23rd and 24th place at the local loop, I
think it's quite silly to give an obviously faster guy a hard time and
prevent them from their chance at charging to the front. In that case,
"on your left" should suffice. A personal example: I had a tendency to
jackrabbit to the front, blow my wad in the first 10 minutes, and
spend the next hour shelled, panicked, and slightly insane. A friend
would start slow, wait for guys like me to fry themselves, and
methodically move through the singletrack pack. It was a calculated
risk that didn't always pay off for him, but when it did he deserved
to win. If every idiot who cooked themselves like me tried to wedge
him off the trail, well, that just doesn't seem right now does it?

If you're riding, say, up a technical uphill and don't want to disturb
your forward motion or move into a bad line, the guy behind can either
wait until you're in the clear or use his superpowers to get around
you.

When I used to race, I'd find myself riding with the same three or
four guys for most of the race, swapping positions every so often.
Generally I'd settle in with guys who were roughly as fast (read as:
slow) as I was, and do something akin to drafting where you'd sort of
let the rider in front of you pull you forward (psychologically). Even
though mtb racinging is pretty mano-a-mano, you can work with other
people.

/s

Racing -- of ANY type -- is stupid.
--
I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"😉. Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)

Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!

http://home.pacbell.net/mjvande

Mike Vandeman

-- is stupid.

Damn. Reloaded my newsreader after an HD crash. Gotta reset my filter.

Shawn

"Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

-----------------------

My son is the racer, or was. He was leading in class points before a
recent race. The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short Track
race. One mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his way through
until a backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the race. My son
lost it and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up
by others before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from the race
and the series, as well as every race the promoter runs - which is most of
the races on the lower right coast and Florida where he lives. My son has
effectively retired from racing. Oh, for the days of AJ Foyt the pit
brawler. Dale Earnhart was no slouch either. Oh well, these are the days
of political correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and made up.

Sounds like the promoter did everyone a favor. If he wants to 'tackle', he
should play football. Everyone else showed up to race bikes and go home.

Slower riders are a part of the game from beginner to pro and it is always
the responsibility of the faster rider to make sure the pass goes smoothly.
It's a skill that every successful racer has developed and your son should
as well.

"TM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

-----------------------

My son is the racer, or was. He was leading in class points before a
recent race. The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short Track
race. One mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his way
through until a backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the race.
My son lost it and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was
broken up by others before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from
the race and the series, as well as every race the promoter runs - which
is most of the races on the lower right coast and Florida where he lives.
My son has effectively retired from racing. Oh, for the days of AJ Foyt
the pit brawler. Dale Earnhart was no slouch either. Oh well, these are
the days of political correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and
made up.

Sounds like the promoter did everyone a favor. If he wants to 'tackle',
he should play football. Everyone else showed up to race bikes and go
home.

Slower riders are a part of the game from beginner to pro and it is always
the responsibility of the faster rider to make sure the pass goes
smoothly. It's a skill that every successful racer has developed and your
son should as well.

He's ridden competitively for 12+ years, and last year turned Pro, so I
guess his passing skills are well practiced. He was again the points leader
in his age group of 41-43. He's ranked as high as 10th in the nation. He
hollered out, "Passing on your left" and at first the other rider moved to
the right - then suddenly swerved back left as my son began his pass.

Seth Hammond said:

My son lost it
and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up by others
before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from the race and the
series, as well as every race the promoter runs

[...]

Quoted message said:

Oh well, these are the days of political
correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and made up.

Objecting to assault is "political correctness"? Good for the
promoter.

CC

G.T. said:

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

[...]

Quoted message said:

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

[...]

Quoted message said:

I no longer race because of all the obnoxious [censored] who don't let
faster riders by.

What he said.

Far better to let the guy past you and then hang right off his rear
wheel for the next mile, singing. Drives people nuts. If you can't
stick with him, he belongs ahead of you anyhow.

CC

"Corvus Corvax" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Seth Hammond said:

My son lost it
and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up by
others
before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from the race and the
series, as well as every race the promoter runs

[...]

Quoted message said:

Oh well, these are the days of political
correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and made up.

Objecting to assault is "political correctness"? Good for the
promoter.

I understand, and even agree. I can also see the opposite view. The passer
gave warning and was deliberately run off the track and into the woods.
Remember, my son was the points leader in his age division - not something
easily achieved then thrown away.

What would you have done?

Seth Hammond said:

"TM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

-----------------------

My son is the racer, or was. He was leading in class points before a
recent race. The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short Track
race. One mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his way
through until a backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the race.
My son lost it and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was
broken up by others before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from
the race and the series, as well as every race the promoter runs - which
is most of the races on the lower right coast and Florida where he lives.
My son has effectively retired from racing. Oh, for the days of AJ Foyt
the pit brawler. Dale Earnhart was no slouch either. Oh well, these are
the days of political correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and
made up.

Sounds like the promoter did everyone a favor. If he wants to 'tackle',
he should play football. Everyone else showed up to race bikes and go
home.

Slower riders are a part of the game from beginner to pro and it is always
the responsibility of the faster rider to make sure the pass goes
smoothly. It's a skill that every successful racer has developed and your
son should as well.

He's ridden competitively for 12+ years, and last year turned Pro, so I
guess his passing skills are well practiced. He was again the points leader
in his age group of 41-43.

You're so full of [censored]. Anyone at the expert or pro level doesn't ride
in age groups so small. That's beginner [censored].

Greg

Seth Hammond said:

"Corvus Corvax" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Feb 7, 3:29 pm, "Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My son lost it
and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up by
others
before a punch was thrown.  He was disqualified from the race and the
series, as well as every race the promoter runs

[...]

Quoted message said:

Oh well, these are the days of political
correctness, I guess.  He should have kissed and made up.

Quoted message said:

Objecting to assault is "political correctness"? Good for the
promoter.

I understand, and even agree.  I can also see the opposite view.  The passer
gave warning and was deliberately run off the track and into the woods.
Remember, my son was the points leader in his age division - not something
easily achieved then thrown away.

What would you have done?

Okay, this whole thread has suffered from 'unreliable narrator'
issues.

From the first post, I assumed that you were riding your first race,
got upset when people passed you, started blocking faster riders, was
chastised for it and now you are some support.

When you said it was your son, I figured he's some confused teenager
and felt sympathetic. After all, the kid is acting appropriately, like
a juvenile. And for all we know there might be an underlying story,
maybe this other kid has been picking on your every day since
elementary school and this was the rightful pummeling this guy
deserved. And you, as a father, are looking to defend your son even
when probably wrong, as any overly protective parent should.

Then I read that he's between 41 and 44, and I thought, oh, well, what
kind of man-baby is this guy? I mean, what is WRONG with him? Why
doesn't he get himself a life with some real problems beyond
assaulting another individual over a preceived slight while riding his
bicycle? And how is his OP father responsible for enabling this type
of behavior?

And then I realized that I'm a lot closer to 41-44 than my teens. In
other words, what there was of my athletic "prime" is fading faster
than smoke rings and beer burps. If I thought I was about to win a
race (any race, please!) there's no telling what I might do to an
opponent. I might make the chariot race in Spartacus look like
Valentine's Day toodle.

I think that you owe it to us to write that it was all a dream and we
can be done with it.

Thank you,

Scott

"Scott Gordo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Seth Hammond said:

"Corvus Corvax" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Feb 7, 3:29 pm, "Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My son lost it
and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it was broken up by
others
before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified from the race and the
series, as well as every race the promoter runs

[...]

Quoted message said:

Oh well, these are the days of political
correctness, I guess. He should have kissed and made up.

Quoted message said:

Objecting to assault is "political correctness"? Good for the
promoter.

I understand, and even agree. I can also see the opposite view. The passer
gave warning and was deliberately run off the track and into the woods.
Remember, my son was the points leader in his age division - not something
easily achieved then thrown away.

What would you have done?

Okay, this whole thread has suffered from 'unreliable narrator'
issues.

From the first post, I assumed that you were riding your first race,
got upset when people passed you, started blocking faster riders, was
chastised for it and now you are some support.

When you said it was your son, I figured he's some confused teenager
and felt sympathetic. After all, the kid is acting appropriately, like
a juvenile. And for all we know there might be an underlying story,
maybe this other kid has been picking on your every day since
elementary school and this was the rightful pummeling this guy
deserved. And you, as a father, are looking to defend your son even
when probably wrong, as any overly protective parent should.

Then I read that he's between 41 and 44, and I thought, oh, well, what
kind of man-baby is this guy? I mean, what is WRONG with him? Why
doesn't he get himself a life with some real problems beyond
assaulting another individual over a preceived slight while riding his
bicycle? And how is his OP father responsible for enabling this type
of behavior?

And then I realized that I'm a lot closer to 41-44 than my teens. In
other words, what there was of my athletic "prime" is fading faster
than smoke rings and beer burps. If I thought I was about to win a
race (any race, please!) there's no telling what I might do to an
opponent. I might make the chariot race in Spartacus look like
Valentine's Day toodle.

I think that you owe it to us to write that it was all a dream and we
can be done with it.

Thank you,

Scott

-----------------

You're welcome. I started this thread because I knew there would be
different views. Yours is one of them. However, among the several things
you ignored or brushed off was my asking opinions of *racers* which you
clearly are not. Back to Spartacus with you. Good luck.

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Seth Hammond said:

"TM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> -----------------------
>
> My son is the racer, or was. He was leading in class points before a
> recent race. The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short
> Track race. One mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his
> way through until a backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the
> race. My son lost it and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it
> was broken up by others before a punch was thrown. He was disqualified
> from the race and the series, as well as every race the promoter runs -
> which is most of the races on the lower right coast and Florida where
> he lives. My son has effectively retired from racing. Oh, for the days
> of AJ Foyt the pit brawler. Dale Earnhart was no slouch either. Oh
> well, these are the days of political correctness, I guess. He should
> have kissed and made up.
>
Sounds like the promoter did everyone a favor. If he wants to 'tackle',
he should play football. Everyone else showed up to race bikes and go
home.

Slower riders are a part of the game from beginner to pro and it is
always the responsibility of the faster rider to make sure the pass goes
smoothly. It's a skill that every successful racer has developed and
your son should as well.

He's ridden competitively for 12+ years, and last year turned Pro, so I
guess his passing skills are well practiced. He was again the points
leader in his age group of 41-43.

You're so full of [censored]. Anyone at the expert or pro level doesn't ride in
age groups so small. That's beginner [censored].

Greg

If you say so. Perhaps you should notify all mountain bike racers in
Florida. North Carolina, Georgia, Utah, and Arizona are other places he's
raced. They may be different. I'm no expert in the matter. I barely
qualify as rider, and surely not racer.

Seth Hammond said:

"G.T." <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Seth Hammond said:

"TM" <[email hidden]> wrote in messagenews:[email hidden]...
> "Seth Hammond" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
>news:[email hidden]...
>> -----------------------

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> My son is the racer, or was.  He was leading in class points beforea
>> recent race.  The promoter decided late in the game to add a Short
>> Track race.  One mass start was a fustercluck, but my son worked his
>> way through until a backmarker crowded him off the track and out of the
>> race. My son lost it and tackled the guy at the end of the race, but it
>> was broken up by others before a punch was thrown.  He was disqualified
>> from the race and the series, as well as every race the promoter runs-
>> which is most of the races on the lower right coast and Florida where
>> he lives. My son has effectively retired from racing.  Oh, for the days
>> of AJ Foyt the pit brawler.  Dale Earnhart was no slouch either.  Oh
>> well, these are the days of political correctness, I guess.  He should
>> have kissed and made up.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Sounds like the promoter did everyone a favor.  If he wants to 'tackle',
> he should play football.  Everyone else showed up to race bikes and go
> home.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Slower riders are a part of the game from beginner to pro and it is
> always the responsibility of the faster rider to make sure the pass goes
> smoothly. It's a skill that every successful racer has developed and
> your son should as well.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

He's ridden competitively for 12+ years, and last year turned Pro, so I
guess his passing skills are well practiced.  He was again the points
leader in his age group of 41-43.

Quoted message said:

You're so full of [censored].  Anyone at the expert or pro level doesn't ride in
age groups so small.  That's beginner [censored].

Quoted message said:

Greg

If you say so.  Perhaps you should notify all mountain bike racers in
Florida.  North Carolina, Georgia, Utah, and Arizona are other places he's
raced.  They may be different.  I'm no expert in the matter.  I barely
qualify as rider, and surely not racer.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I'm curious, if you "barely qualify as rider, and surely not racer",
how you can be so sure Scott isn't a racer?