M
Mark Hagen
Guest
The Masters 45+ field was DQ'd in yesterday's Turtle Pond
Circuit Race, with 1.5 laps remaining. The official in
the follow car saw a rider toss a water bottle back onto
the lawn adjacent to the parking area and immediately
halted and DQ'd the field. A breakaway group of 3 was
allowed to finish.
At the start line, the officials had given plenty of warning
of the types of behaviors that would not be tolerated, so we
have no one to blame but ourselves. The guilty individual
identified himself and immediately apologized to the field
and to the officials. (Members of the field promptly threw
the miscreant into a large pricker bush.)
Folks, let this be a lesson to everyone. The promoters, the
officials, and the towns will not tolerate our rude,
inconsiderate, and selfish behavior. The result is that
entire fields will get DQ'd: no ifs, ands, or buts, no
refunds, nothing - just a DQ and go home.
New England has a long, rich history of great cycling
events. Unfortunately, many of these "classics" are no
longer around; many due to problems created by the cyclists
themselves. If we don't change the way we approach races and
the way we conduct ourselves before, during, and after
races, we'll have nothing but industrial park crits.
Spread the news: Bad behavior will not be tolerated. Adjust
your attitude and actions accordingly or find another
activity. How much more clear does this need to be?
Circuit Race, with 1.5 laps remaining. The official in
the follow car saw a rider toss a water bottle back onto
the lawn adjacent to the parking area and immediately
halted and DQ'd the field. A breakaway group of 3 was
allowed to finish.
At the start line, the officials had given plenty of warning
of the types of behaviors that would not be tolerated, so we
have no one to blame but ourselves. The guilty individual
identified himself and immediately apologized to the field
and to the officials. (Members of the field promptly threw
the miscreant into a large pricker bush.)
Folks, let this be a lesson to everyone. The promoters, the
officials, and the towns will not tolerate our rude,
inconsiderate, and selfish behavior. The result is that
entire fields will get DQ'd: no ifs, ands, or buts, no
refunds, nothing - just a DQ and go home.
New England has a long, rich history of great cycling
events. Unfortunately, many of these "classics" are no
longer around; many due to problems created by the cyclists
themselves. If we don't change the way we approach races and
the way we conduct ourselves before, during, and after
races, we'll have nothing but industrial park crits.
Spread the news: Bad behavior will not be tolerated. Adjust
your attitude and actions accordingly or find another
activity. How much more clear does this need to be?