marc wrote:
>
> In article <
[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> > whatever amateur provision these wannabee racers provide these days.
> >
> >
> Reading the above and your other comments on TT riders... You really don't like competitive
> riders do you?
That's far too sweeping a generalisation. I really don't like *time trials* being held on *open*
roads especially for younger riders, but it hasn't always been the case.
I thoroughly enjoy cycle racing in all its forms, and regularly attend races. My children also
compete, mainly in circuit racing and they have my full support. I am also a member of a racing club
and have ridden both road and track races and have competed in many time trials myself from 10 to 24
hours, including a number abroad.
So to say I don't like "competitive riders" couldn't be further from the truth.
However, IMO the time has come for a major look at time-trialling on open roads. A sport that allows
12-year olds to race alone on the motorway standard trunk roads is irresponsible and sends all the
wrong messages out about 'cycling'. Thankfully few new riders are moving into TTs as seen by the
increasing proportion of vets that make up the fields.
If riders do take up time-trialling they are rapidly dragged into the PB mindset where shaving
seconds off takes priority over all else. Soon they are chasing courses where traffic volumes are
high, or where the courses are 'engineered' to start at the top of a hill and finish at the bottom,
yet remaining within the out-and-back rules. My own fastest times were on the A2 and the A12 -
anyone who knows them will know about the traffic mix - and yes I had been caught by the obsession
so I know what it was like. I still even have my slotted cranks to save those few extra gramms.
But now I shake my head with disbelief when I see parents introducing their young offspring to such
a system then cheering with 'pride' as they beat last week's time for a 10.
And what is the result of this obsession with times and courses? Six riders were killed in time
trials last year - and in such a minority sport that is terribly wrong. Should we be encouraging
riders to take it up? IMO no.
John B