Air Force Classic Crash?

[Judd]

@Sunyata 141360 wrote:

Unfortunately I can not give more detailed information, but the female rider in the crash at the beginning of the race was still in critical condition as of yesterday afternoon. I have not gotten an update this morning yet.

Is there anything that we can do to help?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hoffsquared]

This just posted.

https://www.arlnow.com/2016/06/14/woman-critical-after-crash-at-weekend-bike-event/

[semperiden]

@hoffsquared 141415 wrote:

This just posted.

https://www.arlnow.com/2016/06/14/woman-critical-after-crash-at-weekend-bike-event/

Thank you for the update. Glad she is in stable condition. Scary stuff.

[Mary LaVoy]

My husband was the second accident following the lady in the front. He was slowing down with hands on the brakes and someone hit him from behind at almost max speed. He suffered a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder. He is searching for any gopro footage from when he was hit if anyone has it – his number was 1284 I believe. We are having to deal with insurance to replace the bike. Thanks!

[tnelson]

@Mary LaVoy 141468 wrote:

My husband was the second accident following the lady in the front. He was slowing down with hands on the brakes and someone hit him from behind at almost max speed. He suffered a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder. He is searching for any gopro footage from when he was hit if anyone has it – his number was 1284 I believe. We are having to deal with insurance to replace the bike. Thanks!

Was this the pileup involving several cyclists? One of the bikes that came back from that wreck did have a GoPro on it, an Arlington County police officer came by later to collect it. I would contact ACPD and see if they have the footage and are able to share it.

[Mariner]

@rcannon100 141280 wrote:

That would require ceasing awarding the “gold” medals, which can only be awarded to people who basically take the course at race speed.

This.

[Steve O]

@rcannon100 141280 wrote:

That would require ceasing awarding the “gold” medals, which can only be awarded to people who basically take the course at race speed.

@Mariner 141484 wrote:

This.

I am going to respectfully disagree with this, as someone who earned a gold in 2015. For two reasons:

– I like to believe that although I averaged 19.6 mph to achieve the gold, I did not in any way create danger or discomfort to other riders riding either slower or faster. I believe it is entirely possible to ride safely, courteously and (sort of) fast.

– I don’t believe that eliminating the medals will stop those riders who are trying to make it 6 laps from still trying and still behaving exactly the same way.

[sethpo]

@Steve O 141498 wrote:

I am going to respectfully disagree with this, as someone who earned a gold in 2015. For two reasons:

– I like to believe that although I averaged 19.6 mph to achieve the gold, I did not in any way create danger or discomfort to other riders riding either slower or faster. I believe it is entirely possible to ride safely, courteously and (sort of) fast.

– I don’t believe that eliminating the medals will stop those riders who are trying to make it 6 laps from still trying and still behaving exactly the same way.

Agree with Steve. As long as it remains a bike ride there will be people riding it fast regardless of medals.

I think the only options are separate events for faster riders and casual riders or at least some kind of staggered start. I guess you could have/enforce speed limits and restrictions on pacelines as well.

At this point, there’s no way I’d take my kid to this event or recommend it to anyone.

[Mariner]

Then it should be called a race and run as a race, with qualifications. It is not marketed as a race. I rode in this a couple of years ago and learned that quickly: while it is not a race, it certainly feels like one on the road.

[Judd]

@sethpo 141503 wrote:

Agree with Steve. As long as it remains a bike ride there will be people riding it fast regardless of medals.

I think the only options are separate events for faster riders and casual riders or at least some kind of staggered start. At this point, there’s no way I’d take my kid to this event or recommend it to anyone.

I also agree with Steve O. I am almost always on the carbon fiber bike if I’m not commuting or running an errand. The medals or absence of medals would have no impact on my speed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[semperiden]

I agree that taking away the medals will do anything to change the behavior. As long as there are open roads, people will try to ride as fast as they can just to prove themselves.

This was my first ride riding with people. From the start I knew that people take it very seriously, so I was a bit nervous. After seeing the first accident, I decided to take it more safe. This included slowing down on curves and going downhill, and not cutting people off. I pushed it going uphill to make up for it and I still averaged 21mph at the end. You can ride safe, have fun and still complete the 6 laps.

[creadinger]

@Steve O 141498 wrote:

I am going to respectfully disagree with this, as someone who earned a gold in 2015. For two reasons:

– I like to believe that although I averaged 19.6 mph to achieve the gold, I did not in any way create danger or discomfort to other riders riding either slower or faster. I believe it is entirely possible to ride safely, courteously and (sort of) fast.

– I don’t believe that eliminating the medals will stop those riders who are trying to make it 6 laps from still trying and still behaving exactly the same way.

Agree. It’s also a “challenge” ride that is associated with a professional race. Why wouldn’t amateurs wanting to test themselves want to get out on a closed course and race themselves? There are PLENTY of family friendly rides in the region, but there are not as many rides that encourage trying to test your speed and endurance. Not every ride needs to be for all abilities. Maybe they should advertise as such.

I’m not a racer. Too big and heavy, but I fully support those guys who want to race in an event that looks and feels like a race, even though it’s for amateurs. It sounds like separating the events would go a long way toward rider safety in this case.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@Mariner 141505 wrote:

Then it should be called a race and run as a race, with qualifications. It is not marketed as a race. I rode in this a couple of years ago and learned that quickly: while it is not a race, it certainly feels like one on the road.

I don’t think the promoters are being dishonest in how the event is run. It’s marketed and promoted as a Challenge Ride, where riders (especially corporate groups making donations) are challenged to complete as many laps as they can within 3 hours. To complete 6 laps in 3 hours requires an average speed just under 20mph. So, obviously, there are going to be riders going faster than 20mph at times, and groups of riders will likely use pacelines to conserve energy. However, there are no prizes aside from the medals, no podium, no upgrade points, etc. It is not sanctioned as a race by USA Cycling; it is sanctioned as a ride. All riders who participate must complete a USA Cycling waiver. Hint: the requirement to sign that waiver is an important item to note (and I’d recommend reading or rereading the waiver).

[eminva]

Full disclosure: I did this event several years ago and got a gold medal (though we had 3.5 hours back then). My ride was uneventful and I’m glad I did it, but not really interested in doing it again.

I’m not disagreeing with anyone here, nor am I recommending any changes to the event, but question: What is the appeal of this event for strong cyclists who would be credible competitors in USA Cycling-sanctioned races? In other words, if one is capable of racing, why not just race? There is a whole calendar of races for amateurs; all sorts of events (crit, road race, TT).

@creadinger 141521 wrote:

There are PLENTY of family friendly rides in the region

What did you have in mind? I am only aware of Kidical Mass, which is great for families with wee kids, but I’m not aware of much for elementary age kids and up.

Liz

[creadinger]

@eminva 141526 wrote:

What did you have in mind? I am only aware of Kidical Mass, which is great for families with wee kids, but I’m not aware of much for elementary age kids and up.

Liz

I was mostly referring to how most charity rides and other events usually have different distances one can ride. And anything less than ~50K is essentially family friendly no? And by family friendly, I’m not talking about rides specifically for families, like Kidical Mass. Just a ride that families can do without feeling too out of their depth in distance or pace.

For example – the Reston tour de Cure below… 5mph and 7mph? Those are family or beginner rides. They’re also separated from the 108 mile riders by time. The 108 milers have to get on the road by 6:45am. These shorter rides start hours later.

36 mile 8:30 a.m.9:00 – 9:15 a.m.4 p.m. 7 mph
20 mile 10:00 a.m.10:30 a.m.2 p.m. 7 mph
14 mile 10:00 a.m.10:30 a.m.2 p.m. 5 mph

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?pg=entry&fr_id=11102

Here’s another example: http://www.active.com/huntingtown-md/cycling/races/end-hunger-bike-ride-2016

They actually have a new rider 16 miler with an orientation class ahead of time! Wow. That’s impressive.

“ROUTES

New Rider 16 mile • 16 mile • 35 mile • 48 mile • 63 Metric Century

For the New Rider 16 mile, there will be an orientation at 10:00AM on road rules and safety, and your bikes will be checked for safe road use. A ride leader will guide the group through the 16 mile ride.

NOTE: Riders taking the 16 mile route are advised to start after 9:30AM to best take advantage of the Winery Open House and Post-Ride Picnic. All other routes we suggest you start your ride between 7:00AM and 9:00AM.

The links below will allow you to download official maps and cue sheets for each route:

16 Mile
35 Mile
48 Mile
63 Metric Century”

[Author]

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