Rule Question

[Anonymous]

I believe that “trainer, but outside” and “round and round a covered-but-unheated parking garage” actually have been idly debated in the past, but I don’t know that anyone has ever in seriousness proposed doing either of them (therefore, I don’t know if anyone has ever decided that they do or don’t count). As much as I really really really want to see pictures (or preferably video!!!) of jwetzel dragging a hotel stationary bike outside at night to ride it (preferably with witnesses!!!), we would then probably need to let everyone else take our trainers outside for a quick “mile” in tomorrow’s blizzard. I think the people who actually manage to ride somewhere tomorrow might, possibly have a wee bit of a problem with that. Although doing that would certainly increase the likelihood of our neighbors calling the authorities to have us committed, which does seem to be in the proper spirit of the game… 😎

I’m all for letting Vicegrip donate some of his points towards encouraging stupid human tricks. Also, Subby, Rod Smith, ewilliams, everybody on Team 8-Ballin’ or ::checks leaderboard:: any of the Cyclo-Paths

[Dickie]

I agree with hozn. Dragging a stationary bike outside while on vacation in the middle of the night in the cold is more in line with the spirit of this game that many of the rides counted each year. Lets be honest, try as we like to make this a “serious” event, shouldn’t we allow exceptions that celebrate the true intent of this game… to have fun cycling in the winter? I suspect those folks who are insane enough to ride tomorrow are exactly the folks that would applaud jwetzel’s efforts. Please donate 11 of my points, hell give him all my points for all I care…. I’d rather BAFS stay true to the spirit of the game.

[Terpfan]

Oh riding in a parking garage… the thought had never occurred to me. If I could make it down to Huntington Station, I could easily log sleaze miles during storm. If only it were closer. I’ll still do some fun laps on hybrid once plow comes through. Maybe even tree with snow for ___ and giggles.

[rcannon100]

@vern 132947 wrote:

We should ban riding indoors for next year’s game. As Hozn says, riding indoors is against the spirit and intent of the game.

Riding indoors has been asked and answered. The decision, first year, is that unless you are outside “Freezing” the miles they don’t count.

As for a stationary bike…. It doesn’t move…. You have to MOVE to have miles.

The whole point to this game is that it is a cycling commuting outdoors suffering in the elements game. If you are not outdoors suffering in the elements, going somewhere, then the miles they don’t count.

BTW The reason for having captains originally was not to have team cheerleaders, it was, once the game began, to clarify any kerfluffles. If we are having moments of lack of clarify, then, as originally designed, it should go to the Captains and they should attempt to reach consensus.

[Dickie]

@rcannon100 132964 wrote:

BTW The reason for having captains originally was not to have team cheerleaders, it was, once the game began, to clarify any kerfluffles. If we are having moments of lack of clarify, then, as originally designed, it should go to the Captains and they should attempt to reach consensus.

Agreed, but perhaps allowing captains who; don’t participate in the forum, log onto Stava only once a week, or have never participated in BAFS before, sort of defeats the intent

[cvcalhoun]

The question now is, just how much of the ride can involve Fred Flintstoning before it doesn’t count as a ride.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@hozn 132948 wrote:

…for example – there were the Crystal City parking garage races end of last winter. I don’t think there is anything in the rules that would prevent that from counting…

Yeah, but it was freaking freezing down there for all of ’em… so still in the spirit!

[Steve O]

@rcannon100 132964 wrote:

As for a stationary bike…. It doesn’t move…. You have to MOVE to have miles.

Do it like the ending of The Triplets of Belleville and we will grant you the points.

[Steve O]

@Harry Meatmotor 132972 wrote:

Yeah, but it was freaking freezing down there for all of ’em… so still in the spirit!

No, it wasn’t all that cold, actually, especially if you had a cup of coffee while you rode.

[vvill]

I agree in principle that things in the spirit of FS should be allowed, but without rules it becomes too difficult to keep track of it all. If you’re not actually moving on wheels outside (and dealing with the dynamics of winds, balance, terrain, etc.) then you can’t get points. That’s a simple rule. Rent a bike, borrow a bike, bring a folding bike and ride those. Or hike-a-bike/cyclocross-carry your sleaze ride.

I could go either way on the indoor garage one for this winter, but I think in future it should be only rides that are GPS trackable (and moving obviously – this is in addition to no stationary bikes). Manual entries would still be allowed (in the event of Strava burps) but if you are far away enough from the surface that you can’t get a GPS track then you’re not really riding outside.

As for miles in more temperate places during FS – admittedly a loophole. I think if you want be able to ride every day of the FS calendar though, and also have veterans who’ve moved away participating we can’t change this one. Unless someone shows up high in a leaderboard with the majority of rides/miles in a warm area, I think it’s fine.

[dasgeh]

There could totally be a pointless prize for the silliest use of a trainer. Just saying.

[dkel]

How about a pointless prize for the silliest argument about rules?

[Anonymous]

@dkel 132987 wrote:

How about a pointless prize for the silliest argument about rules?

Too much competition.

[Anonymous]

@Dickie 132961 wrote:

Lets be honest, try as we like to make this a “serious” event, shouldn’t we allow exceptions that celebrate the true intent of this game… to have fun cycling in the winter?

I hope we are not trying to make this a serious event!

[shardg]

Two suggestions I considered for travel. Check local Craigslist for bikes for sale, if one in your location offer to rent for a day or two. If someone is selling a 300 bike they may bring it to your hotel for $50 or so. Other option ask the staff who has a bike you could ride for a mile for $20

[Author]

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