FLCC> tuesday night rules
Matthew DeLisa
md255 at cornell.edu
Fri Jul 13 09:30:51 EDT 2007
I argue that unless there are consequences, the rules will continue to
be broken. Thus, I suggest a system of self-policing whereby you can
report people who are exhibiting unsafe behavior. We keep a log - first
time you get cited is a warning, second time you miss a week of racing,
third time the penalty is more severe (e.g., miss several races or you
are forced to race on a 1 speed or 24" cruiser). This seems like the
only way to make this stick. Otherwise, in 2-3 weeks time, we will have
forgotten about Nick's email and everyone will be back to riding 5
abreast, disregarding "car back" yells and crossing yellow lines.
Matt
Assistant Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Cornell University
254 Olin Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: 607-254-8560
Fax: 607-255-9166
Ernie Bayles wrote:
> The exceptions prove the rule.
>
> There are obvious points where exceptions will prevail, but, at the
> same time, if we don't make some fundamental changes to the overall
> mindset of the group, there are going to be problems. Personally, I
> would like to really change our approach to corners entirely--midline
> is just too dangerous at our usual speeds because you can't see
> traffic coming from the left until you are already committed. Swinging
> over the yellow line before a turn does give you a better line for a
> safe exit, but I would like to suggest that it means you're coming
> into the turn too fast in the first place. If the "neutral corners"
> rule were taken to heart, we would be taking these turns at much lower
> speeds that allowed both a safe entry and exit. No doubt this will
> change the dynamics of the race since the guys trying to catch up will
> break every rule to do so. But at least we will only have one or two
> deaths and not 10.
>
> Maybe we need to have designated corner marshals?
>
> Just my opinion
>
>
> Sandy and Don Fitterer wrote:
>> Ernie,
>> I agree with most of what you say although I believe there are
>> exceptions to rules 1 and 4. The MIS (Midline Irish Settlement) turn
>> is one our more dangerous intersections. It is my opinion that
>> approaching the turn wide (which means across the yellow line) allows
>> the rider to enter the intersection on the very right hand side of
>> the road. I often do the same onto Rt79 to stay away from the white
>> line. Same technique when entering Coddingtom from Whitechurch.
>> You corrected me years ago about my speed onto Rt 79 and I have taken
>> your advice. When I've ridden with the A's the technique described
>> above is used by may of the riders.
>> Thoughts? Critique? Criticism?
>> Don
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> *From:* Ernie Bayles <mailto:ebarch1 at verizon.net>
>> *To:* Don Smith <mailto:smithaca at hotmail.com>
>> *Cc:* flcc at icycle.org <mailto:flcc at icycle.org>
>> *Sent:* Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:20 PM
>> *Subject:* FLCC> tuesday night rules
>>
>> Don and all,
>>
>> It is good to get into this thread from time to time. The "rules"
>> of tuesday nights have often been spoken, but perhaps now is a
>> good time to write them down. I'll start
>>
>> 1. The yellow line rule is in effect at all times, even when a
>> yellow line is not evident. Even in the sprint. If you can't get
>> to the front except by violating this rule, then save it for next
>> week. Flagrant violators should be yelled at. Lots.
>> 2. The person at the front is responsible for making decisions
>> that are appropriate for those following you--avoid the potholes,
>> stop at signs if there are cars coming, ride in a predictable way.
>> 3. The person(s) at the rear is responsible to monitor traffic
>> approaching from the rear. Calls of "car back" shall be relayed
>> to the front. This means that abnout every other rider should be
>> sounding out when a car approaches. Conversely, those at the
>> front should yell "Car UP".
>> 4. The midline/irish settlement, midline/79 and white
>> church/coddington intersections (and all others) are "neutral"
>> (this is an old rule Don) --that is, you should not be using
>> these corners as a means of bettering your position in the pack
>> either by crowding, cutting off, or otherwise interfereing with
>> the safe passage of another rider, nor should one use a corner to
>> increase one's lead on the following riders either by approaching
>> the turn at a speed that cannot be corrected for oncoming traffic
>> or by "gunning" it out of the corner. No corner should be
>> approached in such a way that you cannot react appropriately to
>> traffic. This rule needs to be reiterated and perhaps discussed
>> in more detail before our next ride to the whole rider group as
>> it has not really been enforced at all this year. We take way too
>> big a risk at these corners. Are brake pads that expensive?
>> 5. On the ride out, two abreast maximum at all times. One abreast
>> when you hear "car back". Immediately.
>>
>> please add more.
>>
>> ernie
>>
>> Don Smith wrote:
>>>
>>> I have also noticed many transgressions that make our Tuesday
>>> night events less safe, and more likely to draw negative
>>> attention from the authorities and others who share the roads
>>> with us. I've seen plenty of the previously mentioned crossing
>>> of yellow lines and shouts of "Car back" not relayed, or ignored.
>>>
>>> I'd like to raise one other issue that might help keep things
>>> safe and viable. I've always felt that the most dangerous points
>>> in our rides are the intersections that have a stop sign, like
>>> at Midline/Irish Settlement, Irish Settlement/79, or White
>>> Church/ Coddington. What usually happens is that the people who
>>> get through the turns first immediately stomp on it. This
>>> encourages those behind them to want to get through the
>>> intersectuion as fast as they can to avoid being dropped. This
>>> can create a very dangerous situation, especially when you add
>>> motor vehicle traffic to the mix. It also can lead to a reckless
>>> type of bicycle behavior that would be frowned upon by the
>>> authorities. Would it make sense to declare these intersections
>>> "neutral" and discourage riders from attacking as they come out
>>> of them? We could have an understanding that a group entering
>>> one of these corners should stay together, maintaining the same
>>> order and spacing, until the whole group has safely passed through.
>>>
>>> How do you all feel about this?
>>>
>>> Don Smith
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> From: /"Donal Fitterer" <DonalFitterer at vectormagnetics.com>/
>>> To: /<flcc at icycle.org>/
>>> Subject: /Re: FLCC> [Cookies] one person's view of Tuesday
>>> night/
>>> Date: /Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:23:14 -0400/
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>>>
>>> Nick,
>>> You are one of the best riders in our group and it is
>>> important that you
>>> speak up. I see a general lack of concern about traffic on
>>> Tuesday night
>>> and I really don't understand it. There are several "old
>>> timers" who
>>> don't think that car back needs to be heeded. If more of us
>>> speak up and
>>> say that the problem exists and your specific action is the
>>> issue
>>> perhaps we can make a difference.
>>>
>>> How about at the start on top of Ringwood? We had the whole
>>> road blocked
>>> and a P.U. was trying to move through us safely. People saw
>>> him coming
>>> and still didn't move out of the way. Why was there a need
>>> to even shout
>>> at people to get out of the road? The only way Mad Dog
>>> finally moved is
>>> when I threw the dog biscuit into the bushes!
>>>
>>> There seems to be this lack of consideration for the cars we
>>> share the
>>> road with. Complaints are going to occur and we need to do
>>> our best not
>>> to create unnecessary situations.
>>>
>>> Don
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Ernie Bayles, Architect
>> 209 Utica Street
>> Ithaca, New York 14850
>>
>> 607-275-3722 (tel and fax)
>>
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>
> --
> Ernie Bayles, Architect
> 209 Utica Street
> Ithaca, New York 14850
>
> 607-275-3722 (tel and fax)
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