Today at Montrose was my first introduction to cycle cross. What a great sport! The physical challenges of sand pits and obstacles presented by the course added to the an already difficult challenge of this endurance race. It was a great display of competition and comrade. Its obvious the love of cycling runs deep in every competitor. Congratulations to all those who organized, competed, and sponsored this event.
Found today one wheel set with one flat tire. They were leaning against a tree by the double barriers behind the INTENT tent. Contact Luther Gu on Facebook for their return.
This race I shot video while shooting stills. Made for about 60 videos. I have started posting the raw videos to YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/user/jayloo75
All photos in hi-res will be posted to http://www.jayloo.com over the next 2 days. All of the videos may take till end of week.
The lip on that pit just begged for airtime! Thanks for the pic. If anyone got a good vid from one of the laps, please let me know. Only video I’ve seen is the one time I didn’t ride out the landing 🙂 Thanks for the cheers/enthusiasm–they made for a memorable race even though I had no engine.
I saw that as well. Was wonder whether to say anything about it. Not that it had any impact on the race result. Maybe we should have taped higher on turns to discourage someone from attempting it. As a promoter, I wonder what official involvement live rider video could have on infractions like that in the future. Cool video.
It’s hard to say whether it had an impact on the results or not. If that rider would have stayed within the course, and consequently behind the other rider on the run up, any number of other outcomes could have taken place. He may have taken a slightly different line and slid out, he could have dropped a chain, he could have lost it in the sand, etc. One thing is clear from the video – that was an intentional move to gain an unfair advantage over a competitor by breaking the rules. That’s a DQ in my book.
Talk about splitting hairs! At speed it’s hard to say its dq’able. Looks like rider in question was pushed inside. Course tape could have been higher to deter riders from cutting?
Yup, that was me. A point of contention guys. One thing that no one can do is put themselves in my shoes to know my intent. He took a line that squeezed me tight to the tape. Probably not intentional on his part. Definitely not on mine. And this happened at full speed. If I could have stopped on a dime to redirect myself, I would have. When you make a technical error riding into the tape and outside the course, or another rider forces you outside the tape, you ride back in and contine on. You don’t DQ yourself or flag down an official. In the end, it saved a few seconds and despite your opinion, had no bearing on how race played out. But if there was any question at all from the cycling gods about my intent, then I suffered their wrath less than a minute later when riding the sand along the shoreline, I hit a pot hole at speed and went flying over the bars. Recovery from that misstep cost me at least 20 seconds.
I’m pretty sure that the rules state when you leave the course you have to re-enter at the point you left, not simply continue on. Then again, I could be wrong.
“1N4. Rules and Course. It is the rider’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the rules of the event and the race course before the start of the race. Riders may not take any other route or short cut. The fact that tape or barriers may have moved or fallen shall not stay the responsibility of the rider to stay on the designated route.”
Safe to say the interpretation of that means if you go off course you must reenter at the exact point you exited. Makes sense. To report an infraction, do you have to attach your name to it, or can you do it anonymously? 🙂
Slowing the video down appears to show plenty of room for both racers to make the turn within the boundaries of the course. Nobody but you knows what your thinking was and in the heat of the moment we all make mistakes. Karma is a bitch and it did bite you not much later. If this was on the bell lap, I would have more of an issue with it.
Yup. Intentional pass to gain an advantage by cutting a corner. God forbid that momentum be lost. Even more impressive is the Pozzatto-like “only God can judge me” reply.
Ken, no need to hassle Mike to try to reveal his identity. It has no bearing whatsoever on whether the points that he’s making are valid or invalid. How exactly would knowing his identity be relevant?
Settle down Ken. Are you trying to discourage the free flow of conversation here? Watch the video – no contact, plenty of room, decision made to not slow down and cut the course.
Nope, not at all, I love the discussion, no matter what side of the post you fall on. (wicked pun) I prefer to discuss topics like this with people who have the conviction to stand behind their words with their identity, otherwise your point of view is empty and meaningless.
Ken, your claim that an argument or point of view is empty or meaningless because it is anonymous is false. A basic principle of critical inquiry is that the merit of an argument is generally independent of the source of the argument. If what you say were true, an anonymous pamphlet condemning Jim Crow laws for reasons x, y, and z could simply be dismissed because it was anonymous without even considering whether x, y, and z are good reasons. Throughout history many important and sometimes revolutionary books have been published anonymously. There are lots of ways to try to determine whether the arguments in the books are good or bad, true or false. Figuring out the author of the book is not one of them.
Excellent! Thanks John for providing your identity so people can attach a point of view with a person. It’s nice, seeing as the Chicrosscup is a tight family of familiar racers and most everybody knows one another and/or races with one another. Again, your point of view, you’re entitled to it, and you’re not necessarily wrong, or right.
I do believe to be taken seriously or credible you must list your name. Bringing up a topic is one thing, but accusing someone of something is quite another. Is this someone who is a direct competitor in this race? Another racer, spectator, family member, official? We have no idea where this point of view is coming from, and I think that is essential for having a basis for your position. It’s needed in police reports, court depositions, etc., and anywhere an opinion might be considered or relied upon for clarity. He’s not bringing up points, he’s accusing someone of something, and that should be done with conviction, not hidden behind a vague persona. Maybe a better question should be, why not reveal your name? Now, if Mike posted up “Hey is this within the rules?” or “Is this allowed, and if not, what is the penalty?” that is completely different than “I think you cheated”.
I’d really like some clarity on the subject anyways, seeing as I see much worse than this in almost every race. Maybe Mike has had a few of these instances? Oh, we don’t know that. 🙂 If you want, I can show you some video of Sunrise where I caught a bunch of riders shorting the course back in the woods by bunny hopping a log on the inside of a turn instead of going the longer way around and following the trail. And then I joined them. I suppose I could have reported everybody for cheating instead, right? I can show you plenty of spots of people going off course and getting back on where it’s the easiest and makes sense to do so, but I guess that is cheating too?
Krebs, if it’s any consolation, this Mike cheered for you to latch back onto the leaders while I watched the video. No matter how much I cheered, you never caught back on. Alas, you tried not to suck….
Ken, in this case Mike’s “point of view” is exactly the same as almost everyone discussing this issue: he watched your video that shows a clear (but arguably minor) infraction. Since you posted the video that point of view is available to anyone who wants to watch it. Unless Mike is claiming some other privileged point of view that gives him unique insight into the offense (I don’t see anything to indicate this) it doesn’t matter whether he raced, spectated, or watched the video on his computer in Hong Kong.
As far as reporting infractions is concerned, I’m not sure what the process is for that. It is possible (again, I don’t know) that someone who reports an infraction must provide their contact information to the officials. But I am pretty sure that if there is such a requirement, there is no additional requirement that they must post their name to the CCC webpage.
In most cases I agree that it is a good idea to use one’s name when discussing issues in a forum like this. It keeps the discussion more honest, respectful, and useful. But it is not a requirement, and there is really no ground to object to Mike not using his full name in the present case.
Regarding the Sunrise course. I remember the spot. I believe both paths very options, and within the course. I took that as an “choose your adventure” turn. I think I picked the longer but safer outside , after seeing people crash on the log on the inside.
Same with that banked turn at Dan Ryan where you could pick a path over or under some of the trees.
That’s way different than crossing a course tape. I wouldn’t even think of doing that. Yeah there is the “fog of war” and oopsie happen, but I am pretty sure that if this happened on my team we would have an ethics discussion and it ending with “cut that shit out” instead of trying to minimize, rally to defend, etc…
If your team apparently thinks it’s ok to jump the tape when it IS there, what about when it’s broken?
Nothing personal against Scalise, I don’t know him personally at all, and he was so far ahead of me I couldn’t even see him the whole race. (I was third on the podium) so the infraction is not really a big deal, but defending of it is irking me. He does need to get flak for this, it’s not funny, it’s just a matter of principles and what is the right thing to do. Don’t blame the guy in red for taking the racing line. He was in front. Don’t say it’s okay because he fell in the sand and lost time later. That has zero to do with jumping the tape to pass. Own your mistakes and race clean.
Regarding anonymity, think about what is your intention with knowing who the person is? It has no bearing on his argument who he is. You are a teammate of Scalise and and seem to defend him. Village Verdigris is a big team and I can see Mike not wanting to be “bullied” in any form. By staying anonymous, it shields him from you bringing up points about him irrelevant to what we are discussing.
Excellent posts boys. I appreciate them, and I respect your opinions and willingness to defend them, though I still disagree with anonymity in defense of an accusation. That really won’t change with me unfortunately. Jostein, you’re my boy, you know that, but let me make one thing clear. I’m not defending my team, my fellow racer, or anybody on here at all. These opinions are solely my own. I would feel the same way if it was you, or anybody else on another team. I’m not really that much of a team player anyway, ask my teammates. haha I really race for myself, and just like to keep things fair and have the racers race clean too without having to resort to citing rules and other nonsense. Only thing I did was post my video, and ask who Mike was because I was curious MYSELF on who is accusing somebody of cheating via an anonymous post. I’m not sure how else I can explain how weak that appears to me. We are all doing this for fun, and nobody is racing for that six figure contract here. Ever look at the start of the races? How many wheels are over the line? If you really want to start citing rules that are broken every race which do not affect outcomes, there are numerous ones available. To bring up the Sunset incident again, that was very very very clear to me what was the intended racing line considering it was a worn in trail and the tape ran right next to it. I was passed by somebody in that turn on the first lap as well. At what point does interpretation come into play then? I guess if there is no tape at a certain spot, you make your own line despite it being blatantly obvious where the intended racing line is? I hope no tape falls next to a barrier or we just ride around it then? I am not comparing that incident to this one either because they are slightly different, just making an observation that when something minutely tiny that has no bearing on the outcome of a race happens, maybe it’s best to let it go seeing as we are all having fun, and if it bothers you, maybe have a talk with the racer to get his input on it. It’s a race for fun, let’s keep it that way. If you think somebody deliberately cheated, then say something to them. I sure would. I’m not defending anybody at all, I’m just giving my point of view on the incident, and I have just as much at stake as you do considering he beat us both, and we both move up a spot if something were to be made of it. I would just feel kinda crummy moving up a spot because of that knowing that I don’t deserve it. Just the way I feel on it. “Cut that out” means you think there was some intent on his part to deliberately cut the course. If you really feel that way, I can put you in touch with him and you can discuss it together. I agree with falling later though, not much bearing on the move to begin with, just kinda funny.
John, exactly my point, there is no requirement at all to use your real name, but it does keep it more relevant and useful, which is why I asked for it. And I would also agree with your description of “clear, but arguably minor” infraction. Thanks for your input. It’s always good to know how people feel in these types of instances, because they do happen now and then.
Actually, Ken- that log jump at Sunrise was legal. As a board member I checked with both the promoter and the officials to make sure before the racing started.
“If you think somebody deliberately cheated, then say something to them.”
^^I think people are, here.
Regarding the Sunrise Park point, that was clearly intended as an ‘option’ section, as there was tape on both sides as well as in the middle forming two choices — short with a log and long without. A reward for being able to bunny hop.
Also, ‘racing line’ and ‘race course’ are mutually exclusive terms.
Thanks Jim for the clarification. Awesome course and love that choice, just didn’t think it was a legal option, not that I cared people were taking it. I guess a bad example though. Sorry.
Mark, I mean say something in person or privately to them, not anonymously on a website.
Ken, I’m getting confused here. Insofar as I can comprehend your posts you are defending Scalise. Your point in response to Jostein is (or should be) that you are not doing it on the basis of the fact that he is your teammate (an important qualification to make). You would defend anyone who did that sort of thing, irrespective of their team affiliation (of course an opinion being one’s own does not preclude defending someone else with it).
You think we should not worry too much about this case (correct me if I’m wrong) because (1) it’s a minor offense that did not influence the outcome of the race, (2) there are lots of minor infractions if you look closely, so it isn’t really fair to single out the offender in this case, and (3) we’re all trying to have fun out there so why get worked up about something as minute as this.
These reasons don’t seem very convincing to me. Sure, the maneuver only saved him a couple of seconds, and the race was not decided by a couple of seconds, but it could have been decided by a close margin. In the single speed race this year that could have been the difference between first place and third place. It would be an unfortunate result if the placing in that race was effected by this sort of incident. The fact that a race did or did not end up being decided within that margin has no bearing on whether the infraction merits disciplinary action of some sort (I believe that Jonathan Page was DQ’d from a race early this year for taking a hand up even though it probably had no effect on the ultimate placing).
In my experience there are not a lot of infractions comparable to this, though it does happen from time to time (there are probably a couple of times in my racing “career” that I have been guilty of such infractions).
Yes, we’re out to have fun. No, we’re not pro’s. But it is a serious hobby for the people who are placing well, and people who are training hard to compete in these events deserve to compete in a fair contest where everyone is at least trying to follow the established rules. If we’re going to allow this sort of thing I’d like to know it. But I don’t think “riders must stay within the course unless someone takes a smart line to block them” is going to pass muster.
Good post John. Once again, I’m not defending anybody at all in particular. I’m saying I still wouldn’t have a problem with this personally if it was anybody else. Just my opinion. If you do, that is cool with me and totally your right, and obviously within the rules as well. I do also feel that if you think it is material enough to know I’m his teammate and that might be important, maybe the identity of “Mike” is equally important for the same reason? But once again, I’m not telling you to do anything, I’m giving my opinion on it just like everybody else, and I wouldn’t care. I’ve seen it before, and my worst thought on it would be “man that kinda sucked” to “I don’t care one bit”. Never once would I even think of making a case of it or even talking to the racer, unless I feel he is a dirty racer, it was a recurring move, or materially affected a race outcome. And on your three points, I don’t think you or anybody else you include in “we” should do anything. Do and think what you want, though the points you reference I do agree with in general. I’m not looking to convince anybody of anything. Somehow this got pointed towards me when I simply asked the identity of someone posting anonymously. Now you are asking my position on it. You can agree with it or not, I don’t care too much actually. Everybody races differently, takes chances at different levels, has different opinions on what a course should be like, and how strictly to adhere to rules. That’s the beauty of this country. In the SS race, sure, that could be a huge advantage for sure. I could understand how someone might feel that made a difference. I guess having done more MTB racing myself, I see this stuff quite a bit, and the lines of what is acceptable and not is a bit looser. A foot here or there doesn’t matter much in my opinion, especially on the first lap. Nobody said it’s not a serious hobby at all, I think the fact that we spend a ton of dough and time doing it says that. I guess I just like to think the best of my competitors, teammates or not, and that this was just split second bad judgement or allowing Miller to have a bit more room or whatever. The last thing I would like to think is that someone deliberately cheated, especially on the first lap, next to another racer, in plain sight of many others. That’s just me. And the last thing I would do, is accuse somebody of knowing what they were thinking and that it was less than honest. Again, just me.
Ken, being the promoter and course designer at Sunrise we specifically left that section of the course as an option for people to choose. There should have been course tape on the left of the longer path an course tape on the right of the log jump. I’m pretty sure that is what we did. Last year we found that section caused a bottleneck because people had difficulty with the log and the plan was to give an alternate route (but longer) so that racers could have a choice.
Seems, there are lot of self-rightous people here shoulding all over each other, and on me. I take real exception with being called a deliberate cheater. I think anyone whose integrity was being questioned would feel the same way. Ironically, the person who probably has the most cause to complain is JW Miller, but he didn’t say a word to me at the time or afterwards. I’m pretty sure he appreciated us not colliding into one another, a real possibility if neither of us altered our line. I had that happen to me recently and my race was over at the beginning of lap 1. No one wants that, especially in a big event like states. In many instances, who has the right to a line is a gray area. I felt like I was “focred” to make a split second to decision to do what was safe for both cyclists. To call that deliberate cheating, well, I believe in racing, and life, judging another’s intent is rarely black & white. But if you all somehow find all this cathartic, then by all means, please keep venting.
I don’t believe anyone I’ve raced with that has cut or gone off course has done so with the intention of cheating on purpose and yes it happens. And if anyone believes that Mike S. would not have been on the podium if he had taken the outside line you’re kidding yourself. Let’s sit back enjoy the season we had and be thankful that we’re all able to race in such a cool series and move on. I for one lost last season due to an injury and was just happy to be on the bike this year.
Mike to use the excuse that cutting the course was safer for both racers when you were both running is hard to swallow. I’ve watched the video many times and there is no contact previous to you cutting the course and it appears that JW gave you plenty of room to make the turn inside the course. We are all concerned about safety when racing, but, in this instance, I don’t buy it. If it makes you feel better to think that, then good on you. I’m not going to go into a “you don’t know what I was thinking” argument, I’m just giving my interpretation of what I can see on the video. I’m out. Have a great offseason.
MondayQB. Your name says it all. By your own admission, you’ve watched the video over and over analyzing frame by frame. Try competing at the pace of race leaders with split seconds to make perfect, unquestionable decisions on the hundreds to be made over the course of a race. Good luck with that.
Hey Mike, I think there’s a middle-ground here with a lot of us who race. That’s to say that I watched the video and first was like, “uh oh.” After about 5 minutes I’d remembered all the dumb stuff I’ve done on a bike while “in the red” (ie. running into a barrier at full speed), and thought, “Ok… I could see how somebody might get outside the tape and be waaaay over there before he even realized it… it happens.”
But, as carlosflanders and Jostein pointed out, the response afterwards comes off more like “yeah, I meant it and I’d do it again in that situation” and not the “Damn… I wish I hadn’t done that, sorry!” which most people would be expecting.
I haven’t see this much online whining since the old days of the WORS Message Board when Wheezer rubbed raw all who dared post with indignity and poor grammar.
Another great cx season has come and gone, for me anyway. Thanks for a great day of racing yesterday, and to all who are responsible for making this series so incredible. The Spin Doctor Cyclewerks CX team appreciates all of your efforts. On a side note, we lost a wheelset sometime during the day yesterday. Hed Belgium rims with White Ind hubs (black), black Cx-rays, PDX tubulars. They were unloaded at our tents early in the morning and that’s the last time any of us saw them. Perhaps someone out there got them home by “mistake”? If anyone has information pertaining to this, or wants to return the wheels, please contact me (Greg) at the store, 630-289-7360. If they were stolen, to the person who stole them I say, you won’t be faster racing on stolen wheels, you’ll just be a cheater. Cheers!
Thanks to Luther @ Intent for picking up our misplaced wheelset. My apologies for the tone of accusation in my previous post. I should have known that the CCC community is family and we take care of our own.
Thanks all for a great race and a great season. I loved last years course for the rediculosity (icy downhill u-turnz) and I loved this years course for being a simple race of truth; legs against legs against soft ground and deep sand. I think I blacked out for that last half a lap. The ride up to the hill felt so slow with someone nipping at your heels. Looking forward to 2015!
When I moved to Chicago in 2008, I knew approximately 3 people. I did not know what cyclocross was when I wandered into Johnny Sprockets bike shop the next spring with a broken spoke on a cheap mountain bike. I had no idea that I was stepping into an entirely new community of friends and family. When I first watched Heather Jurewicz’s 2009 Chi Cross Cup video (http://vimeo.com/9952653), I didn’t really understand when Newt said “the people” is why he did cyclocross. Now I do.
Thank you for teaching me, accepting me, and for not laughing at me unless I did something really funny. You’ve also accept my wife into this community despite her n-number being zero.
The cheers, support, and (a few of the) heckles lobbed our way this season mean the world to us.
Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year,
Morleigh and Nathan
YES! Let’s keep banging that drum … who wouldn’t want the option to race one of the great Chicago park courses again in April? As bike-friendly as our mayor and city are, how could they say no to having so many of us enjoy Caldwell, Montrose, Jackson etc (no golf courses, obviously).
John/Rachel-awesome work or is it play… My favorite two moments are watching the Christmas tree dance near the sand pit, and of course the inside tunnel shot. You need to go to Nats with those skills!
This was my second season racing cross, and I missed a lot of it with injuries (a car picked a fight with my bike and I lost. Bike is fine though), and though it’s only been two days since the end, I already miss all of you. Why can’t cross go all year?
Just an awesome CCC season capped off with another electric event at Montrose. Huge thanks to everyone involved with each race and with the CCC for making this series happen – and at a very high level week in and week out.
Question – to those who delinquently forgot to grab payouts at the race yesterday, will they be at another event this year (Afterglow?)…just curious…
Haha, I just get the impression that a few people would rather call the cops on their neighbor for loud music rather than go over there and have a beer and ask to have it turned down.
Hi, all, finally got around to throwing some images on Flickr. Help yourselves for non-commercial use. If you need or want for commercial, contact me through Flickr or Twitter – @craignewman.
Today at Montrose was my first introduction to cycle cross. What a great sport! The physical challenges of sand pits and obstacles presented by the course added to the an already difficult challenge of this endurance race. It was a great display of competition and comrade. Its obvious the love of cycling runs deep in every competitor. Congratulations to all those who organized, competed, and sponsored this event.
Found today one wheel set with one flat tire. They were leaning against a tree by the double barriers behind the INTENT tent. Contact Luther Gu on Facebook for their return.
Could be ours, will contact Luther. Thanks.
Jason with Jayloo Photography here.
Masters 35+ photos are up on Facebook http://on.fb.me/1yYWpD4
This race I shot video while shooting stills. Made for about 60 videos. I have started posting the raw videos to YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/user/jayloo75
All photos in hi-res will be posted to http://www.jayloo.com over the next 2 days. All of the videos may take till end of week.
Thanks for an amazing season!
Some pictures from Montrose…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandvarriale/sets/72157649242182927/
If you would like copies for non-commercial purposes please feel free to send me a message on flickr.
-roland
whaaa??!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandvarriale/15785220050/in/set-72157649242182927
yeah I am kinda upset I didn’t switch to a shorter focal length for that one to grab the airtime. It was pretty impressive.
How about the syncro mount? https://www.flickr.com/photos/rolandvarriale/15352891303/
NICE SNAPS ROLAND !
Per USAC rules: 4A13. No acrobatics on the part of the riders shall be required to overcome obstacles.
Ben needs to review the rules! Nice job bro!
The lip on that pit just begged for airtime! Thanks for the pic. If anyone got a good vid from one of the laps, please let me know. Only video I’ve seen is the one time I didn’t ride out the landing 🙂 Thanks for the cheers/enthusiasm–they made for a memorable race even though I had no engine.
I finally got to watch a cross race!
Some photos from Women’s 1/2/3 and a few from Men 1/2/3.
https://www.facebook.com/deedee.scadron/media_set?set=a.10203221574642406.1073741831.1299813098&type=3
Masters 45+ video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD06IbeE7bE&feature=youtu.be
Nice course cut on the run up (5:57). Jeez…
I saw that as well. Was wonder whether to say anything about it. Not that it had any impact on the race result. Maybe we should have taped higher on turns to discourage someone from attempting it. As a promoter, I wonder what official involvement live rider video could have on infractions like that in the future. Cool video.
Wow. Dirty masters racers!
There is a video from Indian Lakes (Sunday?) showing a Cat3 (not master) cutting the course in a crowded 180.
Dirty masters cat 3!
It’s hard to say whether it had an impact on the results or not. If that rider would have stayed within the course, and consequently behind the other rider on the run up, any number of other outcomes could have taken place. He may have taken a slightly different line and slid out, he could have dropped a chain, he could have lost it in the sand, etc. One thing is clear from the video – that was an intentional move to gain an unfair advantage over a competitor by breaking the rules. That’s a DQ in my book.
Talk about splitting hairs! At speed it’s hard to say its dq’able. Looks like rider in question was pushed inside. Course tape could have been higher to deter riders from cutting?
Ha, ironically #557
#2 on the podium.
Yup, that was me. A point of contention guys. One thing that no one can do is put themselves in my shoes to know my intent. He took a line that squeezed me tight to the tape. Probably not intentional on his part. Definitely not on mine. And this happened at full speed. If I could have stopped on a dime to redirect myself, I would have. When you make a technical error riding into the tape and outside the course, or another rider forces you outside the tape, you ride back in and contine on. You don’t DQ yourself or flag down an official. In the end, it saved a few seconds and despite your opinion, had no bearing on how race played out. But if there was any question at all from the cycling gods about my intent, then I suffered their wrath less than a minute later when riding the sand along the shoreline, I hit a pot hole at speed and went flying over the bars. Recovery from that misstep cost me at least 20 seconds.
I’m pretty sure that the rules state when you leave the course you have to re-enter at the point you left, not simply continue on. Then again, I could be wrong.
Just curious, which Mike is this? Last name?
Where is Mike? You were pretty on point with the anonymous replies, but now your identity is asked and you are nowhere to be found?
Mike you are not wrong. See rule 1N.4 (page 41).
https://s3.amazonaws.com/USACWeb/forms/rules/2014-USAC-Rulebook-Chapter4.pdf
“1N4. Rules and Course. It is the rider’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the rules of the event and the race course before the start of the race. Riders may not take any other route or short cut. The fact that tape or barriers may have moved or fallen shall not stay the responsibility of the rider to stay on the designated route.”
Safe to say the interpretation of that means if you go off course you must reenter at the exact point you exited. Makes sense. To report an infraction, do you have to attach your name to it, or can you do it anonymously? 🙂
Slowing the video down appears to show plenty of room for both racers to make the turn within the boundaries of the course. Nobody but you knows what your thinking was and in the heat of the moment we all make mistakes. Karma is a bitch and it did bite you not much later. If this was on the bell lap, I would have more of an issue with it.
Yup. Intentional pass to gain an advantage by cutting a corner. God forbid that momentum be lost. Even more impressive is the Pozzatto-like “only God can judge me” reply.
Ken, no need to hassle Mike to try to reveal his identity. It has no bearing whatsoever on whether the points that he’s making are valid or invalid. How exactly would knowing his identity be relevant?
Settle down Ken. Are you trying to discourage the free flow of conversation here? Watch the video – no contact, plenty of room, decision made to not slow down and cut the course.
Nope, not at all, I love the discussion, no matter what side of the post you fall on. (wicked pun) I prefer to discuss topics like this with people who have the conviction to stand behind their words with their identity, otherwise your point of view is empty and meaningless.
Krebs you’re an idiot.
See what I mean?
Ken, I believe if you read the comments closely, a Mike has already claimed the actions.
Yep, but not the Mike giving input. He is mysteriously anonymous.
Read again.
”
12/08/2014 at 4:13 pm
Yup, that was me. A point of contention guys.
“
Ken, your claim that an argument or point of view is empty or meaningless because it is anonymous is false. A basic principle of critical inquiry is that the merit of an argument is generally independent of the source of the argument. If what you say were true, an anonymous pamphlet condemning Jim Crow laws for reasons x, y, and z could simply be dismissed because it was anonymous without even considering whether x, y, and z are good reasons. Throughout history many important and sometimes revolutionary books have been published anonymously. There are lots of ways to try to determine whether the arguments in the books are good or bad, true or false. Figuring out the author of the book is not one of them.
Excellent! Thanks John for providing your identity so people can attach a point of view with a person. It’s nice, seeing as the Chicrosscup is a tight family of familiar racers and most everybody knows one another and/or races with one another. Again, your point of view, you’re entitled to it, and you’re not necessarily wrong, or right.
I do believe to be taken seriously or credible you must list your name. Bringing up a topic is one thing, but accusing someone of something is quite another. Is this someone who is a direct competitor in this race? Another racer, spectator, family member, official? We have no idea where this point of view is coming from, and I think that is essential for having a basis for your position. It’s needed in police reports, court depositions, etc., and anywhere an opinion might be considered or relied upon for clarity. He’s not bringing up points, he’s accusing someone of something, and that should be done with conviction, not hidden behind a vague persona. Maybe a better question should be, why not reveal your name? Now, if Mike posted up “Hey is this within the rules?” or “Is this allowed, and if not, what is the penalty?” that is completely different than “I think you cheated”.
I’d really like some clarity on the subject anyways, seeing as I see much worse than this in almost every race. Maybe Mike has had a few of these instances? Oh, we don’t know that. 🙂 If you want, I can show you some video of Sunrise where I caught a bunch of riders shorting the course back in the woods by bunny hopping a log on the inside of a turn instead of going the longer way around and following the trail. And then I joined them. I suppose I could have reported everybody for cheating instead, right? I can show you plenty of spots of people going off course and getting back on where it’s the easiest and makes sense to do so, but I guess that is cheating too?
Krebs, if it’s any consolation, this Mike cheered for you to latch back onto the leaders while I watched the video. No matter how much I cheered, you never caught back on. Alas, you tried not to suck….
Haha snap! Is it still Norty, or Mr. State Champion now? Do I need to bow when I see you? I need clarification.
I think John’s point is pretty awesome.
I also think 100% of name calling on here is done by people posting anonymously.
Now I’m done thinking. See you all on the road… is it March yet?
Ken, in this case Mike’s “point of view” is exactly the same as almost everyone discussing this issue: he watched your video that shows a clear (but arguably minor) infraction. Since you posted the video that point of view is available to anyone who wants to watch it. Unless Mike is claiming some other privileged point of view that gives him unique insight into the offense (I don’t see anything to indicate this) it doesn’t matter whether he raced, spectated, or watched the video on his computer in Hong Kong.
As far as reporting infractions is concerned, I’m not sure what the process is for that. It is possible (again, I don’t know) that someone who reports an infraction must provide their contact information to the officials. But I am pretty sure that if there is such a requirement, there is no additional requirement that they must post their name to the CCC webpage.
In most cases I agree that it is a good idea to use one’s name when discussing issues in a forum like this. It keeps the discussion more honest, respectful, and useful. But it is not a requirement, and there is really no ground to object to Mike not using his full name in the present case.
Regarding the Sunrise course. I remember the spot. I believe both paths very options, and within the course. I took that as an “choose your adventure” turn. I think I picked the longer but safer outside , after seeing people crash on the log on the inside.
Same with that banked turn at Dan Ryan where you could pick a path over or under some of the trees.
That’s way different than crossing a course tape. I wouldn’t even think of doing that. Yeah there is the “fog of war” and oopsie happen, but I am pretty sure that if this happened on my team we would have an ethics discussion and it ending with “cut that shit out” instead of trying to minimize, rally to defend, etc…
If your team apparently thinks it’s ok to jump the tape when it IS there, what about when it’s broken?
Nothing personal against Scalise, I don’t know him personally at all, and he was so far ahead of me I couldn’t even see him the whole race. (I was third on the podium) so the infraction is not really a big deal, but defending of it is irking me. He does need to get flak for this, it’s not funny, it’s just a matter of principles and what is the right thing to do. Don’t blame the guy in red for taking the racing line. He was in front. Don’t say it’s okay because he fell in the sand and lost time later. That has zero to do with jumping the tape to pass. Own your mistakes and race clean.
Regarding anonymity, think about what is your intention with knowing who the person is? It has no bearing on his argument who he is. You are a teammate of Scalise and and seem to defend him. Village Verdigris is a big team and I can see Mike not wanting to be “bullied” in any form. By staying anonymous, it shields him from you bringing up points about him irrelevant to what we are discussing.
Excellent posts boys. I appreciate them, and I respect your opinions and willingness to defend them, though I still disagree with anonymity in defense of an accusation. That really won’t change with me unfortunately. Jostein, you’re my boy, you know that, but let me make one thing clear. I’m not defending my team, my fellow racer, or anybody on here at all. These opinions are solely my own. I would feel the same way if it was you, or anybody else on another team. I’m not really that much of a team player anyway, ask my teammates. haha I really race for myself, and just like to keep things fair and have the racers race clean too without having to resort to citing rules and other nonsense. Only thing I did was post my video, and ask who Mike was because I was curious MYSELF on who is accusing somebody of cheating via an anonymous post. I’m not sure how else I can explain how weak that appears to me. We are all doing this for fun, and nobody is racing for that six figure contract here. Ever look at the start of the races? How many wheels are over the line? If you really want to start citing rules that are broken every race which do not affect outcomes, there are numerous ones available. To bring up the Sunset incident again, that was very very very clear to me what was the intended racing line considering it was a worn in trail and the tape ran right next to it. I was passed by somebody in that turn on the first lap as well. At what point does interpretation come into play then? I guess if there is no tape at a certain spot, you make your own line despite it being blatantly obvious where the intended racing line is? I hope no tape falls next to a barrier or we just ride around it then? I am not comparing that incident to this one either because they are slightly different, just making an observation that when something minutely tiny that has no bearing on the outcome of a race happens, maybe it’s best to let it go seeing as we are all having fun, and if it bothers you, maybe have a talk with the racer to get his input on it. It’s a race for fun, let’s keep it that way. If you think somebody deliberately cheated, then say something to them. I sure would. I’m not defending anybody at all, I’m just giving my point of view on the incident, and I have just as much at stake as you do considering he beat us both, and we both move up a spot if something were to be made of it. I would just feel kinda crummy moving up a spot because of that knowing that I don’t deserve it. Just the way I feel on it. “Cut that out” means you think there was some intent on his part to deliberately cut the course. If you really feel that way, I can put you in touch with him and you can discuss it together. I agree with falling later though, not much bearing on the move to begin with, just kinda funny.
John, exactly my point, there is no requirement at all to use your real name, but it does keep it more relevant and useful, which is why I asked for it. And I would also agree with your description of “clear, but arguably minor” infraction. Thanks for your input. It’s always good to know how people feel in these types of instances, because they do happen now and then.
Actually, Ken- that log jump at Sunrise was legal. As a board member I checked with both the promoter and the officials to make sure before the racing started.
“If you think somebody deliberately cheated, then say something to them.”
^^I think people are, here.
Regarding the Sunrise Park point, that was clearly intended as an ‘option’ section, as there was tape on both sides as well as in the middle forming two choices — short with a log and long without. A reward for being able to bunny hop.
Also, ‘racing line’ and ‘race course’ are mutually exclusive terms.
Thanks Jim for the clarification. Awesome course and love that choice, just didn’t think it was a legal option, not that I cared people were taking it. I guess a bad example though. Sorry.
Mark, I mean say something in person or privately to them, not anonymously on a website.
Ken, I’m getting confused here. Insofar as I can comprehend your posts you are defending Scalise. Your point in response to Jostein is (or should be) that you are not doing it on the basis of the fact that he is your teammate (an important qualification to make). You would defend anyone who did that sort of thing, irrespective of their team affiliation (of course an opinion being one’s own does not preclude defending someone else with it).
You think we should not worry too much about this case (correct me if I’m wrong) because (1) it’s a minor offense that did not influence the outcome of the race, (2) there are lots of minor infractions if you look closely, so it isn’t really fair to single out the offender in this case, and (3) we’re all trying to have fun out there so why get worked up about something as minute as this.
These reasons don’t seem very convincing to me. Sure, the maneuver only saved him a couple of seconds, and the race was not decided by a couple of seconds, but it could have been decided by a close margin. In the single speed race this year that could have been the difference between first place and third place. It would be an unfortunate result if the placing in that race was effected by this sort of incident. The fact that a race did or did not end up being decided within that margin has no bearing on whether the infraction merits disciplinary action of some sort (I believe that Jonathan Page was DQ’d from a race early this year for taking a hand up even though it probably had no effect on the ultimate placing).
In my experience there are not a lot of infractions comparable to this, though it does happen from time to time (there are probably a couple of times in my racing “career” that I have been guilty of such infractions).
Yes, we’re out to have fun. No, we’re not pro’s. But it is a serious hobby for the people who are placing well, and people who are training hard to compete in these events deserve to compete in a fair contest where everyone is at least trying to follow the established rules. If we’re going to allow this sort of thing I’d like to know it. But I don’t think “riders must stay within the course unless someone takes a smart line to block them” is going to pass muster.
Good post John. Once again, I’m not defending anybody at all in particular. I’m saying I still wouldn’t have a problem with this personally if it was anybody else. Just my opinion. If you do, that is cool with me and totally your right, and obviously within the rules as well. I do also feel that if you think it is material enough to know I’m his teammate and that might be important, maybe the identity of “Mike” is equally important for the same reason? But once again, I’m not telling you to do anything, I’m giving my opinion on it just like everybody else, and I wouldn’t care. I’ve seen it before, and my worst thought on it would be “man that kinda sucked” to “I don’t care one bit”. Never once would I even think of making a case of it or even talking to the racer, unless I feel he is a dirty racer, it was a recurring move, or materially affected a race outcome. And on your three points, I don’t think you or anybody else you include in “we” should do anything. Do and think what you want, though the points you reference I do agree with in general. I’m not looking to convince anybody of anything. Somehow this got pointed towards me when I simply asked the identity of someone posting anonymously. Now you are asking my position on it. You can agree with it or not, I don’t care too much actually. Everybody races differently, takes chances at different levels, has different opinions on what a course should be like, and how strictly to adhere to rules. That’s the beauty of this country. In the SS race, sure, that could be a huge advantage for sure. I could understand how someone might feel that made a difference. I guess having done more MTB racing myself, I see this stuff quite a bit, and the lines of what is acceptable and not is a bit looser. A foot here or there doesn’t matter much in my opinion, especially on the first lap. Nobody said it’s not a serious hobby at all, I think the fact that we spend a ton of dough and time doing it says that. I guess I just like to think the best of my competitors, teammates or not, and that this was just split second bad judgement or allowing Miller to have a bit more room or whatever. The last thing I would like to think is that someone deliberately cheated, especially on the first lap, next to another racer, in plain sight of many others. That’s just me. And the last thing I would do, is accuse somebody of knowing what they were thinking and that it was less than honest. Again, just me.
Ken, being the promoter and course designer at Sunrise we specifically left that section of the course as an option for people to choose. There should have been course tape on the left of the longer path an course tape on the right of the log jump. I’m pretty sure that is what we did. Last year we found that section caused a bottleneck because people had difficulty with the log and the plan was to give an alternate route (but longer) so that racers could have a choice.
Awesome thanks Jim. Loved it, just didn’t realize it was a legal option at the time. Now we need more of them. 🙂
Seems, there are lot of self-rightous people here shoulding all over each other, and on me. I take real exception with being called a deliberate cheater. I think anyone whose integrity was being questioned would feel the same way. Ironically, the person who probably has the most cause to complain is JW Miller, but he didn’t say a word to me at the time or afterwards. I’m pretty sure he appreciated us not colliding into one another, a real possibility if neither of us altered our line. I had that happen to me recently and my race was over at the beginning of lap 1. No one wants that, especially in a big event like states. In many instances, who has the right to a line is a gray area. I felt like I was “focred” to make a split second to decision to do what was safe for both cyclists. To call that deliberate cheating, well, I believe in racing, and life, judging another’s intent is rarely black & white. But if you all somehow find all this cathartic, then by all means, please keep venting.
I don’t believe anyone I’ve raced with that has cut or gone off course has done so with the intention of cheating on purpose and yes it happens. And if anyone believes that Mike S. would not have been on the podium if he had taken the outside line you’re kidding yourself. Let’s sit back enjoy the season we had and be thankful that we’re all able to race in such a cool series and move on. I for one lost last season due to an injury and was just happy to be on the bike this year.
Mike to use the excuse that cutting the course was safer for both racers when you were both running is hard to swallow. I’ve watched the video many times and there is no contact previous to you cutting the course and it appears that JW gave you plenty of room to make the turn inside the course. We are all concerned about safety when racing, but, in this instance, I don’t buy it. If it makes you feel better to think that, then good on you. I’m not going to go into a “you don’t know what I was thinking” argument, I’m just giving my interpretation of what I can see on the video. I’m out. Have a great offseason.
MondayQB. Your name says it all. By your own admission, you’ve watched the video over and over analyzing frame by frame. Try competing at the pace of race leaders with split seconds to make perfect, unquestionable decisions on the hundreds to be made over the course of a race. Good luck with that.
Mike every racer makes decisions at race pace, whether you’re a front runner or not. I’m done. I have my opinion, you have yours.
Hey Mike, I think there’s a middle-ground here with a lot of us who race. That’s to say that I watched the video and first was like, “uh oh.” After about 5 minutes I’d remembered all the dumb stuff I’ve done on a bike while “in the red” (ie. running into a barrier at full speed), and thought, “Ok… I could see how somebody might get outside the tape and be waaaay over there before he even realized it… it happens.”
But, as carlosflanders and Jostein pointed out, the response afterwards comes off more like “yeah, I meant it and I’d do it again in that situation” and not the “Damn… I wish I hadn’t done that, sorry!” which most people would be expecting.
I haven’t see this much online whining since the old days of the WORS Message Board when Wheezer rubbed raw all who dared post with indignity and poor grammar.
Masters 45+ Mid Pack
Part 1 – http://youtu.be/ZD6ZZ7XRpig
Part 2 – http://youtu.be/OAdSpTSAgeM
Cat 1/2/3 first lap #CrotchCam
Thanks for another great CX season everyone! Have a wonderful holiday.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJmDHAhl-bI&w=560&h=315%5D
Thank you, Jason!
Masters 35+ Thank you Chicago Cyclocross family
http://youtu.be/he0YIqwofaI
Thank you for the great videos Omar. Great job out there yesterday.
http://youtu.be/SRYvIkn6xWo
Omar getting rad before the Cat 4/5 race. (hope this link works!)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HdOhqGHwb4&w=420&h=315%5D
Essays like this are so important to brdnaeniog people’s horizons.
Did anyone pick a dark blue zip hoodie with a squid on the back and bike on the front? I left it at the starting gate!
Think I saw it in Los & Found. Contact Mr. ChiCrossCup [email protected]
i ran over the dog poop on three consecutive laps
Another great cx season has come and gone, for me anyway. Thanks for a great day of racing yesterday, and to all who are responsible for making this series so incredible. The Spin Doctor Cyclewerks CX team appreciates all of your efforts. On a side note, we lost a wheelset sometime during the day yesterday. Hed Belgium rims with White Ind hubs (black), black Cx-rays, PDX tubulars. They were unloaded at our tents early in the morning and that’s the last time any of us saw them. Perhaps someone out there got them home by “mistake”? If anyone has information pertaining to this, or wants to return the wheels, please contact me (Greg) at the store, 630-289-7360. If they were stolen, to the person who stole them I say, you won’t be faster racing on stolen wheels, you’ll just be a cheater. Cheers!
Thanks to Luther @ Intent for picking up our misplaced wheelset. My apologies for the tone of accusation in my previous post. I should have known that the CCC community is family and we take care of our own.
Lots of pictures from most of the categories up here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Warren-Cycling/160111240699619?ref=tn_tnmn
It’s a plarsuee to find someone who can identify the issues so clearly
Thanks all for a great race and a great season. I loved last years course for the rediculosity (icy downhill u-turnz) and I loved this years course for being a simple race of truth; legs against legs against soft ground and deep sand. I think I blacked out for that last half a lap. The ride up to the hill felt so slow with someone nipping at your heels. Looking forward to 2015!
Photos from 35+ through 3s…
http://billdraper.smugmug.com/Bicycling/Cyclocross/2014/Montrose-2014/
We have posted our pics from the final race here:
http://www.snowymountainphotography.com/Sports/Cyclocross/CCC1411Montrose/
And a subset of some of our favorites on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/SnowyMountainPhotography
When I moved to Chicago in 2008, I knew approximately 3 people. I did not know what cyclocross was when I wandered into Johnny Sprockets bike shop the next spring with a broken spoke on a cheap mountain bike. I had no idea that I was stepping into an entirely new community of friends and family. When I first watched Heather Jurewicz’s 2009 Chi Cross Cup video (http://vimeo.com/9952653), I didn’t really understand when Newt said “the people” is why he did cyclocross. Now I do.
Thank you for teaching me, accepting me, and for not laughing at me unless I did something really funny. You’ve also accept my wife into this community despite her n-number being zero.
The cheers, support, and (a few of the) heckles lobbed our way this season mean the world to us.
Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year,
Morleigh and Nathan
So… when does the spring cox series start?
That should say cx. Damn auto correct.
http://barry-roubaix.com?
YES! Let’s keep banging that drum … who wouldn’t want the option to race one of the great Chicago park courses again in April? As bike-friendly as our mayor and city are, how could they say no to having so many of us enjoy Caldwell, Montrose, Jackson etc (no golf courses, obviously).
Your final series installment just out of the oven.
https://vimeo.com/113997383
Best one yet. Love that drone footage.
Thanks John!
John
Great video and flyovers. Thank you for sharing.
And thank you for the fun footage.
Great video, Rachel. Enjoy your holidays!
so rad. thanks!
John/Rachel-awesome work or is it play… My favorite two moments are watching the Christmas tree dance near the sand pit, and of course the inside tunnel shot. You need to go to Nats with those skills!
This was my second season racing cross, and I missed a lot of it with injuries (a car picked a fight with my bike and I lost. Bike is fine though), and though it’s only been two days since the end, I already miss all of you. Why can’t cross go all year?
It’s a plaesure to find someone who can identify the issues so clearly
Tim Radcliff put this video together. Thanks to all involved with making the series a success.
Jostein ski now, see you in spring!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUK43BFa-vM&sns=em
Just an awesome CCC season capped off with another electric event at Montrose. Huge thanks to everyone involved with each race and with the CCC for making this series happen – and at a very high level week in and week out.
Question – to those who delinquently forgot to grab payouts at the race yesterday, will they be at another event this year (Afterglow?)…just curious…
For payouts please contact the race promoter through BikeReg:
https://www.bikereg.com/2013-illinois-state-cyclocross-championships-ccc-12
Entire Singlespeed race uncut.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRYwmCqP6QQ&list=UU4B3zW1IX1-sF53TJY6e-3Q
I think John Whipple and Ken Krebs should start the ChiDebateCup
Haha, I just get the impression that a few people would rather call the cops on their neighbor for loud music rather than go over there and have a beer and ask to have it turned down.
I agree that it’s generally best to just go and talk to the person yourself. There, we agreed on something! Cheers, enjoy the winter riding.
Some pics here. Mostly of Women’s C123 and of Mens 1. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101286475594767.1073741835.37616672&type=1&l=9433aa77c9
I found some keys on the street. Divvy pass and wicker park fitness. Email me of they might be yours!
Ne haragudj Zsóka, de nem értünk veled egyet, Akkor miért viszi a gyerek tovább a szülÅ‘i nevet? Kovács István miért nem nevezi el a gyerekét Kis Sándornak? Igenis szép név lenne a Gyöngyhalász a hÃm, és Gyöngyharmat a tojó után. Valami közük csak van a fiókákhoz nem?Bocsánat az Å‘©stntesÃzgéri, de mi ezt Ãgy gondoljuk.
If anyone found a black, women’s small glove with reflective material in top and an “N” near the wrist please let me know.
If anyone found a black, womens small glove with reflective material on top and an “N” near the wrist, lemme know.
No cheating in this one. Midwest Regional Championships in Grand Rapids last weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kakX_N2bQvs&feature=youtu.be
Cat 3, M35, M45 comparison for top 25. Also looked how those who double dipped in 4 then 4/5 fared in each respective race.
http://imgur.com/8NTsewU
Hi, all, finally got around to throwing some images on Flickr. Help yourselves for non-commercial use. If you need or want for commercial, contact me through Flickr or Twitter – @craignewman.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/craignewman/sets/72157647596292114/