The rules of Ironman

[Garfield2010]

Ok so I have a few interesting points to ponder:-

 

1.) Drafting. In my opinion the pros are not close to 10 metres from one another (or a bus length). Last year I saw a group of 4 that was probably 5 metres apart. Just my observation.

 

2.) On IM Kona I see the pros gets followed around with vehicles with spare wheels. So if they flat they get a whole new wheel. So have the rules of not getting any support changed?

 

Why cant IMSA also have 3 vehicles circling the route (30km apart) riding at 60km/hour or faster pace. This means worst case scenario you will be without support for 30 minutes. Should you puncture they can stop and either offer you a new wheel, or to fix your existing one. They can tell you the price right there and then and you can decide. If you agree they mark your number and you get billed afterwards.

 

A company like action cycles can pay a levy to IMSA to get the "support contract" as they will make a lot of cash on the day as well and everybody wins.

 

It sucks to train for 9 months and then get your race ruined by a blowout.

 

What do you guys think?

[Showtime]

There was also a support vehicle with spare wheels for the pros in East London.

 

I've always believed it's a fitness contest and no female should be punished for not being proficient with a chain breaker for example.

[OnTheFly Wheel Hire]

Garfield.

This is one of the priorities for HED Cycling SA to see if Paul W will include us as an official Race Day wheel Support for 2015.

My idea is to have a few Scooters with Wheel Racks on the back and spare wheels.

 

If they do agree to this for 2015, a rider will have support and we will collect the wheel upon bike check out and give back your own wheel.

 

So the more support i get on this from the athletes, the stronger the case will be for me to come to some agreement with them.

 

[AndrewF]

Garfield.

This is one of the priorities for HED Cycling SA to see if Paul W will include us as an official Race Day wheel Support for 2015.

My idea is to have a few Scooters with Wheel Racks on the back and spare wheels.

 

If they do agree to this for 2015, a rider will have support and we will collect the wheel upon bike check out and give back your own wheel.

 

So the more support i get on this from the athletes, the stronger the case will be for me to come to some agreement with them.

 

 

I will do whatever it takes to supper this idea!

Edited February 27, 2014 by ScrumpyJ4ck

[blacksmith]

They had a support vehicle at IMSA doing exactly that last year. They actually did not charge you for spare tubes etc. only when it got insane (tubbies) did they bill you

[shawnvan]

They had a support vehicle at IMSA doing exactly that last year. They actually did not charge you for spare tubes etc. only when it got insane (tubbies) did they bill you

 

Yip - officially no outside assistance for IM is allowed, but there was a support vehicle (one of the local LBS - cant remember) going around last year helping guys with a tube and a pomp, etc. At race briefing Paul indicated officials would turn a "blind eye" to this, although technically not allowed.

 

I think its a great idea to have a few support vehicles out there - not necessary to assist people technically (anyone should know how to swap a tube) - but to help in emergencies with a spare tube, bomb etc. People train for a year+ to complete an IM, and it would suck if you were unlucky and got 3 puntures and had no more spares left...

 

That said, I think people should be self sufficient - you don't want a situation where there people relying on a support vehicle because none of them carried a spare tube / bomb to save the 50g weight penalty...

[Garfield2010]

They had a support vehicle at IMSA doing exactly that last year. They actually did not charge you for spare tubes etc. only when it got insane (tubbies) did they bill you

 

Yes but that was one vehicle. And that was done "secretly" - the refs did look the other way but still it sucked. Just legalise it and get it over with...

[Red Zone]

Garf

 

I speak under correction. While the pros do get support with wheels etc... they need to do the wheel swop themselves, which for the purposes of rules, means that they did not receive outside assistance.... not very convincing I know.

 

There are a few support vehicles for us mere mortals, but probably not with wheels, more like chains, tubes, perhaps cables and some basics.

 

Perhaps a good idea would be for the race referees to carry spares and tools with them (obviously wheels would be out of the question) but a set of wrenches, cables, chain breaker etc... with each referee would make aid far more accessible.

 

Drafting, ahh this deserves a whole thread to itself. In Kona the rule is 10 metres, they actually enforce 12 metres I hear, in some races the rule is 7 metres, there are plenty of reports of pros being as close as 6 metres. I saw some pretty tight riding from the pros at 70.3 this year. Bottom line, some people are cheats and will take a chance if there is an opportunity.

[davem]

Official neutral service vehicles do exist at IMSA. They will provide you with spares so you can continue the race. You must fit the spares and pump your tyres yourself. The time penalty of waiting for a support vehicle is sufficient handicap for a spare tube.

 

If you need a new tubbie and they provide one and you pay for it afterwards, all well and good, if you remove and fit it yourself. Same for a chain etc. The support vehicle may lay the tools you need on the ground and you can use them. If you have no idea how to use it, the support crew can talk you through it but they may not touch the tool or the bike. The sport also includes the skill of maintaining your bike for the duration of the event.

 

The concept of a wheel swap is totally in contravention of the self sufficiency spirit of IM. I would oppose anyone, Pro or Age Grouper, being able to swap a wheel in the event of a puncture. If you crash and your bike is broken, your race is over. I see no reason whatsoever to have spare wheels on the course.

 

As for Refs carrying spares, no chance. They are refs, they have a job to do. Neutral support vehicles provide neutral support.

[davem]

Yes but that was one vehicle. And that was done "secretly" - the refs did look the other way but still it sucked. Just legalise it and get it over with...

 

The neutral support vehicles are official. The provision of consumable spares etc is legal. You assertion is incorrect.

[Garfield2010]

Garf

 

I speak under correction. While the pros do get support with wheels etc... they need to do the wheel swop themselves, which for the purposes of rules, means that they did not receive outside assistance.... not very convincing I know.

 

There are a few support vehicles for us mere mortals, but probably not with wheels, more like chains, tubes, perhaps cables and some basics.

 

Perhaps a good idea would be for the race referees to carry spares and tools with them (obviously wheels would be out of the question) but a set of wrenches, cables, chain breaker etc... with each referee would make aid far more accessible.

 

Drafting, ahh this deserves a whole thread to itself. In Kona the rule is 10 metres, they actually enforce 12 metres I hear, in some races the rule is 7 metres, there are plenty of reports of pros being as close as 6 metres. I saw some pretty tight riding from the pros at 70.3 this year. Bottom line, some people are cheats and will take a chance if there is an opportunity.

 

I wouldn't call them cheats. If the guy in front is 6m away from the guy in front of him then you will also ride 6m away. You participate within the laws of what the refs are allowing you. Last year at Abu Dhabi Tri the okes where 3 metres from one another. In fact Macca crashed and broke his wrist after colliding with another guy...

 

I honestly thing having three cars with extra wheels etc is a good solution. Personally I will change my wheel myself and pay the LBS R300 "rent" for their wheel if it saves me 10 minutes and more importantly you lose momentum changing tubes and your body stiffens up and mentally you just don't recover.

 

If you train for 9 months then this is not how you want it to end.

[Garfield2010]

Official neutral service vehicles do exist at IMSA. They will provide you with spares so you can continue the race. You must fit the spares and pump your tyres yourself. The time penalty of waiting for a support vehicle is sufficient handicap for a spare tube.

 

If you need a new tubbie and they provide one and you pay for it afterwards, all well and good, if you remove and fit it yourself. Same for a chain etc. The support vehicle may lay the tools you need on the ground and you can use them. If you have no idea how to use it, the support crew can talk you through it but they may not touch the tool or the bike. The sport also includes the skill of maintaining your bike for the duration of the event.

 

The concept of a wheel swap is totally in contravention of the self sufficiency spirit of IM. I would oppose anyone, Pro or Age Grouper, being able to swap a wheel in the event of a puncture. If you crash and your bike is broken, your race is over. I see no reason whatsoever to have spare wheels on the course.

 

As for Refs carrying spares, no chance. They are refs, they have a job to do. Neutral support vehicles provide neutral support.

 

Well in Kona there are vehicles carrying wheels for the pros. Crowie got one this year and Kienle got one last year. No changing tubes nada.

 

Last year at IMSA the athlete stood next to his bike while the mechanic changed the tube or fixed his bike. The driver stood in the road and shouted when a ref was approaching and then the mechanic simply gave the bike back to the athlete for a few seconds.

 

Dave punctures in my opinion has a lot to do with luck. Luck should not have an influence on the outcome. I will have my bike serviced and put new tyres on but if there are major issues I cannot fix it. I just ain't a handy man.

Edited February 27, 2014 by Garfield2010

[davem]

There was also a support vehicle with spare wheels for the pros in East London.

 

I've always believed it's a fitness contest and no female should be punished for not being proficient with a chain breaker for example.

 

I don't think the use of a chain breaker is a skill reserved for any gender. I don't think someone wanting to complete an Ironman would lack in any of the physical attributes required to do any form of bike maintenance.

 

If you don't know how, learn. It's no more difficult that putting your wetsuit on properly.

[davem]

I just ain't a handy man.

 

Lets meet on Friday before IMSA, and I'll teach you to change a tube. Oh crap, you use tubbies! I have no idea on those things.

 

Where do you draw the line? I get a headache, stomach ache, bee sting, cramp, can I take medication from a bystander because it's unfair that I trained for 9 months and won't be able to finish.

 

Then it becomes, I am cold, hungry, why can't I take a jacket, boerie roll...and so it goes on.

 

In my opinion, the rules are strict, support the concept of this being an unsupported event and although they do not always seem fair to an individual, they are in fact fair to all competitors.

Edited February 27, 2014 by davem

[Andyr249]

It is unfortunate that you train for 9 months plus for IM only to have a puncture or mechanical to end your race. Very unfortunate. But that is how the sport works. It is very harsh but c'est la vie.

 

Riders train for a year for the Tour de France and have a crash or mechanical and lose the race. It happens. They just have to try again the next year.

 

Look at Boonen crashing at the Ronde van Vlaanderen last year. Put him out of the race and he missed Paris-Roubaix. It just happens. Sometimes luck favours you and sometimes it doesn't. Harsh and unfair? Probably. But ultimately it is all part of the sport and one just has to accept that and try do what one can to minimise the risk of crashes and mechanicals.

[Garfield2010]

I still disagree. Batman has a mechanic so why can us Ironmen have the same?