[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Thanks for all the replies. > > My first impression is this tour sounds way more organized and > bureaucratic than I'm used to, what with group leaders, asking > permission to join a group, route marshals, limits of 12 per group etc. > > Most large tours and rallies I have done previously were mass event type > things with > police escorts and blocked intersections part of the way, one huge mass > of riders stringing out for miles. Very noticeable to the public, not > hidden from view, check us out we're having a bike rally here. They > were usually very race like with the lead pack constantly pushing the > pace until there were a core of 20 or so left. >
It's entirely possible that there may be a bit of a race at the front of the tour, but that's not the main purpose of the event :-) The tradition of bicycle club events, at least in this part of the world, is that we use the roads in partnership with other road-users. To this end we don't want large groups forming that have the potential to cause disruption to traffic. If we were to promote a closed-road event we would be asking for special privileges that we don't need, and we would set a precedent that might be used against us in the circumstances of regular rides for the other 29 weeks out of a (say) 30-week season. We are indeed fortunate that we can get 1000+ riders out of town with almost no special arrangements (there is one set of traffic lights where we request an extended left-turn cycle) - and we wish to keep it like that. The RLCT does not, in general, cause significant disruption to other road-users. There is one exception; large groups, and long lines of riders in single file, can make overtaking difficult, with the potential that some of our fellow road-users may become frustrated. The 12-member limit on group sizes, which is the same rule as we apply on regular club events, is intended to reduce these potential problems. This limit is difficult to achieve in practice because the RLCT does not have the formal structure of regular club ride groups. But it is our objective. Many RLCT participants are not regular club-riders, nor are they familiar with the etiquette of organized groups, so the detail of the "rules" is intended to convey some of the normal group-riding practices and courtesies to these riders. > The largest Texas rides like these are the Hotter N Hell 100 miler in > 100 degree heat, with 10,000 participants and Lance Armstrong's Ride for > the Roses with 13,000. > With an order of magnitude more riders, different procedures would be necessary. If we were to organize such an event we would probably do it differently. But Queen's doesn't yet have 13,000 beds available, so that's a problem for the future! The significant challenge of the RLCT, at least for non-regular riders, is achieving the necessary fitness level by a date that can be quite early in the season. > As for no SAG on the unsupported routes, crashes and severe mechanicals > can be a problem, when you can't continue it sure is nice to know a SAG > will be coming along to pick you up. This SAG support often makes the > difference in having a good ride with some bad luck or having a scary > terrible day. > Crashes and severe mechanicals are rare. Most sagged riders are those who have over-estimated their abilities, or who are poorly-prepared for the weather (either hot or cold). Crashes are rare at least in part because of the structure of the ride - closed-road events lend themselves to a more careless riding style because the perceived danger - cars - has been removed, whereas the actual danger - carelessness - is still present. Riders are encouraged to be self-reliant - and regular club-riders are aware of this - so mechanical problems tend to occur those whose bicycles are poorly-prepared.... The Cruise and Challenge routes offer riders an experience closer to that of a regular club-ride, but longer and with a more distant destination. There are many club-riders who find the Classic route crowded - one member I know has returned to RLCT after several years' absence precisely because of the availability of the Cruise route. > I think there would be several riders friends or relatives who would > love to drive SAG for a couple of days, all they need is a van with some > bike racks. Tape a sign that says SAG on the side, give them a cell > phone add in a few spare bike parts, some common tools and there're all > set. > > Yes I still plan on doing the tour.... > Can I join someone's group please.... > > See you on the road, > Brian > -- Peter James RLCT Route Manager Ottawa, Ontario ------------------------------------------------- For list help, please send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ------------------------------------------------- ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
