So, I was looking @ pictures from the Tour of Oman and I really dug the fact that everybody was TT'ing on regular road bikes without crazy aero equipment. Personally, I think such a move should be made in local/regional time trials for everyone outside of the P,1,2 (and maybe 3) ranks. It levels the playing field a lot. I don't think you could advocate folks going back to 32 hole box section rims, but no aerobars, disc wheels, etc could go a long way towards ensuring those in the lower categories have a level playing field without the need for a TT bike and several thousand dollars in wheels, accessories. The article I've linked below kind of quantifies what I'm talking about. 300W for same speed as 230W on a full out TT bike. That's not what I'd call inconsequential.
Article
I'm going to up the ante and say that I'll show up on a regular road bike, with regular wheels and a regular helmet to every Nebraska Time Trial in 2010. Right now the calendar shows 3 of them... I'll also contribute $100.00 to a pot that will given to the top 3 of the best 3 time trials completed in such a fashion. Winner will be chosen based on combined time of the 3 time trials. To be part of the pool you too must throw in $100, though if you think you are a real bad ass you aren't throwing in $100, you are only stealing my (and hopefully others) money. I look @ it like this, if I put this challenge out there it costs me exactly $100, if I do not it costs me 4-6k. Seems like a fairly easy trade even for me. I do love bikes, but I love bikes that have more than limited practical function.
Why do this? Because its awesome, and a lot more fun than going down to the bike store and ordering up $5,000 of speed.
Why $100? Well $100 is enough that it makes this attractive to enter yet at the same time isn't going to make you choose between entering or eating dinner this month. It's also enough that you will break your back (no pun at you Mr. Redemske) to put in good times at the 3 TT's to win it.
Who is this open to? Well I guess anybody that will compete in TT's in Nebraska in 2010... If you are PRO, sure come steal our money if you want, but I'd reckon that most PRO's that will be in Nebraska for 3 TT's will just go for the regular TT category wins and not some wild category that Mike Miles has constructed. If we get more than 10 entrants I'll reconfigure the payouts to go a bit deeper than 3. (Think 30% of the field will get payback).
Rules:
#1)Regular road bike with drop bars
#2) No wheels deeper than 30mm
#3)No Skinsuits
#4) Regular road bike helmets
#5)Entry to the pool requires $100, that will be split among the top 3 (50% to 1st place, 30% to 2nd place, 20% to 3rd place) if there are less than 10 entrants, if more than 10 enter I'll reconfigure the breakout.
#6) Reply to this blog post, email me, or tell me prior to the first time trial of your intention.
#7) There's a bit of gentlemanly honor in this, I'm not going to measure your wheel depth or anything stupid but you'll know if you try to circumvent the rules and when time comes for me to hand out money are you really going to take $ from your friends in a dishonest fashion? If you're that hard up for a little cash, lets talk outside of the challenge.
That's it.
11 comments:
When you say regular road bike with drop bars, does that include or exclude bikes like Felt's AR series (not that I have one). Also, does that mean no bolt on arrow bars A.K.A. Redemske style ;-)?
Maybe you should do $40 a race with $20 going to that races payout and $20 to the 3race end of year payout. That way the people that can only make one or two races have a chance to join the fun.
Why allow skinsuits but not TT helmets and bikes? Are skinsuits cheap? Seems like skinsuits fit more into the "limited practical function" category.
Love the idea though.
Bob,
#1)I'm not the UCI, I can't enforce tube diameters, if somebody wants to show up on an AR or a Cervelo, or Ridley, or XYZ fine. I'll likely do it on something besides my Cervelo just so I'm fair and I don't think the frame gives that much advantage.
#2)This means no aero bars, whatever you think that means. No Tri Bars, no Bolt on bars, no Spinacis, just a straight up drop bar.
#3)You make an interesting point, lets see what the consensus is? I can modify this. We've got a bit of time, no?
#4)I like most everybody at the races but I don't really LIKE them (i.e. I'm not really keen on looking @ someone close enough to know whether its a skinsuit or a 2 piece kit.) I think Performance sells skinsuits without logos for <60 on sale. People may argue skinsuits have more function, i.e. for TT's, CX racing, MTB short track racing. Once again a lot of time here... maybe that's a mistake.
Hit the big obvious (buying speed) items, and keep it simple. Makes sense.
Are Aero fenders against the rules? ;-)
The UCI says they are illegal I believe. I think we could likely overlook fenders.
Great idea. I might just have to train this year ... Just kidding. But I like the idea a lot.
skinsuits, especially properly fitting skinsuits (as in, really frickin' tight) are a huge aero advantage.
ban them.
Alright, you are right Bryan I'll ban them.
Join in Bryan. It'll be good fun.
I have a TT bike now, though. I'll put in some GamJams Midwest merch for prizes, though.
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