Ironman Vent & Question
42
Member
880 days
CHCB posted 2 years ago.
spokes wrote:
Sorry, just had to vent for a bit - I feel better now.
But, if anyone does have insight into what the people in these groups think/feel, please share.
I've been wondering the same thing for 22 years. I guess CHEATERS are just wired differently from the rest of us.
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[FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Reverisco![/SIZE]
173
Member
890 days
wesmeyer11 posted 2 years ago.
I saw the same stuff at CDA and was pissed off too, not tmentiion the help they got fighting the head winds out there. It was especially bad on the bike path where the motorcycles couldn't go. Funny that they didn't issue a penalty, cause a ref took the time to yell at me for crossing the yellow line on the of the descents when I basically was forced to cause a slower rider chose to ride in the middle of the road.
214
Member
1011 days
Iron Man posted 2 years ago.
it happens in all races. Last Olympic race i did i was blazing a path down the highway when i had a funny feeling.....i looked over my shoulder and saw not 1 but 7 CHEATERS in my draft. For the next 5 mins i pushed the pace and was allover the road like i was leading out the sprint. I could not shake them but i told them what i thought in T2.
funny that a few bikes got "in my way" on the journey to the run entry.........
Speed Kills. Strength Punishes
42
Member
880 days
CHCB posted 2 years ago.
In the Cherry Blossom Biathlon in Macon in 1985, I turned around to see a guy on my wheel.
I told him to break off.
He didn't.
I told him again.
He didn't.
I threw a water bottle at him.
He did.
That was over 20 years ago, and I still get a warm feeling all over when I think about it.:)
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[FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]Reverisco![/SIZE]
2935
Member
1357 days
Anton posted 2 years ago.
I've seen drafting at so many USAT races and Ironman I've lost count. These people are cheating. Period.
But Oh..that Kona slot is SOOOOO important to their completeness as a human being that they are happy to sellout on their values. They're probably Republicans.
(sarcasm)
Maybe it is because they don't have the skills or the balls tp pull through alone...I could go on.
The USAT tries to control it...There were a fair number of penalties at Eagleman this year and I saw no drafting,but as to Ironman...They do what they want and really don't care about drafting.
I'm with CHCB...if I get a wheel sucker I try verbal first (in several languages to make sure) and if that doesn't work...water bottle or gel pack....
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
Finished Ironman CdA last month...
Overall it was a good to great race: FABULOUS volunteers, great course, awesome to finish, very hot, ...
Most of my fellow athletes were encouraging, supportive, & good to be around.
BUT... At about mile 85 on the bike, I got passed by a peloton. 16 people riding with less than 2 foot spacing. I watched them for the next 3 or 4 miles and they were even swapping off on the front. A few minutes after losing sight of the wheelsuckers, I passed a motorcycle official. I mentioned to him the group just up the road and he shrugged, like "oh well".
So, in checking the results, I couldn't believe it - they didn't issue one penalty all day at IronmanCdA. Not one. (Compare to Quelle Roth Challenge where 72 eight minute penalties were dished out.) So, not much deterrent at Ironman events.
Now, I understand that in the first 10-15 miles of the bike portion of an Ironman with 2000+ people, it is going to be hard to keep your spacing. But on the last quarter of the race, it should be no problem. Further, if the "peloton" keeps their eyes open, maybe they can break apart whenever they near officials or likely spots for officials (so, potentially no officials ever saw the illegal drafting). And you might be saying did it matter because maybe you were at the back of the pack. But at that point, I was still in the top 250.
However, how in the heck do these puke heads live with themselves?
I mean do they go around getting congratulated by their friends/colleagues and revel in their NON-accomplishment?
Sorry, just had to vent for a bit - I feel better now.
But, if anyone does have insight into what the people in these groups think/feel, please share.