So, over @ DC, the latest post is concerning race radios. I really don't care if they use them or not. They're great for mechanical issues, and for safety, but does anyone really think that the top-flight guys use them for advice from the team car? I doubt that Cancellara needed someone to whisper in his ear when he attacked 45km from Roubaix last year.
As usual though, the conversation turned sideways when one poster added a laundry list of 'improvements' that could be made to pro cycling. Here are the 'solutions'...and my rebuttal...
- Disk brakes. Are we still in 1890?
Really? They would be wonderful in a mass, 25-man pileup. I’m sure no one would get sliced by a rotor. Nothing says love like a 6 inch blade of steel, spinning at 200+ rpm, filleting someone's achilles in the middle of a shunt. "How'd he bleed out?" "Oh, he took a a rotor to the throat..."
- Minimal Braking distances – some wheel/pad combinations are dangerous.
Huh? The UCI couldn’t scratch their ass with a handful of hooks. You’re going to let them dictate what brakes teams can ride? "Ve are sorry Monsieur, but you cannot ride ze Zipps avec ze cork pads. Zere is a chance of rain today..." Yeah, that'll fly...
- Frames rules that do not discriminate against “non standard” riders.
This one, I don’t understand…I don’t think the poster does either. WTF is a 'non-standard' rider? Is Lance 'non-standard' because he has one nut? Maybe he means that certain nameless riders, who fall off a lot, should be allowed to use training wheels. cough...Danielson...cough
- 2 Triangles frame rules – are we still in 1890?
You want the pros riding beam bikes? What is this 1990? The thought of it was offensive to the eye then, and continues to be offensive. The fact that Trek Y-Foil bikes are so sought after these days makes me wonder about humanity.
- Weight limit on components – not the package – a 800 gram carbon frame is not safe. The limit should be around the 1200grm mark with no ballast.
800g frames are fine. You think an extra pound of carbon is going to keep a frame from exploding when hitting a bollard @ 50kmh? Carbon frames don't 'splode on their own, or when subjected to direct sunlight.
- Respect their own rules on locations of sprints finishes.
HTFU! They’re pros. It’s what they’re paid for. Funny that Euro-dogs whinge about the location of a sprint finish, but a field of Cat 3 dudes will put each other in the hospital for a $50 prime.
- Clothing that has a minimal abrasion resistance in key areas.
HTFU! They're pros. It's what they're paid for. What's next, wearing DH armor? I guess we're going to stop the field @ 10k to go, and the UCI will hand out the correct protection to the riders. What about on technical descents? Full leathers and knee pucks for all!
- TT helmets with a safer inner shell (no hard tail).
TT helmets are all Snell and ANSI approved. Have been for a while. And let's face it, if you crash yourself during a ITT, you suck at bike handling. Sorry Cav...and triathletes...
- Brake lights.
Now that’s just dumb! What's next, requiring the peloton to shout "Braking", or "Slowing", like a century ride. Maybe they could set up tables every 20k or so to hand out cookies and Powerade too...
Like the title says, my two cents...
Oh, and here's Stage 1 of the ToQ...(short overview) Boonen attacked at @ 400m to go and held the break off...
Have a good Monday!
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