tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post5614963367736111682..comments2024-03-09T21:08:05.580+11:00Comments on Tales from the llama...: Mt Buller Road Race. March 17th 2013 - Masters A.Shane Miller - GPLamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12414261378362356188noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-91035739634569928342013-04-12T14:02:45.936+10:002013-04-12T14:02:45.936+10:00I was the Chief Comm & take full responsibilit...I was the Chief Comm & take full responsibility for the change to start order. Start time is always subject to late change, but in any case, you only need look at finish times to see why Masters A needed to start in front of Men's B, etc. It's no fun & not safe if a bunch catches another on a narrow open-to-oncoming-traffic road.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04489092887034598253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-81717266424461896562013-03-19T22:52:52.862+11:002013-03-19T22:52:52.862+11:00Thumbs up from me there rgmerk. Thanks for your co...Thumbs up from me there rgmerk. Thanks for your comments. Shane Miller - GPLamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12414261378362356188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-41666802111810731402013-03-19T22:51:13.352+11:002013-03-19T22:51:13.352+11:00It was a pretty well organized event all up.
Fr...It was a pretty well organized event all up. <br /><br />Frankly, ability based grading is the go. I'm ambivalent as to whether Masters is necessary or not, but if it is graded masters makes the racing more fun and competitive for the vast majority of riders. <br /><br />For championship races, different story - I reckon the strongest older riders deserve a chance to show how strong they are against their age-similar peers. But for most races, putting people together who are competitive against each other regardless of whether they're 32 or 62 makes the most sense to me.<br />rgmerkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14554770711314935782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-82597358047801469532013-03-18T20:05:50.894+11:002013-03-18T20:05:50.894+11:00Thanks for the comments jbear. I'm always plea...Thanks for the comments jbear. I'm always pleased to hear people like my little ramblings, reports, and opinions (some right, some wrong) :) <br />Shane Miller - GPLamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12414261378362356188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-21817129618035547802013-03-18T19:58:52.724+11:002013-03-18T19:58:52.724+11:00Given that a quick look at the masters results fro...Given that a quick look at the masters results from recent races reveals a few in each age group who are head and shoulders above the rest, and with times that don't really start to deteriorate until the over 50s, it seems only sensible to stream the masters into grades. At least then those of us who only moderately talented have a chance at a race where tactics rather than just raw talent comes into play. In some senses, the top level is easy- it is how you engage the passionate riders who are a level or two below and keep them interested in racing in the long term. To date, Vets have had this all to themselves, and do a reasonable job in their idiosyncratic way.<br /><br />Great report, BTW. I always enjoy reading your stuff- it is great to read considered reporting of the local racing scene.jbearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01996706470651357221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-71592256059447164362013-03-18T18:47:57.204+11:002013-03-18T18:47:57.204+11:00There we go, a benefit of having Masters C, more c...There we go, a benefit of having Masters C, more choice for troglodyte! <br /><br />As for CV not pissing straight, maybe someone needs to hold their dick? Do you have a free hand? :) <br /><br /><br />Shane Miller - GPLamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12414261378362356188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-12654527237143388252013-03-18T18:43:46.776+11:002013-03-18T18:43:46.776+11:00I see Masters racing providing a few benefits.
-...I see Masters racing providing a few benefits. <br /><br />- As I've mentioned, all grading offers the chance for more people to be competitive. Be them male/female/age group/Open. If you want to open a can of worms, ask in the same breath why we have women's racing. You won't be popular for long! :) <br /><br />- Racing B Grade Open and taking away opportunities of success in the sport from U19 riders, who may one day make a living from it isn't ideal. Just my opinion. The sport is cruel. It isn't 50/50 win/lose like most team sports. <br /><br />- Masters or more commonly, Vets, racing has been around for years. It may have been born from retired pros wanting to still get their race on. I'll have to look into the history. Cycling isn't unique in regard to age group classification. A lot of sports have it, all for similar reasons. <br /><br />The Kosdown team boss put up an article on it today over on our site. http://www.teamkosdown.com.au/journal/2013/3/18/kudos-to-cycling-victoria.html Might provide a better insight/perspective than me.<br /><br />Not everyone has to agree with age group classifications, there is always the option of racing with an Elite license until you drop. Shane Miller - GPLamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12414261378362356188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-2996171673251896882013-03-18T18:38:41.768+11:002013-03-18T18:38:41.768+11:00It seems Men's Elite C is actually Junior Elit...It seems Men's Elite C is actually Junior Elite. You can tell by the way they smash it up the rollers but then roll down them really slowly. Also, horrible bunch discipline. I'm switching to Master's C.<br /><br />As for CV, they still can't piss straight. Changing the start order without notification? Bah.inopinatushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18023003493282499274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-22864838390843552382013-03-18T18:31:06.460+11:002013-03-18T18:31:06.460+11:00I agree aged based Masters racing is not fair. But...I agree aged based Masters racing is not fair. But having say that, why have master racing at all. Why not just have men's A to F?<br /><br />I'm not having a go at anyone. Just wondering what's the reason/history for separation.Albury Wodonga Cycling Calendarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01841951743696141942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-79747877103665456032013-03-18T18:29:35.472+11:002013-03-18T18:29:35.472+11:00This comment has been removed by the author.Albury Wodonga Cycling Calendarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01841951743696141942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-30750341136318718262013-03-18T15:12:23.653+11:002013-03-18T15:12:23.653+11:00If you haven't raced in four years, what is th...If you haven't raced in four years, what is the issue? Are you worried that if you happen to enter a race in the next four years you'll be forced to race A Grade? I think that is unreasonable. No doubt they will too.<br /><br />Action points: <br /><br />- Use their online form. <br />- When you next enter an event use the comments section provided to state your case. <br />- In the 'list three similar riders' section, list three similar riders. <br /><br />Saying they don't give a shit because you sent one email is a fair throw of the stone. Shane Miller - GPLamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12414261378362356188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518764871789529480.post-34952994266830563692013-03-18T15:07:15.686+11:002013-03-18T15:07:15.686+11:00CV's grading already has some damn suspicious ...CV's grading already has some damn suspicious things going on. They bumped me up to a grade I haven't raced in four years, despite not having any podiums to speak of in recent times. I've certainly not, at any club, been looking at going up a grade, so why CV thought that would be their call to make is beyond me.<br /><br />I've asked about it, but it's evidently made its way to the email shredder. Clearly they don't seem to give a shit if they get it wrong.tjsrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17600700397008517592noreply@blogger.com