Don’t disagree with that and hopefully for pros they’re already saying that.
But seems like lifetime needs to sort it out as the last 2 years specifically they’ve had pros in sprint finishes and it’s not hard to imagine a crash occurring in the chute. It’s also like a multi use path. People can be super unpredictable
But they’ve added money purses for their race series and unbound for some of the pros is a career making event so you can imagine they want to win at all costs.
I don’t know if it’s simple as widening the chute some and telling riders to try to stay a bit to the right if you’re not sprinting for a win.
So just regular old 40mm ramblers for Keegan. But with his frame plenty of clearance.
I’m curious if anybody has tried various frame protective solutions to prevent frame damage from mud like at unbound. I use the 3m vinyl tape but it seems like mud would eat through that too. Somebody on unbound fb group mentioned using aluminum foil tape. Anybody ever use that?
I assume the finish chute congestion could apply to the amateur race as well. If someone is fighting for overall or age group win/podium and finishing in a group with their competition, you can bet they are taking some chances at the finish. At leadville, the amateur results are based on chip time rather than gun time. So leadville is essentially a wave start draft legal TT for the amateurs. Sprinting is basically pointless relative to those around you, you just want to hit the line as quickly as possible (and yet people still sprint against each other, like pavlovian dogs). I believe Unbound is based on gun time for everyone, so beating someone by a wheel matters if you are racing them.
Few builds over on weight weenies for the aspero/racemax threads show a few clever solutions for normal wear and tear in the seat tube and bottom bracket area. Something I wish I would have done with my RaceMax.
This would probably fail miserably… but my engineer brain can’t help but think of frame & fork mounted “scrappers”. Sort of like a snow plow shape that clears the tire by maybe 3mm, then “scoops” anything sticking higher off the side of the frame and fork tubes. Probably just a new point of failure really, but my mind still wonders
I use it under the down tube and then areas where my frame bag attaches.
I had to get a new bike a couple weeks before unbound so was short of time getting things setup. It’s a lauf Seigla so plenty of clearance so stupidly I did not tape in the rear where tire is closer to the frame. But I’m not fast so I was either carrying my bike or getting off quickly to clear mud out. I still got some paint scuffs but nothing beyond what I’d expect from pebble dings and such.
Similar I have seen old school solutions where people put some tape above wheel across seatstay to clear mud.
I also saw a post on a forum about somebody who use some silicon spray to keep dirt and mud from sticking as well. I guess same idea as Pam cooking spray. I don’t think it would stop much unbound mud from sticking but maybe it would rinse off easier with a water bottle.
Idk. If I do another unbound in mud I’ll likely go with a size 40 tire and make sure my frame is really protected.
I mentioned cooking spray WAY up in the topic. That was a common hack for MX racing in mud that we used back when I raced in the '90s and still used today. The idea for “tearoffs” is also newer option that some have employed too. Tape layer with a tab so you can instantly strip off a full layer of coating. Stack a few layers for multiple times of clearing.
I tend to despise and avoid mud riding, but the scraper sure seems like it might be worth a shot. I could 3D print something or even just hack some plastic material for a mockup.
Having separate finishes for 100 mile and 200 mile races is not difficult. They don’t even need to finish on the same street. It’s not difficult and a no brainer, even if strictly from a safety perspective.
I just relistened to it again and I misinterpreted what he said I stand corrected mea culp mea culpa sorry DJ I tried to do 25 push ups but due to the lack of upper body strenght I still owe you 20. Again my apologies. congrats on a great race.
Leadville is a bit different with it being an out and back, but the moto at the front is very effective in alerting the users headed in the other direction that the leaders are coming.
Just thinking out loud, but I would think a moto with lights and siren/noise making device could jump in front of the lead group as they get close to town near the finish. The moto could then alert the riders ahead that the leaders will be coming through and be aware and stay to the right. If this is discussed at the preride meeting, hopefully the moto wouldn’t surprise/scare too many folks and ultimately help with having a slightly more organized finished. Plus a handful of the 100 riders would the finish unfold in front of them which would be pretty cool.
The safety of the finishing chute has been an issue for the last few years…it is concerning that the organizers have not yet addressed it. The fact that there was a 100 mile finisher taking a selfie as the lead 200 finishers came to the line should serve as the final wake-up call…but just like with the feedback form the mud section, it seems like the organizers are just doubling-down on their stance.
I tried to do 25 push ups but due to the lack of upper body strenght I still owe you 20. Again my apologies. congrats on a great race.