With the thought of someone taking a selfie of themselves finishing this year, I can’t help but think next year someone in the 100 is going to plan to finish around the time of the 200 pro’s to get a “sweet” video/selfie as the 200 winner crosses the line.
I was thinking the same thing while Keegan was talking about using the paint stick while on the move. You could fashion a shaped diverter at the top and top sides of the fork. Could maybe add some shape to the chain keeper to direct the mud to the side, and the derrailleur cage to keep the jockeys cleaner.
eta I use blue painter’s tape for short term scuff protection, moreso for bikepacking bag straps and where my feedbags contact the head tube, but the painter’s tape comes off really easily with no residue, and it has a slick, waxy coating on the outside. Not sure it would hold up to the spots where paint and primer was scrubbed away adjacent to the tire on some bikes (maybe multiple wraps?), but it would make for good tear-away strips on downtube, seat tube, seat stays.
eta2: or stans rim tape is thicker and slick, and doesn’t really leave much residue. Doesn’t come off as easy as painter tape.
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World exclusive to 30 minutes of SolidWorks wastage… the Mudder-01.
Imagine one each mounted to the “rear” side of the fork and seat stays. Plenty of details to really consider and refine, but a concept that would be easy to 3D print and try. Include some holes for mounting with wire ties. Would be sized for a range of clearance, maybe include some “living hinges” to allow for some level of width adjustment to a given range.
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Per tape, I have used good quality packing tape for basic paint and carbon protection. I wrap under places where on support and strap surfaces for various bags. I also use it as protection from cable rub around the head tube for sure, but any place I expect wear. I use the Gorilla brand where I want a thicker one like around my chainstays. Been using this approach for years before the “Ride Wrap” and similar protection became an option.
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Saw some people suggesting that they could have just used their race numbers mounted behind the fork to help shed mud…don’t think it is quite as simple as that though.
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Yeah, there will need to be sufficient strength and support to actually resist the mud load initially, and then sustain the sheering force that will happen in the scraping process. That’s why I have a thin leading edge as the scraper, but have more support lower down. The draft angle and fillet give strength and then divert mud flow outward. Also needs enough positional stability via mounting to not shift around to either side or away from the center.
I actually want a “split” line at the top of the arc. I would prefer all mud be diverted to the sides rather than to the middle of the bike, at least at the outer diameter. Just takes a bit more modeling to get that extra shape.
Like so many things, simple concept but the devil is in the details.
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Yeah, I think that would be a good element to have…
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The scraper is an interesting concept, but I think it would need the ability to hinge/give for when you get something solid (ie small rock) wedged between the tire and the leading edge of the scraper. Otherwise, it’s just going to rip off the scraper off unless your mud doesn’t have small rocks mixed in. I don’t see a way to make the clearance so tight to guarantee nothing could ever get under that leading edge (flex in wheels, frame, tire size/wear, etc.). Commercial snow plows often have a pivot design so the entire blade edge hinges back/up if the blade catches an obstruction. This mud scraper would be a little tricker since it’s not a straight edge w/ limited room to hinge (particularly on the fork), but the whole thing is an interesting engineering challenge.
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the right UHMW tape at key clearance points between tire and frame would be my pick to avoid carbon damage in such a messy situation
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Yeah, some segmentation allowing side and end flex (outward only since inward would be BAD) may be a true requirement for preventing wheel lockup (if the guard is strong enough) or destruction of the guard (more likely depending on materials and design).
Clearance is a tricky bit too. I was envisioning 3-4mm nominal. Enough to still leave potential for some material on the tire/wheel, but low enough to hopefully clear the frame & fork if normal tire gap exists. Main goal would be material removal to allow regular rolling and minimize risk of total mud ingress to the tight spots.
As I said in the opening, probably destined for failure but it’s fun as a pure design experience even if I never try to make one. I’ve got access to a few printers, and could even hack one from foam for more visualization. Not sure I will take that step in the end or let it die here.
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Don’t know if this is gonna work. If not, go check out the Vegan Cyclists’ Insta Stories. If you see Tar Heels, you’re there.
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A buddy of mine was in an elite 10k race on the track. Has a photo of him grimacing in what looks like him out sprinting the national champion. Turns out he was all-in trying to not get lapped. 
Made for a great photo though!
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Keegan’s instagram story has someone’s footage of the pros sprinting to the finish by squeezing to the side of other racers. Looks unsafe and would potentially impact the outcome of the race, seems like a no brainer to try to fix that. Hell, if they painted a stripe down the road and told the 100 mile finishers to stay to the right that would be an improvement.
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Totally agree. There just seems to be a lack of planning and foresight w/ the miles of mud, water issues, and this.
It did impact the outcome…Vakoc basically said he didn’t give it his all because of the unsafe conditions.
Again, this has been a known issue for several years and organizers have done nothing to address it. It will only get worse from here, IMO.
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Why do races insist on not changing?
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And worse, double down when they receive criticism…
We were talking this AM about what event we want to do next year and someone suggested going for our redemption at Unbound (we both DNF’s in 2019). Their reactions to this year’s race has really soured me on trying to go back. I honestly don’t believe they are taking the safety of their participants seriously under the guise of “It is supposed to be hard / epic…HTFU”.
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Yeah, most of the people in my cycling circle have even less interest in unbound for 2024. But Barry has had the mixing of people for years. There was a crush the year I did Barry in the finishing section between masters top 10 and someone on a hybrid bike.
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Was it 2021 (the one they had in the Fall)?
Because in 2021 at Barry, I think it was the 60 mile lead group came through in a sprint finish, and pushed a 35 mile rider into the barriers. The 35 mile rider crashed and was out cold on the pavement, twitching, and taken away by an ambulance. Not good…