Joshua Zlotlow said:
Quoted message said:Subject: Re: Cat 3 fun From: Precious Pup [email hidden] Date: 8/9/03 9:13 PM Pacific
Daylight Time Message-id: <[email hidden]>
Joshua Zlotlow said:
Quoted message said:My point was that the guys dominating the masters are there for easier pickings than senior
races.
Stop dodging.
Answer the basic question: so what?
This kind of reminds me of the episode of Seinfeld when Kramer was bragging about his karate
exploits until his friends found out he was competing against kids. That's kind of my idea of what
sandbagging is. My idea of the best sportsmanship is competing at the highest level you can. If
you're sandbagging, you're not doing that.
That's fine with me as an ideal, but it is unfortunately only an ideal -- for one thing, people
themselves wander around a bit in ability. I wouldn't mind seeing some variance in race day
divisioning (from week to week I mean) to help spread things around a bit more. That would make
perpetual sandbagging more difficult. But know that disturbing the status quo of race divisioning is
not typically well received.
The racers you refer to are responding to the incentives facing them, and why shouldn't they.
Instead of commanding ethical behavior, as *you* see ethical behavior (as a matter of practicality,
you'll *never* get everyone to agree with you on that), it would be better to handle it in a
structural manner. I am strongly opposed to governing body edicts regarding what races will be
offered and what will not be offered. I am strongly in support of race formatting being determined
soley by the promoters, who in turn may respond to demands of the racers who attend their races.
Allowing promoters to choose race format allows the opportunity to vary offerings without the
command and control of a governing body, thus structurally breaking up some of the sandbagging you
refer to (no need to convince anyone one of the "ethics" of it). Perhaps make your wishes better
known among promoters, along with practical solutions for making the wish come true (they don't want
to loose money, they want to profit).
Quoted message said:If you're taking masters races too seriously, you've got a problem.
This one is always going to be [censored]. The rule can be made for almost every bike racer and almost
every division; there is no call for the singling out of masters. We can say that *none* of the
amateurs, regardless of age, should take it "too seriously." Furthermore, it is up to the individual
how serious to take it, that is if you believe in individual freedom. Overboard *individuals* should
be dealt on a case-by-case basis; direction to "cool it" comes as much or more from ones peers as it
does from the outside.
As far as anecdotes go, here's mine: I've been a part of other team sports too, the older people are
generally more level-headed. Younger players tend to be more hot-headed. My experience is that
cycling is no different. How do you like that stereotype?
Quoted message said:People really need to keep a better perspective on recreational racing.
The problem I have with that is that it is too vague. Short of blowing a fuse and doing something
dangerous or shouting at officials and residents (or things pooping in the San Ardo Grade School
garden), someone can take it as "serious" as they want. It is their life to live, you know.
