Oct. 25, 2007
Filed under:
Etiquette, Tips
Comments (7)
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Tip #23: Pin from the center
Tim Henry (Project 5) sends along this tip: When pinning your own number, start by pinning the center. "This helps because it allows me to lock the number into a desired spot and makes pinning the corners a afterthought. Pinning the center also aids in preventing my number from billowing in the wind when I am tucked low."
This relates to the age-old cycling schism of number crumplers vs. non-crumplers. Some people think that wadding a number into a ball before pinning will make them more aerodynamic. These are the same people who will fling empty bottles at hapless spectators because they think 100 grams will make a difference in their sprint. I, however, side with the Wisconsin Cycling Association, which discourages crumpling because it makes numbers harder to read. No use winning the race if you're going to be illegible to the race cameras.
(WCA cites an anti-crumple provision in the 2004 USCF rulebook, but I cannot find any such reference in the current edition.) Besides, crumpling is against the rules: "Numbers may not be folded, trimmed, crumpled or otherwise defaced." (Thanks, Matt, for pointing us to the correct rule book.)
Comments
http://www.grizzygrip.com/
This stuff is great, saves a lot of time, and perfect if you're going to the race solo.
Does not work with skinsuits.
Posted by: pat mcnally at Oct. 25, 2007 07:15 PM
I've started copying Tim "SuperRookie" Hayes and yelling my number when I cross the finish line.
Posted by: jeff kao at Oct. 26, 2007 11:11 AM
If you are alone, and don't want to use glue, get a pillow or two, stuff it in the jersey, zip the jersey up and pin. Works great with skinsuits.
JT
Posted by: John Tomlinson at Oct. 27, 2007 06:17 AM
Rule 1K4(b) on page 30
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/RdTrkCx_rulebook.pdf (no folding, trimming, or crumpling of race numbers)
Posted by: Matt at Oct. 27, 2007 08:13 AM
Stretching skin suits or jerseys over the steering wheel is a tried and true method. I also yell out my number as I cross the line in TT's but haven't tried it in crits (since I'm frequently in the middle of the field).
Posted by: Lance Maylath at Oct. 30, 2007 01:55 PM
(since I'm frequently in the middle of the field)
How do I put this delicately? This tended not to be a problem for Super Rookie. (J/K! CBR (hearts) S-R!)
Posted by: Luke at Oct. 30, 2007 02:29 PM
for certain UCI CX races, "Riders with folded, misplaced, obscured, or misapplied numbers will be started at the back of the grid regardless of ranking, and take the risk that they may not be scored for the race. (UCI categories: 50 CHF fine.)"
no joke!
Posted by: julie at Nov. 2, 2007 12:45 PM
