london duathlon - a little moan.
frogger
Posts: 24
in General Chat
great race, thoroughly enjoy it and its my third one.
However I can't count how many times I had to break suddenly or pull suddenly to the right when someone on a mountain bike or a bike with a basket pulled out in front of me. I'm going to have to complain about the lack of awareness and consideration from a lot of what look like first timers.
As the event grows in popularity, and being the "worlds most popular" it is sure to continue, i think the people who organise is should put a few more stringent ground rules down on those who enter it. Its a very narrow course and i think a number restriction should be put in place rather than a cut off date and consider putting the first timers near the end of the day. Thats why they start the elites so early.
I never saw the the accident, near the water station at the roundabout, but arrived soon after and saw what looked to be a fairly pro rider laying on the ground next to a guy who had been riding a mtb. I can't say who caused it but after completing the course i know who my money would be on. I myself also fell off my bike at the same point after a guy came to a full stop right in front of me on the loose gravel.
All it takes is a quick look over the shoulder before coming out of transition and the same when you pass someone... a little bit of fellow consideration to avoid some nasty accidents.
However I can't count how many times I had to break suddenly or pull suddenly to the right when someone on a mountain bike or a bike with a basket pulled out in front of me. I'm going to have to complain about the lack of awareness and consideration from a lot of what look like first timers.
As the event grows in popularity, and being the "worlds most popular" it is sure to continue, i think the people who organise is should put a few more stringent ground rules down on those who enter it. Its a very narrow course and i think a number restriction should be put in place rather than a cut off date and consider putting the first timers near the end of the day. Thats why they start the elites so early.
I never saw the the accident, near the water station at the roundabout, but arrived soon after and saw what looked to be a fairly pro rider laying on the ground next to a guy who had been riding a mtb. I can't say who caused it but after completing the course i know who my money would be on. I myself also fell off my bike at the same point after a guy came to a full stop right in front of me on the loose gravel.
All it takes is a quick look over the shoulder before coming out of transition and the same when you pass someone... a little bit of fellow consideration to avoid some nasty accidents.
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Comments
I was about 10 metres in front of the accident you mention. I didn't see much other than him having to pull wide and going over his handles into the running lane (all in a split second), but I definitely heard the guy shouting 'coming through', then two seconds later a big shout of sheer panic as what I can only guess was the mtb'er pulling out into his path. The 'pro' guy was travelling at some speed but that section of the course running up to the roundabout is just too narrow.
Did you see how he was? Friend of mine who came past later said he was being given oxygen. It didn't look pretty when I saw him go over, but I was in front so there was no need to stop. Just hope he, the mtb'er and any runners that were hit were all ok.
But it does question whether I'll do it next year... plus £52 is a lot of money for an event in a place I ride weekly! I would like to see as much of the running (on the sections which are shared with the bike run) on the grass next to the road or the pedestrian track running alongside the road.
Beat my PB by 5 min... so overall very happy!
No idea how the cyclists were. I got talking to someone in the transition area and when they rode past they saw a neck brace being put around one of them. Pre-cautionary hopefully !
Yup, the park is huge. I reckon they could come up with a different route to seperate the cyclists and runners.
Fair play though a great race. My first duathlon and I have to say that I found it tougher than triathlon.
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 0#15610390
I didn't see the accident itself, as it happened between me running past the spot on the first run and starting the bike. But I certainly wasn't very surprised that it did happen. The main thing I noticed on the run (both this year and last) is that people weren’t keeping on the left, which meant you had to overtake too wide on the right. This was also happening constantly on the bike (and I did see at least one person going over to the run route) it was a case of when and not if a collision would occur.
Also, I think there were too many people on the course at any one time. My number was in the 1500s and the start time stated was 10.10 to 10.15. I dutifully did my warm up and was ready to line up in the start pens at 10.06 only to look round and notice that most of the people around me were numbered in the 1700s. I was then encouraged to get in line and start my race. This, combined with no briefing on the start line about bike racing etiquette, contributed to making the race a bit more risky then it needs to be.
The organisers really need to take a look at how this race is structured so that those taking part, whether they’re complete novices or super speedies, can get the most out of this great event. I really do think there should be some sub 2-hour waves to make it safer and more competitive. And enjoyable. I did make this comment in the feedback form, but it seemed that it was totally ignored. Hopefully they'll address the issue next year.