Positive Racing

[rosko]

I really don't believe there is such a thing as 'positive' racing, only negative. While everyone will do what they can in a race, whether attack or sit in for the sprint, there are those who will have a negative effect on a race.

Who are these people, the ones who pull a break back, even though they know they are not capable of sprinting, they are just there to pull back those who are having a go. Don't come down on the guys who can't sprint and bring a break back for their mate who is sitting in there waiting for the sprint though, that rider is there for a reason, to work for their friend.

Then of course there is the rider who is just plain 'nasty' and will mark a rider out of the race, going through with them, not working. I won so few races while riding with the Coast, maybe one or two (if that), yet rarely was I in a race which I saw as negative! Often I would be in a break, started by me, yet brought back, and sometimes I would bring a break back, just because the rider in there may have chased me down. Is this negative? Maybe...

We all react to situations around us, Don't go on about a race not being positive just because you aren't strong enough to ride away from the bunch, and two, if you see your grade as being too easy, go up! If you want a harder race, the grade above will surely accommodate. Remember too, sometimes having the riders in a grade which is a little easier for them actually encourages harder racing as they will attack, and others will go with them, others will chase them down too..

Talk to those around you, find a friend in the race and attack the race with them, they don't have to be a friend either, one of the best wins I had was down at 'Beauie' when I attacked with a rider I didn't know from another club.

Anyway... That's my view! There isn't positive racing, just racing with a few negative riders in there every now and then.

[Matt]

Very interesting post Rosko.  I often get castigated for not sitting up and pulling too hard but my view is that unless I'm positive I'm dead.  At 93 kg I MUST have a break going up Blood the 2nd time or I'm R.S. So I use my mass to my advantage on the downhill run to give me a buffer on the climb.  I have absolutley no hope matching motors with lighter riders up Blood and less coming from behind - and the distance to the finish is too short to repair the damage done on Blood.  So attack I must - even from 20km away.

I guess what I am saying is that whether or not you are being postive relies as much on the contest with yourself as with other riders. 

[CD President]

My target for weight loss is 93 kg....

[GrantF]

Part of the CCCC Mission Statement says
The Club will: "Expect, and encourage, high levels of cycling etiquette and sportsmanship from all members."

What does this (etiquette and sportsmanship) mean??

[PeZulu]

Part of the CCCC Mission Statement says
The Club will: "Expect, and encourage, high levels of cycling etiquette and sportsmanship from all members."

What does this (etiquette and sportsmanship) mean??

Can't resist 

et·i·quette? ?/??t?k?t, -?k?t/  [et-i-kit, -ket] 
 
–noun
1. conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.
3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other: medical etiquette.

sports·man·ship? ?/?sp?rtsm?n???p, ?spo?rts-/ 
[spawrts-muhn-ship, spohrts-] 
 
–noun
1. the character, practice, or skill of a sportsman.
2. sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.

[Simon]

Part of the CCCC Mission Statement says
The Club will: "Expect, and encourage, high levels of cycling etiquette and sportsmanship from all members."

What does this (etiquette and sportsmanship) mean??

Can't resist 

et·i·quette? ?/??t?k?t, -?k?t/  [et-i-kit, -ket] 
 
–noun
1. conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.
3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other: medical etiquette.

sports·man·ship? ?/?sp?rtsm?n???p, ?spo?rts-/ 
[spawrts-muhn-ship, spohrts-] 
 
–noun
1. the character, practice, or skill of a sportsman.
2. sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.

GOLD GOLD GOLD!

[GrantF]

Part of the CCCC Mission Statement says
The Club will: "Expect, and encourage, high levels of cycling etiquette and sportsmanship from all members."

What does this (etiquette and sportsmanship) mean??

Can't resist 

et·i·quette? ?/??t?k?t, -?k?t/  [et-i-kit, -ket] 
–noun
1. conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
2. a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.
3. the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other: medical etiquette.

sports·man·ship? ?/?sp?rtsm?n???p, ?spo?rts-/ 
[spawrts-muhn-ship, spohrts-] 
–noun
1. the character, practice, or skill of a sportsman.
2. sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.

LOL 
What was I thinking?  http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm232/mintkiller/facepalm.jpg

Now we all know what type of content we're talking about, what is that content?

[Murphs]

Just for interest's sake: http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/11/turning-negative-racing-around