Repair or replace a (broken) unicycle?
This discussion has an associated proposal. View Proposal Details here.Comments about this discussion:
Started
In the Track and Field committee a discussion arose around unicycle failure and what a rider is allowed to do, such as request a restart, get a replacement unicycle to finish the race etc. We haven't voted yet but the majority seems to think that equipment failure is a part of life. A restart is not allowed, and it makes no sense to replace, let alone repair, a unicycle since the track and field races are so short.
But how is this in Road Racing? I think the Rulebook doesn't address the issue. I've seen cases in Unicons where a unicycle was replaced or even repaired mid-race, without it causing problems. At least one person got a medal after a mid-race repair that I know of. It never occurred to me that this might be illegitimate.
To avoid confusion, maybe we should explicitly state in the rules for Road Racing that repairing or replacing your unicycle during a race is allowed.
Note that if we formulate it like this, a rider could e.g. swap a unicycle for a smaller one, or perhaps one with longer cranks, for an uphill section if he has a powerful support team. Is that OK? Or should it only be allowed in case of equipment failure? How do we define that, and is there a danger that the rule gets "abused"? Or do we simply allow any replacement?
Opinions?
Comment
I think riders should be allowed to replace the unicycle in case of equipment failure. It should be stated that they must restart riding at or before the point where the unicycle broke. They cannot skip part of the course to rejoin the race.
Obviously restarting the race is not realistic for Road Races.
I'm not sure how I feel about the option to switch unicycles during the race. Unlimited in unlimited, but it seems like having support from an outside person is different.
Tony Melton did this during the marathon in NZ. He used a schlumpf on the downwind section but then switched to an ungeared uni for the climbing. It definitely wasn't against the rules at the time and was Okay-ed by the referee. However, I wasn't a big fan of this at the time. (It didn't help that he was my main competition in that race...) It felt like cheating somehow but I'm open to other opinions here.
Comment
In the USA Skill Level rules, and I thought also in the IUF Skill Level requirements, one rule reads "Within a specific level test, the rider must use the same unicycle to pass all skills within that level." While the Skill Levels may be considered outdated, I think this is the right spirit. For road racing that would mean that swapping a unicycle before, say, an uphill section, is not allowed. However, if it would still be allowed to swap a unicycle if the first one is broken, we might run into "cheating" problems. Even allowing mid-race repair might be a bit tricky: replace a broken crank with a longer one, replace a blown studded tyre by a road tyre etc.
It might be difficult to phrase "water-tight" rules for cases of broken unicycles, even if it feels "just" to allow repair or replacement. I have no definitive opinion yet.
Comment
Just because it is impossible to make perfect rules doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Our job is to make the rule as good as we can, and make sure the intent of the rule is clear. We have a chief referee/official for just this reason. It's usually not too hard for a good judge to tell if a rider is trying to cheat or not. However, it is hard to create a rule that can tell the difference.
I think it's ridiculous to not allow a rider to fix a flat tire or loose crank during a race, for example. Think about the 100km race. If someone gets a flat tire and is allowed to fix it, he still has a chance in the race because it's so long. I don't think the Skill Level requirements are relevant here.
I am against changing unicycles during a competition just to get an advantage on the course.
Comment
Most of our Road racing is Unlimited. For 24" unicycles in that category, they may only be replaced by other 24" unicycles that meet the race requirements. Same for the 29" category. I'm thinking of the situation where a unicycle breaks, and somehow the rider, on the course, has the option of riding with a different unicycle. She will use what she can get the limitation should only be that the unicycle meets the requirements for that race category.
This means that the rider should NOT be allowed to change equipment to adapt to different parts of the course. Only to continue the race when the first unicycle can't.
How to enforce this? We will not have officials (or possibly even witnesses) all along a 42 km course, for instance. If there is a change of cycle, it should only happen once during the race, and come with a little story (mine is about Tom Holub in the NZ Marathon, who broke down but was able to do repairs by cannibalizing Jim Sowers' uni--with Jim's permission of course).
We can't be there to see the swaps. We probably would need text in there that covers such situations, with an examination of the "second" unicycle after the rider finishes, to make sure everything was on the up-and-up.
Comment
"This means that the rider should NOT be allowed to change equipment to adapt to different parts of the course. Only to continue the race when the first unicycle can't."
I don't think that "this means that" is true. A geared 36" rider could have changed to an ungeared 29" with perhaps longer cranks, e.g. in the steep uphill section in the NZ marathon, and both unicycles would meet the requirements. So if a rider is not allowed to swap a unicycle to adapt to the course, we should explicitly rule that out.
May a ride swap his wheel for a smaller one (and otherwise keep the same unicycle) to adapt to the course? May he change cranks to shorter/longer ones? May he put his pedals in another hole on the crank? May he switch gears on his Schlumpf during the race? These are all gradations within the same theme - where to draw the line?
Comment
We do a 12 h DH race once a year on multiple tracks and some riders change their uni (especially in the year when we had XC track empedded). This was an unfair behaviour all over. Especially for a unicon only local riders / those who come by car can bring multiple unis. Those who come by plane are usually happy if the minimum required unis fit in their luggage.
Therefore I think it can be a general rule to forbid using some different unicycles in one competition.
But we should think then also about replacement of a similar unicycle. In trials, jumps, street, flat it happens often that people have a flat tire or a broken tire/frame and its normal that they can continue on a more or less similar uni borrowed by a friend. Some pro rider usually appear at a trial competition with 2 unis to be prepared.
So we have 3 cases:
1.) Change inbetween 2 or more different unicycles (geared/unheard, 36/29...) - should be forbidden in ggeneral
2.) Change a broken unicycle with a similar setup (crank size can be different a bit if this is allowed, in trials you have 137 and 140 for example). - should be allowed as long as the uni is really broken.
3.) Repair a broken unicycle and continue - should be allowed.
Then it can be separated in disciplines where you can restart in another heat / attempt and those where you would be just allowed to continue because a restart is not possible.
Comment
What Olaf said. Except we shouldn't be so restrictive on #2. When replacing a broken unicycle, chances are you don't have a team car nearby with a ready replacement. You will take whatever you can use! It must only be a legal unicycle for that category. In the Unlimited category that means anything.
Maybe if officials have doubts about the need for a replacement unicycle they can request (or we should require) that the broken cycle be provided to them to at least look at. Or those of us with cell phones can take our own pictures, and have them with us at the finish for immediate gratification. But in the scenarios that are most common, a rider will be broken down and will be very lucky to have any replacement unicycle (or parts) to be able to continue; they shouldn't be restricted to something identical to what they were using.
Comment
Would swapping cranks be allowed, not as a repair but only to adapt to the course?
I tend to say yes, especially if the rider is totally self-supporting in this respect (carried cranks and tools, does the swap on his own). Not a very likely scenario, but if a 100 km race would be 50 km downhill followed by 50 km uphill, I could see it happening.
And what if the rider can take a rest while his support person/team has carried the cranks and tools, and changes the cranks?
Comment
For now, I would allow it. I hadn't thought about the team car thing though, but I'm still inclined to not worry about it (at present). If we start getting into team car situations, we might have to make rules about that. For Ride The Lobster it was simple; no following your rider! Drive ahead to your switching spot, and wait there. Or whatever, but nobody was allowed to drive along with their racers.
So I'm okay with a self-supported rider changing cranks during the race. They should take their time! :-) Note: I tried this in RTL, not while riding of course, but between my shifts. Even though we had minivans, there wasn't enough room in the van to do it, so we first had to get where we were going. I was worried I would run out of time before getting it done, and only did it once.
Comment
I come from a mountainbike racing background, so my views are similar to what they used when I was racing...a rider had to finish on the same bike they started on. They were allowed repairs, but no outside assistance (although I think relaxed for mountainbike marathon events).
I think their rule makes sense because:
1. unicyclists do not have resources of professional road bicyclists- being able to change unicycle mid-race is dependent on having team support, multiple unicycles, and possibly a support vehicle. It gives advantage to local unicyclists, or unicyclists willing to spend lots of money on baggage allowance/unicycles/support crew. Unicycling is an amateur sport so I think we should keep it relatively egalitarian.
2. it allows repairs. I don't see why a broken unicycle should disqualify you. In mountainbike racing, it doesn't matter if your bike is broken, as long as you cross the finish line with it.
3. altering the unicycle mid-race should be allowed. If there is a big hill, and you feel you can gain advantage by switching to longer cranks, go for it. I doubt one would be able to change cranks quickly enough to make it worthwhile, but they could be changing holes in dual hole cranks. I don't see this being different to, say, lowering the height of your seat post when you are riding a technical section in Muni. As long as the rider carries their spare cranks/parts with them.
4. outside assistance- I think this should not be allowed for the same reason as #1 above
5. Stage races are different beasts altogether. Ride the lobster was a team event, with support vehicles and part of the fun was making it like road bicycle stage racing. We don't have a stage race event at unicon yet, so not sure why we need a rulebook entry to cover this.
Comment
I think Olaf's, John's, and Ken's comments make sense.
The big difference I see with finish with the same bike vs. finish with the same uni rule though is that since unis are simpler to start with, when something goes wrong it can be a game ender. I came from a mountain bike racing background too and finished races on a singlespeed when I started with a geared bike. I finished on a glorified scooter as well. Bikes can typically coast. They can be simplified for the sake of continuing. When a uni breaks, there's always a hiker, but that's about it.
So to tie them together- I think a rider should be able to repair their own unicycle, or replace it with another unicycle (that fits the same category) in the case that it's broken. In that case, an official would have to examine the broken unicycle after the race has concluded. I don't think that a rider should be allowed to switch unicycles for different parts of the course, just because they want to. I'm not so sure about no outside assistance. In biking, it required that the rider be self-sufficient. Carrying tools for changing cranks seems a bit excessive. I don't like the idea of a pit crew though. Depending on the age of the competitor, fixing a flat may or may not be at the edge of their ability. I think this is the grey area. We want people to finish. We don't want them to have an advantage because they have a support crew specific to them. If the not being able to switch for different parts of the course is explained well, competitors can be expected to be honorable.
Scott's suggestion of they must resume riding at or before where the unicycle broke is important too.
Comment
Welcome, experienced bike racers! You both come from mountain bike racing, which is not the same as Road racing but is the way it's done for that type of racing. I would prefer to emulate known bike racing standards when it makes sense to do so.
- Definitely allow self-repairs
- Definitely allow self-altering the uni, but only with stuff you brought along with you
- Allow outside assistance but with some limitations
- Yes--apples to single-rider races, not necessarily stage races, which might require different rules when we have them
- Riders don't necessarily have to resume racing from the point of breakdown. If you can carry a broken uni across the finish line, you can also walk until you are able to figure out your repairs. You just have to do it on foot.
Question: What about the Tom Holub/Jim Sowers solution in the Unicon XV marathon? I think it was just a flat tire on Tom's uni. When Jim came along, he offered his unicycle, or maybe just his tire/tube, for Tom to use. Tom completed the race (would have won his age group if he hadn't broken down), Jim did not. Jim voluntarily gave up his uni so his more serious-racing friend could complete the race. This was not pre-meditated and I think it should be allowed. What should probably not be allowed is "seeding" the race with another rider on a different unicycle that you will switch to for whatever reason (such as flat followed by steep), but without a breakdown.
In other words, I think it should be allowed to finish on a different unicycle if the chance arises, but not to pre-plan for it. Not sure how enforceable that would be though. Any ideas on that?
Also, whatever we come up with here may or may not be translatable to Muni racing, but it would be nice if we could use the same rule for both.
Comment
I like everything John said.
No idea on the "how enforceable" question.
Comment
Everything is sounding good so far except I don't think outside assistance should be allowed. I also wouldn't allow other riders sharing parts/unicycles as it has the potential for someone to use it for an advantage.
Comment
Jamie, I think you're too strict there. John gave an example where someone could finish a race with parts borrowed from another rider when his own unicycle broke. I think we should allow such sportsmanship.
Normally someone with a broken unicycle loses time. It would be a very rare case where someone with a broken unicycle borrowing or repairing with outside help would have a net gain from that, as long as such a deal is not preplanned.
Comment
I like John's suggestion regarding carrying the unicycle. The intent (at least on my part) was to not allow someone to cut the course as to gain an advantage.
In the Tom/Jim situation, one of the unicycles was definitely broken. If the rule included showing an official a broken unicycle, that situation would be covered.
I'm not so sure about the no outside assistance. How many riders carry an extra tube and pump? What if the spare tube got pinched upon installation?
I feel offering to help another racer is good.
Comment
I think allowing certain types of outside assistance but with "limitations" adds unnecessary complexity and/or subjectivenes. What is okay in terms of assistance? We should keep rules as simple as possible.
Completely self assisted is needs little qualification. It means you have to be independent; ride and use suitable equipment, and bring appropriate spares/tools. If someone is pushing themselves so hard they crash and wreck their unicycle...that is part of racing. Or punctures- some riders might try gain advantage by using very light or very skinny tyres, and get a pinch flat as a result. Should they swap their unicycle with a team-mate when their competitors are disadvantaged by riding heavier tyres?
Comment
I am ok with Jim/toms situation but just don't want people pre planning a break (popping his tube so he can use a different setup uni from another friend who's racing). Not that people would do this but it would be an option unless we can come up with a clear description of the rule that prevents this.
I still don't like help from outside assistance as any serious racer should know how to fix the most common problems and carry tools/parts to do it. If they want to take a chance and not carry a heavy tube or repair kit as it makes them lighter than that's the chance they are making and just have to hope they don't get a flat. If enough people think assistance should be allowed I might be willing to change my mind but right now prefer to not have it as an option.
Comment
Earlier I wrote:
"Riders don't necessarily have to resume racing from the point of breakdown. If you can carry a broken uni across the finish line, you can also walk until you are able to figure out your repairs. You just have to do it on foot."
That assumes the walking racer is staying on the course (or immediately next to it). If you deviate from the course you will be disqualified.
As Jamey and others have implied, allowing "some" outside help leads to complications. I want to encourage people to help each other. Like everyone who teamed up to build a unicycle from parts for the Korean RTL rider whose wheel was destroyed by the airline. Or to be able to loan someone a tool you're carrying. I would definitely allow racers to help each other, at least. It still leaves room for nefarious use of teammates who may pre-plan to "sacrifice" their unicycles to provide a better one for the big climb, or similar. To that end, I like the idea of presenting the broken unicycle after the race, though that doesn't prove much. All you have to do is break it before you get back to the start/finish area.
I always carry a pump if I'm carrying my Camelbak, and I always carry my Camelbak in long races. What's the point of bringing a patch kit or tire irons if you don't have a pump? I might be obliged to help someone if I'm in a long race and not feeling competitive. But I don't want it to complicate the rules.
What about a rule that you can only get assistance on the course from other racers, or from race officials? That might make it objective enough.
Comment
"That assumes the walking racer is staying on the course (or immediately next to it). If you deviate from the course you will be disqualified."
I think it would be OK to deviate, as long as you trace back the deviation, and thus follow the whole course.
"What about a rule that you can only get assistance on the course from other racers, or from race officials? That might make it objective enough."
What's wrong with pumping your tyre at a gas station, or getting a puncture fixed at a bike shop?
And if that requires you to deviate from the course (on foot or not), trace the same route back and continue the race, that's OK with me.
Comment
Quote from John:
"I want to encourage people to help each other. Like everyone who teamed up to build a unicycle from parts for the Korean RTL rider whose wheel was destroyed by the airline. "
I am not against people 'helping' one another before or after the race. In the spirit of unicycling and friendship, that's a great thing.
A race situation is different. It has pre-set conditions and you have to be fulfil those whilst trying to be the fastest from A-B. Otherwise it is a social ride where people can help each other as much as they wish.
Comment
Klaas is right about the bike shop idea. You must deviate from the race route to get to the bike shop. Long as you don't take a shortcut getting back to the race (you must re-enter the course where you left it) this should be okay, if we choose to allow such "outside assistance". Which I think we should, as our races tend to get longer and more challenging.
I sympathize with Ken's point of view on being self-sufficient during a race. I just don't like the idea of somebody being out of the race in the 2nd kilometer due to a loose part, for instance. Or the guy in the very first Unicon "Marathon" (8k), who would otherwise have easily won, whose crank came loose and eventually came off. Having to stop to make repairs carries with it plenty of time penalty, but it allows people to at least finish the race. I'm hoping we can come up with a way to allow that, but not leave an opening for people to abuse the privilege.
Comment
A bolt check is part of race preparation (my routine even when I raced mountainbikes).
It's a judgment call whether to bring a multi-tool or just a couple of allen keys, and whether to carry spare tubes and gas cartridge/pump. People who carry extra weight shouldn't have to make up for those who don't.
Comment
Ken, they shouldn't have to but that should be allowed to if they want to. We are a very generous and supportive community and I wouldn't want a rule that goes against this.
Comment
In the proposal just submitted, does "change" a unicycle include swapping a broken unicycle for another one?
I think the proposal should be more explicit that this is allowed.
Also, I think it is unreasonable to require the rider to be self-sufficient in such a swapping action. Borrowing a unicycle from someone else is OK, in my view at least. Of course the 'accidental breakage' rule still applies.
Comment
Yes, "change" includes swapping. How can this be stated more explicitly?
The rider must only be self-sufficient in non-breakage scenarios. In the case of a breakdown, the rider can have help with the change. Is this not clear?
Comment
Re the first point, I suggest:
The rider can only use outside assistance to repair, change or swap their unicycle if it is accidentally broken during the course of the race.
Re the second point: I misread it but it's clear enough.
Comment
"When the rider is off course, the no-running rule is no longer in effect."
This is good, the rider may run then. I think he might also use a car or whatever. Would we need to 'widen' the rule, such as
"When the rider is off course, he may use any form of transportation"?
Comment
I don't find the addition necessary. Other transportation off course, such as a car, is implicitly allowed. However, I don't really want to encourage too much ridiculous repair behavior.
Comment
I'm not sure that use of a car (while being off-course) is implicitly allowed. I read the current proposal as "you have to be on foot, but running is OK".
The IUF Rulebook doesn't explicitly forbid use of a car during a race. Of course, that doesn't mean that racing the course in a car is implicitly allowed. We don't need to add such a rule, as everyone will understand the purpose of a unicycle race.
Indeed, when being off-course for a repair, using a car is also not explicitly forbidden, but does that mean it is implicitly allowed? I think it is better to explicitly allow "any transportation" under those circumstances, just to remove any doubt about what is allowed.
If using a car would be encouraged by explicitly allowing "any transportation", then the rule without that phrase is apparently not clear enough. Then again, I don't consider using a car (e.g. if a friend drives you to a repair shop) ridiculous.
Comment
Ok. I agree now.
Technically you own the proposal so please make a revision. (I'm too busy with nepal. Thanks)
Comment
Sorry, I don't think I can. I guess you are the owner yourself, the "first revision" (which I believe means submission) is by you.
Comment
(I did start the discussion though. I see I can close it.)
Comment
You are correct. Can you suggest the additional sentence for me then?
Comment
With pleasure.
In the second paragraph, replace
When the rider is off course, the no-running rule is no longer in effect.
by
When the rider is off course, he may use any form of transportation.
Comment
Klaas to the rescue again, helping us with our grammar and clarity. However he missed Scott's "Minnesota-ism" of ending the sentence with the word 'with'. Here I offer what I hope is a simplified version of the proposal:
New Rule: Repair, Change, or Replace a (Broken) Unicycle
In Road Races, riders may make modifications to their unicycles, but must be self-sufficient in this. The rider must carry all necessary parts and tools needed for the modification(s), and do all the work without any assistance. For example, a rider may change cranks but must carry the new cranks and all tools from the start of the race. Discarded parts or tools may be left behind.
Assistance is allowed in the event of a breakdown or damage to the unicycle. Outside tools and hands-on help may assist the rider to continue, including replacing the unicycle if necessary. The Chief Referee must confirm that the situation was unplanned and was indeed "accidental". If the Chief Referee determines otherwise and the rider used outside assistance for changes to the unicycle, the rider will be disqualified.
The rider may continue the course on foot (walking, not running) with the broken unicycle. If the rider exits from the course, they must reenter the course at or before the point where they exited from the course. When the rider is off course, he may run or use any other form of transportation.
Any modifications made to the unicycle must still adhere to the requirements of the category that the rider is entered in. For example, if a rider broke a crank in the Standard 24" 10k race, they are only allowed to install a new crank of 125 mm or longer.
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It was a bunch of small changes and moves; sorry but it's probably easier to just read this version than for me to make a list. In any case, I'm a Yes vote.
Comment
I would vote Yes anywas, but I prefer this new version, it reads a lot smoother.
In fact I did notice the sentence ending with "with". While Minnesota-isms are beyond me, I thought that there should be a word after "with", perhaps "him". But when typing my comment, I forgot to identify this.
I don't know if Scott still has time to modify the proposal. Whoever does it, please note that John's edits include the title of the new rule.
Comment
I agree with all of John's changes except one. It reads much better this way.
"Discarded parts or tools may be left behind." This encourages littering, which is way lame. I will not include this in the revision. Thanks for your help John.
Comment
I am with Scott on the littering. On the other hand, it's OK to discard broken parts in a dustbin, give them to a friend, whatever. Omitting the sentence still implicitly allows this :-), while not suggesting it is OK to leave junk on the roadside.
Do we need the (broken) in the title? Even with the brackets it may suggest that a unicycle must be broken to be changed. The text body is clear on this, but the title is not. Why not just "Repair, Change, or Replace a Unicycle"?
Comment
I'm flexible on the title. The reason for including (broken) in the title is due to other sections like in Jumps (old rulebook: 2.19.1.3 Broken Unicycle).
John?
Comment
You guys are right about the "discarded parts or tools". The intent is that the rider need not carry that stuff to the finish; a point that's very relevant to this rule. It needs to be said differently:
"The rider need not carry discarded parts or tools to the finish line."
That skirts the image of littering, which could/should be addressed elsewhere. I certainly wouldn't want to throw away a pair of cranks or a crank puller. Ultimately I'd hand them to someone and ask to meet them later, or similar. We should never condone littering, which extends to water bottles, energy gel wrappers, innertubes, etc. But I don't think it's appropriate to address it in this proposal.
Proposal title:
I just copied it from the proposal without change. I have no problem with the title. This proposal is a little messy in that it covers two topics; what you're allowed to do in the event of a breakdown, and a different set of rules for intentional mid-race modifications. Maybe on the next round we should split it into two sections. What we have now is a great improvement on what we had before!