TransAm 2016 - www.transambikerace.com

I suppose there's not much point having a pairs category if solos could ride as pairs

It doesn't need to, because it says "Above all, attempts are intended to be solo"

Thing is though I can understand people meeting at towns and sharing room costs in hotels, etc. so it's like the rules state a 'gentleman's agreement'. They'll know if they were taking the piss and should self-penalise if it's the case. I think Adrian added 12hrs to his time for a routing error when he raced it.

I guess it's different if you end up winning it and you've spent half the race with someone else though. Obviously second place man/woman is going to be a bit miffed about it... whether or not they can do anything about it.

Yo I quoted that already.
Back in line.

Page didn't update while I read through the rules.

In my view 'not drafting but paired up' doesn't equal "solo" so they should scratch themselves from the solo category unless due to tracker accuracy she's been riding a mile behind the guy the whole time (or vice versa, given Lael's abilities) but it doesn't really look that way.

I won't be judging anyone, as I don't know what's actually happening there on the road, but on the front page of trans am it says

For the Trans Am, the rules are simple, race the Adventure Cycling Association‘s TransAmerica Trail under your own power, self supported. This means no outside assistance, no support cars, and NO DRAFTING (see rules)..

I suppose there's not much point having a pairs category if solos could ride as pairs

Pairs have a 'soft rule' for keeping within a mile of each other at all times. Solo riders pairing up and riding side-by-side for an hour/day/week don't have this restriction.

Although, like the rest of the rules, they're not exactly clear and open to individual interpretations by every person that reads them. A few more examples of things that are allowed and disallowed would help (e.g. examples of how long it's ok to ride side-by-side someone if you're a solo entrant). Everyone's interpretation of the 'spirit' of this type of racing will be slightly different too.

You never know, they may be purposely riding ~160 meters apart given the tracker accuracy is .1 mile.

On the rules page, for example, the only mention of drafting is in the pairs section (where it states it is allowed). I know it says "NO DRAFTING" on the front page, but you'd think it would have been made clear again on the rules page.

Its weird that they are leaving themselves open for critisism being at the front of the race and media savy

Maybe they just don't give a fuck about all the keyboard commentators, like this thread. I know on TD last year, we'd catch bits of what was being said online, and just ignore it. Go ride it yourself, then you might actually know what you're talking about, have some constructive input with the organisers if the rules are lacking. Sitting here, making up rules, or assuming them based on vague wording isn't going to achieve shit.

Amen.

To add to that Lael is a beast, if she can ride Tour Divide twice, Baja Divide twice, Ankorage to Banff, and a heap of other miles, she doesn't need to pair with him. Maybe they just enjoy riding together. I know I was glad of company a lot of the time on TD, at other times we all spread out and rode alone for hours, sometimes days. Whatever.

This isn't professional cycling where everyones a cunt and trying to get one up on each other with drugs, aero shit etc etc, Lael rides in normal shorts and a cotton shirt FFS. People are out firstly to challenge themselves, secondly, other people. Nothing is really official, carry on bitching about them riding together by all means, but no-one gives a shit.

Trackleaders projections...

Steffen: 17d23h
Lael: 18d10h

Mike's record: 17d10h

Steffen's cut back his sleep a little over the last few days, wonder if he's got enough left to close the gap on the record...

carry on bitching about them riding together by all means

I'm so glad we now have your permission to continue the discussion, on a discussion forum where discussions happen. Just like the riders, if you don't like the comments, "just ignore it".

In other news, Lael is currently in front of her riding partner...

whatever. bitching isn't constructive discussion. maybe you see that differently

In other news SS has taken a wrong turn.

Have you been here long? Who decides what's constructive? If only constructive discussion was allowed this place would consist solely of three bike maintenance threads. I don't like being told what I can and can't say. I'm sure you don't either.

fair enough. No I don't and I didn't mean to sound authoritarian, I just naturally come across as a dick, on the internet and in real life. You should know that by now too.

I wonder if there's a construction diversion? SS is well off route.

I'm even more of a dick in real life.

Let's have a #dickoff

Perhaps he just fancied a trip to Grimsby?

Do you not think it's against the rules?

Personally, if I were in the race. And there were a race director. I'd be lodging a complaint.

He's taken quite a few shortcuts already...

Flood diversions too? I remember watching a video of Adrian walking his bike through waste depth water somewhere. Can't remember where though but it was in this half of the race

but no-one else took that diversion

Who? SS?

Yeah, look

He's the only one that went south.