HOLD YOUR LINE!!!

[Birdthom]

Is it just me, are are people getting more and more shouty in races nowadays? It seems to have reached comedic levels so far this year.

For some reason, these shouty types never seem to be at the pointy end of the field...

[BadgerBenji]

There was a few shouts of this today, it's not unusual, one guy thoroughly deserved the shout he got, he was chopping lines all over, but was shelled out the bunch in under 2 laps.

[Birdthom]

Don't get me wrong, when appropriate it's absolutely necessary. It's just that people seem to have been hyper-sensitive in my two races so far this year, like any kind of movement is lethal banzai riding which has to be shouted down. Probably just early-season nerves, does make me smile though.

[Shivit]

There was a horrendous pile up at a Velodrome race near me last weekend. A guy died as a result of his injuries. A bit of shouting is fine if it avoids this sort of thing.

[Birdthom]

As I said, I don't have a problem with it when merited. However, if it's just being called out all the time for no good reason then it becomes pointless as it just gets ignored.

I should add that I haven't been the target of these shouts, so it isn't personal!

ETA I'm aware of the incident you mentioned, truly horrible and I don't disagree with you there at all.

Edited by Birdthom on Saturday 15th March 22:23

[lynus2004]

Not noticed an increase. Were you racing at Darley? I was there last week and the standard of riding was terrible, some real chopping from one side of the track to the other. The slow average speed doesn't help though because it keeps the bunch together for longer.

Does make me laugh that the vocal riders are normally not there at the end, some of the older ones only seem to turn up to intimidate the young riders.

[Birdthom]

Yes, first Darley was pretty sketchy! Yesterday was a bit better, still some 'interesting' moves though, plus a bit of dive bombing thrown in for good measure. I have been forced on to the grass in both races so far by people wobbling. I'd never shout at a wobbler though - they are presumably inexperienced and nervous, so shouting isn't going to help them relax.

See you there next weekend?

[lynus2004]

If I can't find anything else I'll be at Darley. Not sure if I'll be in the E/1/2/3 race or the 3/4 yet. Need some points after messing up my sprint yesterday at the MK Bowl but would get a better workout trying to hang on to the fast lads.