Proposal 38: Fixed distance and free distance races [ Revision 6 ]
Committee: RoadSubmitted on 2019-05-11
Status: Passed on June 08, 2019
Background
We are currently incentivised to provide only fixed distance events, which takes a lot of effort from organisers and does not provide riders with variety.
Fixed distance races are only worth organising if they can be comparable between different events (eg for personal bests). For that to be the case, they have to be flat and fast- there will be no hills, no cobblestones, minimal elevation change in the start/finish area etc. They are a lot of work in terms of measurement, and it limits the organiser's ability to place a start/finish area.
I think we need to give guidance to race organisers about what should be offered at Unicon or major regional championship event, which in my view should include at least one fixed distance race (eg 10km), and one non-fixed distance road race.
I propose that we do this in 4A.1 and 4D.15
Proposal
Current
4A.1 Definition
Road races are longer distance races held on paved roads or paved bike paths. These rules specifically apply to 100k, Marathon, and 10k races, but may also be applied to other road races, such as a Time Trial or a Criterium
Proposed
4A.1 Definition
Road races are long distance races held on paved roads or paved bicycle paths. This definition includes both fixed-distance and free-distance races, and different formats such as mass start races, time-trials and criterium
_______________________________________________________________________________
Proposed
*Add the section below as 4D.15.1; and move the current 4D.15.1 and 4D.15.2 down one section (ie 4D.15.1 becomes 4D.15.2; and 4D.15.2 becomes 4D.15.3)*
4D.15.1 Fixed distance and free distance distance races
The recognised fixed distance races are the 10km, Marathon(42.195km) and 100km.
A free distance race can be any race distance that is greater or less than 3% of the distance of a recognised fixed distance race.
It is expected that Unicon will have at least two road events, of which at least one is a recognized fixed distance event
4D.15.2 Distance measurement for fixed distance races (previously 4D.15.1)
In the case of fixed distance races, the course must be accurately measured along the shortest possible path.
(*replace first sentence. Rest of the text remains the same*)
4D.15.3 Distance measurement for free distance races(previously 4D.15.2)
In the case where a free distance is used, the course must be measured with an accuracy of plus or minus 3% or better. Example: if a race is advertised as 80 km, the actual distance must be between 77.6km and 82.4km.
(*replace first sentence and the example distance. Rest of the text remains the same*)
------------------
All references in the rulebook to 'traditional distance' will be replaced with 'fixed distance race'. The references to 'other distances' or 'non-traditional race distances' will be replaced with 'free distance'
Body
As discussed in the corresponding thread
References
Discussion
View DiscussionChange Log:
- Revision 6 changed by Ken Looi (26 May 23:13)
4D.15.2
Changed the example distance to 80km and corrected the +/- 3% distances
- Revision 5 changed by Ken Looi (25 May 08:32)
Changed references of 'traditional races' to 'fixed distance race' and 'non-traditional race' to 'free distance'
Also updated with Klaas and Scott's suggestion for Unicon requirements (two road races, at least one is fixed distance)
- Revision 4 changed by Ken Looi (22 May 05:35)
Added:
In the current 4D.15.2 delete the phrase "(such as any distance other than 10k or 42.195k)"
- Revision 3 changed by Ken Looi (22 May 05:25)
changed reference to 42.2km to Marathon (42.195km)
- Revision 2 changed by Ken Looi (15 May 02:56)
Changed:
'It includes both fixed-distance and free-distance races, and different formats such as mass start races, time-trials and criterium."
to:
"This definition includes both fixed-distance and free-distance races, and different formats such as mass start races, time-trials and criterium."
And
"It is expected that Unicon has at least one fixed distance event and one non-fixed distance event."
to
"It is expected that Unicon has at least one fixed distance race and one non-fixed distance race."
- Revision 1 changed by Ken Looi (11 May 17:10)
Votes on this proposal:
17 out of 18 voting members have voted.
Agree: 17, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 0.