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Topic ClosedSports class regulations
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Andrew S View Drop Down
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Points: 2433 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 12:17pm
Originally posted by Mr Blue Sky Mr Blue Sky wrote:

we could take the easier step of measuring the arm span from mid line (the intraclavicular notch) to the tip of the middle finger, which conveniently is about half the standing height



...and hence is functionally equivalent to the proposed 'touching the ground' rule, if we assume there is not much scope for variation in the shoulder-eye distance. Touching the ground is easily verifiable and requires even less in the way of calibration equipment, intrusive questioning into the length of one's arse, etc.
Quam celerime.
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Adrian Setter View Drop Down
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Points: 1606 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 12:29pm

I knew someone would open this discussion sooner or later.

For the record, the set-up for my 2003 class win conformed with the letter of the 105cm rule.  With the seat almost as upright as it would go (I could have got another cm or two), and with the preload on the suspension wound well up (best for racing anyway) I got my eyeline to 105cm on the button.  No doubt, being fairly tall helped...

I'm a big fan of the club having a class in which riders with only one machine - therefore a practical road machine - can be competitive, but the 105cm rule I do not like, sharing the reasons others have stated.  To me "intent" is the most important thing, and any rules should simply be a reference that help objectively to judge a machine's intent.  If the Sports-class riders can decide amongst themselves what makes a Sports-class bike then we need no rules.  Otherwise the 3-out-of-4 or 3-out-of-5 approach seems to have a lot going for it.
Challenge Hurricane - MicWic Delta (Front half) - Burrows Ratracer
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Mr Blue Sky View Drop Down
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Points: 103 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 12:44pm

Originally posted by Andrew S Andrew S wrote:


Touching the ground is easily verifiable and requires even less in the way of calibration equipment

I agree, but I don't think it'd work because neither Alan on his Hurri nor probably anyone else in SC can touch the ground now and using it to define the sports class will tempt people to use lower bikes, whereas a 60% rule will produce a direct equivalent of what we have now.

Neil
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mikesleep View Drop Down
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Points: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 12:55pm
Since my arms are a way off the ground I assume the rule would
out class the traditional Sportsclass bikes; it would also invite being
thrashed by very reclined highracers (a fear of Mike Burrows). The
Hurricane and many similar very nice machines should indeed
compete but why with Rosses, Ratcatchers and Kingcycles?
mike
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legs_larry View Drop Down
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Points: 1554 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 1:22pm

Originally posted by Mr Blue Sky Mr Blue Sky wrote:

I agree, but I don't think it'd work because neither Alan on his Hurri nor probably anyone else in SC can touch the ground now and using it to define the sports class will tempt people to use lower bikes, whereas a 60% rule will produce a direct equivalent of what we have now.

Speaking as a semi-evolved simian, I am able to touch the ground on the Speedmachine, even with the seat in the more upright half of its range...
====================

a bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
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AlanGoodman View Drop Down
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Points: 8036 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 2:15pm

Just out of interest, does anybody know how the figure of 105cm was arrived at?

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AlanGoodman View Drop Down
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Points: 8036 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 2:51pm

Can I make a suggestion...

As there are 8 races left I think Adrian should get his Hurricane out and win Sports Class.

With the trophy spoken for the rest of Sports Class can just go back to racing for the fun of it...

Seriously, I really don't want to lose sight of the main reason for racing (for me anyway) which is to hoon about on the bike without car drivers trying to kill me and to have a bit of fun.

Being in Sports Class just means that there are a bunch of people I can compete fairly closely with as far as the championship goes, but to be honest in individual races it doesn't matter at all because I'm still trying to catch those same people (and others) whatever classes we all race in.

At the end of the day I have a quick look at the results and then I forget about it until the next one...

 

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Mr Blue Sky View Drop Down
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Points: 103 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 2:56pm

Originally posted by mikesleep mikesleep wrote:

Since my arms are a way off the ground I assume the rule would
out class the traditional Sportsclass bikes

I think David's idea was that if you can touch the ground, you shouldn't be in sports class, so such a rule would still include the UK-type bikes in sports class, but perhaps exclude some of the products of our cousins across the North Sea.
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Mr Blue Sky View Drop Down
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Points: 103 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 3:01pm
Originally posted by legs_larry legs_larry wrote:

Speaking as a semi-evolved simian, I am able to touch the ground on the Speedmachine, even with the seat in the more upright half of its range...

So under the "Hembrow rule", you would not be competing in sports class... under the "60% rule" you might qualify, depending on your height... under the "Burrows rule", you were in sports class.

Have a banana, old boy!
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Mr Blue Sky View Drop Down
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Points: 103 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 May 2005 at 3:15pm
Originally posted by AlanGoodman AlanGoodman wrote:

Just out of interest, does anybody know how the figure of 105cm was arrived at?

Elementary, my dear Goodman - Mike set it at 60% of the average male height of 175cm!

But seriously, the history of sports class competition shows that the eye height rule should be clarified. I suspect that us relative newcomers are simply ploughing an already deep furrow and I for one, standing slightly to one side of the controversy, am enjoying it. My recommendation is not to forget the issue but to ensure that it is fully debated and voted upon at the 2005 AGM.

And in the meantime, let's continue to "hoon about" as we did so very enjoyably at Hayes.
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