Spectators Running Alongside Riders on Climbs

[rata de sentina]

Someone in the crowd stuck their foot out the other day and one of these clowns did an epic face plant. I was laughing like crazy.

 

[danjo007]

I was always fine with spectators running alongside me in the mountains as long as they gave a friendly push [actually, as long as they didn't knock me over, block me, spit on me, hit me, or otherwise induce something negative]. However, watching the Tour coverage, especially today's stage, it seems that "The Runners" have crossed some line of acceptable behavior or decency. I know it's logistically impossible to barricade an entire climb, but I think it is absolutely inappropriate for fans to run alongside the riders, inches away from them, sometimes touching them, often shouting profanity, endangering the riders' safety and generally ruining the TV shots while making asses of themselves. I saw a few spectators get punched today by riders in the lead group, and while I wish every rider would swat away every spectator who violated his personal space and ran alongside him on a climb, the reality is that, whether climber or not, the break in concentration and energy required to punch a drunk, idiotic "spectator" in the head - as minimal as it may seem - is gigantic in its negative effect (on the rider).

I hate to say add more motorcycles, but there should be police bikes hovering near the lead groups who are authorized to run down "The Runners." I'm surprised Armstrong hasn't already employed a team of private, moto-mounted body guards to do just that.

the moronic fans that do this is my biggest PETHATE of the tour! im all for the cyclist to backhand punch some idiot in the chops!

 

[joe_papp]

Great to see this finally getting wider coverage, at least in the cycling press. Again from VeloNews:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/07/news/commentary-rare-malice-in-an-open-sport_230001

"...And yet, every summer, some 200 professional athletes ride 3,000-plus kilometers of largely unsecured roadway on a route that is published well in advance. To watch them do so, there is no minimum cost of admission, no metal detectors or bag checks. There is certainly no suspension of drink sales after the third quarter. There is, for the most part, no separation at all between spectators and the field of play, and the race security functions more as a warning that the race is approaching than a tool to prevent interference. In road cycling, everything is right there for fans or foes, ready to be tampered with – for kicks, out of drunken idiocy, in the name of some ill-expressed political viewpoint.

That exposure, not only to wind and precipitation and geography but also to the world at large, is part of what makes the sport great. Cycling is one with the broader world for good or ill, and, a bit by choice and a bit by necessity, cycling trusts its fans. It does not assume them to be criminals until they prove themselves otherwise. And occasionally they do, but not often...."

and

"...For over 100 years, and Heaven knows how many stages and kilometers and towns, professional cyclists in the Tour have performed at unrivaled closeness to the public, and they’ve done so against a backdrop of all the world’s grudges, causes, radicals, political upheavals, and economic downturns. And yet incidents like yesterday’s – malicious, pre-meditated, and dangerous – remain a rarity. The state of grace that the sport operates in is remarkable..."

While the RUNNERS are definitely the more pressing concern at present, in the back of my mind I've always been worried that some Islamic fundamentalist holy warriors are going to target the race. OK, yes I was going to work for CIA before going back to cycling but it does not take a professional counter-terrorist's mind to imagine the effectiveness and horror that could so easily be caused by packing a camper full of explosives, parking it alongside the road somewhere during the stage when the peloton is likely to still be together, sitting there waiting for the race to pass by and maybe enjoy some cheese and wine before heading to your Paradise, and then boom! The entire peloton of the world's best cyclists is wiped-out in an attack carried live on TV in dozens and dozens (hundred-plus?) countries...and what could the authorities do to prevent that from happening that wouldn't alter the fundamental characteristics of the race? I'm sure that behind the scenes the security services of course work w/ organizers to minimize overt threats to the race, but if ASO can't control the RUNNERS, forget about them preventing a fertilizer bomb from being detonated as the bunch rolls through Bordeaux or somewhere...

 

[RedheadDane]

That VeloNews article really opened my eyes to how lucky we are. Imagine if our reactions to the tack attack hadn't been "Those crazy people should be ashamed for endangering riders like that. Ruining the race! " but rather "Oh... someone throwed tacks on the route, again..."

While the RUNNERS are definitely the more pressing concern at present, in the back of my mind I've always been worried that some Islamic fundamentalist holy warriors are going to target the race. OK, yes I was going to work for CIA before going back to cycling but it does not take a professional counter-terrorist's mind to imagine the effectiveness and horror that could so easily be caused by packing a camper full of explosives, parking it alongside the road somewhere during the stage when the peloton is likely to still be together, sitting there waiting for the race to pass by and maybe enjoy some cheese and wine before heading to your Paradise, and then boom! The entire peloton of the world's best cyclists is wiped-out in an attack carried live on TV in dozens and dozens (hundred-plus?) countries...and what could the authorities do to prevent that from happening that wouldn't alter the fundamental characteristics of the race? I'm sure that behind the scenes the security services of course work w/ organizers to minimize overt threats to the race, but if ASO can't control the RUNNERS, forget about them preventing a fertilizer bomb from being detonated as the bunch rolls through Bordeaux or somewhere...

Okay... you have a crazy mindset!

Scary thing is; my mind has entered the same patterns sometimes. Except... start or finish!

 

[joe_papp]

That VeloNews article really opened my eyes to how lucky we are. Imagine if our reactions to the tack attack hadn't been "Those crazy people should be ashamed for endangering riders like that. Ruining the race! " but rather "Oh... someone throwed tacks on the route, again..."

Okay... you have a crazy mindset!

Scary thing is; my mind has entered the same patterns sometimes. Except... start or finish!

LOL I'll take that as a compliment

The only reason I suggested a location for an attack on the open road and not the S/F points is the enhanced difficulty of securing the entire route vs. relatively static zones like the stage departure and arrival, where you'd expect to have massive security milling about.

 

[RedheadDane]

Of course having a crazy mindset is a compliment!

And... I see your point. It's a scary thought really...

 

[cocteau_ireland]

A wave of people blocking the way on a mountain climb is just beautiful to watch. It really blows people away who haven't seen it before; in this all too sterile modern sporting environment.

 

[joe_papp]

A wave of people blocking the way on a mountain climb is just beautiful to watch. It really blows people away who haven't seen it before; in this all too sterile modern sporting environment.

LOL yeah unless you're the fckin rider! lol

 

[Dewulf]

Getting some more coverage, the problem of "roadside antics:"

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012...adside-antics-at-the-cirque-du-so-lame_229969

"The Tour de France is more than a sporting event: It’s a three-ring circus at which the race must often compete for attention with the clowns and freaks on its midway.

Yes, July is a time for colorful characters, big egos, and big stories — with some stemming from the Tour’s own dramas (both on and off the road) and others carefully timed to coincide with its spotlight.

So gather around, circus fans, it’s time for today’s updates from Under the Big Top. …"

Yeah, the runners and fans actually IN the road are really bugging me, apart from hindering the riders' choice of line /acceleration, they're making it hard for us to see the movements of the guys we tune in to watch!

A wave of people blocking the way on a mountain climb is just beautiful to watch. It really blows people away who haven't seen it before; in this all too sterile modern sporting environment.

I admit I've been amazed when seeing riders somehow making their way through what resembles something like a rugby scrum...but so what, that wore off fast, to be replaced by concern for the riders, the race, and my view of the action.

Last but not least, yeah I just thought of the van-full of fertilizer thing a few posts ago...with security on so many other public & sporting events tightened up, the Tour may become an even more attractive target. This could also be a good rationale for not just that aspect of security, but also doing something about the runners.

 

[joe_papp]

the worst runnerz are from oz

FREAKIN' RUNNERS!!!

LOL

 

[MacRoadie]

FREAKIN' RUNNERS!!!

LOL

Somebody needs to remind Robbie that he's retired: time to even out the tan...

 

[movingtarget]

A wave of people blocking the way on a mountain climb is just beautiful to watch. It really blows people away who haven't seen it before; in this all too sterile modern sporting environment.

And it's just a matter of time before a motorbike ploughs one of them.

 

[RedheadDane]

Somebody needs to remind Robbie that he's retired: time to even out the tan...

Why d'ya think he's going shirtless?

 

[joe_papp]

What can be done?!

Saw Tommy V swat at some more runners today, w/ P&P cheering enthusiastically as he did so.

But now that Sanchez is lost to the Olympics, and not just the Tour, it would seem to be an opportune moment for ASO and the French police and whomever else they can involve to begin organizing a multifaceted program to neutralize the dangerous runners in next year's Tour... Combine pre and in-event education /PSA's with rider testimonials as to the dangers presented by runners with pleading commentary from the media covering the race with vigorous protection of riders and enforcement of any laws that could be applied to sanctioning the runners...

I know none of that will happen, and riders will continue to be tormented by these pests, while those of us watching at home will see our TV screens polluted by their nastiness, but one can always dream of better days.

The best intervention would come from actual fans policing themselves, something I know I saw happen at least once during this year's Tour... But the Runners have to be made to feel SHAME for their antics that is more intense than whatever pleasure/ego-trip they get from 1) annoying the riders 2) stealing the spotlight 3) showing-off and getting on TV.

Anyone have any thoughts on what could be done apart from licensing motos to run-down the Runners?

 

[joe_papp]

The only thing worse than Runners = DOGS!

Pic of the Year!

I'd be a bit ashamed if I was PhilGil, making a small girl almost-cower (b/c on second thought she doesn't look scared, just white-trashy), but who here can't understand the Belgian's RAGE?! lol

 

[bikebottles]

+2

We agree that the running should be stopped. It doesn't help that a sponsor, Clean Bottle, runs.

As has already been stated, have fines for running. In the USA, nakedness in public is already a crime.

Maybe set up a rope barrier on the mountain stages that spectators have to stay behind?

Maybe there needs to be a toll for spectators on mountain stages to pay for added police to control the running, keep people behind rope barriers and arrest the naked?

 

[jsem94]

That Phil pic is great. I can totally understand his rage, seriously - have the dog on a leash if you're near a bike race...

 

[9000ft]

Running certainly isn't my thing but I think as long as it's done in a place that it can be done without hindering or endangering the riders or other fans, what the hell, have fun.

I do think if there is to be some code of conduct it should be pushed through peer pressure, advertising, PR through the race, etc.

My code of conduct would be:

1. Only run away from the crowds, NOT where you can run into someone or something because you're looking at a rider and not where you're going. Hindering a rider and possibly ruining their race is inexcusable.
2. If you're going to dress up and look like a fool that's your choice, but don't carry or wear anything unwieldy that you might trip or dangerous if you fall or run into someone.
3. Don't be an ***. Cheer, encourage, have fun, don't scream profanities, spit, etc.
4. Drink responsibly, drunkenness rarely brings out your best.

To encourage responsible fandom, I'd recommend photos of offensive/dangerous fans, with names and hometowns when possible, being published in various local and national media and social websites with derogatory captions etc. (Next morning at the office, "damn Joe, I didn't realize what a drunken idiot you are".) Something like that might provide some deterrence. Of course you can get into things like legal penalties/fines, but I'd guess the cops are stretched thin just pulling races off, let alone rousting obnoxious fans.

 

[joe_papp]

nude

Running certainly isn't my thing but I think as long as it's done in a place that it can be done without hindering or endangering the riders or other fans, what the hell, have fun.

I do think if there is to be some code of conduct it should be pushed through peer pressure, advertising, PR through the race, etc.

My code of conduct would be:

1. Only run away from the crowds, NOT where you can run into someone or something because you're looking at a rider and not where you're going. Hindering a rider and possibly ruining their race is inexcusable.
2. If you're going to dress up and look like a fool that's your choice, but don't carry or wear anything unwieldy that you might trip or dangerous if you fall or run into someone.
3. Don't be an ***. Cheer, encourage, have fun, don't scream profanities, spit, etc.
4. Drink responsibly, drunkenness rarely brings out your best.

To encourage responsible fandom, I'd recommend photos of offensive/dangerous fans, with names and hometowns when possible, being published in various local and national media and social websites with derogatory captions etc. (Next morning at the office, "damn Joe, I didn't realize what a drunken idiot you are".) Something like that might provide some deterrence. Of course you can get into things like legal penalties/fines, but I'd guess the cops are stretched thin just pulling races off, let alone rousting obnoxious fans.

I'd add to your list:

5. No Nudity or immodest dress (no body thong type things, but women's breasts are ok)

 

[joe_papp]

That Phil pic is great. I can totally understand his rage, seriously - have the dog on a leash if you're near a bike race...

Updated Gilbert vs. Dog family pic:

 

[RedheadDane]

Dogs:
I definitely agree here! Why would someone even bring their dog? and if you have bring it for some reason; put it on a freaking leash!

Also this scene reminded me of something that happened during one of the stages in Tour of Qatar:
There a dog, which could very likely have been a wild/stray dog, ran onto the road and someone instantly went to get it back.

So we basically have two situations:

1: A family in a rather cycling-knowledgable country doesn't seem to realize that it might be a good idea to keep their family dog on a leash during a race

2: Someone from a not very cycling-knowledgable country sees a dog on the road and instantly realizes that this is a recipe for disaster. Add to this that dogs aren't exactly popular in Muslim countries.

 

[SergeDeM]

Idiots. All of them.

 

[rainman]

its good to see a crowd who've taken time out to go and cheer the riders but stand well back for f**** sake. Some of those idiots should be tasered.

 

[joe_papp]

Well, with another Tour in the record books, I guess we'll have to wait 'til the Giro 2013 to express further indignation against RUNNERS and dogs! I don't remember this being much of a problem in the Vuelta, but I thought that had more to do with the declining popularity of pro cycling in Spain than any particular cultural progress or evolution on behalf of the spectators! lol...

Oh wait! Tour of Colorado (or whatever it's called)! I'm taking the gloves off to bash my own compatriots!

Seriously though, I'd rather watch runners interfere with riders on consecutive mountain stages than pass another 8 months without a Grand Tour. The post-TdF blues are already settling in...

 

[RedheadDane]

Oh wait! Tour of Colorado (or whatever it's called)! I'm taking the gloves off to bash my own compatriots!

You've been "wearing gloves" until now?