You've probably heard of the Let Levi Ride campaign, as in Tour of California champ, Levi Leipheimer, who's banned from the Tour de France (along with his entire Astana team) for questionable reasons by the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), which runs these races. If you haven't already, you might want to click the link above and add your voice to the 60,000 fans demanding ASO change its decision.
Well, I recently learned about another campaign for a banned rider, the Let Rick Ride campaign. Rick Oberle is being prevented from doing the DALMAC (Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle Tour) simply because he doesn't want to attach a flag on a pole to the back of his bicycle (photo). He's willing to carry a flag in his pocket or attach it to his clothing, but he believes flags on poles are a safety hazard (a valid point, as they're angled back and can stab or poke following riders). For this, the ride organizers have banned him from entering the event, even though he actually served on the DALMARC ride committee and has ridden the ride many times. By clicking the link above you can learn more, support Rick's cause, and maybe persuade the organizers to compromise on the flag issue. (From a mechanical point of view, if these flag poles attach via brackets attached beneath the rear-wheel quick-release, they're creating another safety issue [loose wheels] by forcing people to install them.)
Well, I recently learned about another campaign for a banned rider, the Let Rick Ride campaign. Rick Oberle is being prevented from doing the DALMAC (Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle Tour) simply because he doesn't want to attach a flag on a pole to the back of his bicycle (photo). He's willing to carry a flag in his pocket or attach it to his clothing, but he believes flags on poles are a safety hazard (a valid point, as they're angled back and can stab or poke following riders). For this, the ride organizers have banned him from entering the event, even though he actually served on the DALMARC ride committee and has ridden the ride many times. By clicking the link above you can learn more, support Rick's cause, and maybe persuade the organizers to compromise on the flag issue. (From a mechanical point of view, if these flag poles attach via brackets attached beneath the rear-wheel quick-release, they're creating another safety issue [loose wheels] by forcing people to install them.)
2 comments:
Jim, Thanks for spreading the word on the zaniness of tour organizers in Michigan. I don't know what is in the water there but they out to have it tested. At this point, their heels are dug in deeper than one of Edgar Allan Poe's daggers. But I will be riding the route along with 20 other people sleeping in dry beds while the rest of the righteous toss and turn on the potentially wet ground. Sucks to be them. See you on the road. Rick Oberle
Under the 2010 rules, flags are now optional! Will Rick be allowed to ride now that the rule is a moot point?
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