Jeff... "unsafe" might be over cooking it a bit. "Unwise", or
"Ineffective" is probably a fair criticism. "Blocking" by plugging up
the road, firstly, doesn't work very well because any physical rider
accustomed to a bit of shoulder to hip contact is capable of riding
through it (even if it risks criticism for dangerous riding).
secondly, it gains no particular tactical advantage and in fact
requires just as much energy from the "blocker" as it does from the
"blockee".

Jerry

On Mar 31, 2008, at 10:52 AM, Jeff wrote:
> I raced in the Cat 5 race and would say that the problem with antsy
> riders and unsafe riding started as soon as Portland Velo riders
> began boxing the group on the second lap. It made the race unsafe
> and not fun. The first lap was good, riders taking turns pulling and
> a safe peleton.
>
> Kudo's to all Cat 5 riders for keeping the rubber side down despite
> the unsafe tactics of others.

Jerry Powell
USAC Level 1 Coach
1926 SW Madison St
Portland, OR 97205

503 222 7173
503 799 7823 (cellular)

jpowell@spiritone.com