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| Josh Lederman's T.I.V9 tribute display |
Over the last three Trans Iowa's I have refined the cue sheets down to a fine art, (for this event, at any rate), so if you've been in any of the last three Trans Iowas, you know the drill. Same size cue sheets as last year, same directional prompts, yada, yada, yada.
But if you don't remember, need a refresher, or are all new to this, here's the details you need to know going into this deal.
Size: Roughly 4 inches tall by 3 3/4's wide. Don't take that as gospel and I'd err to the slightly bigger side if you are making a homemade cue sheet holder.
Numbers of sheets: Four to Checkpoint #1, Six to Checkpoint #2, and eight more to the finish line. Total of 18 if you earn all of 'em.
Cues Explained: Following are the directional prompts I use for the cue sheets:
- X = Cross: Indicating a crossing of another road, usually a paved county blacktop or US Highway. Generally in conjunction with "!" meaning "Pay attention! This is important!" followed by either "CAUTION" or "DANGER". Essentially this tells you that the roads are not closed to regular traffic, that you need to obey all traffic laws, and that extreme caution is to be used in crossing said paved byways and highways.
- R = Right Turn: Obviously, when reaching the mile indicated, and seeing the sign which matches the name on the cue, you turn right.
- L = Left Turn: Same as above.
- BR = Bear Right: The road you are on either (a) turns or has a "bend" to the right, and something here may cause confusion, so the prompt is given, or (b), the intersection is such that it is not at right angles, has more than one road crossing it, or the like.
- BL = Bear Left: Same as above.
- QL and QR = Quick Left and Quick Right: If a turn happens right after a previous turn, in such a short time that giving a mileage would be less than a few tenths. Many times these are in conjunction with one another. (See Next)
- JJ = Jig-A-Jog: A place in a road where the road may be offset at an intersection, or there is a dogleg, or "kink" in the road that may be confusing. Basically a "Quick" left and right or vice versa happening in quick succession. "JJ" is usually followed by a "QR>QL" or "QL>QR" in the description.
- > = "To": The ">" symbol is a substitution for the word "to". So "QR>QL" is translated to "Quick Right to Quick Left"
- >> = Continue On: The ">>" symbols together mean "continue on". So, you may see the following: 34.5 BL >> 90th Street. Interpreted this means at mile 34,5 you "Bear Left" and "Continue On" 90th Street.
- (P) = Paved Road: If a turn goes onto a paved road, you'll see the (P) symbol to indicate this.
- (G) = Gravel Road: Once you return to gravel, you may see the (G) or "Gravel" at the end of a cue indicating such.
- (C-Store) = Convenience store within eyesight: Self explanatory.
- O = Checkpoint or Finish
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| This is acceptable or |
We are requesting that riders in T.I.V10 follow a strict protocol for wearing and displaying of numbers this time. We have reached a point where there are enough riders that it has become hard to figure out who is who by just the way you look. Number plates are an essential way for myself and the volunteers to properly track and score your progress. This year, if the following protocol is not adhered to, it can and will result in a DQ, at which point you will be scored as a "DNF" on the records.
Last year we asked nicely that you do this, but some of you did not display your numbers, and tracking riders, especially at the busy and oft times chaotic Checkpoint #1, was nigh unto impossible. So, since we cannot rely on voluntary adherence to our request, it has become a "rule" this year. Here are the acceptable ways to wear or display your race plate:
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| Like this or.... |
- Pinned to jersey or jacket
- Pinned to hydration back pack
- Tied or pinned to front bag
- Tied to handle bar
In case you have a crash, or somehow lose your race plate, (torn off, blew off in wind, etc), you must inform a checkpoint volunteer or risk DQ. We are reasonable folk, so please- work with us on this!
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| This always works! |
At checkpoints, please state your name, and if you have the number properly displayed, you won't have to know that!
This way our volunteers can properly identify you and score you properly. It would really be great to have all of you follow this protocol!
And the number plates will all be three digit ones just like the ones you se here. I will personally hand letter your name on each, as I have the past two Trans Iowas. Thanks for your consideration on this. Any questions on cue sheets or number plates? Hit me up in the comments section!
2 comments:
Are cue miles based on miles from start of race, miles from previous cue, or other?
@Davin V Jones: The cue miles accumulate from race start until Checkpoint #1. Then you are to clear out your computer and start from zero, as the mileage is reset from where you leave the Checkpoint until you get to Checkpoint #2, where the mileage is reset again until the finish.
This is done because typical cycling computers will not be 100% accurate and any off course riding, wandering, etc will only accrue unless there is a reset point somewhere. Having Checkpoints be that reset point helps riders keep on track with cue sheet mileage.
Of course, if you have a typical cyclo-computer, and if it has an odometer, you will have to write down or otherwise note what that mileage is to know what your total miles for T.I.V10 are.
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