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Make Haste not speed...

24/8/2021

It’s not only our riders who have moved fast on GBDURO, following the loan of a bike to Angus Young yesterday our GBDURO commentator (aka ‘Deadpool’) moved fast to get the news out. An insta story was posted immediately before the ride organisers had taken time to fully assess the situation. The story has now been removed. In it our commentator said that he thought the decision would be OK, but this was before the organisers had discussed the repercussions of this tricky subject. Once we, the organisers had talked it through, the action was decisive, even though it was far from our intended way to finish an event that we’ve spent over a year planning for. We do not believe this hiccup impacted decisions on the road and is the result of running a grassroots event where everyone involved is kindly volunteering their time.
// TRC

12 Comments

Neil Wilson

24/8/2021 12:26:37 pm

A fair and honest summary of how things went, good luck with it all in the future as it is truly a superb event to have on our shores 💪❤️👍

rms2382

24/8/2021 03:37:43 pm

no prizes, no support. Thank you for another great event. Congratulations everyone, wonderful humans and exceptional individuals. A great race #gbduro21

Adrian

24/8/2021 05:26:19 pm

I lent Angus my bike.

Whatever a dot watcher is, I don't think I am one.

I know next to nothing about endurance cycling, formal cycling events or races.

I do however enjoy watching cyclists of the calibre of those taking part in this event, and particularly in the closing stage taking place on my 'home turf'.

Yesterday I chose to ride my bike in a place I regularly ride. And, yes, I chose to ride on the same day the event participants would be passing through. It was an unmissable opportunity to see a one or a few of the participants.

The first participant I met whilst riding was Angus. I've never met him before and I've never heard of him beyond reading of his progress in the last few days. His bike had no drive and he asked if there was a local bike shop. Anyone that knows the area will know there are not many bike shops in Sutherland or Caithness, and those that do exist carry little stock.

I will never be able to complete a long distance off road race, but I admire those than can and do.

I'd have made the same offer to any competitor.

I offered my bike to Angus to use for the remaining few hours. It was my natural instinct. He accepted and there was no suggestion from him or any of the other spectators (or media crew) that it was not allowed within the rules. An act of kindness from a stranger was considered acceptable by everyone involved.

I totally understand the purpose of rules in competitive sport.

It's a pity the rules weren't made clear from the outset. Why not make the rules absolutely clear from the outset rather than invite ambiguity?

It would have saved a lot of disappointment and embarrasment, as well as a lot of time in delivering Angus' broken bike to John O'Groats , and collecting my own.

A lesson learnt... don't be helpful. And it would also be nicer to be called a interested spectator rather than a dot watcher!

I'm glad I made the offer. Angus is a good guy. And my bike, unused in the shed for 5 years, it's been broken in at last.

Spectator & Fellow Human

24/8/2021 06:47:51 pm

Hi Adrian,

I don't know you, and (like you) I don't have any connection to this "race", although maybe I know a bit more about the sport and have read and enjoyed some accounts of similar events... I'm sorry to hear you feel embarrassed and I don't think you should be. It was a decent thing to do, and although apparently it doesn't fit within the confines of the rules of the "race", what are these events for, anyway?

It seems to me that a lot of the spirit of these events is doing crazy stupid feats of endurance and athleticism "because". There's no need for any of this... What is sport, except for a challenge we set ourselves, and what is art except for the way it makes us feel?

I think it's a great story, and I hope Angus is still proud of the achievement, which stands by itself... just because.

Rich Smith

7/8/2022 05:37:06 pm

I stumbled across this blog, I have no interest except that I thought your reply here called out an injustice. In writing that the rules were not unambiguous, I expected vague language buried in copious rules. I read the rules. There are about 12 from my first pass. Here’s rule #7 — it’s pretty clear

Rule #7: No 3rd party support, private lodgings or resupply. All food, drink and equipment must be carried with you or acquired at commercially available services. Riders should ride in the spirit of self-reliance and equal opportunity.

If the original rule was ambiguous and there’s no acknowledgment of the clarification, etc., I’d be more likely to understand your hurt feelings (and Angus’).

Andy Hoggins

24/8/2021 05:47:30 pm

I wholeheartedly agree with what you say Adrian and what a decent act of kindness yours was. There are rules and there are rules and an element of discretion ought to be built in. Maybe a time penalty or some such thing. You should be congratulated. Pure fortune of circumstances that you were there to assist - this was no formal support.

“Dot watcher” seems to be a very derogatory label and unnecessary.

Andy

Stevo

24/8/2021 11:52:15 pm

You did a top thing Adrian and you have no reason to feel at all bad or feel embarrassed - quite the opposite in fact, you did a Very Good Thing.

But the fact remains that the help that the competitor got wound't have existed outside of the context of the race. That's all it is.

Btw, the term "dotwatcher" is not a derogatory term at all. It's just an informal name for people who follow these long distance races. It's short, punchy, and sounds a bit funny, but try not to take it as an insult because it's never ever meant as one.

Adrian

25/8/2021 11:50:18 am

Thanks for you kind words.
Having reflected on it, and understanding the ethos of a self support event such as this, perhaps offers from strangers/spectators/dot watchers shouldn't be permitted at all and maybe the organisers need to make that clearer.

And I think I have inadvertently become a dot stalker!

George

25/8/2021 12:45:34 pm

Blimey this isn't half a complex issue. I think Adrian's kindness should be commended, and I don't think any less of Angus for taking it.

In the circumstance outlined, it does sound like Angus would have abandoned without the help, or at least faced a massive time penalty sourcing a fix? I can't pretend to know for certain, but if either is true my big assumption is that he wouldn't have won.

In that sense the bike offer would have been a forlorn hope, seemingly the only option. I agree with the race organisers' decision for the reasons outlined elsewhere, but don't feel it reflects on anyone involved. It was worth a try, and I imagine anyone in that on-the-ground position in future will have the benefit of hindsight.

Phil

25/8/2021 04:03:45 pm

Don’t feel bad Adrian. It was an offer you made in good faith. You weren’t to know what the rules are and consequences would be for Angus. Angus would have known the rules and it was a judgement call he made. It didn’t turn out for him in terms of the race. But he did finish perhaps in a way he prefers to the alternate of a long taxi ride, repair, and back.

Dor Watcher also isn’t derogatory. I’ve been a dot which just basically means someone in an event with live tracking. Dot watchers are just those who watch entrants progress and / or sometimes head out to intercept some riders if it passes close to where they live.

Andrea

25/8/2021 11:14:28 pm

Thank you Adrian for your kindness. I’m sorry it resulted in a long drive and hassle for you. I hope your bike is ok after the hammering Angus gave it - it’s a famous bike anyway now!

Adrian

25/8/2021 11:55:36 pm

Thank you, the bike is better than ever! I've ridden other bikes in preference since I got it and having retired my Cotic a couple of weeks earlier it was time to bed in the drive train. That was kindly done by the remarkable Angus. It will indeed bring me plenty of great memories.

And no problem at all heading to John o'groats, it was a beautiful day, even if it didn't bring the celebration I was expecting.

It was a cruel turn of events, I was a total stranger to Angus and he accepted my offer in the belief it was within the rules.

He will always know what he achieved during those tough few days and I know he preferred to reach the finish line rather than not.

Maybe he can turn to mountain biking instead now!

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