That was awesome! It seems everyone got what they deserved. The idiot coach for riding his bike on the track especially when there’s a ton of other people using it. And the idiot walker for being in lane 1 while walking. Another perfect example of common sense not being that common.
This is at the track at the high school that is literally in view of Buffalo park, which has a 2 mile loop (with options for shorter loops). No idea why these people would be walking on the track instead of at the park.
Also, even if someone is shouting in French, you don't have to speak French to get the idea that there might be someone coming in hot behind you.
"Idiot on bike hits other idiot walking" would be my preferred headline.
From posts on Instagram including Team Run Flagstaff, this event occurred during school hours at the track at Coconino High School. So, the athletes and coach in question should never have been on the track attempting a workout during that time, period. Then you can throw in the bike on the track issue, which is just plain stupid, as well as against the policies regarding use of the track.
The running community in Flagstaff has worked diligently with the public schools in the city to gain access to the tracks for quality training, as we all know the area is very attractive for world class runners to train. However, almost every track I've been to in Arizona clearly posts state statutes against using the tracks without permission from the schools, and many post hours that they are not open (during school hours). Flagstaff public schools have worked hard to establish a user card system so that athletes can gain access to the track. But common sense wouldn't have a training session while a high school PE class is out there, let alone pacing with a bike when you see traffic.
Sure, people shouldn't walk on the inside lanes of a track, they should have track etiquette, etc. But it's a high school PE class, and a lot of kids and teachers walk during that time. I hope the school district does not revoke access to Flagstaff or Coconino High school's track as a result.
gobluesasquatch wrote:
From posts on Instagram including Team Run Flagstaff, this event occurred during school hours at the track at Coconino High School. So, the athletes and coach in question should never have been on the track attempting a workout during that time, period. Then you can throw in the bike on the track issue, which is just plain stupid, as well as against the policies regarding use of the track.
The running community in Flagstaff has worked diligently with the public schools in the city to gain access to the tracks for quality training, as we all know the area is very attractive for world class runners to train. However, almost every track I've been to in Arizona clearly posts state statutes against using the tracks without permission from the schools, and many post hours that they are not open (during school hours). Flagstaff public schools have worked hard to establish a user card system so that athletes can gain access to the track. But common sense wouldn't have a training session while a high school PE class is out there, let alone pacing with a bike when you see traffic.
Sure, people shouldn't walk on the inside lanes of a track, they should have track etiquette, etc. But it's a high school PE class, and a lot of kids and teachers walk during that time. I hope the school district does not revoke access to Flagstaff or Coconino High school's track as a result.
Someone who knows what he's talking about.....huh?
My high school coaches were pretty adamant about teaching track ettiquite, to the point where one of our coaches plowed over one of the girls on our team who was walking in lane 1. Coach would always jump in and race us on the last rep. We were running a hard 400 or something and one of the sprinters who was doing a recovery walk was strolling in lane 1. Coach and another kid were rolling, as there was a standing bet that anyone who could beat coach on the last rep got pizza. Both coach and the kid he was racing were yelling, "TRACK, TRACK, TRACK" Neither slowed down and Coach Vargas ended up running over this oblivious freshman.
First of all, why is that loser on a bike pacing his athletes? And secondly, why didn't he move to the infield to avoid hitting the walkers.
We tend to be afraid of what we are not used to. Many of us runners are not used to bicycles being on the track so the first instinct would be to condemn the usage. However, I am skeptical that an occasional bike pacer is going to ruin a track much more than runners/walkers.
In other news, in track cycling motor-pacing (pacer on light, probably electric, motorcycle/scooter) is common and encouraged for training and there are even motor-paced races which can be very exciting to watch.
ZIPP wrote:
In other news, in track cycling motor-pacing (pacer on light, probably electric, motorcycle/scooter) is common and encouraged for training and there are even motor-paced races which can be very exciting to watch.
https://youtu.be/3wIuVrUxeW0
This reminds us how arbitrary and dumb it is that official records can't have pacers starting midrace etc.
The WRs would be faster in every event from 3000 up if Breaking2 style pacing could be set-up, like someone swinging in for the last 2000 of a 5000 instead of the runner being left alone because only starting runners can pace.
Cycle Ist Two Blame wrote:
This is 100% the stupid cycling coaches fault. If I was the one hit, I would sue him. Every track has a sign on the gate that says "no strollers, bikes, skateboards, or wheeled shoes". This guy is an idiot and should have to pay damages.
You want to pace your athletes? Lose 50 pounds, tubby, and run with them. Or hire a pacer. What a tool.
And lane one does not belong to you. There is proper etiquette and walking in lane 1 while ignoring what is going on behind you is not ok, but to plow through them on a bike is ridiculous.
I agree it is stupid to ride a bike as pacer on a track. If they were doing 800 or 1500 race-pace intervals, having a pacer or not does not make it that much more difficult to hit a given pace for segments of less than the race distance on a track. You can easily get shouted splits every 400 if not every 200.
And FFS, there are two of them running together. How much more of a mental boost do you need?!
I also think it is stupid that you jump to "I would sue him" and talking about "paying damages"? (Do you even know if there are damages?) Americans are so funny that way.
D1 Scrub wrote:
First of all, why is that loser on a bike pacing his athletes? And secondly, why didn't he move to the infield to avoid hitting the walkers.
Did any of you watch the video?
1) the coach did move to the inside to avoid hitting the walker
2) the walker also moved to the inside (without looking behind)
3) the coach bumped the walker, but did not cause him to fall
4) the runner behind the coach lost his balance and reached out to grab the coaches shirt
5) the runner then plowed into the walker, knocking him down and bringing the coach with him
It was the runner who took everyone out. Except himself.
I certainly understand why a coach might, on occasion want to pace his runners. You occasionally want them used to following a fast pace, without leading.
He should, however, make sure it's allowed on the track, and that's it's safe to do so at the time.
The coach should have pulled over sooner. Probably before the turn. To the outside.
People should not be walking in lane one. Ever. Why do people walk on a track to begin with? There are far more interesting places to walk.
Flagstaff guy wrote:
). No idea why these people would be walking on the track instead of at the park.
I'm still trying to figure out why any self respecting runner would be running around a track instead of a park or up and down a mountain.
biking is too dangerous. This coach should have been on a skateboard.
blatter wrote:
D1 Scrub wrote:
First of all, why is that loser on a bike pacing his athletes? And secondly, why didn't he move to the infield to avoid hitting the walkers.
Did any of you watch the video?
1) the coach did move to the inside to avoid hitting the walker
2) the walker also moved to the inside (without looking behind)
3) the coach bumped the walker, but did not cause him to fall
4) the runner behind the coach lost his balance and reached out to grab the coaches shirt
5) the runner then plowed into the walker, knocking him down and bringing the coach with him
It was the runner who took everyone out. Except himself.
I certainly understand why a coach might, on occasion want to pace his runners. You occasionally want them used to following a fast pace, without leading.
He should, however, make sure it's allowed on the track, and that's it's safe to do so at the time.
The coach should have pulled over sooner. Probably before the turn. To the outside.
People should not be walking in lane one. Ever. Why do people walk on a track to begin with? There are far more interesting places to walk.
There's a reason that little rabbit boes around on the INSIDE of the track!!!
1- The cyclist swerved off the track, then back towards the track;
2- The walker stepped off the track and his feet were immediately run over by the cyclist,
knocking him back to the track and causing him to fall down on the track. He would have been off the track otherwise;
3- The cyclist absolutely caused the walker to fall, and might have caused him to have injuries;
4- The runner tripped on the walker who was knocked back onto the track by the cyclist;
5- The runner did not knock anyone down. The walker was knocked down by the cyclist.
The cyclist should NOT have been riding on the track. I hope he is sued by the walker for damages.
Bicycles absolutely DO damage the track, can wear down the rubber and cause deep ruts in the surface.
I saw this happen to a track in Seattle, where a wheelchair cyclist was going round and round the first lane.
This did cause deep ruts, and the track was destroyed.
The cyclist should be fined for riding on the track, and the walker should be given a warning.
The school needs to post signs and enforce there being NO cyclists on the track, and that walkers stay out of the inside lanes.
I bike and run, and have run on a running track and biked on a bike track (velodrome track). I am not afraid of either use.
Having experienced both, I would never consider riding a bike on a running track while others are using the track. Just as I would never consider running or walking on a velodrome track while bikes are present.
Most velodrome tracks are made of much harder and more durable surfaces (wood or concrete) than the softer synthetic surfaces of modern running tracks. The bike tracks can withstand more use, including paced motorcycle use, than running tracks.
I too have done both and while I still don't find riding on a rubber track to be particularly damaging in and of itself, I do agree with you on the safety part. As you know, velodromes are very strict on safety regarding using and crossing the track, and for good reason!
Cheers, maybe I will see you out there.
ZIPP
Why would you need a pacer when you're running in a circle? Isn't that the point of running on track? Overzealous coach.
Look up brittsheruns (Brittany Mcgowan) from Australia. Her boyfriend rides on a bike on a track just so he can record videos of her running around in circles....
Heaps of instagram stories and videos can prove that. It's frustrating.
look at the shadows of the bike
I've also ridden a bike on a track to get some footage. Realised pretty soon that it was a bad idea. Will not do again, and can confirm that it's hard to control when going around the turn in close proximity with the runners.
But Why for the love of running would there be someone walking in lane one?
I once plowed into a group of gangsters walking in the street. It was awesome, he rolled and I was able to maintain my balance and ride away. Everyone should try plowing into someone on the bike it is fulfilling.