Archive for month: February, 2015

The following are the results of the 2015 OBRA Annual Meeting that was held on February 7, 2015.

Congratulations to John Wilson and Meg Mautner who have been elected to another term on the OBRA Board of Directors.

Rules Passed

Public urination and/or defecation:

Riders who are caught urinating and/or defecating in public will be subject to penalties up to and including suspension. In general, the chief referee shall take into account the following when imposing a penalty or making a recommendation for a suspension.

1. availability of toilet facilities

2. type of event

3. type of venue

4. presence of the public and/or minors

5. sophistication of the rider

6. location of behavior

7. any extenuating circumstances (medical condition etc)

8. previous violations

In any recommendation for suspension, the Chief Referee shall document the above criteria and submit to the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall consider the above criteria in determining the appropriateness and duration of a suspension.

Any rider punished for public urination and/or defecation must send a note of apology to the venue owner if appropriate and to the promoter of the event.

If the behavior results in a direct loss of a venue e.g. the urination/defecation is cited in a letter denying use of a venue, the Board of Directors may impose any punishment up to a permanent suspension from the organization.

Modify rule 1.1 Rule application

These rules are the rules for OBRA races. They apply to all competitors from the time they register until all prizes have been awarded.

To:

These rules are the rules for OBRA events. They apply to all members and/or participants from the time they arrive at the event venue until they leave the event venue.

Modifies rule 1.5 Event specific rules

An organizer may use “special rules” for their event as long as they are approved, in advance by the Chief Referee and the OBRA Executive Director. Special rules will be clearly communicated to the riders prior to the start of the event, preferably in written form.

To:

Special rules will be posted in writing on the race flyer and on-site at the event, and clearly communicated to the riders prior to the start of the event.

Modifies rule 2.14 Omnium

An omnium is a set of races in which riders compete for points in each event and final placings are determined by total points in all events. Different numbers of points may be given in different events. The scoring scheme shall be specified in writing prior to the start of the first race. Generally the points awarded in each event shall be 7-5-3-2-1 for first through fifth places.

To:

An omnium is a set of races in which riders compete for points in each event and final placings are determined by total points in all events. Different numbers of points may be given in different events. Unless otherwise posted prior to the start of the event, the points awarded in each event shall be 7-5-3-2-1 for first through fifth places.

Modifies rule 3.3 Officials Assignment

The OBRA Executive Director will assign the Chief Referee. Subordinate officials will be assigned by the Chief Referee.

To:

The OBRA Executive Director or designee will assign the Chief Referee. Subordinate officials will be assigned by the Chief Referee or the OBRA Executive Director’s designee.

Modifies rule 7.3.4 Wheel restrictions

Fully enclosed or disc front wheels or spoke covers on front wheels are not allowed in mass start events.

To:

Fully enclosed wheels are only allowed in time trial events, with the exception of track events, where a rear fully enclosed wheel may be used in all events.

Modifies rule 7.5 Radios

Non-handheld radios with only one earpiece providing communications with coaches, managers or other riders may be used only in road races that include Category 1 or 2 riders and do not include Cat 4 or 5 riders. Audio playback devices are specifically prohibited.

To:

Use of race radios and audio playback devices by competitors is prohibited during competition.

Modifies rule 8.1 Race numbers, General

Race numbers shall either be the numbers provided with OBRA membership for the current year or numbers provided by the race organizer. Numbers from other races or OBRA numbers not from the current year may not be used. Penalty or disqualification is at the discretion of the Race Official.

To:

Race numbers shall either be the numbers provided with OBRA membership for the current year or numbers provided by the race organizer. Numbers from other races or OBRA numbers not from the current year may not be used, unless approved by the Chief Referee. Penalty or disqualification is at the discretion of the Race Official.

Modifies rule 13.1.5 Suspendable offenses

Associated entities wishing to have a rider or club suspended under 13.1.4 must provide documentation in the form of a signed contract.

To:

Associated entities wishing to have a rider or club suspended under 13.1.4 must provide supporting documentation.

Modifies rule 15.1.2 General rules- centerline

Unless instructed by the Chief Referee, all riders must stay to the right of the centerline, or another point on the road designated by the Chief Referee.

To:

Unless instructed by the Chief Referee, all riders must stay to the right of the right-most centerline marking, or another point on the road designated by the Chief Referee.

Modifies rule 15.4.3

The Chief Referee may remove lapped riders from the race. If lapped riders are allowed to finish, they will finish on the same lap as the leader. Lapped riders may not interfere with the final sprint. Lapped riders will be placed after those who completed the entire distance according to the number of laps down.

To:

The Chief Referee may remove lapped riders from the race. If lapped riders are allowed to finish, they will finish on the same lap as the leader. Lapped riders will be placed after those who completed the entire distance according to the number of laps down.

Modifies rule 15.4.6(C) Free Laps

In case of a mishap, the rider(s) will report to a pit with his bicycle. Riders may not ride backward on the course to get to a pit, but may cut through the course to reach a pit. A rider may proceed backwards to the pit carrying his bicycle.

To:

In case of a mishap, the rider(s) will report directly to a pit with their bicycle as quickly as possible or within a time period determined by the Chief Referee.

Modifies rule 15.4.6(F) Free Laps

If the mishap was legitimate the rider will be returned to the place he was in the race at the time of the mishap. If he was in a group he will be returned to the rear of that group. The rider will be ineligible for any sprint prize for one lap after his return.

To:

If the mishap was legitimate the rider must return to the place they were in the race at the time of the mishap. If the rider was in a group, the rider must return to the race at the rear of that group. The rider will be ineligible for any sprint prize for one lap after their return.

Modifies 7.8.2 Freewheel requirement

Bicycles shall have a freewheel mechanism EXCEPTION: A fixed gear and single front brake may be used in time trial events or in races where all the competitors are similarly equipped. Freewheeled and fixed gear bikes shall not be mixed in the same mass start event.

To:

Bicycles shall have a freewheel mechanism EXCEPTION: A fixed gear and single front brake may be used in time trial events or in races where all the competitors are similarly equipped. All competitors must keep both feet on the pedals while racing except in cases of emergency. Freewheeled and fixed gear bikes shall not be mixed in the same mass start event.

Move:

18.4.2(e) Laws and ordinances of appropriate jurisdictions shall be observed during participation in any event.

To:

11.1 General

Riders are responsible for their own conduct, including arriving on time with the correct equipment. No rider shall benefit from his or her misconduct. No team shall benefit from its misconduct, or the misconduct of one of its members. Laws and ordinances of appropriate jurisdictions shall be observed during participation in any event.

Add 7.10.6 Singlespeed bicycles

A single speed bicycle is defined as a bicycle with no functional means of altering its gear ratio during the competition.