How mainstream do we want bike racing to become? Really.
If today's episode is any indication, I'll be fine with it remaining a niche sport.
Here's the deal: I registered for today's race without my license. They took my money without any issue. I didn't even KNOW the person handling registration. I just gave them my license number. A friend standing nearby said, "Yeah, that's him." Done.
That's how small and trusting this sport has always been. Nobody is trying to cheat the system. We're too small of a world to pull that crap.
I raced.
I took 10th, the last paying spot in my race. Here's where I got a glimpse of the future: When I tried to collect my huge pay-out, they wouldn't give it to me because I didn't have my license - even though the officials, timer, announcer, etc all knew me.
They said "it's the USAC rule".
If so, it's probably the least important rule in the book. And for years and years and years, our small little community has always made allowances for times like this. Riders who have forgotten their license? Happens all the time. ALL the time. I don't know how many riders I've vouched for in the past 25 years in my role as an announcer. Hundreds. "Yeah, that's him."
Incredibly, the woman passing out the prize money has known me for 20 years. And today she goes hard-line on this issue. Where did that come from? Who in this country is going to attend a bike race and impersonate the 10th place rider so as to make off with his prize money? Tell me. Who is going to go to that much trouble for .... are you ready for this... $10?
For some perspective, let me give you this: I guarded nuclear weapons during the Cold War and would let crews into the Restricted Area based solely on personal recognition. "Hey Bill! How's the wife and kids? Help yourself to the nukes!"
And today I have a 20-year acquaintance carding me for a $10 check?
They had no issue taking my money without showing the license, but it became a crime scene when I tried to collect my winnings without my license.
If we hit the bigtime someday and can no longer operate on personal recognition, I'll hate cycling.
