New Olympic event idea - The Commute

[indigoiis]

You know how your mind wanders when ya ride that commute? Well, this morning my mind concocted a really cool idea. How about a new sport: Commuting!

The course? An eleven mile route with a mix of rural and high traffic areas, a few good hills, school buses, irate drivers, glass, and dodgy intersections.

The contestants would all leave the "house" (a few trailer could be set up for this) at the same time. They would have to carry their loaded (pannier'd) bikes down a set of stairs. Each contestant would have to carry a laptop weighing at least 3 lbs and a change of clothes in a bag weighing at least 1/2 lb. The clothes could be pre-determined (like, guys would have to have at least shoes, socks, slacks, shirt, tie or jewelry, towel... girls shoes with socks or stockings, slacks or skirt, shirt, scarf or jewelry or accessory, towel) and each contestant would have to have a bottle of water, lights, etc. The contestant would have to leave the "house", ride the course (maybe they could catch a bus if it gave them a time advantage but they would lose road-time points), and arrive at "the office" (you could use a Y or a gym with showers and set up like, cubicles on the gym floor) and shower and dress. Clock stops when they sit at the desk and dock the laptop.

Winner gets a new fully loaded commuter bike and a check for $500 or something.

Think of the sponsorship opportunities. It would be a cheap way for a bicycle maker to market.

I'd do it.

Anyhow, in my head this morning, Howard Cosell spoke to his co-host in my head. "She's coming up over what they call Devil's hill, but she's got the advantage of about a mile in front of the second place commuter..."

Ah. Imagination.

[mimitabby]

i like it, i like it!

[Trek420]

with time penalties for poor commute behavior:

" ...rounding the finish line here comes Trek. Wait, a Fred is passing her without calling out. Looks like he's off the podium, oh well, there's always next Olympics for him. Wait, he's arguing with the judges that he did not need to call out, his gearing is so noisy even Trek could hear him a block away.

But look, the ref tossed the red shop rag costing Fred 15 more time penalties for poorly maintained bike"

[lph]

."..and oh my, I see our hot favourite coming round the corner and entering the final stretch. Let's see how she copes with our final hurdles... YES! did you see that, ladies and gentlemen?, did you see how she neatly anticipated the bus swinging out to cut her off?! And how elegantly she checked her back, gave the proper hand signal AND changed lanes, all in a matter of seconds!! And she went STRAIGHT for the entire lane, accelerating to stay right in front of that taxi. Note that friendly wave to the taxi driver, a very nice touch. THIS is how a champion commuter rides, and look at that big smile as she sweeps down to the finish!!"

hee-hee, I'll have a lot of fun commutes coming up with this soundtrack running

[Trek420]

"oh, it looks like the California rider took the train on the home stretch. Watch as she gracefully switches the bike from one side of the car to the other so that passengers are not delayed. Nice touch. This folks is why we love the Olympics. Now they are back on the road, the riders are stopped at a light, it's not timed. Trek is obviously listening to her team manager, something's going on, she's been told to go to the curb. And she pushes the button to get them a left hand signal But wait, that got her the points to ... folks this is unheard of they are tied! The riders are tied for the "Least Aggressive Rider" jersey"

[lph]

*chortle*

[indigoiis]

"Jim, back when I was commuting (female announcer coughs and adjusts her mike) back when I was commuting, we weren't using those bike paths. But look how smoothly this contender moves along over the river and under the overpasses. She's going to steal a good five minute lead avoiding the lights. Oh! Watch out for the bum collecting cans! Excellent swerve. She might even have time to stop for a cup of coffee at the dunkin donuts at the end of the path."

[malkin]

Even if the Olympics isn't buying, it would be a fun TV show contest.

[Trek420]

Like Amazing Race? But commuting?

[kfergos]

Like Amazing Race? But commuting?

Yes!! Imagine having to commute unfamiliar routes in different countries, with penalties for getting lost, etc. This could work!

[Grog]

Anyone knows a TV producer? This sounds like a good idea. Tales of survival are always quite hot on reality TV!!!

[Trek420]

Like a green Amazing Race? Sounds good (I always questioned the tons of flying). So we've gone from the Olympics to reality TV?

[kfergos]

Like a green Amazing Race? Sounds good (I always questioned the tons of flying). So we've gone from the Olympics to reality TV?

There's a difference?

[jsdilks]

Let's not forget the coed tandem division I should get back seat driver points! Endless possibilities. What a great laugh for the end of the week!