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Race bib visible on front and back...even on bike?

[Deleted User][Deleted User]
in Racing Forum 🏎

 So I'm looking through the competitor info for the 70.3 in Singapore next weekend and came across the following:

"These must be visible at all times during the event. Numbers must not be altered in any way and MUST be pinned to UPPER CLOTHING ABOVE THE WAIST clearly visible on the back for the bike and front for the run. If competing in a tri-suit your cycle and run numbers must be pinned to the front and the back of the suit unless using a race belt at which time both numbers should be affixed front and back of the race belt."

It looks like they are saying you need a race number on front and back for both bike and run.  Is that common?  I've never been at a race where I needed a race number visible from the front on the bike.

How would you position your race belt / race number in that case?  This will be a non-wetsuit suit and I will not be changing in T1.

Comments

  • Nemo BrauchNemo Brauch
    I read that three times to be sure I wasn't missing something. It is a bit unusual, but it does seem they want the numbers pinned on both sides of the race belt. I guess they want everyone wearing both numbers for the bike & run regardless of if they are using a belt or not.
  • scottwstewartscottwstewart
    @ Adam, all of the races I've done have just required a number on back for the bike and on front for the run. The second and third sentence in quotes are a little contradictory. It says in the second sentence that the number must be clearly visible on the back for the bike and front for the run. If I were doing the race I would just wear one number on a race belt and make sure that it was on my back for the bike and front for the run.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]
    Posted By Scott Stewart on 12 Mar 2011 08:15 AM

    @ Adam, all of the races I've done have just required a number on back for the bike and on front for the run. The second and third sentence in quotes are a little contradictory. It says in the second sentence that the number must be clearly visible on the back for the bike and front for the run. If I were doing the race I would just wear one number on a race belt and make sure that it was on my back for the bike and front for the run.



    Yes, I think you're right Scott.  After some more searching (google, slowtwitch, etc.), it seems that some other races have this contradictory language but only enforce it the way you indicate (which is what logic dictates).

  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    Having a number of the front while pedalling in the aero position would drive me crazy and I suspect the number would be so worn, wrinkled and possibly torn, it would be difficult if not impossible to read. And during the bike portion of the race it would certainly not be visible.

    Besides all that, you will probably have a number stuck to the front of your helmet and on the bike as well.

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    What is the deal with all these numbers anyway? I've always suspected that the principal reason for race numbers (given chip timing) is to make sure the race photographers can sell you their product. Don't think for a second that WTC isn't getting a cut! The bike and helmet number is sufficient for refs, and the race number on the run is really superfluous except to idientify you for pictures. I really enjoyed racing last weekend under ITU professional rules without any requirement for a race belt. We had bike and helmet numbers, plus Tri Tats for our arms and one leg...but no race belt numbers. The Tri Tats were awesome. They looked totally pro, did not smear off under the wetsuit and were just as new at the end of the race as they were at the beginning. In fact, the only problem I had was getting them off. I finally resorted to Goo Gone 2 days later. I wish WTC would use these things and throw out race belts except for those who wanted to carry nutrition.
  • scottwstewartscottwstewart
    @ Paul, my theory is that the reason for the helmet number on the bike and requiring your number to face forward on the run is all for the race photographer, since those are the numbers that show up in the pictures. The number on your back for the bike is for the officials, since they usually come up from behind you as they ride the course. And the reason for the number on the bike is for volunteers to make sure that the right bike leaves transition with the right athlete after the race is over. What are tri tats? Are they those stamp looking things that they use at Kona? Not that I've been to Kona, I've just seen what they use on the TV coverage the past few years.
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