iPhone Legal?

At the race I did last week, the director was clear that they were not allowed as they are personal music players.

I imagine interpretation of this law is up to the race director.

At a local race here a few weeks ago the RD announced repeatedly on the PA system that they were NOT allowed to be used on the bike as a head unit.

I think that this interpretation of the rules is incorrect and I suggest someone email Charlie, the head referree at USAT and ask him.  His email address is published on the site and he welcomes email questions and responds in a timely manner.

Contact Garmin, the more people who do the faster they will work on a fix for this issue. They need to konw it is an issue before they will look into it and just an handful of people with the issue will probably not prompt them to do anything.

I would think that talking on the phone would be in the same category as listening to music.

Also, rather than trying to read periodic, motivating texts (and not watching where you're going), have your family and friends write mantras or quotes for you. At specific points on the run, repeat one over and over until it's time to move on to the next quote/mantra.

I sure wouldn't want to leave something as valuable and portable as an iPhone sitting in the open in transition....

If you use a Forerunner or other watch it is ON you the entire race. Much safer from thieves.

Many people use the larger garmin head units as their navigation, speed and power meter readout.  These are more expensive than an iPhone...but I have heard of them being stolen.

This is precisely the reason they aren't allowed.  Using your smartphone this way would put you and, more importantly, other racers at risk.  I'm sure they've discussed the valid reason for competitors to have a smartphone and they also know that there will always be someone out on the course that uses it to carry on a dialogue which becomes dangerous and can provide a competitive advantage by virtue of getting live race updates from spotters...

Glad to see he's being very reasonable and recognizing that technology is changing very quickly and one man's "personal audio device" is another man's bike computer.  They should change this.

As was covered in Charlie's response, Iphones or the such are illegal if being used while racing.  There was an e-mail that went out to the USAT officials that specifically explained the interpretation.

It boiled down to this:  If the phone is out and being used then it's a penalty (assuming you are not stopped on the side of the road).  It comes down to they do not know if you are using it as a GPS, Cyclometer, Music player, etc.  So if it's out and you are moving...it's illegal.

http://www.lifeproof.com/shop/cases/iphone-4-4s

This is really too bad I use my phone as my bike computer now and it's really nice that My family can watch my progress as I go along. I think you should be allowed to use it. Basically its like they are demanding I spent another few hundred dollars to get another device that while nice I don't really need because I have an Iphone. I know triathletes are all rich but... I teach preschool another bike computer is like a quarter of a months salary for me or more. 

I understand the concern, but you can just easily be distracted by looking at your bike computer or for your family or friends on the side. 

This is very close-minded.  Clearly you can see how the lines between "phone" and "bike computer" are being blurred by technology.  Bike computers are perfectly acceptable...but if that bike computer can also be used to make a phone call - even if it's not being used to do so - it's illegal?

I understand that officials can't tell what you're doing if your "phone" is out so I get that it's not an easy thing to officiate and why they don't just embrace it with open arms.  But they should certainly be talking about it and considering options - technology is forcing them to do so.  They definitely shouldn't turn their back on the whole thing, plug their ears and walk out of the room like you seem to be doing.

I don't think a thousand idiots would be using other functions of their "phones" and screwing up your race.  They'd be using it as a bike computer and following the rules.

Also...long course tri's that might not have great support or many people at all in places way out on the bike course....wouldn't you want to be able to make a call if you get injured, break your bike, etc?  Absolutely no place for a phone on a race course, really?