USAT official observations

Just got this from a friend who saw it posted on the Silicone Valley Tri Club board:

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Hi All

Here some more lessons learned while hauling a USAT official around on Sunday's Big Kahuna Bike Course. These of course are my observations and opinions.

* If you need to pee, it is somewhat acceptable outside of the porta-potties as long as it is not in someone's yard and actual body parts are not exposed to the public regardless of stream

* Whilst appearing not to be drafting, if the official is riding next to you, that is the prime opportunity to drop back or force yourself to pass the person you were not intentionally drafting off of

* Headphones or cell phones of any variety are never acceptable on the bike course

* Never argue with the USAT official who is trying to let you off with a warning about helmet straps, drafting, rude behavior or anything else

* After being warned about drafting, do not immediately start drafting again 5 seconds later, the official could look back and really give you a penalty

* Tossing your Gu wrapper onto the windshield of the support motorcycle and then denying it, is never a good idea

* We all like to hang with our friends and support them, but after seeing a pacing (illegal) friend place his hand onto his friend's butt to push her up the hill, that was a bit much. She could have been pulling him, but not likely

* If you send a guy out on a chilly course with no shirt, but with arm warmers, you will have successfully baffled and distracted all of the officials for hours to come and help reduce the number of penalties handed out to everyone

* Never ask a USAT official for bike help, you really do not want their answer during race day when you are already beaten down and frustrated

* Other method of distracting the USAT officials for everyone else, whilst fixing a flat, unpack everything in your spares bag, take off most of your clothes, take apart most of your bike and scatter it all about the largest area possible. Imagine a garage sale.

Enjoy
Rob Mardell