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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!wanginst!bbnccv!wholmes
From: wholmes@bbnccv.UUCP (William P. Holmes)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: USCF Helmet rule
Message-ID: <2076@bbnccv.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 12:26:19 EST
Article-I.D.: bbnccv.2076
Posted: Mon Feb 24 12:26:19 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Feb-86 08:15:42 EST
References: <2639@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Reply-To: wholmes@bbnccv.UUCP (William P. Holmes)
Distribution: na
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 51

>>We didn't even get to vote on it or at least get some notice so as to let them
>>know how we feel.

>[I don't know too much about the USCF, but I assume you get to vote on your
>leadership at some point.]

  Yes, we do vote on our district reps, but that won't reverse or postpone the
rule.  I think that if the insurance wasn't involved the rule wouldn't have 
passed.  Since the insurance company didn't care wether or not we had this rule.

>>  I'm not saying people shouldn't wear them, I'm saying don't decide for us.

>There are a number of good reasons why the USCF decided to pass this rule,
>but the bottom line is that they are deciding only for the organization, their
>right and obligation.  If you don't want to wear one, you don't have to race
>in their races.  Start one of your own.]

I guess my main concern is just the way they dropped it on us.  I believe their
will be comfortable hard shell helmets, but not untill mid to late season.  If
the USCF gave more notice (1 year) the helmet companies could have come out
with new lines before the rule went into effect.  Racing starts in another 
month and except for mail order I haven't seen any new hard shells this year.
I already bought my hard shell helmet so that I don't miss any racing waiting
for the post-helmet rule helmets.

As for racing in other races(citizen), you can't do it, unless you want to give
up your USCF lic.  Most citizen races are fairly dangerous and poorly run.  The
helmet rule isn't that big a deal to me.  

>>[raig
>>cmacfarlane@bbn-vax.arpa
>
>>BTW, the USCF now has another insurance policy anyway, which costs promoters a
>>little over $200.  This cost will just be passes on to racers.
>
>...You seem to suggest that paying for insurance is an unfair burden.  The 
>promoter both needs protection from, and is morally obliged to protect the 
>racers from the consequences of accidental oversights that statistically are
>bound to occur.  If you should get hurt, do you promise not to call a laywer?]
>
>Jon. Gingerich

I included that to let people know what was going on, not as further argument.

Anyway, I think hard shell helmets are a great idea, and by the end of the
year there will be some that provide enough cooling for anybody.  I was just
upset that it happened so quickly, as to surprise racers and helmet companies.

See you on the road,
[raig 
cmacfarlane@bbnv.arpa