In a message dated 5/10/04 5:55:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time, themaaslands@comcast.net writes: So contrary to what Jan imagines: modern equipment has had a measurable positive impact on racing and there is no way that a 40 year-old bike would be competitive in pro racing. Furthermore, today's tires are substantially better than the very best from the past. I'm not sure modern equipment has really made a "positive impact" on racing. If the goal in equipment advances is to simply increase speed, then that's a goal we seemed to have achieved. But we should address safety, along with speed. Ambulances should not be a part of bicycle races.
We have a local race called the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. If today's tires are substantially better, why does there seem to be substantially more riders losing it, on the last turn leading up to the finish line? OK, pilot error, I know.
Wes Oishi
Los Angeles