Road Painting Route Tips for Triathlon?
July 3, 2010 4:03 PM Subscribe
I have to paint route markings for the bicycle portion of a triathlon on the road. I have been left paint and the route, but have never been near a road race or triathlon, and don't want to screw it up. Any pointers?
I would think there would be a standard way to mark turns and whatnot, but haven't been able to find it.
I would think there would be a standard way to mark turns and whatnot, but haven't been able to find it.
Most bike rides consist of arrows with some symbol marking the ride (to distinguish from other organized rides following a similar route). For turns, indicate ahead of time where to turn and again where it is. If you can do the painting whilst riding a bike yourself, it'll give you a good idea where to mark things so cyclists won't miss them.
For a triathlon, plenty of advanced notice would be ideal, as people will likely be riding fast. I'd say the average symbol should be about a foot in size (not enormous, but not tiny).
posted by JMOZ at 4:10 PM on July 3, 2010
For a triathlon, plenty of advanced notice would be ideal, as people will likely be riding fast. I'd say the average symbol should be about a foot in size (not enormous, but not tiny).
posted by JMOZ at 4:10 PM on July 3, 2010
Here's some good advice and some other signs for a tour with different routes. I just did a tour where we got maps for the different routes (30, 60 and century routes) where each route had a different colored map that corresponded to the marker color on the road. Where there was a turn ahead, they marked an arrow in your color well ahead that looked like a turn so, an up and to the right arrow about 50 yards ahead of the turn and then marked again at the turn. My map was yellow so I looked for yellow arrows.
If there's any question where an aide stop is just mark it extensively as it really sucks to miss a rest stop if that's what you need.
Will the bike and run be covering the same area -- runners don't need as much lead time with route finding as the bikes do.
posted by amanda at 4:11 PM on July 3, 2010
If there's any question where an aide stop is just mark it extensively as it really sucks to miss a rest stop if that's what you need.
Will the bike and run be covering the same area -- runners don't need as much lead time with route finding as the bikes do.
posted by amanda at 4:11 PM on July 3, 2010
Check for other, existing markings and make sure yours are distinct from those. The ride I take home from work sometimes is a coastal route used frequently for cycling races, and there are 4 or 5 different sets of markings showing many of the same (but a few conflicting) turns. It might be a good idea to do one pass before you paint so you can make sure you use a color that isn't the same as anything already there, or failing that, that you make your arrows stylistically different from the rest, and maybe use initials or something to identify your particular event.
posted by contraption at 4:18 PM on July 3, 2010
posted by contraption at 4:18 PM on July 3, 2010
Response by poster: There is just one bike route. The running part goes on a totally different path, and I don't have to worry about that bit.
posted by katinka-katinka at 4:19 PM on July 3, 2010
posted by katinka-katinka at 4:19 PM on July 3, 2010
In bicycle races I've competed in, the course was marked with arrows about every quarter to half mile on straight roads, with arrows indicating upcoming turns starting about 200 feet before the turn. There were also balloons, volunteers, or some other signage at most turns where it wasn't obvious where to go. It really, really sucks to miss a turn in a race (although knowing the course ahead of time is the responsibility of the rider). This is what mandatory pre-race meetings are for.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 5:27 PM on July 3, 2010
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 5:27 PM on July 3, 2010
Dan Henry markings are an unofficial standard used by many bike clubs and events.
posted by normy at 5:41 PM on July 3, 2010
posted by normy at 5:41 PM on July 3, 2010
I've marked routes (with signs, not paint) several times, and have had direct feedback from said rides. A few tips:
- Make each sign/marking visible. If you have to; use two, or more, if needed.
- As amanda said, having a "pre-sign" early is a good idea.
- Have a "confirmation" sign shortly after the turn.
- Even if there's no turn, don't be shy about posting a "straight" indicator. (For example, you're on one road for 4-5 miles. Having a "keep going this way" sign helps alleviate any worry a rider might have in case he thinks he might have missed a turn.)
- As you post the signs/paint, imagine yourself on the bike. (e.g. Where would a rider's attention be?)
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 10:21 AM on July 4, 2010
- Make each sign/marking visible. If you have to; use two, or more, if needed.
- As amanda said, having a "pre-sign" early is a good idea.
- Have a "confirmation" sign shortly after the turn.
- Even if there's no turn, don't be shy about posting a "straight" indicator. (For example, you're on one road for 4-5 miles. Having a "keep going this way" sign helps alleviate any worry a rider might have in case he thinks he might have missed a turn.)
- As you post the signs/paint, imagine yourself on the bike. (e.g. Where would a rider's attention be?)
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 10:21 AM on July 4, 2010
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posted by amanda at 4:05 PM on July 3, 2010