Brian L
Though sometimes grueling, one of the reasons I race in the Expert class is
for the longer distances - even though I'm not as competitive there. For me,
its more bang for the buck, and I'm less willing to drive the distance for a
shorter race.
Regarding making races the same distance, terrain can vary so much that a
better gauge is how long it takes to complete the race - a 20 mile race in
Bend is nothing like a 20 mile race at Falls City. To compare MTB race times
from week to week you would have to do the same course all the time - and of
course the weather would have to be the same. (I guess maybe running races
don't vary much on the terrain so they can be compared easier.)
I agree with the earlier comment that a shorter distance does not a Beginner
race make. I can very much understand a Beginner racer turning away from MTB
racing after walking their bike half the time. I very much enjoy the
technical races, but I also suggest alternate routes for Beginners when
possible. (That might also encourage the Beginners who can ride the
technical sections to upgrade.)
Just my perspective,
Brian List
-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Erik
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 8:27 PM
To: John Hinke; obra
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Falls City Firecracker: great event, but where are
the women???
I seem to recall this conversation here on the list not too long ago.
Something about the absurdity of the average X-C course length here in
Oregon and the effect it might be having on participation in summer events,
racers being burned out on Epic courses before things even warm up, etc.
The word "Epic" of course is used because it's a lot easier to say than
"course that's guaranteed to damage you, your bike, and your motivation - if
you can finish".
Any psychologist will tell you that there are three main criteria that shape
human behavior: fear, pain, and ambition. Right now Oregon mountainbiking
is mainly using pain. The miserable experience that is the typical X-C race
in this state is very likely to drive away all but the most ambitious
riders. Hard terrain is one thing, but we give people a painful experience
and there is little to feed their ambition.
Maybe mountainbiking needs to finally take some cues from the running
community. Do you know what's really nice about 10k runs? Marathons?
Half-Marathons? THEY'RE ALWAYS THE SAME DISTANCE.
Runners impress me. It's a very different attitude. You'll never hear a
runner complain that they just paid $20-30 to run a measly 10 kilometers.
They show up to compete at a set distance for what it is. Here's the
important part: this allows all participants to compare this week's 10k time
to last week's 10k time. This is infinitely smart compared to Mountainbike
promotion. People keep showing up when they can see measurable improvement
because they feel good about doing better than before. And yes, if you have
your thinking caps on, this is the essence of ambition.
This concept of fixed distances extends to every endurance sport that comes
to mind: Running, Triathlon, XC skiing, swimming . . . Why should
Mountainbiking be any different? Would it really be a problem to have race
distances set at 20, 30, and a "Marathon" distance of 50 miles? Or 20k,
40k, and 100k, whatever works. Does anybody else wonder if consistency might
be a better route than simply driving away everyone who's not up to a 4-5
hour suffer fest?
_____
From: hinke@ashlandhome.net
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 15:23:27 -0700
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Falls City Firecracker: great event, but where are
the women???
I agree that racing is hard. But it's also supposed to be fun, right? I
mean, not too many of us make our living racing. Most of us just enjoy
hanging out with like-minded people doing something fun.
I'm starting to get prepared for the Jedi state championship XC race coming
up and was looking at last years results to try to gauge how much time it'll
take me. Most of the men in my category took between 3-4.5 hours to do the
Jedi race last year. Ouch! I'd better train some more.
I also noticed there were only 5 women who did the race. Their times for
the pro/expert women were off the charts and very unreasonable for just
about any "normal" mountain bike race. The pro woman took 4h14m to complete
the course, while the expert woman took just under 5 hours! That's right: 5
hours. (Better start training more, eh?) How many people want to race that
long or can race that long (ignoring all of the 12 hour and 24 hour racers
out there)? That's a long time to race. I'm not sure I'd come back to a
race if it was that long. I also understand that it's a tough decision for
the promoters. If they make the course too short or easy, people will
complain. If they make it too long people will complain. Finding that
sweet spot is a challenge.
Anyway, I love the Jedi.
John
-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]On
Behalf Of Melissa Boyd
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 2:59 PM
To: sue butler
Cc: obra
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Falls City Firecracker: great event,but where are
the women???
It does seem like women are avoiding mountain bike races, and some of the
responses I heard said that it is "too hard".
Races are supposed to be hard! But, some promoters seem to take great glee
in making them as hard as possible. That may be discouraging some of the
women who are just getting started. For instance, if half the riders in a
category find a long section of singletrack climb (or descent) unrideable
and have to push their bikes, is that "too hard" for that category? What if
it's 80%, or 100% that have to walk? Is that getting excessive? If the
beginner women find they are spending more time pushing their bikes than
riding them, it may be hard to get them to come back and try again. And yet,
that may be just the Best Course Ever for the Expert riders and the strong
guys.
Most races have beginner's distances that are shorter than the Sport and
Expert races. Although it would be harder for the organizers, they might get
more novices to give it a try if the beginner's course was technically
easier and not just shorter.
Melissa
On 6/2/08, sue butler wrote:
I agree that this was a great race and a lot of fun. When do you get to race
on almost ALL singletrack?
I also agree that it was extremely disappointing to have only 4 women line
up for the afternoon session of racing. I know the Silverton road race took
a few 'regulars' out of the pack, but I continue to wonder why other women
don't like to race their mtb's? It is great fun, great people and a great
workout! Stay tuned for upcoming mtb clinics that will be at the short track
races, which start later this month. Maybe this will help get more women out
there racing their mountain bikes. I think all the men that were there need
to work on one woman each to get them there. Because I know when you have no
one to race, sometimes then you don't go and the cycle continues... I was
just glad to be home and able to race a new venue!!!
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