Andy Skeen
Being from Chicago, and racing on the road in IL/WI/MO/IN/IA, and having
friends who race in the WORS series, I must say that I'm perplexed by the
scheduling of races of all varieties other than track in OBRA land.
First, most of the MTB races are quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
While that makes for "epic" riding, it doesn't help the actual sport of MTB
racing. Living in Hood River, which is only an hour from Portland, I've seen
plenty of areas around here that would make for great long or short course
XC races. The Prineville race this past weekend was fun (aside from the
altitude check...ouch), but being an hour from anything resembling a metro
area, and three hours from a major urban area, doesn't help. The course,
while extremely challenging, was definitely not conducive to attracting
sponsors nor spectators. I'm not suggesting promoters go straight to World
Cup style events, but races with multiple opportunities for spectators to
view the racers are never a bad thing.
Also, most race weekends, particularly on the road, aside from stage races,
consist of a race in City X, and another race in City Y, an hour away. Like
it or not, you discourage people from out of town from showing up at your
races by not stacking them on top of each other. Two races in PDX, two races
in Salem, two races in Eugene, etc. would all make more sense. I'd be far
more likely to travel and stay overnight if I could race two events,
Sat/Sun, than driving to two different cities. In IL and WI, there are a lot
of race weekends like that, and the attendance, is more often than not much
larger. And despite the populations of the Chicago/Milwaukee/Madison areas,
I'd be willing to bet OBRA has more registered racers. More racers per race
would help boost what I view as small prize lists, which in turn, would
bring out even more racers.
Now to address what other people are talking about in this topic. Scheduling
of races, particularly MTB races, within the season. Having taken up MTB
racing, and comparing the WORS schedule to the OBRA schedule, I'm a bit
confused as to whose interests are being served by having the "state
championship" in May. Same question regarding shutting the season down as of
July 18th. Wisconsin weather is far less forgiving than that of OR,
particularly early and late in the year. They address this by not starting
the season until May, which, realistically, is a bit late for OR. However,
they keep racing until October, throwing in the Triple Crown (Chequamegon,
Iceman Cometh, Ore to Shore) on "off" weekends in the WORS schedule to
finish out the year, upon which cyclocross begins in earnest.
I fully expect people to tear me a new one, but the scheduling of events is
definitely not up to par with the overall organization of OBRA as a whole.
Brian Baumann
What do they (WORS) know that we don't? This is pretty cool:
http://www.wors.org/news/article.php?id=450
Maybe some positive reinforcement and new ideas would help, and a look
at course types and locations? More singletrack near Portland would
benefit the racing cause. Join NWTA and get involved with mtb
advocacy?
Just some thoughts as I recoup from a hot ride.
--- On Tue, 7/21/09, sbohaboy@comcast.net wrote:
From: sbohaboy@comcast.net
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
To: "David Rosen"
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 4:20 PM
#yiv2072933058 p {margin:0;}Since so many people ride to PIR, it would be
great if they would open up the gate at the south east corner by the levee
bike path. This would save a mile of riding by not having to go down the
off ramp, by the max station, through the gate and back around. This would
also be alot safer.
Talk to your race organizers and encourage them to ask for the gate to be
opened.
Cheers,
Spencer
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Rosen"
To: "Like toPedal" , obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:32:22 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
There was an INCREDIBLE mtb race this past weekend just outside of
Prineville. It was hot and yet it was also an epic race. It was definitely
the hardest mtb race I have ever done (wore out my disc pads which I need to
replace today). It was well organized and well supported.
I believe the difference isn’t putting the STXC race on for the weekends. I
think the whole Monday night thing is great. I believe the difference is the
proximity to PDX that so many locals can ride over after work. For all the
people that drive to PIR, you have a lot more people that are riding to the
race. Fortunately for us, PIR is a close ride and easily accessible.
It definitely would have been nice to see more people this weekend, but
haven’t we had this conversation before (last year) about more summer mtb
racing?
Just my $.02
Dave
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Like toPedal
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:23 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
i see the short track had 331 racers.
any weekend mountain bike races have that many racers?
i see the short track had 19 boys under 14!!
no weekend mountain bike race had that many under 14 boys.
maybe the guys throwing that short track stuff should move it to the
weekends....
i think Oregon Mountain bike racers are screaming their support for summer
mountain biking. let's move them to the weekends and get even more people
there.