John F. Forbes

Bonnie,

You are operating under the assumption that an extant system is immutable. If

that were the case we, the entire species, would still operate as hunter

gatherers. There would never have been an American Revolution on any other

revolution for that matter.

While the above goes to extremes my point is that we do not have to settle for

an autocratic, inefficient system dedicated to a very small percentage of

riders. If USA Cycling won't change despite all the efforts over these past few

years then we must create something better. However, such an effort doesn't

spring fully blown from some god like brow but instead requires patient work and

dedicated effort. In time, if the majority of riders nation wide join groups

such as OBRA and, thus, FICA we can go to the UCI as a strong organization with

a number of serious potential pros.

In the meantime we can groom up and coming riders and help them attend the need

ed races for the all important upgrades. However, they can race most of their

races in their regions and benefit from the knowledge, talents and skills of

local cat 1's and 2's

USA Cycling is dying, structured as it is. The organization refuses desperately

needed change. We have to go on. Thus we must work together not against each

other.

John F.

Martin Clan

I've taken a lot of heat over the last year pointing out the obvious facts

that some folks just don't want to hear, that is, that OBRA and the FIAC's

PRODUCT is reduced promoter fees, more personalized customer service, and,

local sport racing: Whereas the USAC's PRODUCT, whether or not one agrees

with their fee structure and policies, are recognized National racing

venues, upgrade points toward categorization and possible National and

Pro-team eligibility, and, the opportunity for their riders to compete at an

International level.



Under your "Redland's" scenario below how do you propose that talented

riders, who do not have the access to the "deep pockets" that you suggest,

or generous sponsorship, such as the grants Lance Armstrong use to provide

talented regional Juniors who also lacked local racing opportunities,

achieve their INITIAL ELIGIBILITY to qualify for such races under the

REALITY of the current situation? As, per the application process, riders

who participate at Redlands must be USCF, not FIAC, Category 1,2 riders:

http://www.redlandsclassic.com/file/entry.pdf and provide a current racing

resume: http://www.redlandsclassic.com/file/resume.pdf



And, I don't buy your argument that "anyone can put on a USCF race." When

the FIAC's voted with their feet to support regional racing, they also voted

to exclude USAC racing from their respective regions. Thus, no promoter is,

or should be, willing to put on a race where he or she doesn't have a chance

of finding enough qualified (licensed and legitimately categorized) riders

to at least break even. Thus, for the moment, OBRA and the other FIAC's may

indeed be able to set up the teams you suggested of TODAY's already existent

USCF 1's and 2's, but what about your region's developing Juniors or the 3's

and 4's that can't earn recognized points to come up the pike?



Which brings us back to my original argument posted to the RBR, "Although I

have no qualms with your (originally Mike Murray's) right to make the choice

that you made with regard to OBRA's developing it's own sport racing league

here in the state I think that there is a need to qualify that the choices

that were made have also put severe restrictions on any riders wishing to

participate in anything other than intermediate or regional racing."



In sum, you folks need to quit living in a Polly Anna world, because

"feeding egos" is not the issue. AMBITIOUS RIDERS are not just born, they

are developed, and for the most part they are developed locally. The

USAC/OBRA sanctioning wars are definitely relevant: Without a legitimate

and affordable track to support the clubs and riders that do wish to move

beyond regional sport racing, just what is it that the FIAC's really have to

offer?

Bonnie







-----Original Message-----

From: splin-@aol.com [mailto:splin-@aol.com]

Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2000 5:29 PM

To: Walp-@cse.ogi.edu; mmur-@teleport.com; ob-@topica.com

Cc: Keepe-@aol.com; eswren-@macconnect.com;

margaret-@sprintmail.com

Subject: Re: National/International bike racing



In a message dated 02/16/2000 9:06:42 AM Pacific Standard Time,

Walp-@cse.ogi.edu writes:



 One idea I have about this is for OBRA to field a team at national

calendar events (either USAC or FIAC). This way the best riders in

this region can represent OBRA in bigger races. If those bigger races

are part of the feeder system and selection process for the pro teams

then everyone can see the whole pipeline... the pro teams can take

it from there.

I couldn't agree more with Jon!!



Even if USAC were recognizing OBRA races, our riders would need to be

traveling a lot more than most do now to ever attract the attention of the

big teams. The riders from Oregon who have had success at the elite levels

of

the sport have not gotten there racing in Oregon. Todd Littlehales and Stacy

Peters are the current Oregon riders willing to go out on the road to become

successful at the next level and both have results to show for it.



In thirty years of involvement in bicycle racing the only riders I have ever

seen get to the National team or professional ranks by racing primarily at

home were the Colorado class of the late 70s and early 80s (Davis Phinney,

Ron Kiefel, Alexi Grewal, Bob Cook and Tom Sain) who benefited from the

showcase provided by the Red Zinger/Coors Classic and the new Olympic

Training Center that focused all of the country's cycling attention on

Colorado. A unique time and place that will never be recreated.



For several years I have traveled to officiate at the Redlands SR every

March

and have been dismayed at the lack of riders from Oregon & Washington who

make the relatively short trip to race there.



Redlands, because it is the first big race on the calendar, is an ideal

stage

for up and coming riders to show themselves to the elite national amateur

and

professional teams that are at Redlands as part of their early season

training.



Many of the riders I have seen at Redlands riding for regionally based teams

one year have found their way onto the big teams in following years. People

like Trent Klasna and Ernie Lechuga who came to Redlands every year and

always rode aggressively, joining the suicide early breaks, not to win the

races, but to show their strength and willingness to give it all in hopes of

attracting the attention of the bigger teams. They didn't ride safely (and

anonymously) in the pack hoping to pick up some scraps of prizes at the end

of the stage. They chose to attract attention to themselves by attacking at

every opportunity, making people notice their presence.



Much of the genesis of John Wordin's team came from regional composite teams

that he put together to race at Redlands in the early and mid 90s.



Last year's surprise rider of the year, Antonio Cruz was racing all year on

a

small Northern Cal regional team. But, he wasn't staying in California

hoping

to get good enough to race with the big boys. No, he was at the races --

Redlands, Sea Otter, Cascade, Red Zinger, and finally Downers Grove. Most of

those races he was a team of one, or if he had a team, it was one or two

others from L'Equipe Cheval. At several of the races requiring team entry

they wound up with composite riders added from the local area to give them a

complete team. Antonio was going for all the primes in the crits and forcing

people to notice him in the final sprints, all the time getting better

because he was not quite beating the best... Until he became a National

Champion.



I guess what I am saying is that USAC/OBRA sanctioning wars are largely

irrelevant for riders wanting to race at elite levels. They need to travel

if

they really want to race at that level, not just have a number on their

license for the ego value.



While I am making everyone angry, I should also say that there is nothing in

Oregon stopping a promoter from sanctioning their race through USAC if they

are truly concerned about having opportunities for riders to upgrade through

the USAC system. (Bonnie)



Splinter







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