Rick Johnson
2008-06-06
Exactly. Just a reminder to everyone -
First day of Spring: March 21st
First day of Summer: June 20th
First day of Fall: September 22nd
First day of Winter: December 20th
The reason I don't race in January, February or early March is - duh -
it's winter! It's the same reason I don't ski (much) in summer. I find
the fact that we start racing in winter and have two of our major
disciplines pretty much wrapped up before summer even starts
ridiculous.
And no, I don't have kids. Nor do I care if they're in school or not.
The biggest factors determining my participation are (in order):
1- Season
2- Distance (travel to the event)
3- Conditions
Rick
Evan Plews wrote:
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John, Chris all dissed MTBers...
I couldn't agree more. After growing up in the "valley of sickness",
and racing for nearly as long as Chris, I am baffled by the race
schedule for XC in Oregon.
My analysis is that it is competely illogical and the so called
"statics" are meaningless. Why? Because all the statics are based on
starting the race season too early and burning everyone out.
Unless we completely throw out the concept of starting races before
Memorial Day and everyone abides, this will always happen be the case.
Think: chicken or the egg... Also, there is a lot of cross over in OBRA
racing so keeping major events of different disaplines off the same day
would be natural!
There needs to be some consideration for the national event schedule
and holidays, too...
Hornings Hustle = Willamette Stage Race and NMBS
Mudslinger = Sea Otter
Chainbreaker = Mothers Day
Bear Springs = Mt Hood Classic and NMBS
Firecracker = Silverton RR
Picketts = Elkhorn Classic
Jedi = NMBS
Season over before July = ridiculous!
I know there were some schedule changes, this year, but if this is
going to be a legitimate series there needs to be some ranking of
events in OBRA and consideration amongst promoters. If it is a XC
Series or Oregon Cup event, no conflicts--period. Number one priorty!
This comes up every year, so I guess when no one shows up to a race,
maybe the "powers that be" will be willing to throw away the broken
play book and come up with a different (better) plan. Until then, my
plan is to race when I feel like it. Who cares if mediocrity rules the
rain/mudfest anyway? We have 'cross for that!
This is all...
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Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 07:43:03 -0700
From: jpweathe@yahoo.com
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] MTB XC Series Timing & Turnout
All,
This is a good discussion, not one I really meant to prompt, sorry if
it's the 20th rendition -- I'm new to the list. After my third season
of racing it, again I will say that I love Oregon MTB racing and really
appreciate the effort OBRA and the promoters make to put it on. So
don't take any of this the wrong way. And as I said in my post, I'm
adjusting to the mud and rain (albeit slowly) -- next year my ride will
have no cables, no suspension, and low maintenance hubs. Anyone want
to buy a Blur XC (after the Creampuff)?
I don't know the reasons behind what we see in MTB race turnout,
whether turnout drops because people have summer commitments or because
they are tired of racing by then. But I do agree with Craig that if
you only look at data on later races in Oregon you might be missing the
big picture.
Why not look at how other states with strong series do it -- e.g.,
Colorado?
Check out the Mountain Cup Series, which spreads the races throughout
the summer, starting in May, ending in early September:
http://www.racemsc.com/events.html
Check out the 2007 Results:
http://www.racemsc.com/results/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=16&Itemid=62&&year=2007
I scanned the results quickly and it seems turnout was relatively even
throughout the season. Purely unscientific, but it does suggest there
is a different way to do it that could take advantage of Oregon's
natural advantage -- amazing trails and a beautiful summer season.
Re Craig's point that race fatigue can be a cause, I can tell you my
family would be less burned out on me racing (and driving all day to
race) if it wasn't 3 out of 4 weekends for 3 months. And my family is
much more inclined to come to the races if it isn't 37 degrees with
snow, sleet and rain. In my experience, if they come to the race with
their bikes and have fun, then there is no family race fatigue.
I'm sure others on this distro have looked at Colorado and can tell us
why this wouldn't work for Oregon, would love to hear the reasons.
Cheers,
jw
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--
Rick Johnson
Bend, Oregon
541-390-5269
RCJohnson1@Attglobal.net