Don Mathews
As a newbie to the MTB Race scene, and a returning prodigal son to the bike
world entirely after sixteen years I thought I would toss in my two cents to
this conversation...
The first and only races I have participated in so far have been the PIR
Short Track Series... which has been a blast... and I would like to say a
BIG thank you to the promoters and the sponsors... and all the volunteers
for making it happen every week...
As a newbie the idea of racing in the rain sleet snow and other fun weather
that Oregon can throw at us is a little intimidating... but also being the
competitive guy that I am I will be there no matter what the weather does
just so I can race... I know that I would have thought long and hard about
signing up for a race as a newbie in March... being new to a sport the idea
of having to be cold and wet and learning the sport can be a bit much for a
lot of people. I mention this since earlier in this conversation someone
mentioned that to keep this sport alive we need more racers... and as a
newbie it can be tough to get into racing due to the intimidation factor and
the just not "knowing" what to expect when you show up... the biggest
suggestion I can make is to provide as much information to potential racers
as possible... and also make it clear newbie's are welcome and will be given
a lot of "leeway" prior during and post race.
Here is a few other thoughts...
Ski Bowl...
I would have been there but I did not learn about it in time and already had
made a commitment to another adventure...
Return on the Jedi...
Would have done it but learned about it short notice... and was a little
unclear about the course and a few other things... i.e. I wimped out due to
the above mentioned "intimidation" factor of being a newbie...
Everything else...
I just started back into biking in April... so I think I missed out on most
of the season anyways... but from a newbie her are some things that would
have helped me out...
Maybe an OBRA "intro to racing" page on the website? The first night I
showed up out at PIR I knew roughly what it would cost, a little of what to
expect from watching the video on the page and an idea of what time I would
race... everyone there was VERY VERY helpful to a newbie and also very
understanding of my ignorance of what was going on... but I know a lot of
people would have not come out due to intimidation... fear... or just a
little worried about embarrassing themselves... the more information you can
give someone who is new the more likely they are to show up and give it a
try... to keep anything going whether it be a business or a sport you need
new "customers" so make that new customer as comfortable as possible.
As for the whole schedule calendar debate... as a newbie racing on dry
ground has a greater appeal to me than wet mud... I am looking forward to
trying the mud though... I would participate MUCH more likely in a race in
nice weather than in bad weather... I also have a five-year old who next
year wants to be out there racing like dad... be very aware he is convinced
he can beat everyone out there already... and nicer weather makes for MUCH
family friendly events... i.e. the family next to mine last night with the
BBQ...
In short my vote is for late spring through the summer... maybe building up
to longer distance races later in the year... maybe a 24hour race?... more
short track? I mention short track because I now have friends who are not
bike enthusiasts but like to just come out and watch the races (good things
to tell sponsors)... I also know I may change my tune by the time CX & XC
season comes and goes... but I would love to see a lot more events on the
calendar for MTB races and also see those events on the calendar as early as
possible... I am REALLY looking forward to doing some XC races and wish
there were some I could do this year... but alas I will enjoy the trails our
state has to offer and just keep training... hopefully I will not be a
novice much longer...
Sincerely,
Don Mathews