There are probably many reasons. First look at the days the races take
place. Almost always there are more people turning out for Sunday races
than on Saturday. We could pick that apart about why or whatever, but the
numbers tell the tale. Sunday races get more riders. I do not know how
(without a major sponsor to put out some serious $$$ to help draw racers and
spectators) a series could offer the same atmosphere of the Crusade. The
Crusade is like a big snowball that is rolling down the hill. It continues
to get larger because of various factors related to that trip down the hill.
At present the snowball seems to grow just because it is there... especially
in the largest market in Oregon. This does not make the Crusade a big
monster or people taking part ignore the other races. I just believe most
folks will do just like the snowball.... take the path of least resistance.
I love being part of the Cross Crusade because I feel it actually feeds a
need I have test myself in a tough/fun environment. Now I have to say that
the other Cross Venues (Hood River, Barlow, Kruger's, Bald Peak, Rickreall,
Heiser, Camp Harlow, etc.) I have raced have been just wonderful. Well run,
every bit as good of courses as the Crusade and lots of fun to ride. They
have also had fewer numbers. I do not know how dates for races are chosen
and I would believe that there is some ( I assume fair) process for working
out who gets what dates. I believe the Crusade (because of the massive
positive impact and profile) would be a high priority for dates, but there
are usually some Sundays before and after the series that could be Cross
races instead of Kermesse events. That would make this old fart much more
happy. In fact I wish the Kermesse races were considered ROAD races instead
of Cross as I see much more commonality between Road/Kermesse that
Cross/Kermesse. There have been many road races that were contested on
worse surfaces than our Kermesse courses. Just imagine if the Vanport and
Kruger's races were changed to Cross... even if they were somewhat abridged
courses to minimized the set-up/tear-down requirements. They would probably
get higher numbers. Could even be done without trashing lawn areas by
keeping it more on paths/gravel roads. This would be a good test to see if
the Cross season could be extended. So... just my ideas. But the areas
away from the PDX metro will probably continue to have smaller turnout... Do
not stop having those races as they are well worth the trip for those that
make it.
Thanks much,
ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Haughey"
To: "OBRA"
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 7:27 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Thanks Psycho 5 Racers
> On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 4:15 PM, Evan Plews wrote:
>> Too bad OBRA does not support the "other" races with more attendence.
>
> Speaking as someone that helped organize and promote the Willamette
> Valley series, I have to say it's odd that Cross Crusade can easily
> attract over a thousand racers every weekend, but we've got a dozen or
> so cross races running on non-Crusade days and weekends but they tend
> to barely attract a hundred or two hundred riders tops. Why the huge
> discrepancy?
>
> Oregon loves cross -- I raced early and late season events as well as
> Crusade races and next year plan to hit them all. Heck, I wish we got
> to race through January. I had loads of fun at all of them.
>
> The OBRA site seems to promote them all equally. Bike Portland and
> this list mention them all. I know the Crusade gets more mainstream
> press and is thought of as "the" cross series in the northwest (and
> probably largest in the nation), but some of the non-Crusade events
> are even in the Portland area where most people show up to Crusade
> races and they still only attract 1/5th to 1/10th the amount of
> riders. Is it the vendors? Is it the party/festival atmosphere?
>
> Why don't more Oregon cross riders do non-Cross Crusade races?
>
> Matt
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