Candi Murray

Another little know fact was that the Chief Referee never even spoke with
Ernie or his crew about shortening the race before he made the announcement.
Ernie had already dispersed dozens of volunteers out to marshall
intersections and feed zones and had to scramble to make the changes. The
fact that we pulled it off at all with only a 30 minute delay was truly
amazing.
Candi

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Matt Slater
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 9:48 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Elkhorn

Do not bite the hand that feeds you...

Three points:

1. Putting on stage racing is very difficult and we should appreciate the
effort and hoursd that promoters dedicate to these races. We should
appreciate their sometimes imperfect efforts for what they are; a good faith
effort to do their best. I am sure that the Tour of California is better
run. If I could ride better then I could go to that race.

2. OBRA result posting is far and away the fastest and most accurate that I
have encountered. Compared to USA Cycling and other organizations we get a
very good product.

3. Shortening the stage to Dewley was an decision made at 7:30 in the
morning. In retrospect the weather was not as bad as it could have been but
the decision did not have to be made at 11:00, it had to be made early.
Additionally, the decision for shortening the race is not focused on the
strongest riders who I am sure could ride 100+ miles in a group but on
riders with less experience and horsepower who would be out in the boonies
with no support on roads that they did not know well. As a personal note,
out team would have preferred a longer stage as that would have worked
better for us tactically. However since we did not promote the race and we
are not officiating, we deal with the cards that we are dealt.

See you next year

Matt
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Matt Slater

Do not bite the hand that feeds you...

Three points:

1. Putting on stage racing is very difficult and we should appreciate the effort and hoursd that promoters dedicate to these races. We should appreciate their sometimes imperfect efforts for what they are; a good faith effort to do their best. I am sure that the Tour of California is better run. If I could ride better then I could go to that race.

2. OBRA result posting is far and away the fastest and most accurate that I have encountered. Compared to USA Cycling and other organizations we get a very good product.

3. Shortening the stage to Dewley was an decision made at 7:30 in the morning. In retrospect the weather was not as bad as it could have been but the decision did not have to be made at 11:00, it had to be made early. Additionally, the decision for shortening the race is not focused on the strongest riders who I am sure could ride 100+ miles in a group but on riders with less experience and horsepower who would be out in the boonies with no support on roads that they did not know well. As a personal note, out team would have preferred a longer stage as that would have worked better for us tactically. However since we did not promote the race and we are not officiating, we deal with the cards that we are dealt.

See you next year

Matt