I raced a lot of WORS races back in the early-mid 90s, and back then at least, it had a very OBRA-like feel to it. I attribute a lot of that to the fact they it was NOT NORBA affiliated. Well run, well promoted events with reasonable entry fees. I'm always amazed that they have managed to keep that series going all these years with huge attendance (despite re-affiliated with NORBA a couple years ago from what I understand), while XC racing seems to have died many/most? other places. The WORS series has a following a lot like the Cross Crusade, with huge rider turnouts (700-800 in the mid 90s and 1000+ since with a record of like 1300+ I've heard).
In Wisconsin (like Portland) there are limited riding opportunities near the largest population center (Milwaukee/southeast WI). However, the WORS series races in the early days were scattered across the far reaches of the state, with virtually none of them near any of the heavily populated areas. It was always a 3-4 hour drive minimum to get to any of the races, sometime 5+, and everybody made a weekend road trip out of it. The current WORS series has shifted to some closer venues, but still have quite a few out in the far reaches of the state.
Those venues offered a chance to sample a wide variety of terrain, and ride in new areas. Getting a chance to ride somewhere new, rather than doing lap after lap week in week out at the same 1 or 2 available riding areas, was a big motivator for a lot of us. We'd drive up on a Friday night, pre-ride the course and hit local trails on Saturday, then race Sunday and drive home.
I've always thought there would be that same motivation here, but it doesn't seem to be the case. The XC races I've attended here don't feel that different in terms of how things are run. Pretty standard fare...show up, race, raffle etc... I don't think the WORS courses were any better. One difference I do see, is that all of the series the races there get put on the Calendar early, and stay there. I don't ever recall seeing one get cancelled. Then again, snow in the mountains isn't an issue, I don't recall the permitting issues being as severe. Apparently the owls in Wisconsin are more promiscuous.
At any rate, after hearing this debate year after year, and asking myself what is different about XC mountain bike racing in WI vs. OR, the thing I come back to is that the largest contingent of racers ( Portland and surrounding areas) don't like to travel far to races. I'm not sure why that is, but my guess is that OBRA has so many racing opportunities close by, there is no need to travel. Rather than race mountain bike, you can race road, track or cross, as all are close by and convenient. This isn't limited to mountain bike races either. Same thing happens in cross and road. Compare attendance at a Crusade Race (or even other non-crusade races close to PDX) with the cross races in Eugene. You're talking probably 10x the attendance at a Crusade race, and maybe 3-4x at a non-crusade race in PDX vs.. Eugene. On the road side, it's similar, but maybe not as pronounced, because much of the heavily attended road races occur before weeknight racing in PDX begins. Look at Cherry Pie for example. Early road season is the only game in town until the days get longer. Even so, turnout at Eugene Roubaix or Table Rock are quite a bit smaller than your average Tuesday PIR.
Bottom line, there is a finite population of racers, and when it comes down to it, with the depth of calendar that OBRA has, and the length of season, for many people, I think racing close by is easier than road tripping it on a busy summer weekend.
________________________________
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Brian Baumann
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:22 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
What do they (WORS) know that we don't? This is pretty cool:
http://www.wors.org/news/article.php?id=450
Maybe some positive reinforcement and new ideas would help, and a look at course types and locations? More singletrack near Portland would benefit the racing cause. Join NWTA and get involved with mtb advocacy?
Just some thoughts as I recoup from a hot ride.
--- On Tue, 7/21/09, sbohaboy@comcast.net wrote:
From: sbohaboy@comcast.net
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
To: "David Rosen"
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 4:20 PM
Since so many people ride to PIR, it would be great if they would open up the gate at the south east corner by the levee bike path. This would save a mile of riding by not having to go down the off ramp, by the max station, through the gate and back around. This would also be alot safer.
Talk to your race organizers and encourage them to ask for the gate to be opened.
Cheers,
Spencer
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Rosen"
To: "Like toPedal" , obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:32:22 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
There was an INCREDIBLE mtb race this past weekend just outside of Prineville. It was hot and yet it was also an epic race. It was definitely the hardest mtb race I have ever done (wore out my disc pads which I need to replace today). It was well organized and well supported.
I believe the difference isn't putting the STXC race on for the weekends. I think the whole Monday night thing is great. I believe the difference is the proximity to PDX that so many locals can ride over after work. For all the people that drive to PIR, you have a lot more people that are riding to the race. Fortunately for us, PIR is a close ride and easily accessible.
It definitely would have been nice to see more people this weekend, but haven't we had this conversation before (last year) about more summer mtb racing?
Just my $.02
Dave
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Like toPedal
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:23 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] summer mtn bike races
i see the short track had 331 racers.
any weekend mountain bike races have that many racers?
i see the short track had 19 boys under 14!!
no weekend mountain bike race had that many under 14 boys.
maybe the guys throwing that short track stuff should move it to the weekends....
i think Oregon Mountain bike racers are screaming their support for summer mountain biking. let's move them to the weekends and get even more people there.
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