Jay Rideout
There has be a lot said about who is responsible for this or that but there is one thing we all have to understand... OBRA officials (might as well through WSBA & USCF in this bucket also) promotors, spectators, and racer are all perceived as the "Bicycle Borg" from the outside. We are an inconvenience at best, the beer throwing, peeing on somebodie's rose bushes (it does keep the deer away) and any disruptive behavior is written on a label attached to all of us.
We have some very special venues, Astoria sounds like a great place, that are unique, perhaps in the world, between Oregon and Washington. Over the past 30 years I've watched administrative/regulatory pressure grow and limit our usage (Fort Steilacoom has become more limited... STP has had to battle to maintain routes-fortunately the economics have won out-STP is one of the biggest fundraisers for some of the small communities along the route) and once these are gone they are nearly impossible to get back. Some of this is due to growth, traffic and legitimate concerns about safety. But giving any critic any leverage puts us on a slippery slope towards losing a venue.
So next time you think it's somebody else's responsibility ask yourself, do I like this event?, where else can I do something like this and have this much fun? and how would I feel and what would I do if I was an outsider looking in?
Jay
Protect Our Venues!!!
Bicycle Borg CEO
--- On Wed, 11/4/09, Ron and Dorothy Strasser wrote:
From: Ron and Dorothy Strasser
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Beer and Juniors
To: mike.murray@obra.org, obra@list.obra.org
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 3:25 PM
This is where the OBRA officials and Promoters need to be in charge at events. By far most of the beer consumption at these events is pretty harmless (unless you view any alcohol consumption as poison and we won't go there right now). As was said earlier, there are always going to be people who are or with alcohol use become out of control. Some of them just don't care and are willing to do almost anything for attention. When that takes place they should be removed from the event, DQd or whatever is necessary. I enjoy ringing my cowbell and at times having a beer. That is what most people do. I know there is tons for officials/promoters to do at races, but when stuff happens, if it is bad enough, they need to know "who" did it and go from there. There is nothing wrong with racing our bikes at High Schools / Alpenrose where no beer is allowed and we do just fine in that setting, but we should be able to handle venues where beer can be
consumed. Keep the situation under control with regard to first SAFETY and the liability will pretty much follow in step. my two cents.
ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Murray
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 2:08 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Beer and Juniors
I agree with this. We need to make sure that events are complying with applicable laws and that liability is limited for all parties. Simply fencing in the area where alcohol is served is not all that needs to be done. We also need to recognize that much of the alcohol is not provided by the race organization.
Mike Murray
From: Maximillian Kirchoff [mailto:max@maxisnow.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 09:40 AM
To: lisa graham
Cc: mike.murray@obra.org; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Beer and Juniors
Why not use the enforcement that would be necessary for a beer garden sanctioned area and make that enforcement watching for the smaller group of deviants. There are plenty of responsible adults who weren't spraying people with beer, who would still like to enjoy a tall boy at the races.
Changing the general structure of how/when/where beer is consumed is not going to stop the jerks from being jerks. That's like sitting in a refrigerator when you have a fever. There should be steps taken to penalize and expel anyone participating in unacceptable behavior. That's what they do in sports and at bars. I'm not against conforming to OLCC regulations and recommendations, however I believe the structure of these events already falls into those. And while I can understand a lack of staff to fulfill enforcement, remember that creating a ban on beer or having sanctioned "beer garden" areas will require the same, if not more, enforcement.
And if this really does come down to a lack of person-power, there seems to be a number of people who are chiming in now that would love to watch out for fellow racers' and the juniors' safety.
______________{ :)
Max Kirchoff
(503) 770-0629
max@maxisnow.com
http://www.maxisnow.com
http://portfolio.maxisnow.com
On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 9:15 AM, lisa graham wrote:
Mike is right,minors did get beer over the weekend,and minors were also sprayed with beer for not being in costume! Seriously, spraying a JR rider with beer is stupid,if they are not already very involved in racing do you think they would want to race again? Not likely.
Lisa Graham
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p i
u l
Me after a long ride ^^ l
From: mike.murray@obra.org
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:39:24 -0800
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Beer and Juniors
This is incorrect. There have been episodes of minors trying to get beer at races. I am sure some have been successful. The events of last weekend showed that the presence of (supposedly) responsible adults was not terribly protective against bad behavior. Excessive enforcement may drive underage drinking underground but having underage people obtain alcohol at races puts the entire organization at risk. I am more concerned about the possibility of legal problems than I am worried that some kids might drink. In addition, the possibility of injury related to alcohol use (drunk driving, riding, throwing of items at riders, etc.) creates liability risk for the whole organization. Last weekend was a sentinel event. We need to clean up the show.
Mike Murray
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Mike Kerkmann
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 00:29 AM
To: obra@list.obra.org; Randy Word
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Beer and Juniors
I don't know what all the OLCC paranoia is all about. There are enough responsible adults around that would self police these kind of events (let alone fairs and other crap). How many junior cycle racers show up without a parent/guardian figure and would bee line it the keg if given a chance? Slimmm I think.
Sorry if I am way off, but I think the over protective nature of our gov is just pushing underage drinking underground without the support and education that those who are more mature might offer. And no, I am not condoning it, I do think that the enforcement is excessive and creates a different set of problems.
-Mike
--- On Tue, 11/3/09, Randy Word wrote:
From: Randy Word
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Beer and Juniors
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 9:59 PM
Juniors and a ride through beer garden this Saturday? I'm sure that along with beer cans thrown in the face, spitting, and swearing will make every parent want to get their kids involved in bike racing. Thank you to those who recognized the issue last weekend and are putting a stop to it, but promoting and glorifying alcohol along with bike races is part of the problem and it certainly doesn't help with the goal of Junior development in the sport. Beer parties are fine if that's your thing, but they should be separate, not a glorified part of sanctioned races.
Randy
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