Schmidt, John
Well, I can understand the thinking. Especially if you don't have a lot of
money and are not yet informed or haven't thought it through. Ten yrs ago
or so when I was young and poor in Michigan I would try and usually get my
entry fee money back. If I wasn't doing so hot, it would be like "crap,
what a waste... I didn't even place!" [ One of the more experienced racers
in our club would tell us "but oh, every race is a learning a experience."
She would also tell us other things like "the wind is your friend, it makes
you strong" (meaning headwind) and "if you want to run with the big dogs you
have to get off the porch"... anyway ]
Of course, this thinking was flawed, when you actually add up the total
money spent, there is almost no way, prize money (from placing in 2,3,4
races) is going to cover total expenses. In the Midwest, it was almost
guaranteed 2-5 hr drive, maybe overnight stay in a campground, motel, some
food, ($20-$30 entry fee, 10 yrs ago) and before you know it, $100-$200 is
gone. EVERY Weekend that you race. Not to mention a crash ruining
something, and all the other money spent on cycling stuff.
So winning some prize money or not, is not relevant; its such a little
amount compared to the total expense(especially at 3,4 level). This why I
would much rather win merchandise or medals / trophies. When someone needs
to use my silca pump, I can say "I won that in the 89 casper classic..."
Kind of hard to do that with money.
Now that I am older and wiser, I realize that the most important reason to
race is to support the racing. Even if I don't have a chance in hell I know
it is not for naught. I know that my entry fee money is going to help
support the racing. Well that and I like to look at all the pretty and
colorful jerseys.
So if I have the time I try to get out and race. As should everyone who
likes bicycle racing.
[Portland is pretty amazing, as a new master I could actually race every
weekday (5 days / week!). The only negative is that all the racing and all
the racers makes it really hard to get to know people and to try to figure
out a team to ride with (most places you join THE local team... i.e. the
only one in town. Its much easier to get know people in a small group, i.e.
a club ride, then in a large group, i.e. a race.) ]
I just read a forwarded message from a race organizer. He
had received a
message from a cat 4 rider stating that the entry fee far
outweighed the
prize list and was not going to participate due to the low
chance of winning
his entry fee back.
Does he have any idea of the cost of putting on an event?
Absolutely not!
The expenses to put on road and mtn bike races far exceeds
what most of you
imagine.