The "if you build it they will come" is only true in a limited fashion. A
better expression would be "if you nurture it they will come". I think it
is a great idea to hold a race with divisions as listed below. It will,
however, be more difficult to cover expenses than the more frequently done
divisions since the potential markets identified at present are smaller. It
will also be essential that there be a method of limiting field size since a
single men's category might easily attract too large a group to run in a
single field.
Looking at past statistics you can show that when you hold a race for men
the filed size will be about 10% of the number of people on the OBRA list
that would qualify for that field. For women's races the number is about
20%. These numbers can go up depending on location and amount of marketing
but it is possible to predict field size for any given field by looking at
those numbers.
The numbers for the various division (annual road memberships) are below:
Junior Women (18 & under) 14
Women Masters 40+/50+ 52 (includes 50+)/8
Women Masters 30+ 124 (includes 40+)
Women Cat 4 131(39 below age 30, 12 juniors)
Women Cat 3 31 (11 below age 30, 1 junior)
Women Pro/1/2 18 (8 below 30, 1 junior)
Men (all categories) 1365
This means that the predicted field sizes will be around:
Junior Women (18 & under) 3
Women Masters 40+/50+ 10/2
Women Masters 30+ 24
Women Cat 4 26
Women Cat 3 6
Women Pro/1/2 4
Men (all categories) 136
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: Shirley BROWN [mailto:Shirley-@EWEB.Eugene.OR.US]
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 8:21 AM
To: vans-@budget.net; impro-@hotmail.com; ob-@topica.com
Cc: cmur-@obra.org
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Jr. Girls Division at races
Women, junior women, parents...,
I have felt (along with many of you) that if you build it, they will
come. You will have the chance to prove that theory on May 10th (the
day before Mother's Day) in the Even Steven Race. This is a race
intended to promote women's cycling by evening the playing field, if
only for a day. We will be offering 7 different categories for women
and yes, even "Steven" can race because we will offer 1 category for men
(open to all who wish to enter).
Junior Women (18 & under)
Women Masters 40+/50+
Women Masters 30+
Women Cat 4
Women Cat 3
Women Pro/1/2
Men (all categories)
We would like to encourage ALL women to enter this race, from the first
time racer to the seasoned veteran, whether you are entering this race
for the beautiful scenery, for a hard training ride, for a fun time, or
are racing to win. Stay tuned for more details in 2003 and spread the
word!
Shirley Brown
EWEB Windpower Cycling Team
Jim VanSchoonhoven <vans-@budget.net> 11/24/02 03:12PM >>>
This is a hard subject for most promoters, because of the extra prizes
that
would need to be given out.
On the other hand this is a no brainer, if we want to encourage young
girls
to ride bikes and race bikes, they need their own class. The point is
not
just, if your daughter can have fun racing against the boys, but
rather,
what would be more encouraging to her and be best for other young
girls.
I remember one time talking to a mountain bike promoter in California
about
having a 14 and under boys class. He said there was no need to because
all
the boys were 15 years and older, except my son and he was placing in
the
top 3 experts. I told the promoter it was my opinion that the reason
there
were not more boys 14 and under was because they didn't want to race in
a
12-18 year old class and get destroyed by 18 year olds. He was open
minded
enough to put in a 14 and under class the next year and had 13 boys
sign up
for it!!! That was more than in the 15-18 year old class.
I think we see the same thing in a lot of master men and women races.
If
there were no master class races, I bet there would be fewer people
racing.
At least in mountain biking there are no young women racing, maybe we
don't
make it desirable for them to race. I know girls and women enjoy
mountain
biking, but yet most women racers don't start until they are 20 or
older. I
am not sure why, but maybe we are sending them a message that they
shouldn't
race. I know if I was a young girl and I wanted to race, I would look
for a
girls class that was my age and sign up in that class. If it wasn't
there, I
might not race because it might feel strange racing in the wrong class,
and
against boys.
I am glad to hear your daughter loves to race. Encourage her to have
fun
and watch out!!! I love to see young boys and girls racing. It sure
helps
to keep them out of trouble!!! They have fun and get tired at the
same
time.
BY the way to those very rare young girls that do race, I did not mean
to
slight you, when I said there are no young girls racing. I was trying
to
make a point. It is always thrilling to see you out there racing.
Jim VanSchoonhoven
-----Original Message-----
From: Performance Fitness [mailto:impro-@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2002 1:11 PM
To: ob-@topica.com
Cc: cmur-@obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Jr. Girls Division at races
Just a thought here, my step-daughter has been racing the c/x series
this
fall (and having a blast) but she always ends up listed in the final
standings with her performance rated against Mikel and Taylor and all
the
other BOYS out there (who are in some cases beating the grown men).
Does it seem strange to anyone esle that she is essentially penalized
for
being the only girl out there by making her race elite level jr.
males?
Same thing happens at road races too. I'm interested in OBRA's
position as
well as the opinions of other races.
thanks in advance,
Bryant
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