Heather VanValkenburg
Amen Ernie! And we all know I don't go to church on Sundays (unless you
call the big yellow truck a church).
I was thinking about all the time (at least 10-15 minutes per posting)
that people spend typing up the whiny postings. You'd think they'd be
out training (15 minutes is a couple more times up that dang hill).
Thanks for the mention of the women's racing. We've just learned to
deal. On Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at 10:48 PM, E-Racer Conway wrote:
We promote this sport, by being ambassadors and through the
unbelievable
support and dedication of those who make up OBRA. So don't forget: In
2003,
I count some 140+ RR, TT, Crit, PIR, CCX and track events on some 130+
days
put on by about 30+ race directors, but all run by the same 12 or so
officials who are out there every day of the week (and you can almost
race
every day of the week during the summer if you'd like). That doesn't
include
the MTN bike folks either (sorry I didn't have any numbers for that).
That said, it is interesting to follow this discussion from a
promoter/director viewpoint. What I'm hearing is that the
categories/divisions should be more balanced, but also with big fields
that
are not small and boring.
This same topic came up last fall though stated in a different way and
I
thought led to some great discussions... how should
OBRA/racers/promoters
create categories/divisions with consistent talent within making for
exciting, challenging, and thrilling racing while not creating
nightmares
from a promotion and logistics viewpoint? How do we continue to
develop our
grass roots efforts and to promote young/new racers into the OBRA
family?
I'm not trying to solve anything, or purpose answers, rather, consider
what's at the heart of the matter. Are the veterans working to help
develop
new riders, and do those new riders understand what's involved in
making
OBRA come together?
As I recall, one thread out of a multitude comments, was the example
of how
the women have such small numbers that all their divisions/categories
are
always run as one race (though scored seperately but even then with
limited
categories). They ride in small groups because they don't have a
choice. The
thread was about how to help improve racing numbers in general.
To that end, many people are working to help this: Get more people
involved
in OBRA.
It would be impossible to name everyone, but a few exciting examples in
2003:
The Even Steven race is an excellent first year venue targeted at one
thing:
The elevation and exposure of women's racing. Seven categories for
women
that focus on how exciting women's racing can be!
The brand new Hood River Classic and the returning Elkhorn Stage
Classic
races are venues striving to develop annual quality stage events that
attract not just OBRA, but region wide talent as well and show what
Oregon
racing is all about.
The OUCH series, while a climbers venue, also has but one goal modest
goal
in this its first year: Get more people involved in racing and
hopefully in
a venue they might not normally consider - we want non-climbers too.
Why
else would we offer not only every existing category, but the creation
of an
entire new division, the 'caliber class.' (Actually we have two goals
the
second is fun but all races strive for that).
It just seems that if we develop ways to promote and grow our racing
base,
many of the concerns we seem to constantly hear, I believe would fade
away.
Wouldn't it be great to hear at every race: "Wow! We have too many
people."
Again, I'm not suggesting any answers. Only reminding people of what
many
have said before. Want to make it better? Get more involved. I race
because
I love the bike, but I promote/officiate/volunteer because I believe I
owe
it to myself to give back to the community (the local and racing) a
little
something of what I've take away from it. My racing friends and family
are
beyond words and I thank OBRA for that.
E-Racer Conway
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