To all the organizers and experts out there, please help me out with this one? I have regularly entered many races over the last four years. Almost without exception they were a great experience, each in their own way. As my fitness and experience level increased I became more attracted to the next exciting challenge. I wanted to enter a stage race. To my great disappointment I quickly found out that the only stage race I can enter as an individual is the Freedom Challenge. Not quite up to that one yet, being 48 years old. It does not make sense. Mountainbiking is by definition, and tradition, an individualistic sport. That was until the pro teams entered the sport and it became just another peleton, but this time on a gravel road. Same roadie tactics and team stragegies playing out. If that is what pays the bills, good for you, but why on earth won't any organizer allow an individual to enter a two day stage race. All the support, safety and otherwise, and logistics are in place. The only difference is the lack of moral support and the farcical concept of drafting during, what is these days known as a mountain bike race. Why on earth can't individuals enter stage races? We can be self-sufficient. Freedom Challenge proves it. Money and sponsorship is important but it should not be an reason to make the rest of us spectators. I would appreciate comments on this matter. I am sure there are many different view points and, I'm equelly sure that there must be a many keen but fustrated people out there in the same position as me. Bring it on!
