Describe your perfect mass participation event

[Frosty]

Quite often the main prize in the lucky draw is an entry level bike donated by the lbs, rather do away with the medals and put the medal money towards a more desirable prize? (A nice groupset perhaps) More bums on seats at lucky draw.

I'm sure most lucky draw bikes are given away at cost and not for free by the LBS - at least from my experiences over the years.

 

That said, having quality prizes does make a difference but not that much. The problem is getting the prizes donated or at a very good price. If it doesn't come donated then it simply eats into the proceeds/profits.

 

Having received complaints that the lucky draw takes place too late (people finishing early don't want to wait around) or takes place too early (for those not yet finished the race).

 

I proposed to our race committee to do the draw the day before the event - for the main prizes - so everyone has a chance to win, then announce it at the start groups. Two years now the smiles on the prize winner's face has been priceless. It still doesn't solve the problem of keeping as many people as possible at the entertainment area after the event.

[blondeonabike]

So the case of taking the route close to the finish and then zig-zagging close by is a no-no?

 

Is 40km of quality better than 60km of so-so routes?

I would rather have a quality shorter ride.  When I choose to do mtb rides, it is not to race or compete.  Often it is to ride trails in areas that are normally closed.  Private farms and conservancies.  It is about the views, etc. 

 

Riding up and down like a robot on an mtb to just get milage is not my thing.  That is what hill intervals in the week are for