Questions for Race Organizers - Race Numbers

[andydude]

This is such a ripe opportunity for a silicon valley type company.

 

Create a system/app/software for the numbers. And it's easy to build in checks and balances e.g. only print number if CSA member.

[Frosty]

MTB specific rules:

 

Where these rules may be inconsistent with UCI regulations for whatever reason, the UCI rules will hold precedence.

01 Racing License and Identification

01.01 A valid Cycling South Africa license or foreign license is required for participation in all Cycling SA MTB sanctioned events, including, but not limited to Cross Country, MTB Marathons, Enduro, Downhill, Time Trial, Observed Trials, 4X, Stage Races, MTB relays and endurance events. The licensing requirements for all cycling events are determined by Cycling South Africa and may vary from season to season.

01.02 All sanctioned MTB events require the participant to carry a license. Exemptions may be granted, after due application to Cycling SA, AND to the relevant Cycling SA commission, and are therefore never implied. Cycling SA reserves the right to query and revoke such status at any time prior to such an event.

01.03 A rider must present his/her license at registration in order to compete. Any rider who cannot present an annual licence must purchase a Day Licence for each day of that event. Lost licenses may be replaced on payment of the required fee to the licensing department of Cycling South Africa. For the National Series and National Championships, riders are not permitted to ride with a day licence.

01.04 Events will be sanctioned by the governing body of the sport and licensed riders may not compete in non-sanctioned

events.

 

12.01.002 License check

The checking and control of licenses and registration will take place in an office at the race venue.

 

 

[Hacc]

The number is linked to your personal details (medical, next of kin, etc.), and is supposed to be attached to your "body".

 

Imagine a crash involving more than one person, and one person needs urgent medical assistance. A timing chip attached to a bike doesn't identify the person - where two or more bikes/cyclists are involved in a crash.

Well I guess you can strap the chip with velcro around your ankle.

as far as I know all my ICE info is linked to my chip as well.

[Frosty]

Well I guess you can strap the chip with velcro around your ankle.

as far as I know all my ICE info is linked to my chip as well.

Of course you can - I do so.

However, there are more people riding without a chip than people without numbers.

 

The number (chip or body number) is not the problem, taking time off work to collect it is the biggest problem. It's an unnecessary cost that adds to the total cost of taking part in the event.

[scotty]

2 people enjoy collecting race numbers, do they know something I don't. 

[Escapee..]

I think Patch should just run with this and let us know where we need to march/protest/burn stuff when he needs us

[Jewbacca]

Just write your number on your arms in permanent marker and be done with it....

 

Everyone wants to look like a rad tri-athlete deep down.

[scotty]

This whole producing/showing your lic at registration is a complete farce, there should be no need to do it at registration. When you enter a race they have your ID, if you have a lic in whatever category they have your ID, even the race timing companies have your ID. How difficult is it to match these and if needed flag those that do not with a dark green crayon auditor style on the envelope if need be. 

 

BUT wait that will require some sort of cooperation and initiative, so scrap that. 

[s14phoenix]

I don't think printing your own number is really great either as standard A4 is not made of the same stuff and would not last being pinned to your kit.

 

I would like to see a body tag system perhaps where you tag in maybe biometrically and in case of emergency - a body tag reader can reveal all the info required - this would mean you only collect your permanent tag once (a universal standard tag that is available at any shop)

 

The actual number wearing thing is maybe a bit old. but if you are trying to avoid people riding that hasn't paid then this is also not working as I often see guys without numbers or refusing to pin the numbers on.

 

Alternatively collect at any shop - they print and make a possible sale from your visit.

[Frosty]

This whole producing/showing your lic at registration is a complete farce, there should be no need to do it at registration. When you enter a race they have your ID, if you have a lic in whatever category they have your ID, even the race timing companies have your ID. How difficult is it to match these and if needed flag those that do not with a dark green crayon auditor style on the envelope if need be. 

 

BUT wait that will require some sort of cooperation and initiative, so scrap that. 

Agree there should be no need to produce a licence.

 

Example: Over 200 people enter VB, but only 80-100 have a valid licence (full racing licence). During the entry process, it should block anyone without a full racing licence from selecting that option. The system is already linked to CSA's database.

 

Here's how I would do it...

Licensed riders should be issued with a permanent number for the year, and is reissued once they renew their licence. Each age group has a fixed number range, i.e. Elite is 1-200, VA is 201 - 399, VB is 400 - 599, VC is 600 - 799, Ladies 800 - 899, Juniors are 900 - 999, Youth are 1000 - 1099.

 

Open seeded can also be issued with a permanent number - the number range is irrelevant. It's only a unique ID number that matches your profile, and links to your personal details. It can even be the 5-digit CyclingSA membership number, which doesn't change.

 

Seeding places each rider in the batch, and they're issued that by SMS anyway. How this is controlled at the start is not the rider's concern, but rather the organiser's problem - the ones taking chances and starting ahead of their batch are probably doing so currently and will do so no matter the system used.

 

Late entries... you have to drive to one registration point and suffer the inconvenience of not entering before the closing date.

[Vetplant]

I would love for Gerald to comment on how much difficulty it adds to allow Race Day number collections...

[Frosty]

I would love for Gerald to comment on how much difficulty it adds to allow Race Day number collections...

oops! that link didn't work the way I wanted it to... let's try again

 

Read this first...

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/164262-member-since/?view=findpost&p=3010401

 

then this...

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/164262-member-since/?view=findpost&p=3104308

 

Otherwise click here... https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=members&module=profile&section=dname&id=1372

[Patchelicious]

Of course you can - I do so.

However, there are more people riding without a chip than people without numbers.

 

The number (chip or body number) is not the problem, taking time off work to collect it is the biggest problem. It's an unnecessary cost that adds to the total cost of taking part in the event.

And to the running of the event, which in turn adds to the cost of entry, which in turn gets passed on to the participants.

 

About 8 years ago, when I was running an IT Events business, I built a business case for our shareholders on the ROI of allowing self help registrations at conferences and expos, it launched within a few weeks and became a massive hit for the event organizers that we dealt with, as it meant less staff overhead for them.

 

Digitization is a global trend, either event organizers get on board, or somebody else will come and disrupt the industry.

[Patchelicious]

You might want to add Permanent number to the list, instead of (ir in addition to) printing.

Edited the questions a bit

[Frosty]

I would love for Gerald to comment on how much difficulty it adds to allow Race Day number collections...

That answer is simple... queuing for a long time if all participants leave it to the day of the race.

[Vetplant]

oops! that link didn't work the way I wanted it to... let's try again

 

Read this first...

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/164262-member-since/?view=findpost&p=3010401

 

then this...

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/164262-member-since/?view=findpost&p=3104308

 

Otherwise click here... https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=members&module=profile&section=dname&id=1372

I thought the avatar looked familiar, but didn't think to check... Where's the facepalm emoticon when I need it..? My bad...