Make Races Better

[ChrisF]

....

 

Was this the event-previously-known-as-Computer-Mania-Willowcreek?  Was sooooo disappointed that they killed that one off - and even more disappointed when I learnt too late that it had taken place (in another guise) this year!

 

..... 

 

Correct.

 

LOVED the Willowcreek ride !!  A friend in Worcester sent me a message about the race, a few days before the event.  I could not get any proper information on the web about it.

 

The RIDE was stunning !!  Weather perfect !!

 

 

But the MC was a disgrace ....

 

The arrangements a mess ....  Finished at an unmarked spot .... found out later that we had to hand in our boards at a table in the middle of nowhere .....  medals was in a bag at the organizers tables around the corner ....

 

 

 

They did say they want to bring back the 60km route as well  ... wanting to re-establish the brand of the ride .... step one would be to get proper event organisers !        HOPE they do get it sorted !!  Certainly one of the best venues .... SO much potential for this race.

[MORNE]

People that pay for coffee by card are annoying 

yup...when i get to a vendor and they don't have snapscan/zapper I am not buying anything. It's 2019.

[keithbe]

I'm all for more events to enjoy the riding rather than race against the clock. Entering a race to enjoy as an "event" doesn't work as there's to much race ego.

[MORNE]

I'm all for more events to enjoy the riding rather than race against the clock. Entering a race to enjoy as an "event" doesn't work as there's to much race ego.

nah just start way at the back....Thats where all the fun and talking k@k is. All those wannabes ride smack bang midfield because they got dropped by the real racers in the first 5km

I ride with my wife in the back groups and Im not allowed to leave her behind so its just cruising mostly....the proper speed for talking way too much and meeting new people

[Danger Dassie]

Think Jewbacca summed my personal feeling on events. They are an important part of the whole 'ecosystem' of the sport though, but we Saffas are also so event befok. It's almost like event events are used a yardstick for our cycling worth.

We're also well spoilt with events here, the few I've managed to do in other countries really don't compare to the standard locally, in both organisation and service levels. Certainly not at the scale /number of events throughout the year.

So many times mates and visitors have popped over here and have being amazed at our events and cycling culture (recreationaly) this is from both casual riders and industry folk. 

We are a relatively young cycling society though and with burst in popularity the sport see's a calendar that has become saturated with too many of the same kind of events. But we see a shift in that as well.
IMHO it's a good problem to have, for us and organisers. It means riders are maturing in what they get out of the sport and it keeps newbies coming in. 

More people riding, more of the time. Lekker.

[ChrisF]

I'm all for more events to enjoy the riding rather than race against the clock. Entering a race to enjoy as an "event" doesn't work as there's to much race ego.

 

Nope .... 

 

YOU decide what YOU want on the day .... 

 

 

Last Saturday I started mid-pack, and actually passed a couple of riders in the first couple of kilometers ....  While taking time to take pics while riding along.   Still pushed my own limits, and happy with my results.  But I certainly was pushing my own limits, taking pleasure in seeing how far I could push my body ...

 

Previous event I went out with the full intent of having FUN, stopping for pics.  Actually getting off the bike and climbing rocks next to the trail for better photos ...     I simply had a good day out on the trails, timing meant absolutely nothing to me on that ride

[UndercoverBrother]

Thanks everyone!

This has really given me, and hopefully other organizers a great perspective.

Hopefully you guys will see the improvements from your side as well

 

[blondeonabike]

For me besides a great route, scenery and all the other things people have mentioned I want to add...is toilets!

 

Honestly sharing this as a lady...a tiny portable toilet is not nice. Especially when smudgy and smelly...with no toilet paper. Any lady that needs to care for herself 'at that time of the month' in such a cubicle is horrible. There is often not even a basin to wash your hands.

 

I sound like a real diva and Im sorry for that ....but a decent toilet makes all the difference. Those larger ones that are trailers are much better than the tiny cubicles.

[Frosty]

I'll give my feedback based on (1) a participant, and (2) on the organising committee of a race.

• A race costs money, and the entry fee is calculated on the expected number of entrants. In the early years, this might be challenging to get to the ideal cost per entry, but as the years go by, it should be easier to budget. However, costs increase quicker than the increase in race entry fees. Some equipment suppliers do their best to keep their costs manageable, but others are in it to make mega profits.
   
• The are two types of costs:
  • fixed - officials, fencing, advertising, marshals, timing facility, medical, etc.
  • variable - timing levy per person, CSA rider levies, online entry fee, race office fees, bank fees, race numbers (road), toilet hire, etc.
    
    Prize money is somewhere in between the two types. For an A-grade race, it's a minimum of R40k but can be upward depending on the numbers and profile of the race. Irrespective of the number of entries, the R40k prize money is fixed for an A-grade event.
• For me, safety is key, especially on a road event. I expect at least one marshal at every intersection on the route. Being a "racing" event, the last thing I would expect is to cross an intersection to find a car/truck pulling out. Some races I have done have many intersections unmanned.
  
  For the race I'm associated with, every intersection will have a minimum of one marshal, but preferably two - over 160 marshals are present on the route. The route is divided into sectors, with a sector controller patrolling their own sector. Marshals are recruited from other Rotary Clubs and other volunteers - but they don't do it for free... they receive a donation. The same with the sector controllers, they use their own vehicles and fuel - they need to be compensated (not make money, but recover their costs).
   
• Bike marshals escort every group (in our case, 31 groups). They too don't do it for free - they need to cover their running costs.
   
• Water, and perhaps Coke/Powerade, is provided at all water points. This isn't sponsored, but purchased at a good rate. Running out is not negotiable, but sometimes it happens - especially when it's hot and people use it over their heads, take more than the average person would take. The longer an event has been running, the easier it should be to determine the average usage per person. Plan to have 10-20% more, and a good relationship with the supplier to return unused product.
  
  Perhaps if organisers spoke to each other, they could pass on the surplus from one event to another.
   
• Medals seem important to a lot of people. I've stopped taking them, unless it's something special, like my first one (running is new for me), or a milestone event date. I have a plan to make a table top using the medals and resin and will use all the medals from the events I've done for the first time.
   
• Goodie bags are a pain yet seems important to some people. Many product sponsors no longer have the budget to supply 4000 of each sample, and we certainly don't want to buy it.
   
• Number collection is both necessary and unnecessary. I think there are better ways of doing it, but has proven to be difficult to get the various stakeholders to agree. Late entries would be forced to collect from the nominated collection point - we get about 500-700 late entries, so it's definitely needed.
  
  I, for one, would prefer to have a permanent number for the year. Seeding can still be done and sent by SMS. I then go to any bike shop and collect a sticker (A, B, C, D, etc.) that is placed on the frame number (which everyone, not only licensed riders, use for the year). The cost of these stickers are paid for by the bike shop, but recovered from the organiser by means of a per rider levy. It's similar to the MTB boards that use the permanent number and only place a batch number from each race. Seeding can be done quarterly, so that you remain in the same batch for 3 months. This would eliminate the need to go to a fixed location to collect a number.
  
  Proof of payment for the event can prove a problem, but probably limited to the few that don't care about timing. Cheats will always find a way to beat the system. It's not possibly for a lot of events to check each person before going into the start batches. My event uses 16 marshals in the start batches - 2 per start group. Signage needs to be controlled as well as dealing with last minute queries - never mind the social bit when they greet participants they know.
   

A comment early on in this thread asked why there is a need for a race number.

• For MTB, the race commissaire writes every number in sequence as the riders cross the line. They don't race in bunches like road, so it's difficult to pick out each category rider. Identifying riders for photos is another reason - call it stupid, some people want event photos.
   
• For ROAD, the licensed categories use it to identify the riders. For Open Seeded, it's probably not needed other than to identify a person. However, it is used by Racetec who take photos of every person crossing the finish line. When there's a query about timing (which people do often) they use the photo to confirm the person crossed the line when they said they did. It has also been used to resolve disputes from riders who want to claim prize money.
   
• In both cases, medical information is linked to the race number, but a wrist-band can also perform the same function. The problem comes when (1) the person has entered but doesn't attach the number (or a wrist-band), or (2) they use someone else's number - and have a medical problem that isn't listed on the event participant details.
  
  When people crash and are unable to talk, or worse (fatal), then the number needs to speak for them. If you haven't been involved, or experienced this, then it's something most people aren't aware of. It gets worse when the ICE details aren't completed in full, or are incorrect (the ICE contact changed a number but it wasn't updated)  put yourself in the shoes of the loved one at home, unaware that emergency staff are trying to contact you.

 

I can go on, and on... but will stop here.

[Grease_Monkey]

For me besides a great route, scenery and all the other things people have mentioned I want to add...is toilets!

 

Honestly sharing this as a lady...a tiny portable toilet is not nice. Especially when smudgy and smelly...with no toilet paper. Any lady that needs to care for herself 'at that time of the month' in such a cubicle is horrible. There is often not even a basin to wash your hands.

 

I sound like a real diva and Im sorry for that ....but a decent toilet makes all the difference. Those larger ones that are trailers are much better than the tiny cubicles.

Pretty much every lady I have been at events with brings this up, so I wouldn't say you are being a diva at all. I think guys just are not in that headspace - we see a porta loo and just use the nearest bush instead - I avoid those things at all costs! So I can imagine as a lady it must be crap.

 

I have been at one or two events where there have been really nice porta-loos - clean, slightly bigger, and not made from that plastic crap.

 

I know it would push up costs, but I think it's one of the areas that should not be skimped on. Would be nice to at least be able to change out of bibs after the race before a long drive home.

[Dirkitech]

I'll give my feedback based on (1) a participant, and (2) on the organising committee of a race.

• A race costs money, and the entry fee is calculated on the expected number of entrants. In the early years, this might be challenging to get to the ideal cost per entry, but as the years go by, it should be easier to budget. However, costs increase quicker than the increase in race entry fees. Some equipment suppliers do their best to keep their costs manageable, but others are in it to make mega profits.

   

• The are two types of costs:
  • fixed - officials, fencing, advertising, marshals, timing facility, medical, etc.
  • variable - timing levy per person, CSA rider levies, online entry fee, race office fees, bank fees, race numbers (road), toilet hire, etc.

     

    Prize money is somewhere in between the two types. For an A-grade race, it's a minimum of R40k but can be upward depending on the numbers and profile of the race. Irrespective of the number of entries, the R40k prize money is fixed for an A-grade event.

• For me, safety is key, especially on a road event. I expect at least one marshal at every intersection on the route. Being a "racing" event, the last thing I would expect is to cross an intersection to find a car/truck pulling out. Some races I have done have many intersections unmanned.

   

  For the race I'm associated with, every intersection will have a minimum of one marshal, but preferably two - over 160 marshals are present on the route. The route is divided into sectors, with a sector controller patrolling their own sector. Marshals are recruited from other Rotary Clubs and other volunteers - but they don't do it for free... they receive a donation. The same with the sector controllers, they use their own vehicles and fuel - they need to be compensated (not make money, but recover their costs).

   

• Bike marshals escort every group (in our case, 31 groups). They too don't do it for free - they need to cover their running costs.

   

• Water, and perhaps Coke/Powerade, is provided at all water points. This isn't sponsored, but purchased at a good rate. Running out is not negotiable, but sometimes it happens - especially when it's hot and people use it over their heads, take more than the average person would take. The longer an event has been running, the easier it should be to determine the average usage per person. Plan to have 10-20% more, and a good relationship with the supplier to return unused product.

   

  Perhaps if organisers spoke to each other, they could pass on the surplus from one event to another.

   

• Medals seem important to a lot of people. I've stopped taking them, unless it's something special, like my first one (running is new for me), or a milestone event date. I have a plan to make a table top using the medals and resin and will use all the medals from the events I've done for the first time.

   

• Goodie bags are a pain yet seems important to some people. Many product sponsors no longer have the budget to supply 4000 of each sample, and we certainly don't want to buy it.

   

• Number collection is both necessary and unnecessary. I think there are better ways of doing it, but has proven to be difficult to get the various stakeholders to agree. Late entries would be forced to collect from the nominated collection point - we get about 500-700 late entries, so it's definitely needed.

   

  I, for one, would prefer to have a permanent number for the year. Seeding can still be done and sent by SMS. I then go to any bike shop and collect a sticker (A, B, C, D, etc.) that is placed on the frame number (which everyone, not only licensed riders, use for the year). The cost of these stickers are paid for by the bike shop, but recovered from the organiser by means of a per rider levy. It's similar to the MTB boards that use the permanent number and only place a batch number from each race. Seeding can be done quarterly, so that you remain in the same batch for 3 months. This would eliminate the need to go to a fixed location to collect a number.

   

  Proof of payment for the event can prove a problem, but probably limited to the few that don't care about timing. Cheats will always find a way to beat the system. It's not possibly for a lot of events to check each person before going into the start batches. My event uses 16 marshals in the start batches - 2 per start group. Signage needs to be controlled as well as dealing with last minute queries - never mind the social bit when they greet participants they know.

   

A comment early on in this thread asked why there is a need for a race number.

• For MTB, the race commissaire writes every number in sequence as the riders cross the line. They don't race in bunches like road, so it's difficult to pick out each category rider. Identifying riders for photos is another reason - call it stupid, some people want event photos.

   

• For ROAD, the licensed categories use it to identify the riders. For Open Seeded, it's probably not needed other than to identify a person. However, it is used by Racetec who take photos of every person crossing the finish line. When there's a query about timing (which people do often) they use the photo to confirm the person crossed the line when they said they did. It has also been used to resolve disputes from riders who want to claim prize money.

   

• In both cases, medical information is linked to the race number, but a wrist-band can also perform the same function. The problem comes when (1) the person has entered but doesn't attach the number (or a wrist-band), or (2) they use someone else's number - and have a medical problem that isn't listed on the event participant details.

   

  When people crash and are unable to talk, or worse (fatal), then the number needs to speak for them. If you haven't been involved, or experienced this, then it's something most people aren't aware of. It gets worse when the ICE details aren't completed in full, or are incorrect (the ICE contact changed a number but it wasn't updated)  put yourself in the shoes of the loved one at home, unaware that emergency staff are trying to contact you.

 

I can go on, and on... but will stop here.

Wish I could save this post to a personal bikehub board to read again in the future. Excellent post Frosty

[deanbean]

Thanks everyone!

 

This has really given me, and hopefully other organizers a great perspective.

Hopefully you guys will see the improvements from your side as well

 

Thanks for putting this up. Great having the feedback from a wide range of riders.