Road events - Are organisers dropping the ball or do we expect too much

[Akon]

22 minutes ago, MyriadEventsSA said:

We would love to step into the void however previous experience has shown us that events held over the holiday period are not well attended at all.  Previous races we've been lucky if we get 100 participants.  Add to this the reluctance of the various traffic departments to give us permission due to the increased volumes of traffic on the public roads and we're a bit stymied.  However, let's have a look at this going forward.  It's a bit too late this year as event applications need to be in 3 months in advance.

As an aside, the Winter League is a Western Province initiative, not Myriad Events, although we are the people who organise and run the races for them.  

When do we get formal confirmation that Worcester is to be moved @MyriadEventsSA?
(Not to when, just that it is not to be on 28 January anymore.)

[MyriadEventsSA]

4 minutes ago, Akon said:

When do we get formal confirmation that Worcester is to be moved @MyriadEventsSA?
(Not to when, just that it is not to be on 28 January anymore.)

Hi - we will post something this weekend but unofficially, we have to give way to an event that has not previously had CSA sanctioning.

 

[The Ouzo]

2 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

 

I guess that's a start, but I sort of mean on an official level.

Actually getting the organisers and CSA to buy in to a free use platform that is easy to access and easy to navigate. 

Back in the day ndorfin.co.za had a crazy in depth race program/inventory.

Whether or not it's bikehub (this would be easiest) and it's a shared platform (CSA/Bikehub to do the financials) would come down to brass tacks, but having a 'preferred place' for all organisers to dump info would be ideal.

A lot like the classifieds.

Tick some boxes, create an ad with essential info etc and then market the ONE PLACE/Site I know absolutely nothing about marketing and advertising, but I know that as an end user ndorfin.co.za used to make entering races really really easy.

It even had a time frame search function, so if I was on holiday back in SA for say. the month of Feb, I used to be able to specify the date limits and voila, all the events in the selected area within the timeframe popped up.

 

 

you're onto something with the bikehub being a central point. Can even integrate into bikehub pay for secure payments

[Spinnekop]

Looking at my own stats, I have definately toned down on race participation.  
My km riding per year have gone UP though so more cycling.....less racing.
 

2006-2008 Pre kids.  Elite racing.  Young and wild and free
2011-2019 Vets racing. 
2020 onwards.  The covid effect.  Not a lot of races.  Lots cancelled.  

 

2023 would have been way more but "regular" stuff like the Kremetart, Carnival city, Satellite cancelled.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Spinnekop

[Hairy]

3 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

While I agree, I think there is also a degree of 'the journey' that still remains relevant.

We are all at various stages of our bike journey and there are still LOTS of people at a stage in theirs that want to race or do events.

While you have 'got the T-shirt' having been there and done that, doing those things has given you confidence to do things away from the safety of a pack.

The longevity of your cycling probably also means you are past the 'training for' and into the 'lifestyle' aspect, meaning your motivation is naturally internal and a part of your daily life.

Others are starting out, getting into it, earning that level of lifestyle. Others simply love doing events.

If the sport was more easily accessible and less race oriented, I firmly believe you would get a lot of people to the startline.

I agree with what you are saying, I am also curious as to what the growth of the sport is currently for new riders into the realm of cycling ... be it dirt or tar ... and even those confused lots on gravel bikes.

[RustyHWR]

14 minutes ago, Hairy said:

I agree with what you are saying, I am also curious as to what the growth of the sport is currently for new riders into the realm of cycling ... be it dirt or tar ... and even those confused lots on gravel bikes.

Passop 😈 "confused lots"

[Skubarra]

5 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

While I agree, I think there is also a degree of 'the journey' that still remains relevant.

We are all at various stages of our bike journey and there are still LOTS of people at a stage in theirs that want to race or do events.

While you have 'got the T-shirt' having been there and done that, doing those things has given you confidence to do things away from the safety of a pack.

The longevity of your cycling probably also means you are past the 'training for' and into the 'lifestyle' aspect, meaning your motivation is naturally internal and a part of your daily life.

Others are starting out, getting into it, earning that level of lifestyle. Others simply love doing events.

If the sport was more easily accessible and less race oriented, I firmly believe you would get a lot of people to the startline.

I miss the full road race calendar as much as anyone on here, but I do think we are living a bit in the past. Reality is that road races have become expensive & more difficult to organise + risky from a profit perspective if you can't attract the numbers. Cynical me don't see the funride concept making a comeback anytime soon. My observation just from my hometown is that cycling clubs (both social and formal) have taken the place of "events" for new people to get into the sport. There will hopefully always be events, but we are going to have to get used to see less of them.

[Mamil]

Just looking at my list of upcoming races and .... It's pretty empty... Next race is Winelands cycle tour 28 January. Can this be? 

Mountain bike?

What am I missing?

[ChrisF]

1 minute ago, Mamil said:

Just looking at my list of upcoming races and .... It's pretty empty... Next race is Winelands cycle tour 28 January. Can this be? 

Mountain bike?

What am I missing?

 

Same here ....

 

Between exams and holidays there are not many events in the next two months .... the likes of DC certainly not for the average weekend rider

[Mamil]

1 minute ago, ChrisF said:

 

Same here ....

 

Between exams and holidays there are not many events in the next two months .... the likes of DC certainly not for the average weekend rider

I dont have a team ... Sigh

[ChrisF]

2 minutes ago, Mamil said:

I dont have a team ... Sigh

 

Few years back we drove out to Ashton.  Took pics and supported a few stricken riders.

 

At the current cost of fuel .... 😬

[Mamil]

Looking at the calendar I see that I have the Tour de PPA down on 25 February 2024 but no enter now link on the PPA website --- any news?

[Skubarra]

51 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Looking at the calendar I see that I have the Tour de PPA down on 25 February 2024 but no enter now link on the PPA website --- any news?

I admire your enthusiasm 🙂 Entries will probably only open sometime in late January? Don't think you have to worry about the race selling out though...

[Mamil]

35 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

I admire your enthusiasm 🙂 Entries will probably only open sometime in late January? Don't think you have to worry about the race selling out though...

I think I might have a problem. I've been told that I need some kind of intervention.

[madmarc]

Also factor in the roadies who moved over to MTBing and then again lately to gravel kind of diluted the entry levels over the years - When i started MTBing i did a 50/50 mix but road has just become so dangerous that its now almost 100 MTBing - and doing road events just doesn't interest me anymore. New entrants into the sport also mostly start with MTBing and very few transition over to road.  I think the future of road events does not bode well it will get overtaken by gravel events. Multi day MTB events is also on its way out, with organizers struggling to find anchor sponsors and the cost involved to host the event. More and more MTB groups are organizing their own unofficial long rides and weekends away