Sounds like good stuff Dirk.

In Sports Base Online you can add bib numbers in three ways.
1. Alpha by last name by catergory
2. By Members of a certain team (great for NRC Events)
3. And Order of registration (default Setting)

Bib number for nationals are assigned by the timing company and USA Cycling. Not by SBO.

Also here is an update.

To follow up here are the things that we can do.

1.Sports Base Online does all of the event setup for the online registration process. Just provide us a flyer and we do all of the rest. Once you have approved the registration page we can open the event up.

2.Sports Base Online fees are simple and straightforward; these are based on the entry fee. There are no extra fees or hidden fees for the anything that we offer.

3.Sports Base Online provides a host of tools for the Event Director to use in managing their events.

a.Complete finical (real time) reports. Coming-Fully automated payment system with direct payment if desired.

b.Adding mail-in and manual entries using USAC License numbers.

c.Assigning bib numbers to all of your pre-registered riders.

d.Printing out USAC approved pre-filled in release forms.

e.Complete custom reports in excel format. Supports all of the known timing systems.

f.Email all of your pre-registered riders using SBO email system. Coming-a new and faster system.

g.Add and update Event Details

h.Ability to use discount codes (CAN BE USED FOR YOUR TEAM MEMBERS THAT HELP OUT ON THE RACE)

4.Complete support either by email or phone

5.We work with the Event Director on refunds. Refund policy is at your discretion.

What is coming during the online process in the near future?
1.New search feature was added. This will allow for a quick and easy search of events for athlete’s to find events in their area. Take a look.

2.Faster automated payment system of entry fee’s to get to you.

3.Complete donation system for events that are charity driven. Completed
4.New front page (within the next few weeks)

In working with USAC within the next few weeks the first of what we hope to be many new additions will be the following.
1.During the registration process we will run a query against the USAC Suspended rider list and notify the Rider and the Event Director (a report) that they are on the list. This is up and running.

2.Coming will more queries checking Category-Age-Gender. We want this to be a stable process as we add them in. As soon as the suspended rider database/check is stable we will start checking Category next

Some of you have used Raceday Version 1-2 and 3. Once online is closed you can download your rider database and them import it into Raceday. This then allows you to go onsite and manage your events Onsite Reg-Start Lists-Results. Raceday Version 2 is out now and has a built in USAC Database, which allows for you to manage Day of Race entries with just the athlete’s USAC License number. This makes the process really fast. Raceday Version 3 is out and allows for automated formatting of inputted results to the USAC Ranking Formatted fast and easy. Also added was a check for riders on the USAC Suspended riders list for onsite confirmation of valid license. We have also added export of a CSV file to Lynx cameras and export from Lynx back into Race Day.

Sports Base Online takes great pride in providing the highest level of Customer Service possible. We can always be reached by phone or email; this goes for both Event Directors and Athlete’s. Are we prefect no – But with your input I can promise you that we will add tools and develop processes the make events easier to manage, and a great experience for our customer the athlete.

As a group if you would like us to provide a training session just let us know when and where. We will take all of the time required to go thru all of our systems.
Please do not hesitate to give us feed back.

Sports Base Online a P2P Group
Thanks
Dirk Cowley

Dirk,

I'm glad to see SBO has taken steps to improve service to the bicycle racing community. I still wonder about the assigning of bib numbers. Does alphabetical order, order of registration, or teams registration affect the numbers assigned? BikeReg allows one to sort confirmed entrants all 3 ways. Elite Track Nationals had entrants listed in order of registration, but the bib numbers assigned didn't seem to have any order.

George

Hi Folks, I just wanted to take a few minutes of your time to talk about Sports Base Online. Here are a few points that may have been missed and some of the new tools and processes coming in the next few months.

1.Sports Base Online does all of the event setup for the online registration process. Just provide us a flyer and we do all of the rest. Once you have approved the registration page we can open the event up.

2.Sports Base Online fees are simple and straightforward; these are based on the entry fee. There are no extra fees or hidden fees for the anything that we offer.

3.Sports Base Online provides a host of tools for the Event Director to use in managing their events.
a.Complete finical (real time) reports. Coming-Fully automated payment system with direct payment if desired.
b.Adding mail-in and manual entries using USAC License numbers.
c.Assigning bib numbers to all of your pre-registered riders.
d.Printing out USAC approved pre-filled in release forms.
e.Complete custom reports in excel format. Supports all of the known timing systems.
f.Email all of your pre-registered riders using SBO email system. Coming-A new and faster system.
g.Add and update Event Details
h.Ability to use discount codes

4.Complete support either by email or phone
5.We work with the Event Director on refunds. Refund policy is at your discretion.

What is coming during the online process in the near future?
1.New search feature was added yesterday. This will allow for a quick and easy search of events for athlete’s to find events in their area. Take a look
2.Faster automated payment system of entry fee’s to get to you
3.Complete donation system for events that are charity driven.

In working with USAC within the next few weeks the first of what we hope to be many new additions will be the following.
1.During the registration process we will run a query against the USAC Suspended rider list and notify the Rider and the Event Director (a report) that they are on the list.
2.Coming soon will more queries checking Category-Age-Gender. We want this to be a stable process as we add them in.

Some of you have used Raceday Version 1. This is an Excel driven software program, which we provide at no charge to Event Director. Once online is closed you can download your rider database and then import: Onsite Reg-Start Lists-Results.

Raceday Version 2 is out now and has a built in USAC Database, which allows for you to manage Day of Race entries with just the athlete’s USAC License number. This makes the process really fast.

Raceday Version 3 will be out within the next few weeks will allow for automated formatting of inputted results to the USAC Ranking Formatted fast and easy.

Sports Base Online takes great pride in providing the highest level of Customer Service possible. We can always be reached by phone or email; this goes for both Event Directors and Athlete’s. Are we prefect no – But with your input I can promise you that we will add tools and develop processes the make events easier to manage, and a great experience for our customer the athlete.

As a group if you would like us to provide a training session just let us know when and where. We will take all of the time required to go thru all of our systems.

Please do not hesitate to give us feed back

Thanks
Dirk Cowley
CEO
dcowley@sportsbaseonline.com
1-801-942-9989

sabine wrote:Do they really take 10% of both rider AND promotor? That hardly seems correct.

I was wrong. You're right. SBO gets 6% + 50 cents per entry, from either the promoter OR the rider.

This year we will make a change to the scheduling process that will hopefully help things out. As promoters send in their initial race information I will put this Info on a web accessible calendar. The promoters will be given the link to this planing calendar when the submit their race Info. Only the promoters who send in their race info will be given the link to the planing calendar since it is meant as a tool for the promoters and not for public distribution. Promoters will hopefully keep an eye on the planing calendar to see if any conflicts with their race comes up. If a conflict does come up hopefully the two promoters will work together to coordinate scheduled and or categories or maybe one promoter will be able to move to a date with less of a conflict.

Given the number of clubs and promoters who want to put on races and the number of available race days we are going to have conflicts between some races who want the same date. With almost 4,000 licensed riders there are plenty of riders to go around to support two races on the same day. The amount of the conflict between two races on the same day can be reduced if promoters are willing to work together.

I don't think anyone was more surprised at November's scheduling meeting than Tom Simonson. He has been coordinating the road schedule for decades and July has been historically a relatively quiet month. Yes, we've had Davis for 30 years and Watsonvile is a veteran, but other than Albany and Master's races in the mountains recently, there has not been a great call for July dates - until this year. All of a sudden it was the most attractive month in the season - go figure.

Tom Simpson
Pilarcitos Cyclesports

gf i would not argue or doubt velogirls word, since i have moved to ca. I have ad the fortunate opertunity to get to know her and see her work. I would have to put her up there in the top of knowledge list when it comes to events, promoting, training, hell everything two wheels (though i dont know how well she wrenchs). I can guranty that she has researched all the options each online service has to offer. now if only velo would do so. I really really apreciate all the races they put on, but come on add online registration!! that is the main reason you wont see me at too many velo events.

more twilites would be awesome back to back racing just freaking blows my mind and legs, but i ride for the pain not for the enjoyment ;-) carrera did a great job at getting the local buisness behind this event, it really makes me wonder why burlingame buisness owners fight it instead of using this event to there advantage. maybe if we can help the promotor come with an outline how buisness in this area could benifit from these events, then they might bite on one idea and realize the financial possiblity. i dont know just a quick liqoured up idea. sorry last day of alchaol for three weeks due to trainiing. he he.

WarrenG wrote:Although I think SBO should improve some aspects of their service it does make formatting start lists and results much, much easier than with manual entries. But, they charge the rider a 10% fee and also take 10% of the promoter's pre-reg entry income, and that is steep. There exists an opportunity for viable competition in this area.

.

Do they really take 10% of both rider AND promotor? That hardly seems correct. We use Bikereg and they take $2.80 for every $30 entry. We (the promotor) can opt to pay, or we can pass those costs to the entrant. (we usually prefer to pay and not pass on the cost)

And bikereg can do all of those things that Lorri mentioned above as well. They can also do second race discounts, etc. You can also do other cool things like preprint waivers or send emails to various groups of entrants. Sure you have to handle a dozen or so entries manually, but thats better than handling hundreds of entries manually.

I can't even imagine handling prereg, for a popular race like Snelling, manually. Ouch.

Sabine

Although I think SBO should improve some aspects of their service it does make formatting start lists and results much, much easier than with manual entries. But, they charge the rider a 10% fee and also take 10% of the promoter's pre-reg entry income, and that is steep. There exists an opportunity for viable competition in this area.

A promoter like VeloPromo could easily recoup the costs ( a few hundred dollars) of implementing a better system, if they only took the initiative to do so. Maybe they will do this once they become more comfortable with another valuable tool; email.

GFMeilahn wrote:Velogirl,

The promoter can issue the refund/discount , check the category and age group. This seems like more work for the promoter who pays to have the online service handle registration. With Velopromo's special rates fpr State champions, this would be even harder for SBO to verify, and thus more work for the promote.

George

All of the same processes (checking, verifying, etc) would be done manually with manual registration as well. The only difference is that for one you're using an on-line tool (easier in my opinion) and for the other you're using paper.

Velogirl,

The promoter can issue the refund/discount , check the category and age group. This seems like more work for the promoter who pays to have the online service handle registration. With Velopromo's special rates fpr State champions, this would be even harder for SBO to verify, and thus more work for the promote.

George

I couldn't agree more strongly with Casey.
We are blessed (actually, we pay out the wazoo) to live in a region with so many bike racers, bike clubs, sponsors, enthusiasts, etc... The supply will equal the demand, unless regulations skew the natural settling of things.
The more interesting races, the more convenient locations, the better organized, better prized, more traditional, better advertised, etc... will prevail.
Lets' just leave the lawyers and politicians out of this, okay?

And by the way, the death of Cougar Mtn wasn't competition from Coyote or the Carrera. It was $45 + $10 for parking to race a boring tarmac crit for three medals. The only reason ANYONE showed up for the 45+ crit, I suspect, was for BAT points. (Big surprise - 4 Morgan Stanley and 2 VOS).

But giant applause AGAIN to the promoters of the Carrera for making it a twilight! BRILLIANT!! Why don't we have more twilights, especially on Saturdays? That solves the double-up problem. And if the Carrera is any indication, the fans and racers love them. And it increases the number of races that can be held during the prime racing season, May through August. And it answers the prayers of those "poor poor" 18-34 year-old who only qualify for a single category per day.

Alternatively, promoters of proximate races on identical days can discuss their category schedule to promote double-ups, especially by the elite racers. I'd have loved to race Apple Pie and Martinez last year. Hell, they could make it an omnium.

No regulations! Creative thinking and communication instead!!

(And no more caffeine for the Zebra)

GFMeilahn wrote:SBO can handle it? They DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS! Instead of a discount, they ask for a surcharge. They do not check categories! They do not verify age groups! I have case examples of each, if anyone's interested (though probably not--how sad).

That's an interesting statement, George, because SBO has processed refunds (initiated by me, the promoter, at the request of the the racer) for the Menlo Park Grand Prix for the past two years. I've also manually changed categories and done other "house-keeping" functions both pre- and post-race with SBO. I have to assume that many promoters don't use even a small percentage of the tools available to them with a system like SBO. But that doesn't mean that those tools don't exist.

Are there any on-line registration applications that check category or verify age group or team for that matter? Come on! We're adults. The system utilizes the information that we input into our registration profile. If that information is incorrect, it's the registrant's responsibility to keep it updated. Yeah, maybe SBO should interface with the USAC database, but they don't.

I guess now is the time to remind people that under USAC rules a promoter can not be denied a race permit except under a couple of very rare situations. NCNCA also has limited options in trying to discourage a promoter from holding a race on a day that conflicts with another race. The bottom line is if a promoter insists on holding their race on a day that conflicts with another similar close by race there really isn't anything that can be done to stop this. In the end it all comes down to cooperation between promoters.

Even if we could restrict when a race is held I'm not sure it would be wise to do so. Just like how competition between riders produces better racers I think competition between races helps lead to better better races. In the last couple of years we have seen the number of higher quality races increase and the overall production of races ( including increased prize lists) increase. I don't think we would be seeing this increase in the quality of races if it wasn't for the competition between races.

Also remember that a number of races don't have complete control over when their races are held. NRC level races are often told by USAC when they can be run if they want to be part of the NRC series. We have something like 9 NRC races in our region to deal with when scheduling races. Other races have specific days their event has to be held due to connections with specific non-cycling events or restrictions from the permitting authority. Other races need to be held on specific days due to sponsor interests.

We have more clubs than weekend days in the Feb - Sept time period. so if every club did only one race during this time period we would still have to have at least a few conflicting race days. Of course every club doesn't have to do their own race. Smaller clubs can join efforts with a larger club to meet their obligation to be a sponsored club under the USCF rules. Clubs that aren't interested in being a sponsored club doesn't even have to do a race at all ( but unsponsored clubs can't have sponsor names or logos on their jerseys). Remember that when groups like Velo Promo or Pilarcitos do multi races in a year they often have different clubs helping out with each race. This would be an example of smaller clubs helping another promoter to meet their obligation to but on an event to remain a sponsored club.

SBO can handle it? They DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS! Instead of a discount, they ask for a surcharge. They do not check categories! They do not verify age groups! I have case examples of each, if anyone's interested (though probably not--how sad).

Ron's suggestion makes sense when the multiple races are of the same discipline. Dash for Cash was competing with a Hillclimb hours away, whereas EMC's had another Crit and a time trial, both under two hours away, with a full offering of categories. Oddly enough, the other crit was nearly canceled the week before the event!

casey wrote:Velo Promo has never found an online Reg service that can meet all their needs ( and yes they talk to a number of the online services quite often). THe main needs that can't be met ( at least the last time the subject came up) was offering discounted entry fees for those riders from the club that is helping to promote the race in question and giving refunds/credits for riders who pre-enter but notify Velo Promo by a certain date that they can't make the race after all. I know there has been talk about Velo Promo developing their own online Reg system but that is probably an off season project.

Both of those requirements can be met by SBO. There might be some manual work on the front-end, but on-line reg would undoubtedly save Robert hours and hours of work on each race.

casey wrote:Velo Promo has never found an online Reg service that can meet all their needs THe main needs that can't be met ( at least the last time the subject came up) was offering discounted entry fees for those riders from the club that is helping to promote the race in question and giving refunds/credits for riders who pre-enter but notify Velo Promo by a certain date that they can't make the race after all. Quote:

Perhaps VeloPromo needs to rethink those requirements or manage those offline after the event. Not that difficult. The time saved with online reg could more than help with those other tasks. That said, their reg method, annoying as it is, does not seem to hurt turnout...

Back on topic, I would agree that some solid principles or policies around race planning would help aviod conflicts/issues and foster a healthy environment for clubs and promoters. It won't be perfect but we can avoid conflicting/similar events on one day.
DT

Velo Promo has never found an online Reg service that can meet all their needs ( and yes they talk to a number of the online services quite often). THe main needs that can't be met ( at least the last time the subject came up) was offering discounted entry fees for those riders from the club that is helping to promote the race in question and giving refunds/credits for riders who pre-enter but notify Velo Promo by a certain date that they can't make the race after all. I know there has been talk about Velo Promo developing their own online Reg system but that is probably an off season project.

another get velo promo up to date with Freaking online registration, come on gents, i see you know how to work laptops and you wont be loosing any monies.