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Why don't we change the way the 5's fields are run?
Wed, 05/10/2006 - 8:26am
Redirecting a thread from another discussion.
casey wrote:The problem isn't that new racers should start racing in January when the Early Birds are happening ( after all the Early Birds can't deal with 700 first time racers). The problem is we don't have 2 or 3 additional Early Bird type series going on at different points during the year. With over 960 Cat 5s in the region I would think that it would be easy to fill a 50 rider Cat 5 field at just about any time during the year.
Of course I know about time limitations and promoters having to pick and choose what categories they offer. I'm just pointing out that there are ore than enough Cat 5s to fill a cat 5 only field at this time of the year.
We've already eliminated prizes from the 5's fields...
Lets' take the 5's out of the other fields.
Lets' have mentoring in all 5's races, thus making them more instructional and less competitive -- like the Early Birds. I loved mentoring at the EB's, and I would gladly do so at crits -- even when I'm competing in other divisions.
Perhaps promoters could offer an hour of off-course instruction at some of their crits, especially the business park crits where traffic is a nominal issue.
A second Early Bird series, even an abbreviated one, would require a great risk from a promoter, and sacrifices from mentors who could be racing elsewhere. It's probably not a practical idea, unless the NCNCA dedicates its calendar strategically to make it succeed.
Certainly it's worth discussion.
Mad Axeman wrote:I have to agree with Casey. Not to mention you were up against a "must do because it's classic" race for first timers.
I would not want to go up against Copperopolis.
I can see not wanting to go up against Copperopolis if you were doing a hilly road race in a location a couple of house outside of the Bay Area. Is these would be two similar races about equal travel distance for most people. A flat Crit in the middle of the Bay Area should be able to draw a large enough crowd since you are talking about two different types of races and courses. Of course there are some people who would do both events if the could but there are plenty of Crit riders who don't do hilly road races and plenty of road racers who either don't do Crits or will do a RR over a crit if given the choice.
I have to agree with Casey. Not to mention you were up against a "must do because it's classic" race for first timers.
I would not want to go up against Copperopolis.
velogirl wrote:At the Menlo Park Grand Prix, I ran separate CAT4, CAT 4 35+, CAT5, and CAT5 35+ fields. I was very dissapointed that we didn't come close to filling any of them. The 5s races were some of the lower numbers of the day. We've already re-tooled these for 2007.
Remember that first year races tend to draw smaller fields no matter what. A race needs to be held for a couple of years before the popular fields start to fill up like they do with established races. I don't know how much you want to start playing with the categories you offer based on this years attendance. If after a couple of more years your fields are still drawing smaller numbers then you might want to adjust your offerings.
velogirl wrote:At the Menlo Park Grand Prix, I ran separate CAT4, CAT 4 35+, CAT5, and CAT5 35+ fields. I was very dissapointed that we didn't come close to filling any of them. The 5s races were some of the lower numbers of the day. We've already re-tooled these for 2007.
it sort of surprises me too, but not entirely. since copperopolis was on the same day, that could explain some of the lower turnout. i'm not sure about this, but it seems like road races tend to draw the less experienced riders more than the crits. i think the crit has a reputation as a crash-up-derby where a lot of new riders are concerned. although, it looks like the elite 5 field at copperopolis was pretty small too (i think all of the masters 4/5 fields filled up).
if i were a promoter, i would be running 6 masters 4/5 fields at every road race... that would make 'em a few $$$.
At the Menlo Park Grand Prix, I ran separate CAT4, CAT 4 35+, CAT5, and CAT5 35+ fields. I was very dissapointed that we didn't come close to filling any of them. The 5s races were some of the lower numbers of the day. We've already re-tooled these for 2007.
Lorri Lee Lown
http://www.velogirls.com
what about running all the 5's in a class together. Sort of a "rookie" class
When I was motorcycle racing they had this format and it seemed to work good. I think it was 2 wins and you were out... Of course we have upgrade req. but I think you get the point.
If you not supossed to be racing for "real" what's the problem mixing all ages Elite 5? With only one 5 class it might be eaiser to get a mentor to ride in with the group....
2 cents.....
I agree that all 5's should be in separate races.
I think it's odd that many races offer no prize money for elite 5's, but masters 5's who race in the masters 4/5's can win prizes.
Why are 4's and 5's are so often combined in the masters when they are the 2 largest groups?
I know there isn't enough time in the day to create new fields just for the 5's, but RD's can always try different separations such as 35+ 4 and 35+ 5 instead of 35+ 4/5 and 45+ 4/5.
Chris
http://twitter.com/cpbike