Where to begin, you need to start a new blog for the sea slaughter tales, the very good, the terribly bad and down right ugly. lovely hanging in flair land, especially the sausages. circuit race was the talk of S.C between the ladies, looks like a possible reimbursment after all......... i did say possible not actual. cried in beer, bmx race cancelled sat.
Fess up, you were too drunk to remember any stories.
As for boycotts, it is a perfectly resonable response to the zoo. Pay big bucks, no prizes to speak of, and severely poor organization. Come one, waiting waiting nearly 2 hours for preliminary results, then another hour or so to find out that you only got a medal for 5th.
Sea Otter is pure hype, and the racers always get the shaft: high entry fees, poorly organized races, terrible calls by officials, and maybe some crappy cytomax for their efforts and suffering. If this race wants to showcase some of the world's top athletes, they should think about treating them in a manner that would make them want to return. Reimbursing reg fees to the women does not cover flight costs, hotel rooms, travel, loss of sponsor exposure (no podiums!), loss of results (no results! no jerseys! no points!), or loss of a wickedly fun race (a little dirt don't hurt!). The organizers make enough bank on the outrageous entry fees (doling out dinky medals or socks in return) that they don't need to hoard prize money on top of it all. The spirit of bike racing seems to be missing from this 'celebration of the bicycle.'
I'm definitely a glass half being gulped so I can get more beer kind of guy, but I like the Sea Otter. I'm not pro, so maybe my opinion doesn't count, but the C Oughter is not just a bike race. It's definitely got some moments where a bike race breaks out, but there is so much more to it. I love the chaos and embrace it. Half the fun is finding the starting line. Over the years I've gotten pretty good at figuring out little tricks that reduce (do not read that as eliminate as that is downright impossible) the hassle factor. I go there thinking that if I can get out there and race a little bit, and if my result doesn't get hopelessly screwed up, then good enough. A lot to pay for some if's but it's fun grinding up that hill on Sunday and getting encouraged along the way all the while people watching through the suffering. And having big fields in the mountain bike class and going hard for three hours is way better than not. Some races are better organized, but this one is pretty damn large. I'm glad it's close by. My two cents and humble opinion no doubt.
the logistics of this race are ... daunting, to say the least.
i really don't mind the fees. folks gotta make money. and, if working just one booth is exhausting ~ i can only imagine how drilled those folks who run the whole shebang must be, come Monday morning.
so many nice racer type man legs and fun to people watch while you're sitting on the grass resting after your race, watching your kids in the bouncy tents.
I have no problem with making money on the affair. If organizers are making money, then racers get races. I am not even too concerned about a not having a big prize list, cuz at the end of the day my reward is the sweating and racing.
And, I can appreciate the logistical difficulties of the whole affair. One wonders, though, if they are spreading themselves too thin. Maybe seperate weekends are in order for the fatties and skinnies. Or, refocusing resources to ensure that that process works a little more efficiently.
I'll probably go back next year, cuz the screw, cork that is, is a kick. And, I don't mind wondering around and doing the people watching. But, it would be a bit easier if I did not have to worry about making a podium presentation or protesting results (assuming that I could again get results).
So, long live the tummy eater classic, but hopefully it will work out some of its kinks as it passes past the teen years and moves to adulthood.
If we are to have races, promoters need to make money. That said, I can't think of an example of a single business model where "something for everyone" would be regarded as a good strategy...instead of concentrating on a limited number of core strengths. SOC has good people managing the events, but the reality is that if the attentions of the "too few lieutenants" is divided in enough different directions, quality and control suffer everywhere. MK
12 comments:
missed you at santa cruz today...
What was all this business about riders boycotting the SOC? was it due to high entry fees?
a transporter
that's what we needed this weekend
maybe the snotter will get one for next year
Where to begin, you need to start a new blog for the sea slaughter tales, the very good, the terribly bad and down right ugly. lovely hanging in flair land, especially the sausages. circuit race was the talk of S.C between the ladies, looks like a possible reimbursment after all......... i did say possible not actual. cried in beer, bmx race cancelled sat.
Fess up, you were too drunk to remember any stories.
As for boycotts, it is a perfectly resonable response to the zoo. Pay big bucks, no prizes to speak of, and severely poor organization. Come one, waiting waiting nearly 2 hours for preliminary results, then another hour or so to find out that you only got a medal for 5th.
Good courses though.
Sea Otter is pure hype, and the racers always get the shaft: high entry fees, poorly organized races, terrible calls by officials, and maybe some crappy cytomax for their efforts and suffering. If this race wants to showcase some of the world's top athletes, they should think about treating them in a manner that would make them want to return. Reimbursing reg fees to the women does not cover flight costs, hotel rooms, travel, loss of sponsor exposure (no podiums!), loss of results (no results! no jerseys! no points!), or loss of a wickedly fun race (a little dirt don't hurt!). The organizers make enough bank on the outrageous entry fees (doling out dinky medals or socks in return) that they don't need to hoard prize money on top of it all. The spirit of bike racing seems to be missing from this 'celebration of the bicycle.'
I'm definitely a glass half being gulped so I can get more beer kind of guy, but I like the Sea Otter. I'm not pro, so maybe my opinion doesn't count, but the C Oughter is not just a bike race. It's definitely got some moments where a bike race breaks out, but there is so much more to it. I love the chaos and embrace it. Half the fun is finding the starting line. Over the years I've gotten pretty good at figuring out little tricks that reduce (do not read that as eliminate as that is downright impossible) the hassle factor. I go there thinking that if I can get out there and race a little bit, and if my result doesn't get hopelessly screwed up, then good enough. A lot to pay for some if's but it's fun grinding up that hill on Sunday and getting encouraged along the way all the while people watching through the suffering. And having big fields in the mountain bike class and going hard for three hours is way better than not. Some races are better organized, but this one is pretty damn large. I'm glad it's close by. My two cents and humble opinion no doubt.
the logistics of this race are ... daunting, to say the least.
i really don't mind the fees. folks gotta make money. and, if working just one booth is exhausting ~ i can only imagine how drilled those folks who run the whole shebang must be, come Monday morning.
naw ... i don't have a problem with SeaOtter.
it's just ...
orgies are messy.
there were races?
oooh, but the legs...
so many nice racer type man legs and fun to people watch while you're sitting on the grass resting after your race, watching your kids in the bouncy tents.
orgies are messy, but oh so fun.
I have no problem with making money on the affair. If organizers are making money, then racers get races. I am not even too concerned about a not having a big prize list, cuz at the end of the day my reward is the sweating and racing.
And, I can appreciate the logistical difficulties of the whole affair. One wonders, though, if they are spreading themselves too thin. Maybe seperate weekends are in order for the fatties and skinnies. Or, refocusing resources to ensure that that process works a little more efficiently.
I'll probably go back next year, cuz the screw, cork that is, is a kick. And, I don't mind wondering around and doing the people watching. But, it would be a bit easier if I did not have to worry about making a podium presentation or protesting results (assuming that I could again get results).
So, long live the tummy eater classic, but hopefully it will work out some of its kinks as it passes past the teen years and moves to adulthood.
If we are to have races, promoters need to make money. That said, I can't think of an example of a single business model where "something for everyone" would be regarded as a good strategy...instead of concentrating on a limited number of core strengths. SOC has good people managing the events, but the reality is that if the attentions of the "too few lieutenants" is divided in enough different directions, quality and control suffer everywhere.
MK
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