I think the race fee's are fine. Travel does get expensive if you live in S. Oregon like some of us. But, I think race directors should also look at what they are providing. Many people like the social aspect of the races as well as the competition. Some races have little to offer other than the race and some nylon ribbons. I remember a race last year that offered a black trash bag with some loaves of bread for the post race food. People still talk about that.

Take the Spring Thaw for example. There is little single track in this race and it still attracted about 215 racers this year. Why? It is such a well organized and well planned event that everyone has a great time. The location, and the social aspect, the great post race food as well as the race make for a really fun event. You definitely get what you pay for. Have you seen the great Spring Thaw stem caps that were given out for placing? The placing is engraved in the cap and they are gold, silver and bronze. Where do the fee's for these other races go?
And they offer more categories. People like to compete and have a chance of placing. OBRA should go back to having more categories. 19 to 39!? I know some guys in their late 30's who don't like to race because they don't feel they can compete with guys in their early 20's.

With that said, I do feel that the majority of the races are very well done and I really enjoy attending. The drive and the fee's don't ever stop me.
Thanks for listening.

---- Randy Dreiling wrote:
> Hi All
>
> Hope you don't mind me putting this on OBRA race as
> this is 100% about racing.
>
> Minus the Bend area, cross country racing numbers are
> way down.
>
> WHY?
>
> I would have guessed gas prices, but Mt Hood is the
> closest race for many racers, yet there were only 60
> racers at the state games.
>
> I have heard people say race fee's are up, BUT that is
> just not true, I have race flyers from 1993 and the
> race fee is the same or went up by $5 at most
> depending on your classes, this includes the late fee.
> In fact Hood's fee is now $15, which is less then the
> 1993 rate.
>
> Is cyclecross getting so big people are skipping the
> summer XC races to race cross?
>
> Why do you think it is slowing down??
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Randy Dreiling
> Owner Oregon Adventures www.oregon-adventures.com
> Executive Director Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce
> www.oakridgechamber.com
> Mt Bike Oregon www.mtbikeoregon.com
> Other Oregon Adventures Events
> Oakridge FTF, 12/24 of Willamette Pass
> Willamette Pass Downhill/Super D's Series
> www.oakridgefattire.com A simple site to download flyers
>
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