Promoter for The Bethlehem Cup in Delmar NY (www.cbrc.us and www.nycross.com). Specialities; chili, beer, fire, handmade trophies & singlespeed cross. Giddyup
Hey -
I put on a race in the Boston area this year, had 270 riders this year, looking for advice on locating sponsors for next years race. Who do you ask? How much do you ask for? Does anyone get cash for a race this size? Thanks.
- Ted
I'm the founder of the Dirt Derby, and promoting the High Country Cyclocross Series and the Lone Star Cyclocross Festival in Austin over MLK weekend. I also am a professional announcer based out of Boone, NC and am available for races this season in the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virgina.
Promoters on the front range of Colorado. I will be available to announce and provide entertainment at all of your remaining races this CX season should you get in a bind or just need an announcer. If you were at Frisco Cross this weekend you know what I can bring. What do you get from me?
1. I have my own PA System
2. I provide music for the entire event
3. I also know the majority of racers in our region so there is plenty to talk about.
All I need from the promoters is a power source, or I can bring my own generator for power which is extra $$$.
My fee includes the cost of travel, PA Service and off course announcing fees. Call me for details at 970-376-1244 or e-mail me a fishlg@netzero.net
Notable Events I have announced,
All cycling events at theTeva Games in Vail, Colorado,
UCI CX race Gunnison, Colorado
Frisco Cross
Cult Cross
Giant Bicycles Annual Sales meeting/short track event 2009, Keystone, Co.
I'm in the process of finalizing some races to be held on the U of Wyoming campus property (Red Jacoby Golf Course) and want to get some feedback on potential course layouts. In order to be allowed onto the property for our races we're going to be restricted to use the dirt roads on / around the property and to not have any impact on the greens, tee boxes and fairways. I'm attaching a pic of the layout of the venue and am wondering if folks might have suggestions for courses. I've used google earth and have a couple of potential courses laid out but want to hear from experienced promoters on how'd they use the landscape for a CX course. One thing to keep in mind is that the property slopes up to the club house which is the area in the bottom right corner of the pictured usable area. Thanks!
Mig
BikeReg.com v. Sports Base - I've always used the former, because thats what everyone in Texas uses, and I have a soft spot for NoHo, but a lot of the NC events are on the latter. Any feedback on ease of use, user cost, reimbursement lag, etc?
I'm looking for an internship or job in the cycling race world.
I have worked 24 hour mtn bike races, and photographed all sorts of cycling for years, so I am quite familiar with the industry. However, I want to learn more about race promotions, course development, getting sponsorship, the works.
Ultimately, I want to organize events as fundraisers but I'm not sure how to get started.
BikeReg.com v. Sports Base: I'm using BikeReg.com for our cross seires(I have not used Sports Base as a promoter). It's super easy to set up, fees can be paid by either promoter or participant or portioned on both. Payment is quick. And the admins of the site are super responsive. I'm really happy with it.
Anybody use timing chips for a cyclocross race, Seems like a solution for running multiple fields on the course at the same time. At the Mt Washington Hillclimb this summer they used disposable chips stuck inside the race number. We had 500 riders this October and we need a solution.
All of the races I've been involved with were scored the old-fashioned way with pickers counting people every lap. Despite not being a huge event by any means it was still a bit stressful. If chip timing was less expensive I would have been all over it. It is really neat as a racer to see lap times throughout the day and within a race.
My question is that if you are running chips will USAC reduce the number of officials you are required to have on the line, so I do not have to pay an Assistant ref/judge the $50/day plus $0.42/mile, food and lodging.
I don't believe you'll get any break from USAC. In addition, if for some reason the electronics would malfunction, it is probably considered good form to have someone picking numbers every lap anyway and not just relying 100% on the technology.
I cannot say I've ever felt more or less drawn to a race knowing electronic timing would be used. Whatever is done needs to be done with backups, and done well!
I got by with 12" or 18" cut rebar for a while. Works on hard ground, PVC slides over the top. 3/4" pipe is better for that, fits over the rebar more reliably plus it doesn't bend/snap so easily. Don't really need a notch on top, except if it's windy. Just a single snug wrap or two holds fine. Down side: if the PVC falls off, you've got a fall hazard there. Two things to carry, plus a solid hammer. Also, extrication can take longer & hard on the hands.
I've also been able to rent those step-in stakes from my local Park & Rec Dept and other promoters in the area.
You know what's best for soft ground? Fiberglass rods. Just shove 'em in and tap with a rubber mallet. You can carry a lot more, like a quiver of arrows.
What about using a cordless drill and a long half inch drill bit like a plumber may use? Drill into the ground. Even if the ground is rock solid this is an easy way to get your stake in the ground. Then you could insert a wooden dowel rod into the ground and attach or wrap the tape to the top of the dowel rod.
Pirate Race - yes, those look very similar. The ones I used are white and don't have rubber tips. I think they're too tall/narrow to fall on - they would just bend & pop out of the ground unless someone did something really freaky. I've never seen one break, but the tops will splay if you hit them with a sledgehammer. I can ask my parks dept where they sourced theirs and see if the price is better. I kind of want my own!
I buy hot dogs (usually can find these on sale for $1 per pack if you wait long enough), buns, ketchup, and mustard for about 2/3 of my expected crowd. I also have a pretty large handful of baked goods available at the coffee table (I have a coffee sponsor this year, but my mom is the barista).
At all of the food tables I have a coffee can marked "Donations appreciated, but not expected." I usually recover most all of my costs from friendly donors.
Not sure if that helps answer your question - I guess the short answer is no, I don't use external food vendors. I do use family and friends to cook/serve coffee for me though!
ilovetoracecross
Oct 22, 2008
Los at Bike Monkey Magazine
http://www.BikeMonkey.net
Oct 22, 2008
Dave Beals
Oct 28, 2008
qcifer
Nov 17, 2008
CX22
I put on a race in the Boston area this year, had 270 riders this year, looking for advice on locating sponsors for next years race. Who do you ask? How much do you ask for? Does anyone get cash for a race this size? Thanks.
- Ted
Dec 5, 2008
Pirate Race Productions
Sep 22, 2009
elgee
1. I have my own PA System
2. I provide music for the entire event
3. I also know the majority of racers in our region so there is plenty to talk about.
All I need from the promoters is a power source, or I can bring my own generator for power which is extra $$$.
My fee includes the cost of travel, PA Service and off course announcing fees. Call me for details at 970-376-1244 or e-mail me a fishlg@netzero.net
Notable Events I have announced,
All cycling events at theTeva Games in Vail, Colorado,
UCI CX race Gunnison, Colorado
Frisco Cross
Cult Cross
Giant Bicycles Annual Sales meeting/short track event 2009, Keystone, Co.
Oct 6, 2009
Miguel Rosales
Mig
Oct 13, 2009
Pirate Race Productions
Oct 23, 2009
Dan Rieber
I have worked 24 hour mtn bike races, and photographed all sorts of cycling for years, so I am quite familiar with the industry. However, I want to learn more about race promotions, course development, getting sponsorship, the works.
Ultimately, I want to organize events as fundraisers but I'm not sure how to get started.
Nov 10, 2009
Miss Mary Perez
Nov 10, 2009
barry davies
http://nwcycloxgroup.ning.com
Jun 12, 2010
CX22
Anybody use timing chips for a cyclocross race, Seems like a solution for running multiple fields on the course at the same time. At the Mt Washington Hillclimb this summer they used disposable chips stuck inside the race number. We had 500 riders this October and we need a solution.
- Ted
Dec 21, 2010
brianhancock
Dec 22, 2010
Pirate Race Productions
Dec 22, 2010
brianhancock
Dec 22, 2010
Pirate Race Productions
Dec 22, 2010
brianhancock
I cannot say I've ever felt more or less drawn to a race knowing electronic timing would be used. Whatever is done needs to be done with backups, and done well!
Good luck with your decision!
Dec 23, 2010
brianhancock
Any inexpensive ideas for course marking stakes other than the fairly expensive plastic step-in style ones?
I've seen 1/2" PVC pipe cut with a spike on one end and a notch in the top end on which to wrap caution tape. Other ideas?
Jun 20, 2012
quickkarl
i watch the Menards ads, they usually put them (step in kind) on sale in the spring. i just got some 3 weeks ago for .99 ea.
if you have them in your area, check there they may still be on sale.
Jun 20, 2012
Pirate Race Productions
Man, wish I lived closer, thats a killer deal. Anyone see anything like that in the southeast, post up
Jun 20, 2012
quickkarl
ill check see if they are on sale still. maybe get you some.
Jun 20, 2012
quickkarl
how many would u want?
Jun 20, 2012
quickkarl
sorry not on sale, they are $1.75 ea now
Jun 20, 2012
quickkarl
i'll keep watching to see if they go back on sale.
Jun 20, 2012
Ryan Rickerts
I got by with 12" or 18" cut rebar for a while. Works on hard ground, PVC slides over the top. 3/4" pipe is better for that, fits over the rebar more reliably plus it doesn't bend/snap so easily. Don't really need a notch on top, except if it's windy. Just a single snug wrap or two holds fine. Down side: if the PVC falls off, you've got a fall hazard there. Two things to carry, plus a solid hammer. Also, extrication can take longer & hard on the hands.
I've also been able to rent those step-in stakes from my local Park & Rec Dept and other promoters in the area.
You know what's best for soft ground? Fiberglass rods. Just shove 'em in and tap with a rubber mallet. You can carry a lot more, like a quiver of arrows.
Jun 20, 2012
Pirate Race Productions
Like these? Still about $2/ea, kinda pointy if you land on it wrong.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/storage/bins-totes-containers/bul...
Jun 20, 2012
Cincicycles
Jun 20, 2012
Ryan Rickerts
Pirate Race - yes, those look very similar. The ones I used are white and don't have rubber tips. I think they're too tall/narrow to fall on - they would just bend & pop out of the ground unless someone did something really freaky. I've never seen one break, but the tops will splay if you hit them with a sledgehammer. I can ask my parks dept where they sourced theirs and see if the price is better. I kind of want my own!
Jun 21, 2012
Pirate Race Productions
awesome, thanks
Andrew
Jun 21, 2012
Cyclocross Magazine
Perfect chance to have people tell us why your race is awesome: http://www.cxmagazine.com/favorite-cyclocross-race
responses just might make it online or in print!
Aug 23, 2012
Pirate Race Productions
Anyone charge a fee for food vendors, etc to be at their races? Mind share about what you charge, and what your turnout looks like?
Aug 27, 2012
quickkarl
we have a small race (70-90) racers. i dont charge, just ask for free or discounted food for the officials and volunteers.
Aug 27, 2012
brianhancock
I buy hot dogs (usually can find these on sale for $1 per pack if you wait long enough), buns, ketchup, and mustard for about 2/3 of my expected crowd. I also have a pretty large handful of baked goods available at the coffee table (I have a coffee sponsor this year, but my mom is the barista).
At all of the food tables I have a coffee can marked "Donations appreciated, but not expected." I usually recover most all of my costs from friendly donors.
Not sure if that helps answer your question - I guess the short answer is no, I don't use external food vendors. I do use family and friends to cook/serve coffee for me though!
Aug 27, 2012