EventServices

I've announced a LOT of races, but I've also listened to a LOT of announcers, both while racing and while hanging out watching races.
In my opinion, we talk WAY too much and become white noise.

As the title asks: when does it become background noise?

What things do the announcers say that make you say, "Shut up, already!"

bitingduck

I generally listen to the announcer quite a bit for track races-- they usually will announce what's happening scorewise in a points race, and sometimes will telegraph moves that are starting to develop at the back.

waterrockets 

I'm pretty much always listening. If it's not important to the race, it does keep the crowd somewhat engaged. You never know when a time gap will be announced, etc.

Shuke

Everything gets tuned out once I'm in the **** dungeon.

We can't say the word that rhymes with grape?

STP

In the instances that I can actually hear the announcer, while I'm not hanging on every word, I do listen for time gaps and other information pertinent to the front of the peloton. Selfishly, I also listen when I cross the line to see if they mention my number or name. Sadly, they haven't. I guess I need to lead for more than one lap!

In answer to your question, I don't find it a distraction so I say, "fill the dead air."

EventServices

I try to mention as many names of riders as I can during a race realizing that for many of the racers, a mention is all they'll ever get.
But I also try to let the event breathe without yammering the whole time.

STP

You know, the other thing I thought of were the spectators. As I've watched races from the sidelines, I'm always overhearing people asking others critical questions that you and I both understand, but the casual observer doesn't. So, if you're looking for something else to say, quick simple explanations of things like "free laps," etc. is helpful for those watching. Also, encouraging the masses to make noise and cheer is also invited.

carpediemracing 

+1

As a racer I get motivated to hear my name announced (hopefully with my team name), so I'll pull or something to do that.

I also know that the announcer is not the official, so when it starts getting down to the end of the race, I use the announcer to verify that the lap cards I'm seeing seem right.

I think it's great when the announcer gets the crowd engaged. It's also good to talk about history of clubs, riders, etc, because then people realize, oh, that guy in the Cat 2s is 50 years old!?

Brian Ratliff

My opinion is that at a crit or track race, the only thing worse than bad race announcing is dead air. A good announcer is golden. The announcer is key to these types of races. Especially on the track where it's not obvious to anyone (racers or spectators) who is leading. As a racer in a race, I'm listening for primes and race information. I go attack across the line and the announcer will tell the world who is coming with me. If I'm off the front, or chasing a break, the announcer will tell the world the time gap.

The best announcers are like radio jocks. Always talking, making bad jokes about the specific riders on the course (like the other day when our announcer on the track kept on hounding the one strong guy in the Cat4 race who "wasn't encumbered by wearing a number"). Keeping everyone informed about who has what points and who is about to be lapped and who is leading.

And hey, it's always kind of cool to hear your name called out as you cross the line. Well... unless you are losing contact and the announcer is telling the world of your shame... .

Hermes

Generally, I like announcers as long as the sound system is good. At the track, I do not hear what the guy is saying do to the wind noise. Last year at Track Nats at the Superdrome in Frisco, TX, I thought the announcer did a great job and the electronic board and sound system were excellent.

If the announcer gets too repetitive, or lacks enthusiasm, then I prefer less. And of course that depends on the type of content and action he has to work with.

chicagogal

I definitely listen to the announcer calling out the lap count, because too often I come the s/f focused on something else, like covering an attack, or launching one, that I forget to look at the lap cards. Time splits are great too. I was in a solo break recently, and the announcer wasn't giving me any info on time splits, or whether there was an organized chase. I kept looking at him as I'd come through the s/f, but still nothing!

Essentially, I'm always listening to the announcer. If I'm too deep in the pain cave, I might not remember what he said later, but if it's relevant at the moment, like what team just attacked to cause the acceleration that's causing suffering, then that tidbit gets processed.

And I do like it when the announcers keep the spectators engaged and informed on the ins and outs of bike racing in general. I pay less attention to that stuff, because I am focused on the details of my race, but it's better than silence, and has been known to make me laugh on occasion mid-race, which is always a good thing.

saratoga

As someone in the race, I generally don't tune them out completely no matter how much they yammer on.

Always listening for things like "rider coming in on the XXX" for someone that's coming back from the wheel pit, crash in turn XX, prime, 5 to go, etc...

We've got a couple of guys that are really good announcers (John G., YMCA) and some that are mediocre.

Creakyknees

As a racer, biggest problem for me is being unable to hear primes / laps / etc being called. Part of that is due to wind noise, but part of it is the announcer being unclear speaking / enunciating or setup of the speakers pointing the wrong way.

As a spectator, my biggest beef is that the over-loud crappy disco drives me away from the finish area... rendering the announcer irrelevant.

Grumpy McTrumpy

when they start yelling or sounding like a strip club DJ

fly:yes/land:no

if you mean while i am racing - i usually cannot hear the announcer.

if you mean while i am spectating - i usually block out the announcer when the riders are coming by. i think the announcer is very important, however, while the racers are out of sight. that is the time that you can give little blurbs about the guys at the front, or introduce first time spectators to the tactics and physics of cycling races. even if it is a bit redundant over the course of several races, as long as it isn't too loud, people can just ignore it and talk to other spectators. redundant but proper content is much, much better than dead air imho.

Bob Dopolina 

I listen selectively when I'm racing. If I think a time gap may be coming I'll tune in otherwise it's just background noise.

As a spectator I want info and I want an announcer who keeps the crowd engaged. Music with energy is a plus but skip anything with vocals or pop. Djs program music with BPM in mind to set a tempo in the clubs. Music at a race can do the same thing for the spectators.

mollusk

What?

Sorry.

I wasn't listening.

aham23

bang.

later.

sdgrannygear

I am usually in the weeds in the middle of a race so don't really hear anything unless it is a prime lap or final lap. I do love hearing my name called for narcissistic reasons of course. When I'm spectating, I really enjoy the announcer, especially when he is giving tidbits of advice: When in doubt, lead it out.

wanders

I didn't think Chad Andrews travelled that far north.



I kid. Great guy.

EventServices

Thanks for the feedback.

My next gig is USPro Crit in Grand Rapids in August. I'll remember all these points.... and use the good ones. ha ha ha

My policy about music, by the way, is "play something to offend or annoy every demographic in your audience at least once".

mollusk

I can't believe that you are going to be playing Frank Zappa! Awesome!

currand

I don't think I ever stop listening. But I do get annoyed when they either say completely inane things like "their legs are on fire" or "they're in the pain cave", etc. I realize its for the audience, not the riders but it tends to remind me that my legs are indeed on fire and I am actually a resident of the pain cave...

One last thing. Calling primes at the wrong time really screws up the race dynamic. I don't get primes when the gap is 10 seconds and its 1 to go or primes in technical races or sqeezed finish lines, or "primes on the next 10 laps". I've been caught a few times (and caught people a few) because of primes and it sort of sucks. The announcer shouldn't be part of race tactics.

Grumpy McTrumpy

here's one to celebrate offthebackistan

zigmeister

Well if in a criterium...when you go by the start/finish you might want to listen to hear any leads/prems being announced. Otherwise, when I feel like listening. But some can be annoying as a spectator.