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Random Thought Thread, aka The RTT (**possible spoilers**)

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Random Thought Thread, aka The RTT (**possible spoilers**)

Old 04-04-14, 08:50 AM
  #21251  
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I asked because I noticed Battenkill pre-reg was down 20% from last year (2300 vs 2900). Probably multiple factors, including a price increase in that case.

There may be declining participation in general, but I think weather has to be a huge factor. I think 2012 was the no-winter year you are thinking of, I remember 80F days in March. Everybody wanted to be out on their bikes that spring, and only crazy people want to be out on their bikes this spring.

Originally Posted by carpediemracing
I've noticed a few more riders doing day-of race registration. I don't know but I suspect it's related to me telling a lot of people that if a promoter does day-of-race that I prefer to do that. This is because the day-of-race infrastructure is already there, all the money goes to the promoter, and they get a few extra bucks. I've had some blog followers not pre-register but instead do day-of-race every week. I haven't asked them why so I'm just speculating, but the only logical reason is that they are trying to help me out.
That's interesting. I always pre-register when I can, assuming it helps the promoter most to be able to anticipate the turnout.
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Old 04-04-14, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by gsteinb
If I'm not mistaken that record day also has a NY spring series race canceled post hurricane
I don't remember. It was warm, nice, and it wasn't a Battenkill weekend. I think it was the last race of the Series, maybe after the warm winter. I know the 3-4s had 125 registrants (we gave out some no-show numbers to late registrants, maybe 123-124 started) and something like 100-110 racers starting the P123s. 90-ish in the M45s, similar in the 4s, 40? in the Women, 70 registrants in the 5s (maybe 60 started? Two races so not full for each field). That's 500 or so total registrations, about 100 doubles, probably more doubles, so 380-390 total registrants. That's about the limit for Bethel, no way we could have more racers.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:00 AM
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It's going to be cold again sunday morning, around the freezing mark. I wonder how it's going to affect turnout. At least it will be a clear day, unlike today where it's 40 and raining.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:03 AM
  #21254  
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USAC Race Insurance

What's this used for? I'm just wondering if it would be applicable as a secondary insurance for an injury incurred in a race.

Edit: Never mind, I found the info on the USAC site.
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Last edited by revchuck; 04-04-14 at 09:06 AM.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:04 AM
  #21255  
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it is. USAC covers something like 70% of out of pocket costs after a deductible.

when I broke my collar bone and had my hospitalization I had crappy insurance and I ended up getting a fair bit back from USAC. When I broke my elbow, which was a far worse injury, I had better insurance and didn't get anything back from USAC.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:05 AM
  #21256  
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Originally Posted by globecanvas
I asked because I noticed Battenkill pre-reg was down 20% from last year (2300 vs 2900). Probably multiple factors, including a price increase in that case.

There may be declining participation in general, but I think weather has to be a huge factor. I think 2012 was the no-winter year you are thinking of, I remember 80F days in March. Everybody wanted to be out on their bikes that spring, and only crazy people want to be out on their bikes this spring.



That's interesting. I always pre-register when I can, assuming it helps the promoter most to be able to anticipate the turnout.
Bicycle racing would have ebb and flows in popularity, maybe its trending down. Factors like US Cycling not having any big names, millenials leaning more to participation events, and older generations not really caring about their health as much, all may contribute.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by globecanvas
That's interesting. I always pre-register when I can, assuming it helps the promoter most to be able to anticipate the turnout.
It works both ways. As a promoter I always note the pre-reg numbers. Okay, I don't, but the Missus does. Any day-of is sort of like a bonus. There are some promoters that rely only on pre-reg and they don't even let registration close before deciding to cancel the race. This happened with a RR locally. I strongly encouraged the promoters to stay on with a week to go. They were super discouraged at the low registration numbers. I told them that it's like eBay, that things will pick up at the last second, and I think they saw 250 registrants in the last two days. Previously the promoter (I think a different set of people) canceled the race about a week before registration closed. I think that was a mistake. Even with all the pre-reg, even with the massive day-of fee, there were still 50? day of race registrants at that RR.

I've been chided by volunteers at registration that "I could have saved $10 if I registered online". I reply that I try to do day-of-race so the promoter gets more money. The few times I pre-register it's because I think the field may actually close.

Of course I have the luxury of doing this. A Cat 5 doesn't have this luxury - they have to pre-register in order to make the field. At larger races, especially road races, pre-registration is almost always a must, due to closing fields. Some races are pre-reg only, but almost never a crit. Etc etc.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:08 AM
  #21258  
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smaller prize lists. higher fuel costs. higher reg fees…

many cases guys would rather race 20 minutes from my house in a $15-$20 weekday race than drive 3 hours to a "big" race.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:46 AM
  #21259  
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Originally Posted by globecanvas
CDR, have you seen a big effect on Bethel participation from this endless winter?
I don't really think this winter was that bad. Not good, but not terrible either. And Bethel race day weather has been decent except for this last wet weekend.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by gsteinb
If I'm not mistaken that record day also has a NY spring series race canceled post hurricane
Im pretty sure you are correct.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by gsteinb
so what are we going to do today…I'm bored.
lets talk about how i'm going to win an 80 mi RR tomorrow .... or the shoe shopping with the rtc/grolby/mikey love triangle

speaking of fetishes, where has rkwaki been?
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Old 04-04-14, 09:57 AM
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CDR, it's been like that around here too.

In fact, a couple weeks ago, there was a lengthy discussion - of the Grolby/Gstein kind - on our local listserv about race participation and guys opting to do a hard group ride instead of driving 20 min. up the road to race and the impact that has on race promotion.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:57 AM
  #21263  
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Originally Posted by grolby
Hoo boy. We do not have the same taste in shoes. Not a fan of suede.
It's okay, maybe you'll see the light some day.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:58 AM
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calm down, robin hood.
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Old 04-04-14, 09:59 AM
  #21265  
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Originally Posted by MDcatV
lets talk about how i'm going to win an 80 mi RR tomorrow .... or the shoe shopping with the rtc/grolby/mikey love triangle

speaking of fetishes, where has rkwaki been?
umm, so that's your team's strategy for tomorrow ?
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Old 04-04-14, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by carpediemracing
My tooth hurts a lot, been hurting for a week. Not sure if that's why I'm 3 lbs lighter than a week ago, or if the weighing times weren't synched with me or what. Dentist tomorrow.

Race promoter story, not mine. Can't park on course due to various complaints, can't pee on people's buildings (common sense + law). Promoter sees someone parked on the course at one of the forbidden buildings (specific complaint from that tenant who has security cameras all over the place). Promoter walks to the guy to tell him move the car. Guy is peeing on the building. Promoter tells rider you're out of the race. "But I do this all the time and no one says anything."

So you can see how this might have been my story.

It gets better.

The promoter, at some point before the offender's race, makes sure that the rider is not allowed to start the race. Promoter needs to edit the start list. Checks start list. Guy isn't there. Promoter can't believe it - he tossed the rider out before he even registered.

Later one of the registration people mentions the doctor-racer that had to leave to go to the office. Doctor? Yes, a doctor registered, left to get ready, came right back, and said his office called, he had to leave, and could he have his entry fee back. Promoter asked if they remembered his name.

Yep. Same guy. And, no, he's not a doctor by any stretch of the imagination.

A normal person might have a normal emergency. It could easily be a call from the wife saying "Junior got hurt, we're at the doctor's" or something similar. I'd be out of there in a heartbeat. I wouldn't ask for my money back (because I'm also a promoter) but I could see a regular racer asking for a refund, credit, or something. But to make up that doctor story? In such a tight community?
Heh. That story had everything. Deceit, confrontation, mystery and johnson waving. Thumbs up!
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Old 04-04-14, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by gsteinb
so what are we going to do today…I'm bored.
Apparently talking about shoes again...
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Old 04-04-14, 10:08 AM
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Back to shoes:

I've been needing to get some real dress shoes for work for some time now. Think I'm gonna pick up some Allen Edmonds this weekend that will be my main pair and hopefully last me forever.

However, my dad gave me a pair of great shoes about a year ago, but I haven't worn them much. I'd like for those to be a secondary pair to swap between. The problem is they need to be resoled (not a big deal, easy to get done), but also they are about half or one size too big which is more of my concern. My foot moves around a good bit and heel slips a bit. They have a super thin insole in them, so I think a new one there would help. I'd rather not mess with trying inserts and heel cups or whatever myself, and have someone professionally get them to fit better. Is there a place I can do this? Will cobblers do it?
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Old 04-04-14, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by topflightpro
CDR, it's been like that around here too.

In fact, a couple weeks ago, there was a lengthy discussion - of the Grolby/Gstein kind - on our local listserv about race participation and guys opting to do a hard group ride instead of driving 20 min. up the road to race and the impact that has on race promotion.
People care more about who 'won' the Saturday ride or TNW than a crit.
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Old 04-04-14, 10:19 AM
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So as idyllic as my work life should be, in actuality I have to deal with some fairly healthy doses of the same crap most folks do. I have to speak to a facilitator later today to prep for a week long meeting that takes place mid april. The gist of the meeting is that one the guiding teacher of our foundation has some serious passive-aggressive issues, a major inability to stay on point long for projects to come to completion, along with some power dynamic control issues. He empowered several committees to run things ( a board of directors and a teacher's council) and then went out and started another organization so he can effectively do whatever he wants when he doesn't like decisions that are made. One of my teaching colleagues retired and named internally the issues with him that led her to this decision. So it's off to Chapel Hill I go to sit in talky meetings that will likely effect no change whatsoever. I'm hoping my wife and I are able to get our gluten free flour mix company off the ground enough that it could replace this. Having made money and not so much money in life, making money was better in many ways. Having been my own boss, and working with others, being the boss was better. I've found it best to rely on family and close friends in life.
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Old 04-04-14, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by furiousferret
People care more about who 'won' the Saturday ride or TNW than a crit.
The Strava factor.
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Old 04-04-14, 10:24 AM
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Tnw?
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Old 04-04-14, 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by gsteinb
So as idyllic as my work life should be, in actuality I have to deal with some fairly healthy doses of the same crap most folks do. I have to speak to a facilitator later today to prep for a week long meeting that takes place mid april. The gist of the meeting is that one the guiding teacher of our foundation has some serious passive-aggressive issues, a major inability to stay on point long for projects to come to completion, along with some power dynamic control issues. He empowered several committees to run things ( a board of directors and a teacher's council) and then went out and started another organization so he can effectively do whatever he wants when he doesn't like decisions that are made. One of my teaching colleagues retired and named internally the issues with him that led her to this decision. So it's off to Chapel Hill I go to sit in talky meetings that will likely effect no change whatsoever. I'm hoping my wife and I are able to get our gluten free flour mix company off the ground enough that it could replace this. Having made money and not so much money in life, making money was better in many ways. Having been my own boss, and working with others, being the boss was better. I've found it best to rely on family and close friends in life.
I know that deal. The last place I worked, IT was working 7 days a week, from 4am into the evening, and the company would not hire. So a guy in charge of a "special project" wasn't getting enough IT time, so he hires his brother and his brothers girlfriend as consultants, basically starting his own IT shop rather that helping to fix the root cause of the issue.

Good luck with the business venture.
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Old 04-04-14, 10:33 AM
  #21274  
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Originally Posted by waterrockets
You can't prove it anyway because of the wookie mask
Urban Dictionary: rule 34

(text only but may be NSFW)
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Old 04-04-14, 10:45 AM
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#FOOTWEARFRIDAY

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