"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - I don't know how you promoters do it

Today I put on a race. It was a pretty easy race to run- it's part of the "low key hillclimb" series. It's not USAC, there is a series coordinator who sets the venues and does the results tabulation, the turnout is not that high (about 130), and since it's low key there's not a lot of expectations from the riders.

But even though it should have been easy, and I got lucky with some really good volunteers, I was a nervous wreck. I worried about riders getting hit, upsetting the locals (I ride the route frequently), not having enough food/water for the riders, or 1000 other things going wrong. It went off well despite my fears but an hour after getting home I'm still chock full of adrenalin.

I don't know if I'll do that again... I don't need that much stress in my life. But it really gives me some appreciation for you guys who run real races year after year. I don't know how you don't have bleeding ulcers, but thanks for doing it.

Three of us put on that training series in Jax this fall. The first evening we had everything set up early and we were waiting for people to show up. Then I started wondering, what if no one shows? Was this all a huge waste of time? Every week there were things to worry about. Corners to clean, traffic to control, hoping and praying no one gets hurt... Seems like every race that I was able to ride I was still on the lookout for potential trouble.

We ended up okay. I guess you get used to the stress of promoting a race. Right?

Promoting races is like doing races. The first 100 or so times you get stressed out more than normal. You think about sitting up, dropping out. You wonder what you're doing when racers tell you how unhappy they are. You stress about money (that's different in promoting versus racing, at least for me).

Then you start realizing what it takes. You figure out how to squirm through tight holes, you find yourself at 32 mph inches from riders all around you yet you feel totally comfortable, you ride above your expectations, and suddenly you approach race day and you realize, hey, I'm not nervous anymore! It's just like going to work - you may be nervous the first day or month of work but after a year or ten, do you get nervous?

Welcome to the world of promoting races. It's a great trip.

cdr

congrats on getting through that first one

there are two types of people in the world:
1) leaders
2) and those helping the leaders

#1 has all the pressure, but all the glory too

congrats on getting through that first one

there are two types of people in the world:
1) leaders
2) and those helping the leaders

i'm am comfortable as #2

I used to put on the weekday Public/Cat5 only series for our club. The first few evenings were stressful, then after that it was easy and a blast. It helps to have willing, reliable officials and volunteers.

Hang in there. It'll get better.

Your feelings are typical and the "day of" worries never go away.
Anything can happen in a bike race and while you try to be prepared for anything you can't be so do your best and make sure the basics are covered.
Having enough volunteers, and paid assistance...police details, etc., is primary to a good event. A safe course is paramount. If you are giving cash prizes having the money to award the prizes is next. Clear logistics...bathrooms, parking, etc. follows. Providing water and food to the contestants is nice but not a primary...merely a nice touch.
Having a good race flyer, which clearly states all the details, directions, etc. is a valuable tool and makes life easier for many of your registration folk "day of" the race lol.

I've run races from weekly training races, to annual crits...cat 2 to citizens (cat 5 as that cat came into being), 5 day stage race in the 80's that hosted the teams making up the Olympics that year. A lot of races over a long period of time and the "day of" butterflies were always there...that is not a bad thing...it shows you care and are invested.

Good luck and if you need a hand or a question answered...as best as can be...ask away, we are here for you.

i'm am comfortable as #2

....I wouldn't go around telling people that....just sayin.