"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Battenkill 2010

I had already decided that I am not doing this race. It's a bit too long for April and I don't intend on training to reach decent form for it, especially on that terrain.

However, it has come to my attention that the price has been raised to $75 for the single event.

My gut feeling on the matter is that (if I were seriously planning on doing this race) I might consider this to be reason to cancel.

Thoughts?

meh, the annual entry fee complaining thread.

from everything I've heard and read, Battenkill's an awesome race, not the usual run of the mill stuff. If they're filling up fields and providing a good experience, they should be able to charge a premium.

Battenkill is at least twice the punishment a normal road race - so it's logical that it should be twice the cost. With the ramp up in visibility (UCI status, etc.. ), I would expect the cost to be about that much.

I can't justify the drive up there this year, so I'm out.

here is an interesting blog entry about it where the promoter talks a lot about the cost in the comments

http://euphoriabeforetotalimplosion.blogspot.com/2009/11/creeping-fees-in-competitive-cycling.html

Seriously do you know what goes into these races. sign me up.

it was $45 last year.

Pass.

Pass.

I'm In.

Threshold Cycling is representing Boston.

It has been said.

Let the 3500 kj intervals continue.

-L

It is a great race and I really like what is happening with the event. It is being stretched over 2 weekends, will include a 'Ride2Recovery CycleFest' event, pro riders are visiting local schools, plus I like everything the promoter does for the sport of cycling. I have no problem paying the fee and will be sitting there waiting to register.

I had a blast racing Battenkill last year. What a great race. A goal for the '10 season was a spot on the podium in my category. And, then I recently found out about the $75 fee. That's... that's really painful. And yeah, I know a lot goes in to these races. But will there be 66% more going in to it than last year? What changed? Oh. It got UCI status. So is Battenkill trying to boost its status by getting amateurs to underwrite the pros? That makes me cringe.

I don't know which way I'll decide - to race, or not - but right now the entry fee is the only thing making me consider not racing.

with the pro race moving to a separate weekend in 2010, this race will forever lose it's special feel and uniqueness for an amateur. The crowds simply will not be there for the amateur stuff. if I am going to risk decending dirt and gravel at 35+mph, I need more that the good feeling I'll get knowing I paid for the pros to race there another time.

Maybe the extra money is to try and get the results right within a week of the finish.

They'd have to not race 400+ people per category to do that. Also make sure that the carnage of packs do not intermingle and race together. When I raced it two yrs ago it was chaos on the roads.

If there ever was an event that screams for chip timing, this would be the one.