Even though this is Palo Alto, cycling is still a little bit exotic for people
01-24-08, 12:56 PM
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Even though this is Palo Alto, cycling is still a little bit exotic for people
https://www.paloaltodailynews.com/art...-pa-tour-funds
I don't think the lack of funds is because cycling is "exotic". Putting on the race just costs a bit of money, and the way the markets and economy have been doing lately will affect what local businesses are willing to contribute.
I wonder how the other cities did budget-wise in previous years. Maybe Sergey or Larry at Google can help. What's a few hundred thousand dollars when you've lost $10 billion?
With less than a month to go and roughly half the money needed, local organizers for the Amgen Tour of California are scrambling to raise enough funds to cover the bicycling race's kick-off in Palo Alto next month, organizers said Wednesday.
"We're not getting the support we would love to see," said Joe Manning, a member of the local organizing committee and Stanford classics professor.
"Even though this is Palo Alto, cycling is still a little bit exotic for people," he said.
"We're not getting the support we would love to see," said Joe Manning, a member of the local organizing committee and Stanford classics professor.
"Even though this is Palo Alto, cycling is still a little bit exotic for people," he said.
I wonder how the other cities did budget-wise in previous years. Maybe Sergey or Larry at Google can help. What's a few hundred thousand dollars when you've lost $10 billion?
Last edited by 7rider; 01-24-08 at 01:02 PM.
01-24-08, 03:58 PM
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While recreational cycling is not exotic, bicycle racing (and sponsorship of them) probably is. There used to be regular criterium races (with street closures, etc.) in Palo Alto, but those disappeared years ago. I'm not really sure why.
Last edited by johnny99; 01-24-08 at 04:24 PM.
01-24-08, 03:59 PM
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Isn't this the same problem SF had prompting them to put an end to the SF Grand Prix several years back?
01-24-08, 04:52 PM
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Aren't businesses contacted beforehand when a race is coming to town? I'm usually amazed at all the businesses that are closed when they could open special hours on race day to cater to the huge crowds.
This is especially true of the businesses along the race route where spectators would be congregating.
This is especially true of the businesses along the race route where spectators would be congregating.
01-24-08, 06:42 PM
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Downtown races are especially expensive because police costs are through the roof. And exposure, even for an international event like TOC, is very limited, so sponsorship is not easy to secure.
Yes, when a race is promoted, businesses are notified. However, most spectators come to a race solely to race and spectate (not to shop or eat or linger). Many downtown races find that business is reduced on race day (which is why some businesses choose to close).
That's why you see lots of races in industrial parks.
Lorri
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Tri-Flow Menlo Park Grand Prix -- March 8th
River Road 4TTT -- May 11th
Foster City Grand Prix -- July 27th
Yes, when a race is promoted, businesses are notified. However, most spectators come to a race solely to race and spectate (not to shop or eat or linger). Many downtown races find that business is reduced on race day (which is why some businesses choose to close).
That's why you see lots of races in industrial parks.
Lorri
race promoter
Tri-Flow Menlo Park Grand Prix -- March 8th
River Road 4TTT -- May 11th
Foster City Grand Prix -- July 27th
01-25-08, 01:17 AM
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Downtown races are especially expensive because police costs are through the roof. And exposure, even for an international event like TOC, is very limited, so sponsorship is not easy to secure.
Yes, when a race is promoted, businesses are notified. However, most spectators come to a race solely to race and spectate (not to shop or eat or linger). Many downtown races find that business is reduced on race day (which is why some businesses choose to close).
That's why you see lots of races in industrial parks.
Lorri
race promoter
Tri-Flow Menlo Park Grand Prix -- March 8th
River Road 4TTT -- May 11th
Foster City Grand Prix -- July 27th
Yes, when a race is promoted, businesses are notified. However, most spectators come to a race solely to race and spectate (not to shop or eat or linger). Many downtown races find that business is reduced on race day (which is why some businesses choose to close).
That's why you see lots of races in industrial parks.
Lorri
race promoter
Tri-Flow Menlo Park Grand Prix -- March 8th
River Road 4TTT -- May 11th
Foster City Grand Prix -- July 27th
We'll have to check out your races.
01-25-08, 02:18 AM
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Oh man it was a sad day when SF lost its Grand Prix. I am sure someone on the form knows in detail what caused the Grand Prix to end...
Al i can remember was SF Board of Supervisors Peskin & Daily went crazy on the cycling group responsible for the Prix because they supposedly owed around 90,000 for police event enforcement and 80K to SF water works dept . The debt was really a small amount but Peskin & Daily hated the Grand Prix so it snowballed from there…
Al i can remember was SF Board of Supervisors Peskin & Daily went crazy on the cycling group responsible for the Prix because they supposedly owed around 90,000 for police event enforcement and 80K to SF water works dept . The debt was really a small amount but Peskin & Daily hated the Grand Prix so it snowballed from there…
