Here, the big races are faltering while underground racing has exploded. Well, not exactly underground, but not USAC or ACA (local governing body) sanctioned.

In Fort Collins, we have over 40 days of local racing throughout the season between a spring short track (mtb) series, summer crit series, summer 'track-style' racing series, summer xc mtb series, and fall 'cross series. None have entry fees over $10, and all of them bring out people you would never see in a USAC race. The short track and cross races are huge, drawing hundreds of participants.

Local governments, as well as our own governing body, make promoting races far more expensive than it should be. Without sponsor dollars, those costs are placed on participants. Higher registration fees lower participation - again raising costs.

The local races mentioned above have little to no costs. Minimal insurance costs, no police necessary, and more importantly the promotors are NOT trying to turn a profit. In fact, all the profits from the crits, short track, and cross races goes to the high school mtb league here in CO.


What's my point? The big races are working under a fundamentally flawed structure. Their costs are too high to be sustainable. They aren't interesting enough to woo me away from my super fun local $10 races. They need to get local government on their side, get police donated (here the po po are $75/hr/man), get nice cheap permits, and find great courses.