carpediemracing 

I can't imagine promoting a race where the P12 field was 10 riders. And, worse, everyone thought that was normal. That's not a race, it's a group ride. A hard, merciless one, but you have virtually no race tactics in such a small group.

My cusp is about 30 riders; I struggle mightily in such a small field. I much prefer 80-100 rider fields; my favorite races were the 120 rider fields at Bethel. I could wander around the field, move up if I felt worried, slide back if things seemed stable, etc. And no hills, so no RR.

topflightpro

We've had that issue with our winter series crits. We've had as few as 9 P/1/2/3s in the race. It's the last race of the day, and it's generally pretty cold. Also, it's a training crit more than anything else. We cut our purse in half a few years ago as a result, from $200/5 to $100/3.

We've also never had more than 3 women in our P/1/2/3 women's field. I've received complaints because the payout ($50/3) is half the men's P/1/2/3, but I've told them, once you get more than 3 to show up, we will consider equal payout.

revchuck 

Ten riders is a normal Master's field where I live. I raced last Sunday and we had 56; I didn't know whether to **** or go blind, it was so deluxe. Then I flatted at mile 25 (of 105). It was nice while it lasted.

dz_nuzz

I prefer smaller fields. Less places for people to hide and less critical mass to push the speed. Granted, that does not make for good racing or making a race viable to put on.

miyata man

You're supposed to feed a cold, right? Laid in bed sick Saturday, felt wonderful and went riding Sunday, sick as a dog ever since. I can't taste a thing going down but here I am writing up a third grocery list for the week. Fourth day in a row off the bike and I'm getting antsy for at least 1/3 breathing holes to clear up enough I can at least roll around.

Hi Wylde. Since you are the only person on here I've known a number of years who I haven't said hi to yet. Glad to see you stuck with racing. Felt kind of rude ignoring you, so put 'er there buddy or something equally masculine and reaffirming.

TheKillerPenguin

Yeah when I am sick I eat as if I rode an hour or two. Takes energy for your immune system to do its thing!

hack

Kind of a mixed bag for his races. Some of the road races out in the middle of nowhere draw a dozen or so riders and some of his other races out in the middle of nowhere draw Pro teams and P12 fields near 100.

globecanvas

First train into Rhinecliff (nearest amtrak station) since the storm, video by my sister's friend:

https://goo.gl/hsc0oY

TheKillerPenguin

Someone sounds verrrrrrrrrrrry unhappy

miyata man

HA, that video has been making the rounds. Thank them for the lovely landscape mode video of multiple people filming in portrait.

mattm

Actually I'd say a smaller race is harder, and even more tactical. They still suck though, and I prefer bigger races and also wonder why the promoter holds those races out in the middle of nowhere that barely anyone goes to.

Ygduf

low permit cost and not much else going on?

himespau 

That was my thought.

topflightpro

Really, police are what make an event incredibly expensive.

Several years ago, my team put on a gran fondo for a charity fundraiser. We started inside city limits. The permit was not terribly expensive or challenging, but police were. The police told us how many officers we needed and where, and we had to pay them their overtime rate. I think it cost us about $6k for officers, and given our route, half weren't needed.

The following year, we moved the start way out to a school on the edge of the county. Local sheriff's told us given the low traffic in the area, we didn't need police presence at the corners. Saved us a ton of money. Unfortunately, our turnout was less than half the first year because we were now 30-min. away.

If you've never promoted an event, I highly encourage you to do so. It gives a whole new perspective to what it takes to actually put on a race.

scheibo

14 entries now in the P123 with prereg closed, maybe a couple will register day of as well! and the weather forecast predicts rain! yay bikes!

mattm

I guess - I just wish they would adjust the race schedule to get more people to show up. Nobody should have to wake up at 4 AM to race bikes (unless you live in NYC).

Ygduf

I took fenders off my bike and now rain next week?! what in god's name is going on

hack

That's a big detractor for me. I'm now at the point where I'm only motivated to get up that early to race a few times a year. Unfortunately, Ward's Ferry isn't making the cut.

himespau 

People in California complaining about too much rain? File that under the list of things I never thought I'd see again.

Flatballer

There's over a foot of snow on the ground here. So, you know, it could be worse.

Wylde06

Just registered for my first race of the year...for a race in towards the end of June. I only registered so early (first one..yay!) to guarantee a good start..they do call ups based on order of registration, so I get to be called up first again this year.

rubiksoval

Hyde Park?

Got an email about it today! Love that and Madeira.

Wylde06

Yes sir..you racing it this year? You should definitely check out the Whiskey City crit in Lawrenceburg the night before if you are racing that weekend

rubiksoval

Yeah, just for Sat. and Sun, though. Hard to justify a Fri. hotel and then hanging out all day Sat. when I can just drive up later Sat. afternoon.

big john

Yesterday I saw an old friend on the road and he was riding a tri-bike. WTF? I haven't seen him much in years and it turns out he is training for his first Ironman Triathlon in a couple months and it will be at altitude. And he is my age (62). frak