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Applying for Furnace Creek

Old 02-11-08, 06:34 PM
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Applying for Furnace Creek

Since when is there a "selection" process for 500-mile races?

Seems like the organizers of the 508 are getting pretty high and mighty...

Word on the street is that for the past few years the so-called rider limit was simply stated as however many riders actually sent in their money.

Is there ANYONE out there who was denied entry?

It'll be interesting to see if anyone doesn't make the cut this year.

POST YOUR REFUSAL LETTERS HERE!!!

JP
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Old 04-06-08, 01:42 AM
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Does anyone know what the entry fee is? I can't find it on the website!
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Old 04-06-08, 01:59 AM
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A nip too much to drink tonight? Why not have another look at the site tomorrow, and if you have questions, how about emailing them and asking them?
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Old 04-08-08, 07:56 PM
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I have, but they never answer emails! ...
Anyway, the application period is open -
so post here if your applying -
and if you get in!
:-)
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Old 04-08-08, 11:06 PM
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OUTRAGEOUS! No wonder entry fees weren't posted until today!
Solo: $400
Tandem: $750
2X Team: $750
4X Team or Two Tandem Team: $1400
4 Tandem Team: $2400



Here's what Hoodoo charges:
$275 Solo and Voyager
$495 Tandems and Two-Person Team
$895 Four-Person Team
$1,395 Eight-Person Tandem Team

Here's what Race Across Oregon charges:
$350.00 solo
$575.00 two person
$950.00 four person

From what I understand - all the races pretty much provide the same services - and a finisher jersey. After seeing this, I'm definitely taking my four person team to Hoodoo!
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Old 04-09-08, 01:11 AM
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I recently participated in the HOS 500 where entry fees are a modest $100/rider.
I got the impression the organizer got the money, less a charge by the UMCA and
of course his costs. Driving a 500 mi course 2 to 6 times to check road conditions,
mark the course, hotel costs, driving the course during the event and buying Tshirts
printing stuff, web site costs mean the margin for a small event is pretty nominal.
For a huge event like the 508 costs are proportionately much larger but with charges
like these and the number of participants it is likely room for profit is larger. HOS
organizer generally throws in a few hundred bucks on his own to make ends meet.
When one considers ancillary costs such as getting to the event, crew, vehicle and other
support costs, then the entry fee begins to shrink. Right now I suspect I am upto
about $300 for my part in our team expenses on the HOS. The 3 other team members
will be in the ball park. We are still accounting. Our crew was 'volunteer'. FWIW I
found my Sienna gets 10mi/gal when put-putting behind a 10-30mph cyclist.

From another POV organized club centuries are drifting upto the $40/rider level
and no one blinks at this, which may or may not include a meal, tee shirt and
whatever you eat in the ride. This rarely is more than $5 ride food per rider.
Extrapolate and for a 500mi event you are at $200 on a mileage basis. Centuries
are usually profit centers for the offering club.

Last edited by sch; 04-09-08 at 01:17 AM.
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Old 04-09-08, 09:34 AM
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OT, but mentioned in the thread:

From another POV organized club centuries are drifting upto the $40/rider level
and no one blinks at this, which may or may not include a meal, tee shirt and
whatever you eat in the ride.


Seems like a bunch of the club rides around here are keeping entry fees lower by separating the entry fee from the merch. cost, and offering T-shirts as a separate fee. Interesting... I hadn't even thought about that until you mentioned the increasing ride costs.
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Old 04-09-08, 10:06 PM
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The problem with the 508 is that it's become too popular. It's a race, and there were people sleeping before Townes Pass last year, treating it like a Brevet or something. They have to limit the numbers somehow, so A, you raise the entry fee, I think it was 300 for a solo last year. B, see if they have any results and that they're not going to drop out after the first 100-150 miles. It may sound "high and mighty" but he's wanting to put on a good event. If you don't like it, do the Hoodoo, RAO, Texas TT, etc. If you're in socal, rumor has it a 12/24 hour event is coming to a desert near you.

How about that HOS? Heard John Schlitter did pretty well.

Last edited by markw; 04-09-08 at 10:20 PM.
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Old 04-10-08, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by markw
The problem with the 508 is that it's become too popular. It's a race, and there were people sleeping before Townes Pass last year, treating it like a Brevet or something. They have to limit the numbers somehow,
If you look at the numbers, the "racer limit" has increased every year, based on how many riders actually apply. The director makes it SEEM like it sells out - which creates an air of urgency with respect to registering/applying. Good marketing, really.

However, it seems to me that the fees have gone up just for the sake of going up. $100 in a year? Considering that the organizer provides no support, no rest stops, no hotels, no nothing but a t-shirt, medal and finisher jersey (which, what? amount to maybe $65 per rider at the MOST - and the jersey expense doesn't count to DNFs), it seems like greed to me. It definitely has a "corporate america" feel to me.Throw in the whole UMCARAAM malarky - and the 508 is certainly less appealing.

The other races seems to cater more to the racers; and care more about the racers. Just my two cents.

I have heard of HOS. But isn't it a loop course? I'm more interested in the scenic loops myself.

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Old 04-10-08, 02:58 PM
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100% of team riders and 54% of solo riders finished last year.
The number of riders is limited by the number of permits allowed by each town, county, national park, etc that the route travels through. The Death Valley portion of the 508 is the most stingy for permit numbers (the last 3 years a max of 200), which is why the number of riders has a cap.
The race cost is like anything else supply/demand.
A Spring 508 is being considered, but no decision yet.
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Old 04-27-08, 09:04 AM
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BUMP!
Any news, anyone?
The "application" period is over. Anyone IN? Anyone REJECTED?
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