MN cross season, part 2
February 16th, 2009 |Lots of requests to extend the season rather than start the season earlier.
Two problems with that idea here in Minnesota:
- The later in the year racing gets pushed the higher the chance the weather is going to turn to full on winter.
- The later in the year racing gets pushed the lower the race attendance will end up being, especially if the weather turns to full on winter.
If there is a demand for late year cross racing in Minnesota how come no one is stepping up to take advantage of the market? Maybe mid-November is as late as cross racing can go in this state and still be a “break even” endeavor?
9 Responses to “MN cross season, part 2”
Push it earlier. There is a market for it. Shoot, put it into June, July and August!
Make it like the NBA… nobody really knows when and if their season ends.
earlier could mean “full on summer” with a freak heat wave. my body deals with heat on the open road but cyclocross in the heat is stifling cuz i’m slow and stuff.
i’ll still go if you put it on the calendar – early or late.
in the end – either way you will have haters. bike racers love to complain
A quick check of attendance in last year’s Cat 1/2, 3, and 4 fields shows:
#1=Wirth(10/12)
#2=Red_Barn(11/1)
#3=Ham_Lake(10/18)
#4=NSC_Velo(11/8)
#5=Corcoran(10/4)
#6=BigRing_YMCA(10/19)
#7=Bikery_Afton(10/25)
#8=PorkChop_StCloud(9/21)
#9=GreenAcres(10/26)
#10=LakeRebecca(11/9)
That makes 7 out of the top-10 of the best attended races later than mid October. 3 out of the top-10 are in November, and that doesn’t include the State CX. Perhaps a well attended event is more about proximity and a well run event?
Thanks Dan. The numbers in my opinion reflect the best races on the calendar. However, both Green Acres and NSC_Velo had horrendous weather. I am also willing to bet that Red River, Rum River and the two Duluth Races would all be extremely low on that list of numbers.
Forget the early CX and extend the track season!
@Frye: be my guest! I will race more track races if you promote.
oh yes, the question then is $ and numbers….i thought it was a well run race, if you build they will come… really seriously
Quality over quantity please. Two days at one venue is a possibility. We’ve been lucky at states for a few years, but the attendance would take a big hit with bad weather. I was leery about going into November 10 years ago. The promoters have to be considered or you won’t be racing at all.