I want to promote…

December 2nd, 2009 | Posted by Smithers at 2:47 pm in Local Cycling |

…a road race that looks like this. Check out the video starting at 4:00, that’s what I want to see.

Anyone know of a road around here that looks like that?

  1. 55 Responses to “I want to promote…”

  2. By wah at 2:55 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    bring back the prairie roubaix

  3. By T3 at 2:58 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    CBOR ride… that or bring back oxbow

  4. By shannon at 3:06 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Oxbow!

  5. By eric at 3:23 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    is this a five minute advertisement for excel sports? Admit it smithers youve sold out to the dark side.

  6. By Baba at 3:36 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    There are a ton of roads like that on the western part of this ride.
    http://tr.im/GrPg

  7. By Little D at 3:47 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    There’s a dirt road series for next year:

    http://www.raceforthecup.blogspot.com/

  8. By dan i at 3:58 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Minnesota spring classics – yes! Oxbow, yeah! I did it 3 times. A very hard race, but I thought it was fun. I’d say the “Oxenberg” was a heck of lot harder than the hill in that vid. These Almonzo and Ragnorak things aren’t really races.

  9. By Smithers at 4:05 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Oxbow would be ok except:

    - too early in the season

    - gravel downhill, NO F-ING WAY

  10. By dan i at 4:23 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Too early in the season? It was late April, and road races started happening every weekend in May. Hell, the fricken MN road season is practically over after Memorial Day (can-o-worms opened once again).

    Going downhill is part of the game, isn’t it? I didn’t think Oxbow’s downhills were particularly dangerous. Certainly not as challenging as Green Acres CX. :)

  11. By Little D at 4:29 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Dan i : If Almonzo and Ragnorak aren’t racing then Country and Western isn’t music. It’s all in how you groove. Try it, you may like it.

  12. By Smithers at 4:33 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @dan i: I didn’t think Oxbow’s downhills were particularly dangerous.

    I think Chris Flood might disagree.

    May would be a better month for this.

  13. By a. kruse at 5:02 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Suggestion:

    Why not do a low key gravel road race series starting in July or August, when you guys got all rabid about the CBOR rides this year? There are more openings in the calendar during the later months and maybe there’d be a decent enough turnout if people really are in need of a change of pace (I, personally, am not, but you never know).

    Would make more sense to me than trying to shoehorn a gravel race into the “spring” part of the race calendar.

    And sorry Lil D, I’m with Dan I on the Almanzo/Ragnarok style event thing. They’re not races.

  14. By Smithers at 5:08 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @a. kruse: rabid? what’s that about?

  15. By Little D at 5:09 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Ok, what defines “a race” as opposed to a social ride?

  16. By Frye at 5:14 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    I was totally peaking for the CBOR rides!

  17. By timmer at 5:16 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    andy, don’t let Dave Pramann hear you say that! heard ragnorak is a bitch.. i’d try one if they didn’t conflict and require early commitment with limited field size.. nothing attracts a crowd like.. beer.

  18. By a. kruse at 5:23 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but respect for guys who win these types of events – and I guess it’s a race under a broader definition of “race”.

    When the event promoter states up front that the “race” is unsanctioned, with no event insurance, and you’re entirely responsible for yourself (you could die and rot on the side of the road and no one would ever notice) – it’s not a “race”, it’s a competitive group ride at best.

    Plotting a route and putting up a blogspot page does not a “race” make.

  19. By timmer at 5:29 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    start line + finish line = race

  20. By dan i at 5:29 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    TCBC’s “Tears, Gears, and Fears” ride is totally a race.

  21. By skibbyroubaix at 6:43 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    I’m totally doing this “race” again. Puts the e b4 pic

    http://nerdybike.blogspot.com/2009/11/prairie-roub aix-reminder.html

  22. By skibbyroubaix at 6:47 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    btw, the last time oxbox was held it was the first or 2nd weekend of April, b4 durand and the rest. I loved the race, but the downhill was sketchy, Flood wasn’t the only one to crash that day, he just got it the worst, I did an endo into the reeds, broke the jelly doughnut in my jersey pocket, I looked like I’d been attacked by a disgruntled Canuck…

  23. By Smithers at 6:50 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @skibbyroubaix: what ended up happening to the jelly doughnut?

  24. By dan i at 7:52 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @skibbyroubaix: Why do you hate bike steering?

    @little d: OK, fine. Almanzo, Ragnorak, and even Prairie Roubaix are all races. Manly races! Shhhhh! You don’t want all the roadies to show up and ruin it though.

  25. By moonshiner at 10:30 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    if you are on a bike, it’s timed and there is a trophy it’s a race, fucking roadies… promoters are getting raped for insurance, support and ’sanctioning’… bootleg it all

  26. By D.Lud at 11:06 pm on Dec 2, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    See: http://heckofthenorth.blogspot.com/
    This was a 102 mile road race in Duluth in mid September. Mostly on gravel. Awesome race. No entry fee. No sanction. No real prizes. Real fun.

  27. By Smithers at 12:00 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @moonshiner: bootleg it all

    Great idea. I look forward to your next bootleg criterium. Good luck running that past the local cops.

    Your bootleg cyclocross races are a great idea too. Bikes in parks totally pisses off local residents as it is. Having no permission from the city for your race will assure that any promoter that wants to actually promote a legit race in the park in the future will get refused due to all the ill will generated.

    Bootleg road race? Go ahead. And when the parent of some kid who crashes and gets paralyzed comes looking for someone to sue their ass off I will go ahead and POINT THEM TO YOUR FUCKING FACEBOOK PAGE PROMOTING THE NON-PERMITTED EVENT.

    Hope you have lots of personal liability insurance.

  28. By andrew rosenberg at 7:56 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    all interesting points, let me see how this works: i register(read pay money) my ‘club’ with MCF so i get the privilege to promote a race, then do I pay a second fee to USAC for the sanction and insurance or not? and how much is the city/county permit? feel free to enlighten me, the ‘closed door system’ of information management surrounding these questions baffles me. believe me i have gone to the executive of MCF and met with resistance and indifference. let’s have an easy and informative session for independant promoters and we’ll talk, until the ‘the man’ stops harshing my mellow i’m goin’ to continue to promote non-permitted events/races
    i’m trying to get the bean counters and insurance accountants out of my race that’s all. is it any wonder that the president of MCF is in the finance industry?

  29. By Steven at 9:46 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Stay tuned folks, Birchwood may have something up its sleeve… :)

  30. By Steven at 9:49 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    “i’m trying to get the bean counters and insurance accountants out of my race that’s all. is it any wonder that the president of MCF is in the finance industry?”

    If it weren’t for the insurance of the USAC-permitted Opus series, I’d be SOL with my broken collarbone. Non-insured races are all fun and games until someone breaks a collarbone.

  31. By Jason at 10:57 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Ex-rider here but I’ve got a good route and area for you. NE Iowa, between Decorah and Bluffton. Mix of pavement and packed dirt. No traffic. Gorgeous and bike-friendly community. Talk to Deke at Oneota River Cycles in Decorah.

  32. By skibbyslaughter at 11:15 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    the president of the MCF is part of the military industrial complex. build bombs and ride bikes….In today’s litigous society, insurance is a necessary evil.

  33. By T3 at 11:46 am on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @andrew rosenberg:
    i’m goin’ to continue to promote non-permitted events/races
    i’m trying to get the bean counters and insurance accountants out of my race that’s all.

    not that i would go, but i’m curios… where do all these bootleg races you promote actually take place?? and mean — besides in your head?

  34. By Smithers at 12:33 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @andrew rosenberg: you really are a dumbass. you totally missed my point.

    good luck, you’ll need lots of it.

  35. By Pattycakes at 12:56 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Mankato-

    Gravel climbs very similar to the video, and no traffic.

  36. By Little D at 12:58 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Smithers: You make some good points about the insurance and Rosenberg

    I’m curious about club rides though. If someone gets injured on the “Tough-Guy” ride. Let’s say T3 runs into a bridge and breaks his nose. Is your team liable because you advertise the ride on a blog?

  37. By Smithers at 1:04 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Little D: Leave it to say that I would rather my lawyer answer that question. Additionally there will be no open TuffRide for 2010 that I will be promoting.

  38. By T3 at 1:08 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Little D: i’m a total nazi janky whack ass and you are totally right that i would sue every dooshbag on the tuffride.

    talk to derrick. i think he had concerns about liability for cat 6 group rides. i don’t know what he ever found out about that.

  39. By Smithers at 1:12 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @T3: You would sue every dooshbag on the ride? So pretty much everyone except that dude who doesn’t wear a helmet and puts wine bottle corks in his bar ends?

  40. By Jake Stechmann at 1:58 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    As someone who is currently being sued because of my PARTICIPATION in a race, I can tell you that having USA Cycling involved helps a lot.

    The rider in front of me rolled a tire, and I swerved to avoid him. Last thing I remember is heading towards the hay bales. I woke up 10 meters from the road in the grass with people telling me not to move. A spectator was hurt and now me, the guy who rolled a tire, USAC, promotor, and all the races sponsors are being sued.

  41. By Smithers at 2:13 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Jake Stechmann: that blows. USAC is providing support?

  42. By eric at 4:00 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    personal umbrella policy will cover all the stuff cited above. insurance rocks.

  43. By Jake Stechmann at 5:13 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Smithers: USAC’s insurance company is providing the lawyer for all involved. I was given court papers over 2 years after the incident (June 09). I’ve spoken briefly with the lawyer but haven’t heard a word on the case in months. I guess these things can drag on for years.

  44. By All The Way Ray at 7:15 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Finally, the Hot Stove League begins…

  45. By bloodline at 11:52 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @T3: i am speaking for every alleycat, wednesday night ride,no name race etc…. check the message boards outside of yr own tiny world and upcoming series on sunday night in south mpls originating at smithers and bob samada’s favorite restaurant cafe maude. asshat

  46. By bloodline at 11:54 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Smithers: and what my dear smithers is yr point, i think yr just being territorial, and silly.

  47. By bloodline at 11:56 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @skibbyslaughter: yes, you are a part of the military industrial complex. and more mother is too

  48. By bloodline at 11:58 pm on Dec 3, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    i think i’ll fill up smithers recent comment form that would be fun…is it getting hot in here…i could throw another log on the fire

  49. By Smithers at 12:33 am on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @bloodline: My point is that you are a doosh nozzle and you prove my point with every comment you make. So keep it up. Or just go shit in your hat.

    Either way I don’t really care.

  50. By andrew rosenberg at 7:26 am on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @Smithers: yea, real intelligent smithers, i attempt an adult conversation, and here is the response, just can’t get past the personal animosity can we now, grow up and HTFU

  51. By andrew rosenberg at 7:29 am on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    sorry to hear about your son, hope everything gets better

  52. By Bob Schwartz at 11:47 am on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Smithers, you could connect this to one of your health care reform rants if you wanted to. It’d be real easy. One of the big drivers in claims filed as a result of race crashes has been the increase in numbers of riders without health insurance. Since racers tend to be younger with fewer health issues they are also more likely to go without coverage if their employer doesn’t provide it. And since USAC coverage is secondary, there you go. More riders have it as their primary coverage.

    And while it protects promoters, it’s also pretty important to the sponsors too. As Jake points out, if the event insurance isn’t there that puts the sponsor’s liability policy up front. I’ve had more than one sponsor tell me that event insurance was absolutely mandatory for that reason.

    I will say this about insurance providers. I can think of three sources for event insurance off hand. Of the three USAC is the worst, and by a large margin. They used to offer the best policy but the policy limits have been falling and that isn’t so much the case anymore. And the single-day licenses are an albatross, they just piss people off and keep them away.

  53. By pcomeau at 12:26 pm on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @dan i: re TCBC Tears, Gears, & Fears “ride/race” – and if you are a TCBC member you are covered by insurance on their rides.

    So yeah as pointed out by Mr. Stechmann, all it takes is one bad incident and you end up being sued. In his case UCI appears to be handling the major details.

    So go ahead do your alley cat what ever racing… it’s all fun until somebody gets hurt or property gets damaged.

    Which I belive is the real point of sanctioned races vs. free for alls.

    (hmmm… wonder if I could promote an unsanctioned triathlon? :-) )

  54. By peter Anderson at 9:33 pm on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Smithers,
    I’m not reading all the posted comments, makes my eyes dizzy, but I found some sweet roads while scouting for the BWRR to replace plainview.

    We should talk. I gots some routes….

    FPA

  55. By Smithers at 10:28 pm on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    @peter Anderson: super totally sweet awesome timez!

  56. By Neil at 10:48 pm on Dec 4, 2009 | Comment | ReplyReply directly to this specific comment

    Prairie Roubaix next week!

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