Opinion: Stop hating on race promoters
The Boggs 8 Hour race is a local favorite race run by BikeMonkey of Santa Rosa (click to enlarge).
Editor’s Note: Gene Hamilton is a longtime cycling coach and runs BetterRide, a drills based MTB coaching business. He’s also a longtime downhill racer. Hamilton’s opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily represent the opinions of Mtbr.com.
“One hundred dollars? That is way too much! Remember when races were $35. What a rip off. These guys are getting rich, I did the math…”
I’ve heard variations of this many times. It’s not true. Very few MTB race promoters are getting rich. Some who provide an amazing experience for their racers are doing quite well, but don’t they deserve to earn a decent living?
Restaurant owners that provide great dining experiences do really well. Bike shop owners that move a bunch of $2,800 carbon wheelsets and $10,000 bikes are doing well. Why shouldn’t race promoters be able to make a living? If they are at top of their game and working hard to please you, why shouldn’t they make more than $9 an hour?
The Downieville Classic is a timeless race that was ahead of its time (click to enlarge). Photo by Forrest Arakawa
And by the way Mr. Angry Racer Guy, your math is wrong. On a three day weekend race with a $100 entry fee and 500 racers, the promoter is not making 500 x $100 = $50,000 for three days work. He or she is grossing $50,000 for two or three months work. Promoters spend months trying to find sponsors, dealing with awards, advertising, securing permits, marking courses, renting shuttle vehicles, dealing with USA Cycling, dealing with insurance, recruiting both paid and volunteer staff, finding a timing company, answering thousands of phone calls and emails, dealing with upset people who PUT themselves in the wrong category, making sure there are enough porta-potties, marking the course/courses, watering the slalom track, running registration and a whole lot more.
The 24 Hours of Old Pueblo has gained momentum every year due to the meticulous planning and follow-up by Todd Sadow and his crew (click to enlarge).
And while we’re talking numbers, gross income does not equal net income. Grossing $50,000 doesn’t guarantee making even $9 an hour. There are A LOT of expenses in putting on a race. Insurance, advertising, timing, porta-potties, medics, USA Cycling fees, permit fees, medals/awards, employees, renting/buying a PA system, re-bar posts, finish corral scaffolding…. I’m sure I’m leaving a lot out. I hope I never see another rider on a $7,000-$10,000 carbon bike complaining about an entry fee! You should be complaining about the $7,000 bike not the person working their tail off to provide you with a fun and fair racing experience.
The race in Cool, CA never fails to deliver adventure (click to enlarge).
If you don’t like how a certain race or series is being run (or some aspect of the race) politely suggest a solution at an appropriate time (not while the race promoter is stressed or busy). Most/all race promoters want to keep their racers happy and welcome well thought-out suggestions to make their event better. If they don’t make the changes you feel they should you have three choices:
1. Race with a smile on your face and let it slide.
2. Vote with your dollar and don’t race (and you can even email the promoter explaining why you will not be returning to the race/s they promote. This way the promoter has a last chance to fix the problem or explain to you why the problem can’t be fixed)
3. Put on your own race/s. This how many promoters I know got their start, they were disappointed in the quality of their local races so they set out to do a better job.
BC Bike Race is the ultimate when it comes to riding experience and daily logistics (click to enlarge). Photo by Rob Cronin
Now, if the race is really poorly run, that can be frustrating and then I understand complaining but it rarely helps, instead just making you more angry. Instead of complaining, take a deep breath, relax and offer the promoter a solution. “Man, I know you didn’t anticipate this many people but if you can open up another registration line I or my husband/boyfriend/wife/mom/sister/brother/teammate/s, etc. could help out for an hour/day.”
Race promoters could always use more help, volunteer to help one weekend and it will help you understand how much work goes into putting on a race. At the end of the day, this is our industry and our sport. We want more race promoters, not less, so let’s help the mountain bike race promoters succeed, not fail.
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