As I wrote earlier in the week, there's a lot of good riding around Omaha. Road, dirt, gravel ... tottering down a paved rec trail ... — it's all here if you know where to look. Stretch that out to the rest of eastern Nebraska, and we're all pretty lucky.
But can it get better? Sure it can. But how? Well ...
I'd like to see a more balanced race schedule. Is there any good reason why the road season should end in July? Not really. Of course, that's a matter of an interested party promoting a race in August — and we're a little short on interested parties right now.
I'm well aware that there's little to be said about someone who's bringing up a problem without offering a solution, but that's what I'm doing here. I'm not sure what the solution is. Move a race to August? Add a new one? No idea.
So think of it as a hypothetical. If you were going to add a race to the Nebraska road schedule in August, where would it be?
My stance: I'd like to do a circuit race in Ponca Hills. It would be hilly as all get out, and there would be significant carnage (metaphorical carnage, that is), but it would be cool.
Your stance: Go.
12 comments:
I'll give more discussion later, but if we're going to put out a wish list, my legs would like a flat race. I don't think that they're being unreasonable.
Not sure if anyone is still around from Kaos/Bike Masters who dealt with the cluster that was the Omaha Race weekend when they did a TT up Hummel hill, a RR loop around 72nd st/Rainwood/hwy75/hwy 36, but I believe the cost and difficulty of the Ponca area is why that race only happened once. But I could be way off base.
The road season did span more of the year at one time. Because we raced Branched Oak. For the 3rd time in a season. That's why I now hate that course.
I believe the logistics and cost are the biggest hurdles that prevent more/better road race venues. It's kind of a catch 22. If more people raced, there'd be more money brought in for clubs to use for more races. But maybe people don't race as much because the venues aren't great for whatever reason.
If you think about how many roadies (as in, won't race mtb when possible) are in Nebraska, there's not a large pool of money to pull from.
mike - I think there's only one truly hilly race on the schedule, anyway - Twin Bing. Norfolk has a hilly stretch, but it's not super-hard. Omaha Weekend has traditionally been pretty flat.
other mike - I think more people would race if there was more publicity of what's going on. Because other than within the racing community, there is ZERO outside news. None. Again, this is me spotting a problem and offering no solutions. But I'm working on it, trust me.
UNL Cycling would certainly be interested in promoting an August or early September race, do you have a specific course in mind?
I have all sorts of things in mind, some of which may or may not be feasible. I'll let you know when I get a good, solid idea.
This season had a lot more early spring stuff than last year. Between local races and a short drive to eastern Iowa you could do a solid three weekends of racing both in April and May. I think the Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas schedules complemented each other well this year. Late summer races would be nice but I'm usually too burnt out and lazy by then it wouldn't matter.
A circuit race in Elkhorn using Old Lincoln Hwy could be fun...
A race in the Loess Hills could be incredible too.
See, if you're burned out by mid-summer, your season was too heavy on racing early. Take two of those April-May races and move them to late July and mid-August ... now we're talking.
Oh, and Loess Hills race? Yes, please.
Back in the day we did two Loess Hills Races. A Silver City Road race and an Underwood race. L34 loop. Silver city went over towards Glenwood and came back Pole Road. The small towns loved it. But, law enforcement permission was getting harder. And the volunteers needed to man cars, corners, etc.
It would be worth another shot though if enough people/teams are committed.
Brian,
I generally refrain from dabbling in "roadie" issues, but from the promotional side I will make a few observations as I personally have promoted a few races.
Promoters: No one plans to promote a race that not going to break even. Assuming you put up $1000 in prizes, and paid your USAC fees, and your officials (and their travel) you would need about 60 racers to beak even.
Now add in the cost of multiple police officers and the cost doubles, so you need 120 racers. Official on a motorbike? thats gonna cost you more.
Port-a-potties = more money
Then you have to promote the shit out of it. If you want the KC crowd to come up u gotta be ready to put some more money up for prizes, and that eats up your bottom line. Then you have to count on the fact that your normal road racers (like Mike) may have little interest in such a hilly course.
Sponsors would also have little interest in throwing money at a event that is not exciting (in the way a crit is exciting) and where you will not remember the name of the sponsor.
Which brings me to my next point, getting sponsors to put up the money.
I really cannot tell you who sponsored the papillion twilight crit this year, but I do remember that they threw down ALOT of prize money.
Think about that sentance.
Someone didn't get their monies worth.
As a legit USAC promoter I would not touch it wth a 10 foot pole, however this would be a great opportunity for a PCL style event.
Some thoughts.
Sorry, I mispelled Bryan.
Carnage is a good thing. A brutal route through the Ponca Hills might just get me back on a road bike. Bryan, I like that idea.
josh -- good points. I'm going to bat some things around. Stand clear.
jim -- those roads would be a ton of fun to race on.
cornbread -- now you're talking.
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