[NCNCA] No Women's Cat. 3/4 Race at Cat's Hill Decision

[Barry Gordon]

Dear NCNCA,
 
Although I have received only three complaints concerning our decision
to drop the Women's 3/4 race at the 2007 SugarCRM Cat's Hill Classic on
May 5, I would like to provide some background information that supports
our decision.
 
Of the 37 Cat. 3/4 women who raced the Cat's Hill last year, only six or
seven were Cat. 4 women.  Yes, only six or seven Cat. 4 women!
Historically, when we offered a Cat. 4 women race only way back in 1995,
1996 and 1997, we had only 11 Cat. 4 women race in each of those three
years.  We decided after that experience, that we could not afford a
Cat. 4 women's race.  Similarly, it just does not make economic sense
any more to offer this race to accommodate six or seven Cat. 4 women so
that they could race against ~30 Cat. 3s.

This is especially reasonable in light of all the Masters 45 men who
have begged us for their own race over the years, the fees the Town of
Los Gatos charges (e.g., officers @ $107.06/hour for 40 hours, community
service officers @ $63.10 for 18 hours, parking control officers @
$51.09/hour for 10 hours, purchase of "No Parking Signs, special event
permit fees, etc) and, finally, we lost our Women's Cat. 3/4 race
sponsor this year.

I am sorry that some of you are disappointed and this decision may turn
out to be a big mistake when only five Master 45+ men show up.  We will
see what happens on May 5 and we can make adjustments for 2008.

Thank you for your consideration and your 34 years of support for the
Cat's Hill Classic.

Barry Gordon, President
Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club
Team Easton/Specialized