[NCNCA] Women's Races

[Kelly Snow]

So far, this statement "Do the promoters a favor and pre-register. "  has been made several times. If members of this list want to promote that sentiment, I'd recommend a different communication channel. Half the people you are trying to reach to probably aren't on this list. Most Cat 4 women are new to the sport, new to anything related to cycling organizations and events; They aren't aware of this email list. 

Dare I mention, getting people to pre-reg by simply telling them to do so ass-backwards without incentive to change existing behavior. It is not clear to racers, especially new ones, what the benefit of pre-registration is. From your average Cat 4's (or any women's field) point of view, the races don't sell out so why bother? It's worth $5 in late fee to have the flexibility of deciding last minute. It's pretty easy to configure sportbaseonline and others to add a $20 late fee if they don't pre-reg. Or do what sea otter does and don't offer same  day reg. It seems this is a much easier strategy than trying to get every newbie to understand pre-registration makes a promoters life easier, and therefore saves women's cycling for years to come. C'mon. You know how the world works - "what's in it for me, today?"

I'm sorry there isn't more participation - it's makes us all better competitors to have bigger fields and more races to choose from. It's only after a year of racing that I tuned in to these issues as they are not really obvious. I'm hearing a call for someone to step up - and i'm not convinced a women's event for women by women for one day is solving the issue. It's a step to be sure. 

I'd love to help solve this problem constructively. Feel free to contact me for that purpose. 

Kelly Snow
Dolce Vita Cycling, Board Member
Cat 4 (and probably will be for life)

-----Original Message-----
>From: Stephen Langone <Stephen.Langone at flextronics.com>
>Sent: Apr 30, 2008 7:41 PM
>To: Eric Smith <redbike at earthlink.net>, Daniele Rossdeutscher <daniele at glotrans.com>, ncnca at ncnca.org
>Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Women's Races
>
>Is there a book out there like Race Promotion 101?
>Everyone needs to understand and consider the implications with running
>such an event(Financial, Legal, Logistical, etc. ).   
>The crux of the issue is getting the fields to fill.   Do the promoters
>a favor and pre-register.   Lessen the burden on them and help support
>the growth of "our" sport.
>
>my .02cents
>
> 
>Steve
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ncnca-bounces+stephen.langone=flextronics.com at ncnca.org
>[mailto:ncnca-bounces+stephen.langone=flextronics.com at ncnca.org] On
>Behalf Of Eric Smith
>Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:20 PM
>To: 'Daniele Rossdeutscher'; ncnca at ncnca.org
>Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Women's Races
>
>Daniele,
>
>Why not promote a women's only race on a Saturday where there are no
>other races. Make it a short day and have limited purses or go heavy on
>merchandise. Would be fairly inexpensive to run and would hopefully draw
>some new women to the race. If it catches on, a series would be the next
>step.
>
>Eric 
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ncnca-bounces+redbike=earthlink.net at ncnca.org
>[mailto:ncnca-bounces+redbike=earthlink.net at ncnca.org] On Behalf Of
>Daniele Rossdeutscher
>Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 3:53 PM
>To: ncnca at ncnca.org
>Subject: [NCNCA] Women's Races
>
>As a cat 4 (52-year-old) woman in her 2nd year of racing, I would like
>to send a request to race promoters: please hold separate races for
>women in all categories: W1/2, W3, W4 and masters (45+); Don't bother
>with masters
>35+ as many of the strongest women are over 35.
>
>Sure, the number of racers may be low but if you hold the races, they
>will come; it may take a few years but women's cycling will grow and
>prosper. If you don't hold the races, the door remains shut. If there
>are no masters categories and I have to race with W3s, I am very likely
>to stay home.
>
>If prize money is an issue, then offer fewer prizes; we do not race
>because of prizes. 
>
>Daniele Rossdeutscher
>Left Coast Racing Team
>
>
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