May 13th, 2010
10 things to know about hosting a bike race
Nearly two months ago Bikes for Kids Utah hosted its first-ever omnium event with the University of Utah cycling team to raise money to get new bikes to kids and to support the U’s team. Both organizations did a ton to pull off the weekend-long event that included a criterium, hill climb time trial and road race. Bradlee Duncan, the U of U team race director, spearheaded and coordinated a good portion of the event, and helped make it a really successful fundraiser. Below are 10 of his tips for for race organizers, or, for racers 10 reasons to be nice to the race organizers and officials. It’s not as easy as it looks.
1. Sometimes people lose track of time and forget to do things, so build extra time into your plan.
2. Charge late registration fees, and make them expensive! Most of us are procrastinators and we need a little extra incentive to commit to a race in advance.
3. You can never have too many volunteers, so treat them nicely.
4. The officials are your best friends, the officials are your best friends, the officials are your best friends.
5. Government entities are slow and bureaucratic. You can’t start talking to them too early.
6. Have a specific registration game-plan, otherwise it’s chaos. Did you hear me? it. is. chaos.
7. People can be impatient, that’s why it’s so important to be patient.
8. Be patient.
9. Sometimes even Mother Nature loses track of time and gets things mixed up; be ready in case she sends warm, sunny weather in March and a few feet of light fluffy Utah powder in April.
10. Have fun!!!!!!!!! You’re doing something that fosters and grows the sport you love!
To read the press release about this event, click here.
Check out Bradlee’s blog too, TwoWheelPhotos.blogspot.com.