10 tips for promoters
May 6
2008
Filed in: Non-racing


Comments (19)

I have a lot of tips for riders here, but what about for the other side of the registration desk? We’ve discussed this somewhat before, but what tips do you have for promoters? Here are 10 that have recently come my way, but feel free to add more in the comments.

Note: This is not an invitation to complain about promoters, all of whom are providing invaluable, thankless service for us at very little benefit for themselves.  Plus, I hate whining. Rather, I’m soliciting the little things that might not have occurred to promoters already buried with paperwork, permitting and other logistics.


  1. Include the exact address of your event, not just directions. This gives people something to plug into their GPS devices or their favorite mapping tools.

  2. Make the finish line clear. Don’t put it a yard away from the crosswalk. If there is a banner, make sure it hangs exactly over the line.

  3. Give a discount for online registration, or reimburse the service fees. Pre-registering is in your interest, and any costs you incur can be made up for by the people who register but don’t race. It lets you hedge against bad weather, too.

  4. Discount for multiple races. Many of us are disinclined to pay full price for a race outside of our target category, such as masters or open races where we know we’ll be overmatched. But we’ll pay half price, and half is better than nothing, and our second race adds nothing to your fixed costs.

  5. Let us re-use race numbers for multiple categories. One less thing we have to worry about before races. And make registration close and easy to find.

  6. Provide results as deep as possible. For a new racer, there is a difference between 40th and 60th place.

  7. Make safety a priority. More marshals at urban crits, please. More signage and motor escorts on road races, please. Position and choose barriers that make us more safe, not less.

  8. Announce prime prizes before the race. We can’t hear you over the bell.

  9. Post results online quickly. Racers are vain and like to spend hours studying the results tables. The Wisconsin Cycling Association and its promoters are models in this regard. Results are prompt, including updates to its cup standings.

  10. Have plenty of water -- free water -- and toilets near the start/finish area.


    What other suggestions do you have for our promoters?

Comments

1.

May 6
2008

9:24 am

(ABD)

Signs alerting us where to park, and how to get to registration are always appreciated.

2.

May 6
2008

9:40 am

Signs from the main road, like a yard sale-
And “same place as last year” is not a location a new racer can easily find. Otherwise, Thanks for all the good work.

3.

May 6
2008

9:59 am

more nudity.

4.

May 6
2008

10:21 am

Chris Clary's avatar

(Turin)

Use the lap counter for more than just the last 5 laps.  Collegiate racing has a good habit of counting time up on it until 3/4 of the race is done and then counting down laps.  And yes, more nudity.

5.

May 6
2008

10:50 am

Peter Allen's avatar

Peter Allen (XXX Racing/Athletico)

Good points, Luke.  I think most promoters do a nice job when organizing their events.  It’s never an easy job.  A few things I’ve learned from my experiences as a race director and my observations of the bike racing world are:

1) Less prize money to non-pro racers: OK, I can hear the gasps from the audience here. Why do we need to win $20 for third? OK, I understand for some racers on a budget, that’s a big deal because it pays for their entry.  However, most of us are riding bikes worth 50x-100x and will easily spend $20 or more just for gas and snacks on the drive home. I would like to think most of us are racing for pure joy and pride (fighting for a place or upgrade points). Put the money back into the race budget for things like signage and safety initiatives.

2) Swag for the volunteers.  T-shirts, gift cards, etc. as a thanks for showing up.  It’s amazing how many people are more willing to “volunteer” when they get a little “thanks”

3) Electronic timing (http://www.championchip.com/chips/). It doesn’t really matter much in a mass start race that’s not part of a stage race, but chip timing can greatly speed up results (see Tip #9). The downside is exta cost, but they are gettign cheaper.

4) Press Releases to Local Media
When the big news in your town is usually a new sanitation ordinance or the local PTA meeting, bike races are a novelty and something unique to cover. Don’t be surprised if you get a call from a local reporter who has the press release come across his or her desk.  Then you and your sponsors get some nice free advertising.

Tips aside, we should go out of our way to thank the promoters, volunteers, and officials who take time out of THEIR busy lives to ensure we have fun, safe races, and enjoyable.  Thanks!

-Pete

6.

May 6
2008

10:50 am

(xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

Here’s one directed towards RDS Cycling (great race this past weekend, thank you for your efforts, but...):

Don’t put the 4’s and 4/5 Masters back-to-back. It results in a large number of tired racers in the second race, which results in a higher probability of crashes. The women’s race could have been easily placed in between the 4’s and masters and it would have been much better.

It would nice to see this fixed at the upcoming Fox River Grove crit.

7.

May 6
2008

11:06 am

(xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

Oh, and I’ll put my money where my mouth is. As one of the Sherman Park/xXx race organizers, we’ve incorporated many of the above suggestions into this year’s race. I’ll take note of all the ones we haven’t and see if we can work them in if at all possible (well, except Brean’s suggestion).

In fact, here’s a few things we’re doing off the top of my head:

- Race safety focus
- Discount for online registration and multiple races
- Free race for volunteering (see details on flyer)
- Separate cat 3, 4 and 5 races
- Break between 4 and 5 races and 4/5 masters race (same goes for 3’s and masters 1/2/3)
- Address of event on flyer

8.

May 6
2008

11:18 am

Julian (Burnham Racing)

Here’s one for ya:

At-mos-phere.

Really, the event will be remembered not only for the quality of racing but for the overall experience as well.  When we think back to some of the great races in which we’ve participated we of course remember the roads, the prize money and competition, but the gestalt is what solidifies the event as a success. 

Promoters and teams would do themselves right by trying to make the whole day fun by setting a positive and relaxed tone.  After all this is about fun right? Right?

9.

May 6
2008

11:28 am

(MetCycling)

I vote for safety, safety, safety. Then less male nudity in the parking lot & more podium girls.

10.

May 6
2008

11:36 am

Al Urbanski (WDT-Allvoi)

Narrow roads? Yellow line rule? Speed limits (for cars)? Open or closed roads?
I’d love some advance information on the safety of the course, especially with regards to auto traffic. After BK’s death, this should be a concern for everyone.

As a cat 4, I love the flexibility of being able to choose 3/4 and/or 4/5 races, by the way. I can pick between two start times and two different field strengths, or I can compete in two races (since I’m not a masters racer). This might discourage sandbagging from people who are unsure about being able to race in the higher category.

11.

May 6
2008

11:48 am

andy daley's avatar

andy daley (Burnham Racing)

More Hilly crits! 

Though a pain to pin multiple numbers for multiple races, having the same series of numbers for each race (3XX, 4XX, etc.) helps the finish line officials figure out who is who. 

We had that problem at the Spring Super Crit, what with numbers being reused for multiple races (not to mention Luke somehow magically getting assigned race #666). 

All the other recommendations are spot on...but I see no mention of more hilly crits.  tisk tisk tisk.

12.

May 6
2008

12:41 pm

super rookie (Grumpy's/LGR)

Tip 11) Have racers promote races. I thought it was going to be an easy task, but after trying it I realized how much of a pain in the a$$ it is to put on a race for a bunch of whiners. That being said, racers promoting races means things run a bit smoothly.

Tip 12) Burgers, Vegi-Burgers, Brats and soda near the start finish and “bouncy things” for the kids to jump on while daddy and mommy race! That will tie in with the atmosphere that Julian so desires.

13.

May 6
2008

12:57 pm

Yuppie

I like the idea of more info all around.  Set up a website (c’mon!  It’s the 90’s for chrissake!).  Get the info out there early and update often.  What time, where (addresses), who’s pre-registered, weather predictions, directions, printable flyers for racers to hand-out, etc. 

The more info the better.  Get it out there! 

Oh yes.  More hilly crits with balloons and happy time.

14.

May 6
2008

1:21 pm

bobw (xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

I’ll echo Al on the safety front. If you don’t get anything else spot on, rigorous attention to safety has to be there.

Okay now my quibble - PLEASE double-check your directions. Give them a second set of eyes. Please.

15.

May 6
2008

1:23 pm

bobw (xXx Racing-AthletiCo)

okay AND more nudity, but not involving brean. ha.

16.

May 6
2008

3:04 pm

quickkarl's avatar

quickkarl (Wild Card Cycling)

longer road races for 5’s this 20 mile stuff sucks. if u need to limit amount on road, pull the last X%

17.

May 6
2008

8:55 pm

At races where you have to change in the porttapotty, it would be great if there were hooks on the inside door allowing you to hang your clothing or a bag while you change. 

Also, I think everyone should make an effort to get urine into the potty

18.

May 6
2008

9:00 pm

Luke Seemann's avatar

Luke Seemann (XXX Racing-AthletiCo)

“Also, I think everyone should make an effort to get urine into the potty”

As someone who once made the mistake of walking barefoot into a bathroom at Superweek, I second this plea. Hold your lines, gentlemen!

19.

May 7
2008

7:54 am

Al Urbanski (WDT-Allvoi)

Safe courses would be great, but since I know not all courses will be totally closed to traffic anytime soon, just telling us how safe they will be should be automatic. Just write an extra sentence in the description.

 

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