What the crap

[DLaan]

Why the crap did you decide to do a race on the same day as the state CX championships. There are plenty of other days to do the race say the saturday before the CX state championships.
Promoters need to look more carefully at other bike racing calendars in MN before deciding when to do a race.
Derek Laan

[gopherhockey]

Are you referring to the Elk River race? Thats not a MORC event, so I can't answer why they are holding it on that date.

Perhaps the contact in the race details is watching and can answer?

Here is his contact info:

Contact: Piotr Bednarski, mnbiathlon@aol.com, 952/924-0381

[JayT]

...them guys got good aim.

[SickBoy]

I have to admit this is a huge blunder. Had this been scheduled on saturday instead of sunday I probably would have done both.

State CX has been on the calendar since mid-summer. Scheduling another event over top of a State Championships is bad monkey.

Not to mention that the MN/WI XC championships are the same weekend down in Wisconsin.

Sheesh.

[piotr]

this is Piotr Bednarski writing- yes, I agree it was not such a good choice of dates. I would change it now if I could, but I think its too late.

In my defense:
1) I went to the three MN websites I know of to check on conflicting race dates- morcmtb.org, blast, and mnscs.com. Not one website listed any other races.
2) The Blast guys had told me in early Sept that they were going to organize a Sept Milaca and Oct Elk River race- well then I was not going to step on their toes. Here it was the end of Oct and no race was posted. Ok, so I dove in.
3) City of 2.5million people. Can probably handle more than one race. The Elk River race will be very low key, and for a first time mnt bike race organizer, I hope the turnout is only 30-50 people- that would be fine with me.

For my information, could you tell me which is the best website to check for Minnesota mnt bike race schedules.

Piotr
ps. dime size groups at 50meters

[JayT]

I can't speak for mtb racing, but the schedule for all area road & cyclocross events can be found at www.mcf.net

It's the web site for the Minnesota Cycling Federation (http://www.mcf.net)

The road season is done, but cyclocross races are still going on every weekend right into Nov.

[SickBoy]

Nah, it's alright... we need more people in the race promotion business.

If it were at all possible for you to move your event to saturday the 8th, I think you'd get more than your 30-50 expected turnout. Not knowing what your break even point is I guess it sounds like you don't care.

Oh well. Elk river is a cool trail and I've never raced there (and would really like to) but a State championships takes priority.

P.S. do you plan on having cash payout for experts?

[SickBoy]

P.S. If you can throw in a date with the fine lady from the Star Trib ad I'll skip the CX race.... ;)

[piotr]

jay and andy-

I guess I could change the Elk River date to the 8th, what do you guys think? I just need to change the permit.. I just worry about having some people not hearing about the date change. I guess in the world of email I could probably work that out. thoughts?
Piotr

[piotr]

ps.

about the Star Trib lady, I'll work on it. As far as cash payouts, no plan for that. I have some race entries to next years Laddies Loppet and some really good bakery prodduct from an awesome bakery in Elk River (the bakery is reason enought to make the drive to Elk River). I know its not the same as cash, maybe next time.

[JayT]

Piotr,

Changing the date is totally up to you. Keep in mind that the reaction here has been less than a hand-full. You mentioned that you were hoping for 30 to 50 participants. Holding your race on the same day as the Cyclocross State Champs will, most likely, have an impact on your event. I'm guessing, but I'd say a dozen to 2 dozen who might attend your event will choose the State CX Champs in Crystal instead. On the other hand you might draw the number you're hoping for in spite of the date conflict and it'll be a none issue... who knows?

Do you plan to make it an annual event? I think people really like the idea of a fall mtb event. I think it's a great way to introduce yourselves (biathaletes) to folks who don't know who you are.

JayT

"ps. dime size groups at 50meters"... yikes! is that with the heart rate jacked?

[piotr]

Dear Jay- I think I will go for it. what the heck. I will just ask all the websiteds to really post it prominently.
As for the dime size groups, no I'm not really a very good shot anymore, and definitely not with a heart rate. We have a few kids that can shoot like that, though. Well hope to see you Sat, nOv 8. I will send out notices Sat am.

thanks,
'piotr

[fsrsteve]

Lets see..nov.8th..opening day of deer hunting....that blaze orange jersey might be a wise choice...and remember to keep your head DOWN!!!!

[SickBoy]

Piotr -

Awesome, man. I'm pretty sure I'll be there. Thanks for doing this!! I think you'll find the date change beneficial to your turn out. As a guy who's run a couple of MTB races, I'm rather impressed that you're able to actually get the date changed that quickly.

--andy

[piotr]

Anything to get a few more people out there.

I was out at Elk River today working on the trail with a number of Blast guys and some of my biathletes. The trails are in really good shape. Pass the word on about the race.

As far as making a quick date change, we don't have a very large race organization, so its not a problem.

Hope to see you out there. If anyone asks you, there is only day of race registration. All info on the morc home page and at www.minnesotabiathlon.com

Piotr

[TML]

Piotr, MN Biathalon et al-

Good luck and have fun with the race this coming weekend. Hopefully you will have a good turnout. I'd be racing I wasn't going to be wearing orange and 'carrying' this weekend. It's nice to have an mtb race later in the fall. Elk river is a fun course and The Blast has done a great job with it.