Preregister/Late Fee Cyclocross
I have asked for a forum to explain my registration requirement(s) for my race. I am sure there are more important information that can be put up for interest(s). So I decided to take this avenue to explain it to all the persons that I have on my email site. If you would be as so kind to pass it on to your contacts it would be greatly appreciated.
The Race Flyer has been on a few websites since July 2005.
The Race Flyer does NOT state that you will pay for pre registration( I have attempted to clear this point by attaching the "new" flyer to this message). It states that all you have to do is provide the promoter(s) with a completed Release Form not later than Friday, October 7, 2005 at 2359 or 1159PM. I have given numerous methods of transmitting the form.i.e. fax numbers, USPS address, drop it off points, give it to me at races. There will be two Kansas races that I will attend prior to the CX race, Doin Time in Leavenworth and Octigenta Time Trial.
Late Registration is when a participant OTHER than a first time racer, one day licensee, or kids racer, does not transmit the completed Athletic Release Form. The charge for race day registration is $40.00. This has brought, according to a few vocalists, a chorus of boo's so to speak. My response to those boo's is below:
What is the problem with transmitting a completed Athletic Release Form? Where was the uproar when you were prevented from registering on day of race for the State of Kansas Criterium and Road Race? Did you know that promoters are charged a $50.00 late fee for late flyers? Do you know that a lot of promoters do not even worry about the charge because it is so low? If they made the late fee, $250.00, want to bet that you will see the more race flyers on time?
What is the pre registration for? It allows the promoter to make contingency plans based on a somewhat solid foundation. It gives the registration folks a pre enrollment setup where the riders show their license, pay the fee(s), and pick up their number(s). A lot faster than looking around for pens, scribbling your information on a form, fighting for space around table(s). It allows the registration folks to have a race list ready so the event(s) start on time. Remember it is FREE to pre register.
Thank you for helping me spread the word on this. I wanted it cleared up.
A NOTE to the ones that disagree with me. That is your prerogative. I have heard from all the pundits, how many of the pundits are out there promoting? It is easy to take shots from the perimeter when you never have been or are in the foxhole! PS! We do have two Kansas events coming up soon! Doin Time in Leavenworth on a new downtown course, and Octigenta Time Trial.
posted by mark @ 8:53 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Roger (and all),
i think the Lantern Rouge Cyclocross flyer is confusing...regardless of how one feels about a $20! late charge...Roger, state that not everyone would have to pay that..but i'm having difficulty finding that on the current flyer...i suspect someone new to the sport would have a tough time with this one..
regards,
mark
I, like all promoters want to have as many racers pre-registered as possible. As our races grow in size, this is a necessity if we're going to keep the quality high. Something as simple as having a good registration experience can make a difference. We're in the sales business folks and little details count.
I'm taking a different path; bribes. Pre-register, you get more schwag. Not better or worse than Roger's idea, just different. As long as expectations are clearly set, let the market place decide.
I know that this has caused me to reformat my flyer a bit to emphasize that no pre pay is needed. Clarity here is really important.
mike b
The Lantern Rouge Flyer is not clear. Taking at face value it suggests than anyone preregistering does not have to pay a registraion fee.
Worse yet is the tone of your blog post. We all greatly appreciate the volunteer work you do and that you take the time to promote races. That said, what a complete arrogant asshole you are becoming. Keep addressing your customers like this and you won't have any. Make no mistake we are customers and regardless of your sense of superiority, you're out to get our money like anyone else. Lighten up and treat us with respect, if you wish to receive respect. If promoting and volunteering is becoming is a drag for you, then quit. Keep up your present course and the the majority of racers will say go fuck yourself.
Flyer aside... regarding the prior post: keep the fine and oh-so-intelligent language at home for use in front of your parents or your kids. The rest of us can do without. Let's not let this and other KC area cycling blogs devolve into the mud-slinging morass that many cycling posts/blogs become (i.e., the Texas racing forum). Stay classy, Kansas City.
Posted for Pete (sometimes it's crazy to register for these blogs)...
I haven't looked at the flyer because I am not a cross guy, but in general I don't like late fees at all. I promote the biggest race in the area without any pre-registration at all! Those who think it makes a race better to force pre-registration are nuts. I had over 400 riders and with Curtis' program and 2 KCA computers, the registration went quite well, so the argument that it is needed to streamline registration holds no water in my book. I'm not against pre-registration for those who choose to offer it and for those who want to use it, I just don't think it should be mandated (or financially punitive if you don't use it) unless the event is a timed based stage race, where you have to pre-set start times for the TT portion. For a local road events or cross events, I see no reason for late fees and I bet it deters more people than you imagine. Many times that I race locally, I'm not quite sure whether I'm going to show up or not. Many factors come into play, but particularly; the kids and wife, my health and legs, and whether I'm hung-over or not (don't start slinging arrow calling me a pussy, I know it already). Sometimes I just don't know until the day of the event. I'm sure lots of local riders came out to the Tour of KC based on those same factors.
I also think entry fees should be $20 or $25 for most events. The only category I had over that was the Pro/1/2 race (at $30) with a $2000 purse. Look, the market will decide what is reasonable, but I generally won't do a race where the entry is more, or even $25 for a very small purse. If you want to charge more, more power to you. I hope it works out. I think if you look at the successful attendance at the Tour of KC, part is based on reasonable entry, no late fees, and a pretty good purse. Promoters need to think about whether it is better to have 100 riders at $25 a head or 200 riders at $20 each?
I appreciate everyone's efforts to promote races, volunteer, and to the support racing in general. Can't we all just get along and race our bikes?
Peter Greig
I'm not CX racer but reading this and then looking at the flyer for it, I have to side with Roger on regarding the clarity of it. Unless something was recently changed but...
The back says exactly what to do to preregister, and even says to bring your checkbook etc the day of the race to pay for your entry fee (see the first page of the flyer for entry fee cost). Then it says what will happen for those day of registration people.
I honestly don't know how more spelled out it could be, he even gave fax number, phone number, email, what races he'll be at in the near future, etc. It's not Roger's fault if someone can't read through a flyer properly.
As for the pre-registration, I don't like it as a racer in case something comes up last minute, but for races I'm certain I will go to, or time based stage races, or time trials, I would gladly pre-register.
enjoy the rest of the racing season!
John Sieczkowski
I just wanted to take a moment to restate to Roger that we are indebted to your generosity of time and spirit. First, your hard work and dedication are why many of our races in the Kansas/Missouri area are safe, successful and fun. I know I certainly appreciate an extra cheer from the Roger's bullhorn during a long road race. As for the negativity your receive from certain up-tight, ego-centric racers, I am sorry for that. They probably don't understand that you get what you give. I know that the majority of cycling folks respect and appreciate your efforts. I certainly wouldn't want to race without you holding down the fort.
The evidence is clear from reg. experience at Tour of KC and from the results of Curtis Martell's excellent computerized registration system to date in 2005: day-of-race registration is fast, easy, and convenient. So what problem is solved by imposing this gigantic late fee?
I'll still have to stop by the reg. table, present my license, drop off a check, get a number, pin it on. The only time saved will be that required for entry of my name and number in the spreadsheet, but lo! The numbers are already aligned and my name and/or lic. # will be auto-filled upon the first few keystrokes by the reg. personnel. Until pre-reg allows the rider to put his/her number on at home and ride directly to the start line, bypassing the reg. table completely, why futz around with onerous made-up rules?
I plan to be there either way, I'd just hate for anyone to stay home because of a late fee.
Yours as ever,
Lotta T. Keila
Staff Lubricatives Coordinator
I'm a mtb guy and a cross guy and like to do both. But when Lanturn Rouge is the same day as round #13 of the Midwest Fat Tire Series in Blue Springs, can't do both. I realize that most mtb guys aren't cross guys and vise versa, but I would bet money that having the cross race on Saturday would get a bigger turnout.
Post a Comment
<< Home