Dear Ken Thomson,
I am happy to get your information. If you get a turnout, possibly
there is a reason. Certainly eighteen years of our event, always listed
in Silent Sport, has dwindled as I described. This year we even had a
"Blogspot." And Ripon College has a new bike team and their coach put
our timetrial on his "Blogspot." I tried to get away from the
"structure" of money and pre-registration, bike store promotions and the
likes. But the market seems to have spoken and that is what attracts
people. I am not trying to create an event where there is no need. I
had thought I was filling a need which I saw in the late eighties. But
then we at least attracted twenty five and more riders.
Since the following blogspots were mentioned in this listserv, "our
racing product" was not needed by anyone in this group.
Here are the Blogspots.
http://louisreedrace.blogspot.com/
http://redhawkscycling.blogspot.com/2008/07/take-step-back-in-time.html
Eric Westhagen
Ken Thomson wrote:
Eric,
The Wisport Cycling Series, based in Madison, is in it's 20th year of
sanctioning citizen's road races and time trials. These events do not
require a "racing license" and are intended for anyone who wants to race
their bike. The events are professionally timed, and everyone who finishes
gets their time in the results. Medals are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
place finishers in both male and female age groups. Each age group spans 5
years.
Wisport members also receive points in a season long competition for
trophies awarded at the end of season banquet.
The next event, the Kirke Vei Time Trial is this Saturday. It is conducted
by the Mad City Velo Racing Club www.madcityvelo.com.
For more information on all events in the series, go to www.wisport.org.
>From "Race Schedule" you can go to the race flyer page for each of the 27
events held this season (Click on the name of any race).
There is also a series of non-competitive charity rides.
If you are an ex-Pro (or future-Pro), or just want a check on your current
fittness level, we may have what you are looking for.
Ken Thomson
Director
Wisport Cycling Series
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Westhagen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:28 AM
To: BikiesSubmissions
Subject: [Bikies] The New Golf?
Dear Group,
Since this is a bicycle listserv, we are happy to hear, "bicycling is on
the rise." And equally, "cycling is on the rise in Wisconsin." But
just what comprises cycling and what is "on the rise" remains a
mystery. In the last post by Steve Meiers we learn that financial and
corporate business men are buying high end $5,000 bicycles to conduct
business on the fly? Even our list's Troy Thiel is quoted attempting to
conduct business on a charity ride. (networking). And ever greater
numbers simply pedal to work with no stigma which might have accompanied
such actions in the past.
We also hear that triathlons and ironman triathlons are on the rise and
this is particularly the case among women. And we have always had the
"sanctioned" professional young riders following the summer circuit and
those riding professionally and semi-professionally in velo dromes.
But I have on good authority that one segment of the bike riding public
is declining. But then maybe there was not much call or need to
facilitate and satisfy this sector now or ever in the past. And I speak
of providing a venue for average bike riders to test their own personal
fitness in a "personal" race--a time trial race. When I returned to
bike riding at age forty-five mainly for fitness, I thought I became fit
and wanted to prove that fact. But I soon realized there were no races
for "average people." In one race I entered and paid good money for the
opportunity, I was told that they didn't bother keeping the time for
those riders over thirty-five. And I had trained for that event and was
satisfied with my personal result.
So, seeing that there just were no races except for events leading to
the Olympics or "The Tour", I organized an annual time trial race of
just ten miles, held in Ripon. This year's running was the eighteenth
time. Each year we have gotten free listings, writeups and advertising
in Silent Sport. This race is open to riders of all ages and all
equipment. There is no pre-registration nor is there a money charge.
We have token prizes, ribbons, and responsible corner guards throughout
the course. Our head timer each year has been the Athletic Director at
Ripon College. For some years now I have mentioned this Louis Reed
Ripon Time Trial Race on this listserv.
And this year nobody came!!!!!!!!!!!! Two racers drove up in a jeep
fifteen minutes after start time as the seven to ten "volunteers" were
about ready to "call it a year." So, with myself racing, that made it a
time trial for three riders.
So, lets face it. We might be doing a land office business in carbon
fiber $5000 bikes to stock brokers and bankers and we have hoards
joining Robbie Webber at ten miles per hour, but we don't have much of a
spark for self competition in the average road bike riders. Certainly
the experience of the well publicized (in Silent Sport)
LRTenMileTimeTrial attests to that fact in a true inductive example.
Eric Westhagen
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