2007 A2A Has Low Registration (again)

[Jim White]

Generally, those are good information sources; I don't know of any better, except talking with skaters at events you do go to.

I was asking specifically about where the Sprint Challenge was publicized because I don't remember hearing about that.

There are many reasons events disapper, but usually it's because it's too much work for too few benefits, for the organizers. If there's an event you like, offer to help it.

[skaterdog]

Originally Posted by Jim White

How are they publicized to skaters?

Jim (Hijack warning)

The skate event I mentioned that took place last weekend (Pere Marquette Bike/Skate) was on the RRN calendar a couple of years ago. I made a very hard push to promote it on the forums and to local skaters. When it started out, for the first years I was the only one who skated the event. Then I got Roto (Jeff) from RRN interested and we had a high of about 30 skaters a couple of years ago.

I communicated with the event directors and pushed for some changes and more publicicty and was met with a brick wall.

I made a post on this forum asking for ideas on how to work with them and make this a better event and draw more skaters...zero response from the forum. I worked with two of the local speedskating teams to recruit skaters and build up the event. They were not interested and nobody from either team showed up.

I guess I feel that if folks don't want to support these events I can't force them at gunpoint. I think they are missing out on a lot of fun though.

I know you are a great supporter of events...the Grand Rapids indoor event this year for example...but not many others do.

Oh...and the 2007 Spirit Challenge is not a skating event (Sept 8th). It is another 60 mile event that I have skated along with the handcycles and bikes for years. As far as I know I'm the only one who has ever skated it.
They must promote it somewhere because a lot of handcyclist' and cyclist show up but the website fni.org just gives a number to call for information. Great event, well supported with a lunch and prize drawing at the end. Won a GPS a couple of years back.

If you have ideas on how I can get a lot of these indoor skaters to skate outside I'm all ears. There are a ton of skaters around but they stay inside.

[More Cowbell]

Just wanted to second your admiration of Eric Gee, samurai. He is a great skater and a friendly guy; good to hear that he is a great ambassador for our sport as well.

[Jim White]

If you have ideas on how I can get a lot of these indoor skaters to skate outside I'm all ears. There are a ton of skaters around but they stay inside.

I don't know how to get many indoor skaters to skate out, and am not concerned because they are only a small part of the potential outdoor event skaters, one reason being that many can't skate 60 miles, or even 10. Consider Duluth, or the Detroit and Elkhart races earlier this year, and the Battle Creek race in 2005. Few of the skaters in those races were indoor speedskaters. But some are, so keep marketing events to them. Others are recreational skaters, session skaters, and speed skaters from other parts of the country. Market the event to them, or at least keep it on the RRN calendar, or another of the calendars mentioned, so people who are looking for an event can know about it. Hand out fliers at other skate events, indoor and out. Talk up the event on forums, including forums which appeal more to indoor skaters than this one.

[ldskater]

Originally Posted by streetsk8r

I wonder what happened to events - like last year I skated the Avalon Park race and this year it seems to have just disappeared.

Events do disappear for many reason but to chime in as to why the Buttar Events (Avalon Park) disappeared is quite simple. At first he did a great job putting on the events and trying to accomodate us and listened to us. We tried to promote the races for him but we/he wasn't gettng the turn out.

Then the quality of the events started to drop for the amount of money he charged. He miss counted the laps even though he used an electronic system. We had to tell him the finishing order of the lead skaters.

At one race I mentioned there was sand and rocks on the course and he told me where the broom was. I'm still waiting for my award from the last race I particpated in which was over a year ago.

The list goes on and there are many other stories from other skaters. The last event he had many of us boycotted even though we had already paid.

I try to support every local race/event as long as it is not conflicting with a big event, but this guy didn't deserve our support.

[The General]

Originally Posted by ldskater

Events do disappear for many reason but to chime in as to why the Buttar Events (Avalon Park) disappeared is quite simple. At first he did a great job putting on the events and trying to accomodate us and listened to us. We tried to promote the races for him but we/he wasn't gettng the turn out.

Then the quality of the events started to drop for the amount of money he charged. He miss counted the laps even though he used an electronic system. We had to tell him the finishing order of the lead skaters.

At one race I mentioned there was sand and rocks on the course and he told me where the broom was. I'm still waiting for my award from the last race I particpated in which was over a year ago.

The list goes on and there are many other stories from other skaters. The last event he had many of us boycotted even though we had already paid.

I try to support every local race/event as long as it is not conflicting with a big event, but this guy didn't deserve our support.

I second Lenny's sentiments and know exactly the type of problems he's talking about with the Buttar events.

Happy Trails,

Don Patton

[Mark]

This may be a little off topic, but I was wondering what the road conditions are like. Are there any bad sections (like Disney's Epcot parking lot) or is mostly just typical roadway surface?

[speedysktr]

Mark-the bulk of the roads are in pretty decent shape. There used to be the notorious gatorback for 6 miles or so, but that is gone now. Aside from the typical variation you could expect over 87 miles, it's all pretty decent. There is a couple mile stretch just before the end that is fairly rough, as if the beast is taking one last swat at your willpower, but after that it's smooth sailing and mostly slightly down hill from there. I'm getting chills thinking about it. It is so awesome as you exit that stretch, because it really is smooth sailing from there. You skate through "little five points" where people are sitting at the sidewalk cafe, reading the paper and drinking coffee on a lazy Sunday morning/afternoon. Your day has been anything but lazy by that time. The feeling I get at that time is sheer excitement and joy mixed with the accomplishment of knowing that I put it all together again.
I can't wait.

[Pepper Montana]

speedy,
I know that you have probably covered this somewhere before but I have two questions for you. Do you do the course without a brake? I ask because it is a hangup for me. Also, do you do an upstart or a downstart off of the line at the beginning?

thanks in advance!

[mvirtue]

I'm not Speedy...but I can answer your start question...If you did a down start you'd be mowed over...so some form of upstart is needed...

[Pepper Montana]

Thanks, Mark!
Shoot, I only do downstarts so I guess I have a reason not to do the
ADD...

Mark, can't you tell when I'm trying to be a smartass???

[mvirtue]

Originally Posted by Pepper Montana

Thanks, Mark!
Shoot, I only do downstarts so I guess I have a reason not to do the
ADD...

Mark, can't you tell when I'm trying to be a smartass???

Not always...And I was answering work emails moments before...

[speedysktr]

I heard their giving away a lifesize cardboard cutout of a certain female speedskater this year

[Pepper Montana]

Originally Posted by speedysktr

I heard their giving away a lifesize cardboard cutout of a certain female speedskater this year

We broke up months ago... In fact, she acts like she doesn't even know who I am now. It would be nice to have something to remind me of our special moonlight skates holding hands and reciting poetry.

Seriously, do you wear a brake?

[mvirtue]

Originally Posted by Pepper Montana

We broke up months ago... In fact, she acts like she doesn't even know who I am now. It would be nice to have something to remind me of our special moonlight skates holding hands and reciting poetry.

That is so touching....


...I need to find the trash can...


...right now!!!!

[speedysktr]

Originally Posted by Pepper Montana

Seriously, do you wear a brake?

no.

[chuckboucher]

Originally Posted by Pepper Montana

Seriously, do you wear a brake?

I do when I know there will be hills with no run-out. (T intersections), but not if I were going to race where the route is supposedly watched by spotters.

On the subject of why I won't be attending A2A in any distance, the answer for me is simple: location.

I don't have the available funds to fly, especially when I have another fairly expensive hobby (my bike) and my wife has her horse, which is more expensive than both my hobbies combined.

I try (I said TRY) to attend some of the more local events. I'm registered for the Advanced Masters division at the last Eastern Seaboard Series race in September.

Hopefully, I'll attend more events next season. We'll see.

[panch0]

Originally Posted by speedysktr

I heard their giving away a lifesize cardboard cutout of a certain female speedskater this year

I heard it was inflatable and not cardboard! And NOooOOoOoOo... it is not the Queen of the Mile!

[Intrepid]

In case you are not on the A2A mailing lists, this was sent out from Scott Jones concerning the recent A2A budget meeting:

Last week we met for our budget meeting. Some key results from our meeting:

- A2A 2007 is still on. We will have the event as scheduled.

- The police budget will remain the same, though we must make cuts in other areas.

- We still have a modest shortfall and will seek additional sponsorships, donations, ad sales, and merchandise sales to close the gap.

- Volunteers are needed in all areas. Please contact volunteers@a2a.net if you can help.

- Additional sponsors are still needed. Please contact sponsorship@a2a.net to send us any referrals.

[jayssss]

OK, first thing to get out of the way. I'm an active Atlanta skater, love A2A as an event, and want it to continue. Now you know my bias. I'm new to the forum here, but have been skating about 15 years, since I moved to Atlanta. It always seemed that my schedule didn't work out do do A2A, or I hadn't trained adequately, but I first did the 38 mile distance in 2004. 2005 was cancelled, and I repeated the 38 in 2006. I'm close enough to the organizers to know that the logistics for a point-to-point 87 mile event is a HUGE headache. There are probably 10 or more different police jurisdictions to deal with (and pay for escort/intersection security), as well as setting up and manning 6 different checkpoints, 2 start lines, 2 finish lines, and all of the other various issues with running an event. This is the reason that A2A costs so much. If we had thousands of skaters, I'm sure the price would be lower. However, this is not the case at this time.

Yes, there are hills, but for every grueling up-hill, there is an exhilarating down-hill. From what I've been told, the 52 is actually an easier distance than the 38. The 38 has more hills. I'll find out this year.

I'm signed up for the 52 mile option this year, and am looking forward to hopefully completing it in around 4 hours. Come on out and join us!