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splitting up XC and gravity just seems like a such slap in the face to all of mountain biking...xc or gravity.
and i agree, no to "splitting".
-KT
-faulkner, windham would be awesome but, i think it would be a lot for the town to run the two "most prestigious" (us nats is far from that at this point but a wc is) races of the year.
Sun Valley has heaps of potential.
re: sun valley: do they even have the ability to haul bikes on their chairlifts (hooks, trays etc)? if they don't, then that's a lot of new investment in $$ and focus on their part, not to mention building a quality DH track and even a sub-part 4X track. just too little too late, i'd guess, which is a bummer
I just can't beleive that DH gets the shaft in all of this. Sun Valley should either have to host the DH aspect as well, or be removed as the venue for the race. I can't believe that USAC would want less sponsors and less attendance than what currently exists.
-KT
due to usfs lease issues, chances of building a new dh trail on the existing lift-serviced mtn by the time of nationals is slim to none.
however, sun valley owns a 600 ft lift-serviced mtn 10 minutes from the XC venue with huge potential that could easily accomodate a mtx course, and a canberra-esque dh course- the ultimate spectator event.
while the top-bottom quad on the mini mtn does not currently have hooks, there are hooks around that could be used.
please feel free to contact me @ tyo.julian@gmail.com if you have any questions related to this post.
It's bad enough deciding to split the National Champs, as I've mentioned elsewhere but it is a slap in the face when they did it with no viable plan for a DH event or Venue, just expecting it to happen on its own or expecting people to beat a path to its door. People like JDD have enough on their plate with Ltd. resources with the GRT series to now have to try bail out the Nationals situation.
If the situation was reversed and XC was left out in the cold you can bet USAC would be doing a lot more than they are doing right now in securing a DH venue.
Too bad too many people "need" the USAC license to race at GRT and a few other sanctioned events where you need a race license. If only your membership dollars went to an organization that actually catered to the sports needs. With XC getting most of the support and resources " the olympics" excuse is just getting old.
I have dual passport but choose to get my racing license in South Africa, as there the majority of the license fees actually goes to a regional bike club/organizer of your choice or a IMBA like affiliation. The "UCI" part of Cycling South Africa only gets a nominal amount for the paperwork of the license. That way you spend your money where its most beneficial, it also costs less than here and every national (GRT) round is a UCI cat2 event. Still baffling how such a small scene in SA can get its act together and secure their riders with UCI points and rankings and there is no bike industry or chairlifts.
Shit needs to change is USA gravity. And if no new worthy event organizer/venue steps in to save the day i think everyone would be better off letting the Sol Vista Crew host the event again. At least you can be assured it would run smoothly on a fun and challenging track, albeit very different to Champery.
* Not enough people voicing there opinion, 1500 unique racers at 2010 Nationals according to that USAC pdf, and maybe 30 unique people in this conversation.
* Need more diverse responses other than "NORTHSTAR!!!111111!!"
* Less (sorry kyle) "MUST MEET CHAMPERY DIFFICULTY", because honestly, we aren't in the Alps and those conditions are extremely hard to come by.
* USAC basically writing off the US gravity scene, which we have no real basis for this assumption other than the obvious. (What if they have the most dialed shit we've ever seen and just like to make the internet predators sweat?)
* Coming to the realization that previous years memberships haven't benefited me in the slightest. ((or any of you, unless one of you has proof of good useful dollars)(honestly, sounds pretty fucking American, we all throw in the pot, 40 people benefit, with 8 $100 rain jackets, worlds kits, worlds training, olympic training, etc for Worlds and then the whole suffers)) Just sayin, Cat 1 Nationals, I got a 25% off coupon for Jett's 2009 apparel, so that's where my $60 membership went and my $80 race fee. Basically left me saying:
"What race sponsors?"
* There's a lot of complaining (me especially) and a lot of good ideas and points (sven, KT, erik, JDD).
Why can't us gravity guys and gals form our own Coalition and make our own organization (other than the obvious because in reality it would be a huge ordeal and the UCI would go 'Lol Wut?')? I haven't had the opportunity to take part in a GRT yet, 2011's Port Angeles race will be my first chance but I really respect what JDD and the others have done in all their efforts, as an outsider. I'd be willing to give $90 annually, hell even $150 (that's what a pro license is, right?) to fund a legitimate group of like minded riders that have me, us, gravity racers, in their best interests.
In closing, USAC has done nothing obvious to keep me, Bob Racer USA, happy and willing to continue funding their XC / Road masturbation. Let's see a new group--I'll pay more annually if you make me (and hopefully the rest of us) feel like we are funding a group of people that genuinely care.
In reality, this wasn't worth typing, I'll give my hard earned money to USAC, I'll end up complaining about something, someone will call me a whiner and the world will still turn and I'll still listen to Postal Service followed by Slayer
The other option (not for those who need UCI points and race licenses for world cups) is for US open style events where organizers have said screw USAC and they just go about focussing on running the best event they can and use sanction money to attract riders with bigger prize purse and they look to local industry and community for event sponsorship. The Diablo crew have been running their own show quite successfully for ages.
But this is the easy way out i fear and for the long term development of the sport and our junior riders a UCI sanctioned option with UCI point scoring events should be the ultimate goal with or without the current USAC, ive been patient and supportive with them for ten years now and see no improvement. Even Ska Todd has tried.
-How much money does USAC recieve from gravity race fees/licences?
-How much money does USAC recieve from endurance fees/licences?
-Now, how much support does each discipline recieve in return?
-What happens to the money that the major sponsors put into USAC? (if you look at their website, you'll see they list Dow Chemical, Gatorade, Nike, etc)
I'm all for supporting the olympic pursuits of the sport, however, there still needs to be continued support for the rest of the "members" of USAC.
I see stories like this on thier website: http://usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=5658 USAC is supporting a U23 development cyclocross program and sending cyclocross riders to Belgium to train? How many cyclcross riders are there? why are they recieving this support and gravity racing can't even get a venue for the biggest race in the country?
Trying to start a new governing body, or not having USAC/UCI points races isn't helping us in anyway. We need to step up and make some noise and let USAC understand that this is NOT an acceptable way to handle the gravity aspects of this sport. We are the most marketable aspect, why can't USAC understand this and take advantage of it?
Who at USAC is in charge of the National Champs location decision? JDD/anyone? I think it's time to start making some noise and getting some return for the thousands of dollars we pour into USAC every year.
-KT
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