A rant of my own (Tour of Elk Grove)...

I’m kind of a race constant. I’ve had a pretty disappointing season, but you’ve got to be in it to win it right? It takes a lot to keep me from a race, like a separated shoulder and a warning from my doc “don’t race.” But a flu? Soreness? Road rash? Jeez, even my (newish) stupid fear of crashing won’t keep me away. Such was the case today; the long awaited Tour of Elk Grove. I had been looking forward to this race before my disappointing season because I did fairly well last year. Plus I felt as though it was a tough and technical course that also allows a less experienced rider to ride with the pack. See, that technical aspect of the race generally slows the pace down in order to take the 180 turns safely. It’s different in the higher cats, but for a new rider starting out, it does a lot for their confidence to do well in a race like this. So my flu wasn’t enough to keep me away…

Nor would the amateur mistake I made today. My back brake was on for about half that race before I realized that was why my watts were so high and my speed sluggish. I worked with another rider for most of the race and took off for the final straight away at a surprising 30mph. So I was definitely disappointed in the fact that my races are not going along with my actual ability, but that was my fault and it will be double-checked from now on. But what will keep from away from Elk Grove next year?

The race officials notified us at the start/finish line that our races would be combined. Originally the flyer made the women’s race a Women’s Open but later it was changed to join separate races for the Pro1/2 field and the 3/4, and I was very happy about this. I later heard that prize money was decreased in order to increase the prize money for the men’s races. Ok, that didn’t really bother me, I know that cycling is male dominated and prize money is always higher for those races (and I’m not going to start preaching about that). But at the end of the now Women’s Open, the Mayor calls us all into a tent to speak with us. He tells us that they are still going to honor the prize money promised in the flyer, but that he is very disappointed in the turn out. He could of canceled the race, he says, but not to. He tells us he was promised a better turn out but it was obvious we had not fulfilled our promise. He says that, as of this moment, there will not be a women’s race next year unless we can convince him why he should continue holding a women’s race. I know how I heard this and I know how the other ladies sitting at my table heard his little rant, and I heard “its your fault more riders didn’t show up and for that we aren’t going to let you race next year.” This really upset me and I forgot my stupid mistake. I asked some other riders what they thought he was telling us and then once the Mayor had a moment free, I spoke to him.

I told him I didn’t appreciate what he was insinuating, that the riders who actually showed up for the race was to blame for the poor turn out. I wasn’t hostile and I didn’t make a scene. But this is what he says to me:

“No, its not that I’m actually placing the fault on you or the other riders. I am blaming those riders that did not show up and you are here so I just have to take it out on you.”

What?! So I tell him that no, he doesn’t have to take it out on us. I have come to this race every year since it started. I showed up, my teammate showed up. I said that had the race been a Women’s Open, I would not have because this is not the way to get riders out on a technical course (think about it, there are three Mens Cat 5 heats. I’m not saying there are enough women racers out there to have separate heats for the cats, but two races for the women? I don’t think that’s asking too much). He says:

“Well you should have brought more women out to the race…”

I say “But I’m not the race promoter” And his response? He shrugged his shoulders, lifted up his arms, and turned around and walked away. Apparently it wasn’t even worth a response.

What was said, in my opinion, was very disrespectful. I know he was frustrated with the turn out, but to blame the racers who come to the race (a lot of us still feeling that post-race high) for small fields? This isn’t Texas or California. In our area, the women’s fields are always small. I believe there are a lot of women out there who would like to race and for whatever reason do not. I’ve always spoken highly of the Elk Grove course, even met with the “You actually like that course?!” because so many dislike the narrowness of the lanes, the technical turns, and the possibility of crashes. But for the reasons mentioned above, I do like this course. It is because of its difficulty that I think more people should try. And I’ve always finished my description of the course with that sentiment.

Another rider gave the Mayor some really good advice, offer more perks and you’ll get more racers. Like rider housing because at this time of the year, a lot of budgets are running out or empty. Small prize purses and a small budget will keep racers away. Or how about a race weekend like the men get? Riders are more likely to travel to a race if they will get more than one race out of the weekend. Since the first Tour of Elk Grove, other cats have gotten a full weekend of racing. Can’t this be done for the women? There are lots of ways to get more racers out, but blaming the ones who came is not one of them.

Basically, it’s a catch 22, you say more time (and money) should be devoted to the cats with more interest, but then complain when interest diminishes because of the lack of time (and money). You can’t have it both ways. The Mayor said that we have to convince him why there should still be a Women’s race next year. This means the decision has already been made not to have one with a slim chance it might be on the schedule. How about you convince me why I should come back again, because as of right now, I’ve made the decision not to come back to the Tour of Elk Grove.