In a discussion of early-season races filling up quickly, Bill Leucke responds with thoughts about why there are so few late season road races, especially considering how nice the weather is at that time of year.

Bill argues that the main cause the lack of road racing during September and October is purely financial.  Because no one has raced for several months, everyone is itching to get out, so early season races fill up in a matter of hours.  By the time the end of the year rolls around, most racers are just plain tired, leaving late season race attendance low.  He writes

The economics of event promotion are that the last 50 registrants are the profit margin, so there is a _huge_ difference between an event that attracts 175 riders and one that attracts 225 riders.  Most of the expenses in promoting an event are fixed: prize list, officials fees, police.  They all have to be paid before the promoter takes any $ out of the event.

He is, of course, right on the—um—money about this.  If I’m putting on a race to raise some cash, I’m going to do it when it’s best for me, not when it’s best for the racers or racing in general.

So what happens if there is no profit motive or prize money?  Obviously the costs for the race are lowered dramatically.  It becomes feasible to put on a race for 150 riders.  The happy result: more races, perhaps even at lower costs to the racers themselves.

Read the manifesto.  Accept the truth.

-michael