Coliseum Crit & Edgar Soto - sign up!
The next two weekends are a couple of the best racing weekends here in Nashville for all of 2007. Promoters of the NashvilleCyclist.com Coliseum Criterium (me!) and the Edgar Soto Memorial Stage Race are encouraging racers throughout the Southeast to punch their tickets for Nashville to enjoy great weather, great races and great fun!
Online registration for both events are going well overall, but there are definitely some holes that both events want to plug. As of today there are 87 pre-registered for the Coliseum Crit and 365 pre-registered for the Soto stage race. While I am super excited that so many have pre-registered for the Coliseum Crit I am still hoping for even more before the online registration closes at 6:00 PM CST on Friday. I know my 87 is dwarfed by the 365 of Soto, but that is how it should be. Registration for Edgar Soto closes on Wednesday, May 23rd at 12:00 PM (noon).
As a racer myself I know what it's like to wait until the last second to commit to a race and decide to go. It's easy to say I'll do it day of or wait until the last hour to register online. However, look at it from the promoter's perspective. Registering online as soon as possible eases the burden on all those involved and helps promoters to be more prepared on race day. So if your plans are to race the next two weekends then please register ASAP and signal your intentions.
Some other things to consider - - -
1 - The Coliseum Crit is hoping to draw more Masters Cat 4/35+ racers for their unique field that's been created. So far only seven people are pre-registered; not a good sign considering all the discussion over the winter about creating a permanent category for this field. I'm hopeful there will be a lot of walk-ups because I felt it was important to give this category the opportunity they requested. Actions speak louder than words, so guys take advantage!
2 - For both events, more women! Bike racing is fun ladies. The only difference between riding or training as opposed to racing is that you go just a little faster. Oh, and you have a dang good chance at winning your money back plus some! Edgar Soto has confirmed they will not cancel the women's field if the minimum field size isn't met, but it's not healthy for such a large event to have so few participants in the field. I know Georgia Cup events get much larger women fields, and Edgar Soto is a Georgia Cup event. GA ladies, where are you?
I am sure there are countless variables contributing to the low numbers, but tell us, what can we do to win you back or convert you over to our sport? I for one know there are a ton of women who ride their bikes and enjoy training a lot, but what's holding you back from signing up and pinning numbers on your jerseys? Again, please tell us how we can serve you because we want to see you participate and enjoy our sport to the fullest.
3 - The Cat 4 field at Edgar Soto hit its field size limit of 100 on Thursday, but the promoter has received permission from USAC officials to increase the field size to 125. If you're a Cat 4 and want to get in then register NOW! If you miss this opportunity to get into the Cat 4 only field and do the entire stage race then you can choose to do the Cat 4/5 omnium that does only the first three stages of the event.
4 - The weather for this weekend of May 19-20 is supposed to be ideal racing weather. It's going to be sunny with highs of 78 and 83 respectively. Sunday's forecast is far better than what the weather gods sent us last year for the criterium. Great weather usually means a solid turnout with great competition. Don't miss out!
5 - I am told the finishing system at Edgar Soto is going to be top notch. Last year there were a few hiccups in the system, but the promoter has taken the necessary steps to ensure results will be handled smoothly.
6 - If you have more questions about Edgar Soto then go HERE to check out the RACE BIBLE. It's a PDF file that has everything you ever wanted to know about the event. Early next week I'll blog more about the event itself and what you can expect to experience. One thing that jumps out to me is the Wildhorse Saloon is race headquarters on Stage 3, which is the criterium in downtown Nashville!
7 - A good lucky number to end on, and that is both weekends offer up some dang good racing experiences. All of us spend countless hours training to compete and test ourselves. You have opportunities before you, so saddle up, pay up, and make your momma proud!
Online registration for both events are going well overall, but there are definitely some holes that both events want to plug. As of today there are 87 pre-registered for the Coliseum Crit and 365 pre-registered for the Soto stage race. While I am super excited that so many have pre-registered for the Coliseum Crit I am still hoping for even more before the online registration closes at 6:00 PM CST on Friday. I know my 87 is dwarfed by the 365 of Soto, but that is how it should be. Registration for Edgar Soto closes on Wednesday, May 23rd at 12:00 PM (noon).
As a racer myself I know what it's like to wait until the last second to commit to a race and decide to go. It's easy to say I'll do it day of or wait until the last hour to register online. However, look at it from the promoter's perspective. Registering online as soon as possible eases the burden on all those involved and helps promoters to be more prepared on race day. So if your plans are to race the next two weekends then please register ASAP and signal your intentions.
Some other things to consider - - -
1 - The Coliseum Crit is hoping to draw more Masters Cat 4/35+ racers for their unique field that's been created. So far only seven people are pre-registered; not a good sign considering all the discussion over the winter about creating a permanent category for this field. I'm hopeful there will be a lot of walk-ups because I felt it was important to give this category the opportunity they requested. Actions speak louder than words, so guys take advantage!
2 - For both events, more women! Bike racing is fun ladies. The only difference between riding or training as opposed to racing is that you go just a little faster. Oh, and you have a dang good chance at winning your money back plus some! Edgar Soto has confirmed they will not cancel the women's field if the minimum field size isn't met, but it's not healthy for such a large event to have so few participants in the field. I know Georgia Cup events get much larger women fields, and Edgar Soto is a Georgia Cup event. GA ladies, where are you?
I am sure there are countless variables contributing to the low numbers, but tell us, what can we do to win you back or convert you over to our sport? I for one know there are a ton of women who ride their bikes and enjoy training a lot, but what's holding you back from signing up and pinning numbers on your jerseys? Again, please tell us how we can serve you because we want to see you participate and enjoy our sport to the fullest.
3 - The Cat 4 field at Edgar Soto hit its field size limit of 100 on Thursday, but the promoter has received permission from USAC officials to increase the field size to 125. If you're a Cat 4 and want to get in then register NOW! If you miss this opportunity to get into the Cat 4 only field and do the entire stage race then you can choose to do the Cat 4/5 omnium that does only the first three stages of the event.
4 - The weather for this weekend of May 19-20 is supposed to be ideal racing weather. It's going to be sunny with highs of 78 and 83 respectively. Sunday's forecast is far better than what the weather gods sent us last year for the criterium. Great weather usually means a solid turnout with great competition. Don't miss out!
5 - I am told the finishing system at Edgar Soto is going to be top notch. Last year there were a few hiccups in the system, but the promoter has taken the necessary steps to ensure results will be handled smoothly.
6 - If you have more questions about Edgar Soto then go HERE to check out the RACE BIBLE. It's a PDF file that has everything you ever wanted to know about the event. Early next week I'll blog more about the event itself and what you can expect to experience. One thing that jumps out to me is the Wildhorse Saloon is race headquarters on Stage 3, which is the criterium in downtown Nashville!
7 - A good lucky number to end on, and that is both weekends offer up some dang good racing experiences. All of us spend countless hours training to compete and test ourselves. You have opportunities before you, so saddle up, pay up, and make your momma proud!
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 5/17/2007 11:47:00 PM
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