What It's Gonna' Take.

Anyone involved in mountain bike racing in North America knows how bad the situation is for the NMBS series, it's certainly no secret. Long gone are the days of the industry team rigs pulling up and disgorging a circus of hot chicks, new bikes, schwag by the ton and well-marketed pro riders. Today's NMBS series looks more like a beached whale in it's final minutes before death. The only people in attendance are the riders, and their numbers seem to be sadly shrinking. There are no spectators that aren't immediately related to the riders, and since the racers get everything for free, they spend no money at the vendors. No money for vendors equals no vendors. No vendors equals no sponsors, and thusly no riders. It is sad to see the bike industry NOT support the racing in North America, but it is certainly understandable why they don't. When something new does come along, it's usually a $200 per-person stage race in a place so remote that the total cost for the rider almost equals their annual income. The only NMBS race that still has a remnant of success is the Fontucky race. There are reasons why this stop in the series, and it's Cal State Races do better than the rest. I am going to attempt to propose a few things for the coming years for ALL OF US to work on, not just USA Cycling alone. Please feel free to add what you will to continue the dialogue..





Remote cameras w/ big screen (Olympics did this in Athens, to keep the spectators up to date, an so do some East Coast DH races!)**talk to Collective guys about help w/this?* This would help get passers by to actually get involved in the action that nobody ever sees after the gun goes off.

Incentives for 2 racers in each class to run helmet cams that are linked to screens in the pit areas so that a VERY personal look at racing can be had by everyone waiting in the expo area. T.V. networks can help with this (*see below).

$20 beginner men's races/free women beginner races. You gotta' get people involved, or it's over. Mountain States Cup does this already!

More control over moving up riders who NEED TO MOVE UP. Do I need to say his name? I will...don't tempt me. I have a whole 'nother results page sitting right here FULL of firsts, and I am prepared to use it! If this means hiring more staff (how Linda B. at USA Cycling does her job so well for what it pays is a miracle) than so be it.

Bring back SUMO class (300lbs). Drop the 200lb clydesdale class(sandbaggers), because nobody in that weight class has more than 10% body fat that I have ever seen. At 6'5", 200 lbs is a lean-ass racer.

*Free TV coverage for 2 yrs via usa cycling for any network agreeing to a 5 year contract to cover NMBS races. Seriously, if something as new as "Ultimate Fighting" can get TV coverage, so can mountain biking. It's more family friendly, and the variety of races can span a better scope of sponsors.

Pit areas for teams free (Seriously, so many reasons why). When a large team has so many riders paying fees, dues, licenses, etc. etc. it's INSANE TO CHARGE THEM for a frikkin' pit area at the NMBS races.

Create a draw for non-cyclists by;
holding events in higher population density areas (Southridge is a great example).

getting high-rate bands to play during the day to draw non-riders.

fun-zones that have a foam-pit (Ray's Indoor sponsored?) that guys can do for $

bmx half-pipe show from industry team

INDUSTRY SUPPORT..this is a hard one. If people show up and have something to purchase, industry folks will go. They have to GO to get people to show up and buy things. It's the whole "chicken and the egg" thing, but if the bike industry doesn't support it's self first, no one else will.



More riders getting elevated "brand awareness" (wheaties boxes, commercial viability, leno, letterman, etc.)HIRE MANAGEMENT FIRM to market riders!!

BEER GARDENS/FOOD COURTS
FREE F*****G T-SHIRTS for racers.


So there it is. Anyone else? I will be making some calls on the NMBS behalf, and see what we can do to help the situation. I know I like to bitch a TON, but I also have a propensity to change things as well. Help me, won't you?









For the record, guys like Jim Wannamakebabies at KENDA show up to support every frikkin race they can get to, and support every rider they can find. If you have ever needed anything at an mtb race as either a vendor or rider, Jim is ALWAYS there to sacrifice his body to help the cause.