Mate, like a famous Trav said in the other thread....... "are you for real"
The MTBA guidelines advise clubs to charge a minimum of $20.00 for day licenses. Anyhow, why is it that as soon as someone gets an idea in there head, they find it appropriate to blurt it out all over the www, and not go straight to the source, and it discuss it maturely with the appropriate people. You will find that everyone in the VDHS is extremely approachable, and in fact, completely open to ALL suggestions. The VDHS was designed specifically around the riders suggestions over the years, and we charge accordingly to cover the cost of running and administering these events. Every extra dollar and cent that may come from the events goes either a/ into a MTB club, or b/into the VDHS Capitation fund that is used to fund the development of our series through rider development, trail work, prizes, prizemoney, infrastructure, etc. If you, and any of your so called critics, EVER want to know more information about the financials of the VDHS, MTBA or your Club, just ask. Its your money and you are entitled to know. The VDHS has never tried to hide its financial position.
With regards to your specific concern, are you a MTBA member or do you take a day license at each event. If you are a member, how issue even affect you?? If you are not, the only reason it would affect you is if you are doing more than, say, 4 events a year, in which case, take out a bloody license.
The VDHS is constantly growing and evolving, and right now we are needing to put a limit on how many people turn up. It doesnt seem to me that we have people worried about the extra $10.00 on their $500 (minimum) weekend.
These are probably the same people that come to my shop at the races and wonder why their forks are not working, and want a fork service in the middle of the fucking bush........ "its only been leaking since November, and i thought you guys could just fix it for me"
By all means join the VDHS committee, and make your difference. Its great fun.......
What's involved with the role of the VDHS committee swanny? just out of curiosity, we've got such an amazing series and as you said it's growing so much! and how what are the thoughts for dealing with the expanding numbers, and interstate riders coming to it? Getting involved on that level/mtba level is something I'd like to do in later years.
and agree to the above, how can MTBA possibly cater for those recreational cyclists, racing gives a focus/an area of which is possible to apply effort and funding too, how does MTBA get people to see joining MTBA as an positive if their a casual rider or don't race? I'm guity of no longer being a member as I haven't raced for a quiet a while, I know I should be to support a body that does what it does for cycling in Aus but then I see the issues with private bike parks and would rather see MTBA help places like greenvalley etc get on their feet as this could attract those recreational riders ( aswell as better public viewing events, easier media coverage, evolving an aspect of the sport thats basically non-existent in this country yet so big elsewhere). Places like You Yangs seem to do some much: I hear about this place from non-riders just because of it's ease of access and the great work by Trav and the crew.
Also how heavily does MTBA play a role on things outside the XCO/marathon/privately held events? I'd like to see more public presence eg banners etc. i think that would help people realise where and how their money is being spent, I don't think I've ever seen an MTBA marketting device ( and thats what it is in the end), you've got to also show/give appearance of people getting something for their money, this would help me feel better about it, and probably many others.
RE: I think the state/vs club races shouldn't make a difference to a person starting out their racing, heck the price difference between a club race and the state race isn't that much of a difference anyways, and it's mostly the same crew. I for one am excited about a possible winter series, to have a year round race series could really see even more of our youth come through the ranks, just look at our junior runks, already freaking amazing! with year round racing that would potentially push it to a level not yet seen.
edit: good point by Brad below, when i do race it is the club races and not the state ones. I also ride and know alot of riders who have no connection with MTBA would should, but again they see no appeal from 13-50+ for just riding/od club race.
The splitting gravity based events from MTBA came up last year aswell didn't it? if this happened what would be the consequences for both sides, which leads to me ask, % wise what part of the membership base and fees come from each of the genres? is one catering for a larger part of the pie but not seeing it returned? is any genre carrying the other?
would splitting them see a better development for the languished 4x/dual slalom racing or Dirt jump/Free ride style events?
my question is also, how does MTBA go about attracting the bigger sponsors like Nissan, Oakley, Red bull etc. we've got one of the best series going around and yet we lack so many non-bicycle sponsors, how are the presidents going to attract the bigger companies into a sport that still flys so under the radar for the number of people who participate?
Lastly, anyone planning a enduro-downhill series, so many people have the bikes here in aus for it, yet there is only wellington!? the Buller brake burner has the potential, surely another part of the sport going under-developed as what seems to be failed XCO/XC/marathons compete with the private enduro events of DW 100km, golden square epic etc
longest post I've made on this site for a long time...
