Evening entertainment for cyclists before race next day

michaelm

I would appreciate some ideas on this one. I am involved with a few others in organising a one day race (A1 to A4 and Ladies) in Nenagh on April 22nd. The event has full Cycling Ireland approval and is being modelled on the Belgian/Dutch Spring Classics, a number of short sharp climbs and looping around the town offering spectators a great chance to see the race a few times. This is our first venture into this area though members of our committee have plenty of experience in terms of organising races. I am taking particular responsibility for the marketing of the event. We are getting great support from the local authorities and we all want to make it a real success. As it is a one day race I realise most participants will just arrive on the day but there are some who will probably arrive the evening before and with this in mind I would love to organise a cycling related event in the town on the Saturday night. We have been offered the use of the local Arts Centre which is a 180 seater venue that can be setup as a cinema if we wish or alternatively be used for guest speakers etc. Just wondering if anyone has ideas in this regard?
The event will be launched in early February and I will post more details then.

Lumen

Surely an after-party would make more sense?

michaelm

Thanks for that, open to all suggestions - just thought with the main race not due to finish until 4.30ish that most people would just want to head away.

Lumen

Ah, I see your point - April 22 is a Sunday.

2x4

There was a very good two man play about Mick Murphy from Kerry on the evening before the Tour of Sligo last year. Very entertaining and funny. The two guys said afterwards that they are willing to put on the play anywhere in the country.

Chips Lovell

I think you're already potentially on to a winner if you can organise a race that goes through a town and gets the spectators out. That's relatively rare, but really adds to the sense of occasion.

In my experience, most people will travel down and back on the day, even to races relatively far away. If you're racing every weekend, the expenses add up, so few people opt for hotels.

I'd concentrate on getting the punters out, i.e. promoting the race in the town, laying on activities for kids etc. Live race commentary from the back of a truck via a PA is a good draw too.

morana

There is a chap who has a lot of kellys trophys and Jerseys and he is from down that way. A mini exhibition for 1 day only might be an idea.

Slideshowbob

When I saw the subject I thought it was a more general query on Pre event nocturnal activities.

I heard before it ain't the sex before a race that does the damage, it's the staying out half the looking for it.

chakattack

Early February...nice way to kick off the season so

Entertainment after would be better, doubt many would be bothered staying over. Only really need to do that for all the stupidly early starting sportives.

Diarmuid

michaelm wrote: »

Thanks for that, open to all suggestions - just thought with the main race not due to finish until 4.30ish that most people would just want to head away.

With racing on each weekend I find that unless you want to be very unpopular at home, you want to get out, race, and get home within the minimum amount of time possible. Staying away for a night is only considered for stage races.

In fact I'd like to see race organisers start races at 11am not 1pm (some do, some don't) . With the conditions of the roads in Ireland now, you can get to a lot of places in 2hrs, I don't see the advantage of delaying the start into the afternoon.

michaelm

chakattack wrote: »

Early February...nice way to kick off the season so

The race is on April 22nd - being launched early Feb. Hope you can still make it!

chakattack

Diarmuid wrote: »

In fact I'd like to see race organisers start races at 11am not 1pm (some do, some don't) . With the conditions of the roads in Ireland now, you can get to a lot of places in 2hrs, I don't see the advantage of delaying the start into the afternoon.

Not for me...I prefer being able to get a decent kip and not have to rush too much to get somewhere.

Race starts at 11 means you have to be there at 10:30 latest. Leave at 8:30. Get up at 7:30. Weekends are for leisure!

1pm is much better.

michaelm

We're very much aware of the issue of being away from home - that's why we are trying to put on as much entertainment as possible, we want this to be an event where you can bring "home" with you.

For the record the A1/A2 event will start at 1pm, A3/Ladies@1.10 and the A4@10.30

For what it's worth - I am about halfway through building the website at the moment and while it is far from finished it may clear up any issues about times/location etc

Diarmuid

chakattack wrote: »

Weekends are for leisure!.

Have you ever raced?

chakattack

Sure have....Yeah you must be doing it wrong... up the front in a breakaway

Much more relaxed once once your out the back taking in the views

C3PO

michaelm wrote: »

We're very much aware of the issue of being away from home - that's why we are trying to put on as much entertainment as possible, we want this to be an event where you can bring "home" with you.

For the record the A1/A2 event will start at 1pm, A3/Ladies@1.10 and the A4@10.30

For what it's worth - I am about halfway through building the website at the moment and while it is far from finished it may clear up any issues about times/location etc

It looks like a great event but it seems a shame to make it so relatively unattractive for A4 riders - only 55kms and a 10.30am start! Personally I'd struggle to justify driving to Nenagh at 7.30am on a Sunday for approx 90 minutes riding! Might be something that the organisers could consider?

As a matter of interest can an A4 licence holder race as a Vet (assuming they're old enough of course:rolleyes:)

Diarmuid

RPL1 wrote: »

It looks like a great event but it seems a shame to make it so relatively unattractive for A4 riders - only 55kms

Win it and you won't care how long it is.

killalanerr

Diarmuid wrote: »

Have you ever raced?

have you

Chips Lovell

55km is pretty much par for the course with A4. If you want to race longer you should go A3.

C3PO

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

55km is pretty much par for the course with A4. If you want to race longer you should go A3.

Yes I know, but it would be nice to have a longer race and I don't think the A3/Ladies would normally be doing twice the distance of the A4s. The A4s just seem to be very separate to the rest of the event! Anyway just my tuppence worth!

Diarmuid

killalanerr wrote: »

have you

http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_5863.shtml

levitronix

sign me up

something for the kids on the day would be great too, for me racing is all about get in get out fast, to date i ve been able to stay for one prize giving , so dont think sunday racing could ever turn into a weekend thing with or without my other half

GlennaMaddy

Diarmuid wrote: »

In fact I'd like to see race organisers start races at 11am not 1pm (some do, some don't) . With the conditions of the roads in Ireland now, you can get to a lot of places in 2hrs, I don't see the advantage of delaying the start into the afternoon.

I avoid races that start in the middle of the day unless they're very close to home, as they can eat up the whole day. Either start early or late, so at least one half of the day can be set aside for family duties at home. Can't think of any races that have family entertainment on during the race, I'd consider any time of day if there was as the whole family can come along.

GlennaMaddy

Diarmuid wrote: »

http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_5863.shtml

Great photo's of the A4 Race, what was yer man doing!

levitronix

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

Great photo's of the A4 Race, what was yer man doing!

this the guy that stops for the a stretch lol ?

michaelm

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

I'd consider any time of day if there was as the whole family can come along.

Thanks for that - this is exactly what we are trying to do - most of the people involved in the organising of the event are either currently racing or used to race and one of their biggest issues is the whole of Sunday going on the event and having to leave family at home. Our basic plan is that there will be plenty to occupy family/friends etc while the race is on but they will also be able to see the race as it passes back through the town with about 25K to go. There will also be numerous other chances to see the race, that would involve a small amount of travelling as it will never be more than 25K from the town at any given time. A few of us behind this have traveled to events such as Amstel Gold and the Tour of Flanders and we are basing our plan (modestly) on these races.
We may not get everything right this time around but it won't be for the lack of effort and are certainly willing to learn.

lalorm

My Wife did the Hamburg Triathlon in 2011 and they had an evening sign on followed by a pasta party! the night before the race. Basically people had pasta while someone went through the details of the race circuit etc. Not sure how it would go down with die hard roadies over here mind!

lalorm

michaelm wrote: »

For what it's worth - I am about halfway through building the website at the moment and while it is far from finished it may clear up any issues about times/location etc

Great to see this amount of detail on a race circuit. It would be great if this was the norm from all clubs organizing races and not just the exception. Well done.:)

alexanderomahon

What is a4 racing like and what sort of time would people be lookng at for the 55k? Never raced before, doubt it's for me but hey never know.

michaelm

I don't race myself but will find out for you - but I'm sure there are others here who might be able to help out also as i would imagine with more and more people cycling this is a question many would like an answer to.

ooops - just noticed a new thread on this very issue here

dmgteam

RPL1 wrote: »

Yes I know, but it would be nice to have a longer race and I don't think the A3/Ladies would normally be doing twice the distance of the A4s. The A4s just seem to be very separate to the rest of the event! Anyway just my tuppence worth!

its a logistic matter, not possible to run 3 races at the same time ! normal ave race distance A3 is approx 90km, after all this an event that caters for everybody, with A4 being the starter group and the A3 the more experienced riders.

Sr. Assumpta

The Visit Nenagh team, and their Spring Classic road race, were featured on 'Morning Ireland' earlier today. Good piece. Podcast not on rte.ie yet.

dmgteam

Sr. Assumpta wrote: »

The Visit Nenagh team, and their Spring Classic road race, were featured on 'Morning Ireland' earlier today. Good piece. Podcast not on rte.ie yet.

tonight Visit Nenagh team and project will be on RTE 2 news.

kuro_man

michaelm wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has ideas in this regard?

strippers! ;-)

petethedrummer

levitronix wrote: »

something for the kids on the day would be great too,

The company I'm working in now had a fella with strange animals (snakes spiders etc...) visit on sports day which is supposed to have gone down a storm with the kids.

Something like this guy: http://www.familyfun.ie/jungle-dave/

Go2Guy

I heard the visit Nenagh team on Morning Ireland this morning. Great bit of exposure. I live relatively close and have cycled a lot of the routes before on training spins etc. They are genuinely brilliant courses (I am not a promoter FYI).

@michaelm I feel family entertainment on race day would be great. For the evening before, a festival atmosphere with music (dj or band) and the pasta party as one poster suggested would be good fun and maybe a bbq for the families of the racers. Basically, you want to give racers something that they can convince their other half is worth going to. Certainly some element of childrens entertainment would help for racers with family.

Best of luck with it, great racing courses.

Slideshowbob

Heard it in radio this morning

Will they race abroad too?

michaelm

Many thanks for the feedback and positive comments. For those who missed it the Morning Ireland piece may be accessed here:

http://www.rte.ie/news/morningireland/player.html?20120208,3192099,3192099,flash,257

and scroll to 1.48.30

It was also featured on RTE 2 News tonight - and will available on RTE Player. As regards the day itself we are getting amazing support from all the local groups: Town Council, County Council, Shannon Development etc and it is building towards being a really good event for all involved. Our working motto for those intending to race is "Don;t leave home without them" There will be loads for spectators to do during the race, with a particular emphasis on a food market in the town on the day. The race will never be more than 30 mins from the cetre of the town at any given time and there will be opportunities to catch it up to 6 times, as with the Tour of Flanders etc.

michaelm

Here's the link to the piece that went out on the news:

http://vimeo.com/36427995

GlennaMaddy

Great coverage you got on the radio/tv, fair play. I Had a look at the maps, would you have a digital version on mapmyride, bikeroutetoaster, strava (or other)?

michaelm

Will organise this as soon as I can. Thanks for comments and interest. We are amazed at the support we are getting from the various partners in this: Nenagh Town Council, North Tipp Co Council, Shannon Development, North Tipp Leader Programme etc. It is really heartening how willing they all are to help promote this event. We are working on a few novel areas also such as a publicity caravan ahead of the race and free access to the local pools for family/friends of the participants (vouchers to be given to the riders at sign on) and of course the food market in the town to bring people to the finishing straight in particular. We will also have a fun family cycle for the younger ones organised by North Tipp Sports Partnership.

michaelm

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Heard it in radio this morning

Will they race abroad too?

That's the medium term plan but as you will be aware, extremely expensive. The plan is to concentrate on racing at home this year, build support for the project and not bite off more than can be chewed!

Slideshowbob

michaelm wrote: »

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Heard it in radio this morning

Will they race abroad too?

That's the medium term plan but as you will be aware, extremely expensive. The plan is to concentrate on racing at home this year, build support for the project and not bite off more than can be chewed!

Thanks

Is there a prize list published or when will there be? If it's to be seen as a good classic by domestic riders, offering more for a win may make sure Ireland's top riders race it and make it a better spectacle.

Could you not invite international clubs/teams and say they should cover their own costs?

Is there a flyer or website out yet with event(s) info?

Is it part of a National Classic League or is there going to be one this year? This could be checked with CI.

Is there a route profile, any good climbs to attract spectators?

michaelm

Thanks for all suggestions, work is actually progressing on most of these. The official launch of the event and the team is taking place on Thursday Feb 22nd so there will be a lot more information after that, meanwhile the event website, still in development is: www.visitnenagh.net

Actually would really appreciate if people here would considering sharing the link (www.visitnenagh.net) or following us on twitter @northtippcyclin (no room for the g!)

Slideshowbob

michaelm wrote: »

Thanks for all suggestions, work is actually progressing on most of these. The official launch of the event and the team is taking place on Thursday Feb 22nd so there will be a lot more information after that, meanwhile the event website, still in development is: www.visitnenagh.net

Can you not give any indication about prize money, if it's on classic league calendar, or invites to international riders to readers here at this stage?

It seems odd to me that you have used this forum to suss things out and gain marketing insight yet such matters, which are/will never be state secrets cannot be shared at this stage.

BTW is it all organised under the club/team name or another entity?

dmgteam

the Visit Nenagh Classic is promoted by Visit Nenagh N7 Cycling Team , formerly known as Team DMG.
As there is no guidelines within Cycling Ireland what prize money should be, all I can tell you and others that the prize fund is generous (thanks to our sponsors) and has a structure based on a model elsewhere used in Europe.
I am in contact with "foreign" trade teams to convince them to come to Ireland, but its all about cost, that is something I can't change, but once this event has established it be a lot easier.
As for the Classic Leaugue, there is none, the Visit Nenagh Classic is on the normal Cycling Ireland calendar.
The leaflet for the race and other important info is in print at the moment, it be released on launch night , and we will take it to all venues we travel too from Tralee (lacey cup ) onwards.

Slideshowbob

Thanks teamdmg

Can I ask is first prize in the elite race likely be in the region of €100? €200? €500 €100+ etc?

If large enough it would in itself attract the top Irish domestic riders, foreign riders, and maybe event an Irish pro or two home on sabbatical.

I gather you would want the best line up possible on the start list?

dmgteam

as organiser of the race it is not fair to disclose that info yet until launch night, the race is established to promote cycling in Nenagh, north tipperary, to attract riders and their families to the town, to provide the cyclists a race with a difference and to offer the people that travel with the riders entertainment in the town. Prize money should not be the deciding factor to go racing, am at it myself nearly 35 years and its still costing me money, even when I was neo pro.
We offer the riders a fabulous race route, which will be an ideal training for the Ras, and our route covers a good few miles of stage 2 of this years Ras.

Slideshowbob

So the prize list will be disclosed at the launch event?

LeoD

What's with the prize money obsession?

Slideshowbob

LeoD wrote: »

What's with the prize money obsession?

My theory:

Good prize money, may mean better riders, may mean better race, may mean better spectacle, may mean more spectators.

Just a crazy hunch I have, is that ok?