Looking out the window last night, as the the snow floating down my thoughts drifted to contemplation about next years riding plans. One of the races I was toying with was a solo effort at the 2010 24hrs of Adrenalin in Canmore (what’s wrong with me, I know). I’ve raced it as a team before, but I decided to pull up the site and get some firmer details.
Now, I don’t think I’ve posted anything that could be constituted as a rant on this blog, but somebody has to explain this to me…
One look at the registration and I did a quick 360°… $450?!?
To put it in context, the pricing for the other divisions is as follows:
4-person = $850 ($212.50/person)- 5-person = $850 ($170/person)
- 10-person = $1,300 ($130/person)
Comparable 24hr races I found ranged between $90-$300 (most of them leaning in the lower realm, and even the other Adrenalin events were closer to $300).
Now, I like to think I’m a reasonable guy… I fully anticipate a solo entry to be priced higher than the per-person cost of a team, but 2-3.5x the price?!? I have some trouble wrapping my head around that.
To further crystallize my frustration – The TR3 (a 3-day mini version of the Transrockies) costs $599 (or $499 with the early bird pricing). Sooooo… For an extra $50 I can get an additional 2 days of racing in beautiful British Columbia…
What gives?
Are there ridiculous insurance costs that need to be taken care of? Are there crazy logistics that I’m not understanding? Am I totally out to lunch on this?
The only thing that I can think of is that they are pricing the solo entries really high purposefully, to ensure that only the most serious (probably sponsored) riders are entering, to keep the solo-24hr pool as ‘elite’ as possible. And while I don’t necessarily disagree with this practice, $450 seems a little extreme. I’m no pro, but I’d like to think I’m a moderately capable, experienced racer who’s looking for a fun/grueling challenge. But for just shy of $500, I think my money might be better spent elsewhere.
If anybody can shed some light on this, please let me in on the secret…
Are these people living in the same economic conditions everyone else is in? Insane.
Ken perhaps I can help you out. Look no further than owner ego and lack of foresight when considering the expense of 24hrs Solo. You see Ken, the sign alone that adorns your mesh wire ‘solo pit’ costs almost $100 to produce, especially since it’s done at the last minute and needs to be shipped overnight from Toronto; the only place they have printers. Also, you get a $5 finishers medal that will no doubt be the pride of your trophy case for years to come. Think of these things Ken and you’ll know that it’s worth every penny.
If that’s not enough for you Ken, you may want to factor in your portion of the airfare and registration fees that only the Elite category winners receive toward next years event; I mean that money has to come from somewhere. The bar bill for beer, food and a private room for 10 at a pub can’t be cheap Ken. A part of that outrageous registration fee of yours contributes to some locals that volunteer many painful hours to pour through feedback. These are not your average, compiled set of survey results Ken. This is 10 sets of 700 page thick binders produced out of a machine that takes $800 in printer ink. Someone has to pay for that kind of efficiency. Yet another time the same group shared expensive rations to debate schwag Ken. C’mon. It took awhile to rip ideas off of the better, harder, more successful, multi-day event you speak of on the other side of the border.
On top of this all Ken, remember you’re not done paying. Oh no. You want a canvas roof over the head of your tech support? Extra. What if you WIN and want to come to your own awards recognition dinner that’s actually only low quality finger food? Extra. What if you want more than 2 people in your solo pit? Extra. You want to see that picture of you crossing the finish line? Extra Ken. Extra.
And Ken, might I suggest if you don’t want to be banned from the event before you register that you delete all mention of the Adrenalin brand? The last time a competitor dared cross the event they were actually banned for life. Another competitor got sick. She had to pay a lawyer to get her refundable registration fee back Ken. That was extra too. Lawyers also cashed in another time; that was when bankruptcy was declared after he got caught infringing on another person’s copyright. All class, all the time Ken; these are the things you pay for.
Oh yeah; the entire event is actually volunteer run so consider that portion of your experience actually free! Disclosure – I was paid staff so I put in 90 hours over 4 days to earn my piece of your fees. Surely you must think that worth the generous $600 I received in exchange. Don’t worry Ken; I did not get off scot free for that $600; I got yelled at and belittled like never before so that $600 was well earned and I don’t want to hear otherwise.
I’m sure your $450 really must sound like a bargain now.
No matter what your choice Ken, I do admire your tenacity of spirit to undertake such a race. I truly admire each and every one of the solo athletes. Admittedly, I have a soft spot for those who boycott the Adrenalin franchise and choose the other 24 hrs events. Or the Transrockies event. Or a beach vacation. Or a new couch to not get off of. The latter is my choice in 2010 Ken. If you want to join me I’ll even spring for some beer.
$450 sounds still wickedly pricey to me.
@anon Thanks for the ‘insider’ veiwpoint… It is perhaps the most eloquently written, hilarious, and yet rational rant I think I’ve ever read ;-)
Pfffft! $450.00… That’s a bargain to see you ride solo for 24 hours! I’d almost pony that up myself, almost ;-)
Ken…it is refreshing to see that not only are you becomming a much improved cyclist and athlete but perhaps more importantly, you are also becomming increasingly wise. This elitist attitude is no longer confined to our pampered overpaid professional sport hero’s but it is seeping down to the average man like you who just wants to participate and enjoy a competative sport. If more of us were like you and said “No” to rip off prices and costs, we would all be better off.
Your experience reminds me of a similar but non athletic occurance that happened to me. I was invited to S&K’s for dinner. Being the harvest season and halloween etc, I wished to purchase an appropriate gift for the dinner hosts. I went to the Strathcona Farmers Market on saturday in search of a gift. The greedy vendors there wanted $20 for a mishaped,scared up,ugly pumpkin. I can proudly say, that like you, I said “No”. The following day I was pumpkin shopping at Save on Foods. The same sized but beautifully shaped, unscarred pumpkin was $3.99. The purchase was made. The vendor, the purchaser and the recipients were all very happy. So in conclusion to your article…”Like Ken Hurd….Say No” if your being ripped off.
Come on you can do 24hrs Solo with me and Wade in 2010. We are already signed up. It will be a lot of fun, plus we could share support and equipment.