I just wanted to share my feelings about the experience I had trying to participate in my first race. Here's the letter I wrote to the event promoters and sponsors:
To Whom it May Concern -
I just wanted to write to express the extremely disappointing experience I had trying to participate in your race.
I am a recreational rider whose favorite ride is Lookout Mountain. When I heard about the Pillar to Post race I thought it would be an excellent introduction into the world of racing. After exploring the ACA and SEAR cycling websites, I got the feeling that the organizations as a whole welcomed new riders and wanted to introduce the sport to as many people as possible.
I looked forward to this race for over a month - there was even the added bonus of it taking place on my birthday - what a great gift! I got up early this morning and went over my bike with a fine tooth comb to prepare for the race. My girlfriend cooked me a wonderful pre-race breakfast.
I set off for the start on my bike bringing only my ID and enough money for a Clifbar, $5.00 for what I thought the entry cost would be for a Citizen, and $10.00 to spare. Unfortunately I read the entry instructions wrong and didn't bring enough money to the start of the race - I was $14.00 short. After arriving at the start, the people helping at the entry desk were very helpful and sympathetic that I didn't have enough money. They were so helpful - they referred me to an older lady who was apparently in charge. I asked her if it would be possible for me to leave my ID and pay after the race (my girlfriend was going to meet me at the top after the race). She asked me what class I was racing and I told her Citizen. After she heard that she said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" She would only consider it if I were an ACA member. I was stunned. Not only was she unsympathetic and rude, but she gave the impression that I wasn't worthy enough of a break because I wasn't an elite racer - I was only racing Citizen class.
I understand that it is my responsibility to read the entry instructions and I should have been better prepared by bringing more money, but I was really hurt and disappointed at the way I was treated by the older lady in charge. I really have the impression that the race, its promoters, and its sponsors are only concerned about collecting the entry fees and not about promoting the sport of cycling and introducing such a wonderful sport to as many as people as possible.
Sincerely,
Geoff Warner
Wheat Ridge, Colorado
To Whom it May Concern -
I just wanted to write to express the extremely disappointing experience I had trying to participate in your race.
I am a recreational rider whose favorite ride is Lookout Mountain. When I heard about the Pillar to Post race I thought it would be an excellent introduction into the world of racing. After exploring the ACA and SEAR cycling websites, I got the feeling that the organizations as a whole welcomed new riders and wanted to introduce the sport to as many people as possible.
I looked forward to this race for over a month - there was even the added bonus of it taking place on my birthday - what a great gift! I got up early this morning and went over my bike with a fine tooth comb to prepare for the race. My girlfriend cooked me a wonderful pre-race breakfast.
I set off for the start on my bike bringing only my ID and enough money for a Clifbar, $5.00 for what I thought the entry cost would be for a Citizen, and $10.00 to spare. Unfortunately I read the entry instructions wrong and didn't bring enough money to the start of the race - I was $14.00 short. After arriving at the start, the people helping at the entry desk were very helpful and sympathetic that I didn't have enough money. They were so helpful - they referred me to an older lady who was apparently in charge. I asked her if it would be possible for me to leave my ID and pay after the race (my girlfriend was going to meet me at the top after the race). She asked me what class I was racing and I told her Citizen. After she heard that she said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" She would only consider it if I were an ACA member. I was stunned. Not only was she unsympathetic and rude, but she gave the impression that I wasn't worthy enough of a break because I wasn't an elite racer - I was only racing Citizen class.
I understand that it is my responsibility to read the entry instructions and I should have been better prepared by bringing more money, but I was really hurt and disappointed at the way I was treated by the older lady in charge. I really have the impression that the race, its promoters, and its sponsors are only concerned about collecting the entry fees and not about promoting the sport of cycling and introducing such a wonderful sport to as many as people as possible.
Sincerely,
Geoff Warner
Wheat Ridge, Colorado