Why is attendance down?

Why is attendance down?

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Why is attendance down? - 9/25/2008 4:53:01 PM

TonyC

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Lets try and keepo the topics seperate.

Dan , to avoid speculating, why not simply ASK those that have not come back? Someone has their phone number.

Also, again I have to bring up Fuma. He has twice mentioned himself being new and given his opinion on the events, why not grill him as to what he liked, what, if anything, scared him etc? he is a good guy and I'm sure very willing to talk.

I'll give an opinion of someone I spoke to today...It appears too easy and therefor is boring, both to watch and to compete! Interesting when he said it was just the opposite of MotoX in that when walking an MX track, the jumps look hard, but when riding, they are easier to do. In trials, the sections look easy, especially novice and intermediate. Advanced and expert still look relatively easy and some of the champ stuff doesn't always look too difficult, especially after watching the champs ride it and make it look even easier. Of course when it comes time to ride the sections, the easy part disappears quickly and it becomes difficult to ride. Turns are boring to watch and even more boring to practice. This comes from someone that has competed and has spectated at several events.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/25/2008 7:14:04 PM

eff

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I came out and watched one round last year with my girls and we all loved it. I wish we made some this year, but we've been stupid busy.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/25/2008 11:10:42 PM

skid Jackson

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I rode the meridan event in the spring. it was my first and only event. I thought it was great and did not find anything boring about it. For me it is mostly time. My plan was to make a concerted effort to ride quite a few events this year. the plan was mostly endurosand harescrambles. I made it to exactly one harescramble and one enduro so far this year. The enduro was a mud bog that sucked, the hare scramble was muddy too but I was not in good enough shape to really ride it. So it was cool but still kind of sucked due to my lack of conditioning. The trials had tons of riding and the atmosphere was very good. It was he most fun of the 3 events. Can't comment on enduros as the mudbog event can't be what they are all about. The mx start at harescrambles is the best part. something about watching wave after wave of bikes scream off the line. Each drop of the flag bringing the roar, smoke and dust closer and closer, until you get sucked out into the bedlam yourself. It has a certain insanity/lawlessness that is kind of fun/appealing.

As far as dirtbikes v. trials bikes ... the dirtbike has a speed and flow you don't get on a trials bike that I'm not ready to walk away from .... yet. trials has the comradarie and laidbackness of a turkey run, with tons of riding and enough oh **** moments to keep it interesting.

i think if you wanted to boost attendence you might try and go after the turkey runners. some of these older guys with kids under 16 (no MC license, no turkey run) might find it a fun way to ride with their kids. and it will make both of them better riders!! I'd also try and go after some of the older mx/harescramble guys who might be thinking it's time to slow down find something safer.

for myself ... there is only so much time to play. Right now the dirtbike can make the most of that time.

Post #: 3

RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/25/2008 11:47:10 PM

blackduc98

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After attending Tim Thorp's excellent school last year I was psyched to start my first season in trials. I rode Meriden, Kingston, Brimfield, and Plainville. I would have attended many more if I had the time.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/27/2008 10:26:38 AM

motofire

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Over the last few days I have done some research with other clubs. It seems attendance is down across the board. Some clubs get as few as 30 riders per event. As a few have stated before its probably the economy. When you have 16 events some people just cant make 'em all. Maybe we should cap the amount of events?

I shared our rule book with others and actually NETA was complimented quite a bit. It was pointed out that we do need a few changes but all in all its not bad.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/27/2008 9:34:29 PM

Manray

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From: Westford MA
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Gas prices!

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/27/2008 10:09:02 PM

motofire

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Manray

Gas prices!

That and the value of the dollar vs the euro.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 8:42:18 AM

tacrac

Posts: 21
Joined: 5/21/2005
Status: offline

Hello,

Newbie and figured I'd post my 2 cents.

I got a new bike two years ago with all the intentions of starting to ride events. Well I finally rode my modern bike in the vintage event recently held in RI.

Why don't I ride more events ? Not exactly sure but here are a few that kick around in my head.

1)Commitment- I ride for pleasure and the challenge not a trophy. If I can ride closer to home during the day of an event I will for convience sake.

2) Weather forecast-I tend to be a fair weather rider and since I'm not chasing points weather is a deciding factor.

3)Family committements-Can only commit one day out of the weekend due to unforseen family obligations.

One comment I would like to make is that I intend to ride more events and that any opportunity to ride gets me excited. I appreciate the sacrificial effort that goes into hosting any event. They are ALL good.

tacrac
Ron

Post #: 8

RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 8:58:29 AM

bmac

Posts: 289
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From: Warwick, R.I.
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tacrac:
THANKS for the input. There are a lot of people in the same boat, time ,family, etc.
So it wasn't because the sections and loop was to hard.

Post #: 9

RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 10:28:07 AM

leips

Posts: 104
Joined: 10/31/2003
From: VT
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As someone who has only done a few trials events (none in two yrs.) here are my observations (as a Novice) of why attendance is down.

1) Price of Gas
2) Too many bottlenecks cause Novice riders to rush to finish = dangerous riding on the loop and in the sections (solution: start the folks who have to do 4 loops a 1/2 to 1 hr. later)
3) I won't bother chasing points if I have to work 2 events. I understand the concern for the rule but it goes back to #1.... gas. Who wants to drive 4 hrs. each way to stand in the woods (twice)? Summer is short enough in New England.
4) Weather (this summer) we had ~20 inches of rain in VT from June- August!

I think the difficulty of the sections is fine, it should be challenging, otherwise you'll never get better.

Hopefully next summer I'll get to do an event or two. This summer the only event I attended was as a checker at our event here in VT.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 12:06:40 PM

fuma

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From: Littleton
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I agree with what Leips says about working 2 events. For riders who have other commitments working 2 events is hard to do. I worked one event this year and rode in 3 so far, I plan on riding 2 more events though. I understand why it needs to be a requirement of 2 events, this is a side affect of having less riders. If you reduce this requirement who is going to work events? However getting riders into a mode of chasing points makes them go to more events. I know it was this way for me in the enduro series last year. I noticed I was running in first place and therefore was motivated to go for a season championship.

I have to balance trials with my other interests and therefore I can't make it to all the events. When I miss an event it has nothing to do with the loop or the sections, it has to do with my personal schedule and the distance to the event. I do enjoy making progress in sections over the course of the day and notice that most events have a mix of difficulty levels in novice sections.

I haven't had any trouble with the time to complete 5 loops in any event and haven't had an issue with the difficulty or length of the loop trail. Brooksville was the hardest loop I encountered but riding the loop was kinda fun (I am an enduro guy after all). Part of the reason I haven't had issues is due to the low turnout of riders. If events get crowed and lines form at sections then it would make 5 loops stressful. Leips idea of having the 5 loop riders start earlier would be a good one to compensate when and if this happens.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 12:28:46 PM

motofire

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quote:

ORIGINAL: fuma

I worked one event this year and rode in 3 so far, I plan on riding 2 more events though.

Greg...You should work one more event...Your in 2nd place in your class.

http://www.newenglandtrials.org/08_NETA_POINTS.pdf

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 12:42:15 PM

Sideshow Bob

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Joined: 7/14/2008
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I have only competed in three events, all of them at Meriden. I had a great time and thought that the club did a great job. I would love to do more events or the whole series, but I'm in NJ and most of the other event are quite a drive. Also, the "working two events rule" is a bit daunting. I am involved in an enduro club and I know the frustration that comes with trying to get people to contribute their time, but having to work two events in order to be eligable for points is a lot for me to commit to.
Also, the attendance at enduros and hare scrambles are down too. The price of gas has got to have a lot of people thinking twice about making there two and three hr. trips.
Just move all of the events to NJ, and you can count me in as a rider and a worker.

See you 10/26
Jim Dyer

Post #: 13

RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/28/2008 2:29:38 PM

tacrac

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Joined: 5/21/2005
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Just a little more input,

Having been involved with other activities (MTB) and putting on events and participating in all kinds of events, I feel that I want to have fun and ride as my schedule permits but I also realize how much effort goes on from volunteers to schedule,lay-out and check an event.

I have already worked two events (years past) and expect to work events again.

I do not think it is being respectful of all the others hard work to just ride when you can (wether you are chasing points or not) and never help with an event. Maybe if you only ride 2-3 events a year you could check or help out every other year at an event. There must be some kind of ratio of riding/checking that would work for everyone.

Have fun and hopefully see others at next event

tacrac
Ron

Post #: 14

RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/29/2008 3:56:29 PM

Rick

Posts: 52
Joined: 1/2/2007
From: Essex, VT
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We broke a record for attendance at our event in Vermont this year and actually made money for a change. Thank you to all who attended.

I cut back this year for two reasons 1) too many schedule conflicts with other commitments 2) Costs. Driving 4+ hours to every event is costly in fuel and food ($200+). The two day events are the most economical as I essentially get two events for the price of one.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/30/2008 5:19:27 PM

Gord

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Joined: 3/22/2008
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I started competing a couple years ago with my TY350 and TR33 (which is for sale) and even had my daughter get in to it as well. Unfortunately, her karting schedule had a race on almost every trials event this year and last. Although she no longer competes on the bike, I still do, and love it.
I know this is a little off the subject of trials, but I would like to let you know that kart count is way down as well, at many tracks. You aren't alone. We've been racing for eight years. Back then it was nothing to see 150 karts show up at our track. Now we're closer to 50 and sometimes less than that. People in karting are asking the same questions as you. "What happened"? "Where is everyone"? I am lucky enough to live relatively close to the track, but a lot of the people come from miles and hours away. I guess that's where the gas excuse comes from. But I'm sure there are more.
Anyhow, I'm not going to run on about it. I just wanted you folks to know it's not just motorcycle events and its not the clubs or the sections. I've only been to Meriden, North Kingston and Exeter and I had fun at all of them, even though my score didn't show it. A 1985 TY350 ........ and I have to run with the modern bikes!!!!
Hang in there. Things will turn around, Gord

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/30/2008 5:28:17 PM

motofire

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Thanks Gord...thats a great perspective you put on things. Good luck with the Karts.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 9/30/2008 8:50:47 PM

luis

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From: Fremont NH
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Gord

A 1985 TY350 ........ and I have to run with the modern bikes!!!!

I owned a TY350 for a year, now I have Honda TL 125. After riding both I believe the TY350 belongs in the vintage class.

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 10/1/2008 7:57:05 AM

motohed

Posts: 398
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From: ASHAWAY ,RI
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I have yet to compete in a trials event . I bought a sherco 2.9 in 05 and rode it at my house .I found out that I could not be competitive on the sherco , as I needed a bike with a left hand kick start as my right hip is shot. I have recently found a beta to buy and will be purchasing it soon .I have worked a couple of events and hope to work at the RITC event this weekend . I have to have the hip replaced ,but I seem to be able to ride some , and should get more practice all the way around .I also have 5 children riding dirt bikes .They want dad to ride with them , and I do. I have thought about trials for all ,but this is a very expensive sport . I am self employed ,and with the economy in the state it's in right now. Who knows ? I know that at this time it is much easier to ride a trials bike then most of my enduro bikes . Does anyone have any in expensive 80 cc etc trials bikes cheap ?

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RE: Why is attendance down? - 10/1/2008 8:17:56 AM

wheelz

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Where are you racing Karts, at Pomfret?

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