Some really interesting food for thought here, Adam. Thank you so much for sharing. I wonder if, in the next few years, we'll see more weight given to the organisation when choosing races, rather than to other factors?
As someone who has competed in multiple disciplines of cycling for 20 years, and started racing ultras precisely to opt out of the over emphasis on professionalization, the acceleration of it in this side of the sport without much structure the last few years has been concerning. Thanks for writing this and helping to expand the conversation.
On the other hand, it does seem like most of these issues are fairly localized to the very pointy end of the races and events. Most riders are for sure having an adventure
Thank you! After a few days it is good that this conversation starts to evolve into a constructive and positive manner. I completed the ADVENTURE myself and that was my goal. Although being at that same starting line with the RACERS/ADVENTURERS, my idols, gives that little bit extra. I look up to those men/women in the front! Therefore I was quite disappointed at the beginning reading all this fuzz about dishonesty, doping allegations, organisatory flaws and people shooting their frustrations all over the social media. It felt that I had taken part in something that was false, did I put all that effort in something that is so questionable? On the contrary I thought I finally had found a sport or hobby that couldn't be more real and true, just me, my bike and the route. That the whole community was so shocked and broken about what happened or did not happen at first questioned also my own accomplishment and really confused me. Also the riders in the mid-field, the ones that arrive just before cut-off time and even more the ones that did not finish in time must be able to value their performance first of all for their own and secondly trough the authenticity, integrity and honesty of the adventure they took on. Things will get more complicated with more rules and do's and dont's, but I understand it will be necessary when the stakes are high. From the beginning the word SELF-SUPPORTED was just perfect. It did not need more explanation, but that was maybe naive... I have 2 lifelong quotes, maybe one day I will tattoo them on each buttock cheek, so when things go wrong I will just have to lower my bibs and go on.
One side will be "Seize the day" and the other side will be "simplicity is beautiful".
Anyway this community is strong and cares a lot, so in the end we'll find the good solutions!
I take part in Lost Dot Races. I also worked 20 years for the UCI. When it comes to long distance racing, I know which direction I want my sport to go.
Great reflexion on the future of the sport. I’ve witnessed and been part of similar debates in the past for other sports such as Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, Freeskiing, Skateboarding, BMX. At some point these sports have integrated established federations because of the appeal of the Olympic Games. A lot can be learned from these examples. The UCI has already set its sight (and soon grip :-( ) on gravel racing and the perspective of it being integrated in the Olympics will eventually be on the table. Ultra racing on the other hand has more chances to remain independent for it is extremely difficult to cover from a media perspective and races that extend overall several days on end don’t offer the same appeal beyond the core fans.
Some really interesting food for thought here, Adam. Thank you so much for sharing. I wonder if, in the next few years, we'll see more weight given to the organisation when choosing races, rather than to other factors?
Right on point.
As someone who has competed in multiple disciplines of cycling for 20 years, and started racing ultras precisely to opt out of the over emphasis on professionalization, the acceleration of it in this side of the sport without much structure the last few years has been concerning. Thanks for writing this and helping to expand the conversation.
On the other hand, it does seem like most of these issues are fairly localized to the very pointy end of the races and events. Most riders are for sure having an adventure
Thank you, Adam.
Very, very well said!
Thank you! After a few days it is good that this conversation starts to evolve into a constructive and positive manner. I completed the ADVENTURE myself and that was my goal. Although being at that same starting line with the RACERS/ADVENTURERS, my idols, gives that little bit extra. I look up to those men/women in the front! Therefore I was quite disappointed at the beginning reading all this fuzz about dishonesty, doping allegations, organisatory flaws and people shooting their frustrations all over the social media. It felt that I had taken part in something that was false, did I put all that effort in something that is so questionable? On the contrary I thought I finally had found a sport or hobby that couldn't be more real and true, just me, my bike and the route. That the whole community was so shocked and broken about what happened or did not happen at first questioned also my own accomplishment and really confused me. Also the riders in the mid-field, the ones that arrive just before cut-off time and even more the ones that did not finish in time must be able to value their performance first of all for their own and secondly trough the authenticity, integrity and honesty of the adventure they took on. Things will get more complicated with more rules and do's and dont's, but I understand it will be necessary when the stakes are high. From the beginning the word SELF-SUPPORTED was just perfect. It did not need more explanation, but that was maybe naive... I have 2 lifelong quotes, maybe one day I will tattoo them on each buttock cheek, so when things go wrong I will just have to lower my bibs and go on.
One side will be "Seize the day" and the other side will be "simplicity is beautiful".
Anyway this community is strong and cares a lot, so in the end we'll find the good solutions!
I take part in Lost Dot Races. I also worked 20 years for the UCI. When it comes to long distance racing, I know which direction I want my sport to go.
Great reflexion on the future of the sport. I’ve witnessed and been part of similar debates in the past for other sports such as Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, Freeskiing, Skateboarding, BMX. At some point these sports have integrated established federations because of the appeal of the Olympic Games. A lot can be learned from these examples. The UCI has already set its sight (and soon grip :-( ) on gravel racing and the perspective of it being integrated in the Olympics will eventually be on the table. Ultra racing on the other hand has more chances to remain independent for it is extremely difficult to cover from a media perspective and races that extend overall several days on end don’t offer the same appeal beyond the core fans.