newcastlecycling

There are a heap of reasons why there are poor numbers to all racing in Newcastle.

1/ There is too much racing in Newcastle. This is not a criticism. Just a reality. When people can race twice a week. All year round they can pick and choose when and where they will race.

2/ Races are too short in Newcastle. Saying that no one want to be doing any more laps around KI than we already do but racing at Black Hill, Seaham and Even the crits are too short. This is not leveled at any of the clubs. More at the riders (yes me included). We don't indicate the length of races we want to do and there is a distinct lack of volunteers at racing to help with traffic management and follow cars or any other myriad of tasks that could be done. The volunteers that are out there doing the job every  are over worked.

3/ Newcastle is a fishbowl. A great majority of the cycling fraternity refuses to go out side the safety of local racing.  Having just come back from Melbourne the racing there is done at harder intensities over longer courses and more varied courses. But saying that there are 5 or six clubs down there. Most clubs work in together though and only one club stages races each weekend, other than the Vets club which holds Sunday races down there also.

4/ The racing in Newcastle is soft. Go race in Melbourne for a majority of us in Newcastle and you drop your self a grade as that is about where we stand. Except Vets where that is fairly standard across the country.



my two cents

DB