NMBS - RIP

Everyone seems to be talking about the call to action about bringing back the old NMBS. This won't happen for a couple of reasons.

1. The economy. Are these guys serious about trying to attract new sponsors during a recession? (If you don't think we are in a recession check the rate of return on your 401K) Ask anyone that works in advertising, revenues are down. I guess since China's economy seems to still be growing they could try and get some Chinese sponsors.
   
2. It's insane. Einstein defined crazy as "Doing the same thing over and over again, and hope to get different results". Why would anyone take a failed business model repeat it and expect to succeed?
   
3. Too much too soon. I call this the Tour of Utah syndrome. You come up with a great idea get some good backing and realize after trying it once that it's too much too soon. Fortunately, the Tour of Utah got wise and decided to scale back and created a better event for it. UCI status would be great for the pro-riders but it's trying to create too much too soon. If you can't get sponsors to keep the series going why try and include prize money.
   

   
    

What should happen….

1. Use existing big events to get UCI points. Sea Otter comes to mind. This is the biggest cycling event in the U.S. This event pulls in hundreds of riders each year. This event could easily be a UCI level event each year. Find two or three other big regional events like this and promote them as the PRO-Tour events. The Sea Otter should be able to attract enough sponsorship to get some good prize money.
   
2. Push regional events - Colorado has a great series, Utah has a great series although it's not UCA Cycling sanctioned, Idaho is building a good series I've heard other people suggest taking some of the better regional events and make them part of a national calendar offer double points at certain events to increase participation.
   
3. Help don't hinder the local promoter. Why would someone like Ed want to move his events to UCA status? Now riders have to either pay $5 for a one day license (I think dropping the T-shirt and dropping the price of the race by $5 would cover that) or buy a $60 annual license. The cost of an official is another problem, and what benefit does the promoter get besides being covered by insurance that they probably already have?
   
4. Regional Championships. This year and last the National Championships were on the east coast. So the majority of west coast riders didn't participate. Why not have a regional championship for the coast that isn't hosting the championship. If I was an expert level rider going for points in a national championship series it would be nice to be able to use those points towards a regional championship in years where I couldn't travel to the east coast.
   
5. Look at what works and what doesn't. I understand the reason for short track, it's a great spectator sport but does it work? Have you seen the turnout at an expert –level short track event? It's not that popular. Bring back the marathon series. Have you seen the turnout to endurance events? 50 -100 -12 hour – 24 hour events are growing like crazy because racers feel like that is where they get their money's worth. The future of XC style racing is endurance not short events. Worry about getting more riders out to races, then worry about getting spectators. Send out a survey to current license holders and find out what kind of races they participate in, would they go to a regional championship race. Do some market research find out what your membership wants.
   

   
    

   
    

I may be wrong, but as someone who enjoys mountain biking and wants to see the sport become successful, I feel like my voice is one who has seen the good and the bad of the national series.