Thursday, February 24, 2011

Determining interest of possible start/finish change

I need some feedback from Rag riders.
We have a chance to move the start/finish this year to Mississippi Natl golf course. This would allow us to avoid running through town for the finish and it would provide an on-site restaurant for after race refreshments.
First, would people take advantage of this and use the restaurant after the race ?
Second, if we use their lot as the start point, they have asked that any post race food or drink we have is purchased through them. Can we live with that, or is giving up that post race Surly beer too much to ask ?
It's important that if we use their lot, that we respect their wishes.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would Memorial be open by then? And if so is that a potential option? Nothing like an uphill finish.

SPH Larry said...

Quite unlikely. Last year was the first time that memorial was even close to ready and that was after a snow free March. Plus it's a week earlier this year. Also, the gates to Memorial are closed that time of year so you would still need to ride back to Colvill to get to your car.

We thought about a official finish on top of the Lehrbach climb and then a neutral ride back to Colvill.

Anonymous said...

All good SPH... I didn't mind gettin outdone in the sprint finish in town last year for whatever place we was going for. But if it would have been that gravel up, would have been advantage. More gas/ less roadie games.

I do think one day the town riddle finish could be a problem. So neutral roll in would probly make sense to preserve the sanctity of your game.

LarrySauber.

jp said...

I can't see a bunch of us sitting down for brunch in a golf course dining room after a gravel ride. $4 dollar beer probably won't win a bunch of votes either. A nice offer tho.

I also agree with Larry about "racing" thru Red Wing. Someday, someone trying a little too hard for an advantage, trying to run a stop sign or such silliness, could ruin a fun day. Jim Palmer

SPH Larry said...

Thanks for your input so far. Unfortunately, our hand may be forced this year. There is a high chance that Colvill Park will be closed due to flooding during the Ragnarok and will force us to move the start.

Also, keep in mind this is a golf course bar, so it's more like a casual bar than it is like a Perkins.

Anonymous said...

Perkins serves beer now too? HA. If the start/finish might be under water.......then so may be the mid-checkpoint. Duathlon? Head for the high ground............

Anonymous said...

IF I can finish this thing I don't care what the price of a beer will be. I would pay $10 to award myself a beer.

Z said...

I'll have to check the predictions but Zumbro Falls should still be safe. As long as we don't have 10" of rain the week before.