U.S. Nationals at Altitude... Again

[DirtyWorks]

Why are U.S. Collegiate Nationals at altitude? Why are U.S. 2011 Off-road Nationals at altitude in Idaho? They are clearly indifferent to the vast majority of USAC members who do not live at altitude.

Does anyone have any insight as to why USAC consistently chooses locations at altitude?

 

[BroDeal]

It's called mountain biking, not sea level biking.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Moutains != Altitude

That's no explanation. The vast majority of mountain bike racers and the trails/roads ridden are not at altitude.

For years now, the location of U.S. MTB Nationals works against the vast majority of their members. Why?

 

[9000ft]

What do you consider altitude? I live at over 9,000'. Sol Vista base is 8200' base of Sun Valley is about 6000'. To me, "at altitude" doesn't begin till your over 10,000'.

As to your question, I'd guess that the folks at Sun Valley put together the best package.

My first thought wasn't altitude, but the remoteness of the venue. Ketchum is a long way from any major population center.

 

[DirtyWorks]

altitude

I consider altitude less than 3000 feet. I guess that altitude effects are minor at 3000 ft or less. Really, that's a guess.

It seems to me that USAC would balance the membership's demographics against what venues offer to come to some kind of compromise. But no, they continue to drive consumers away.

 

[BroDeal]

I consider altitude less than 3000 feet.

3000? You gotta be kidding me! I am not sure how far or in which direction I would have to drive to get below 3000. 3000 is nothing.

Maybe we should move the Ironman World Championships from Kona because a lot of "consumers" don't live where they can practice swimming in the ocean.

 

[krebs303]

3000 ft is just high desert.

 

[Rip:30]

That's no explanation. The vast majority of mountain bike racers and the trails/roads ridden are not at altitude.

For years now, the location of U.S. MTB Nationals works against the vast majority of their members. Why?

Uh, I think by vast majority, you mean yourself and a few other whiners. Tahoe is an awesome place, if you don't like it don't go.

 

[Oldman]

What do you consider altitude? I live at over 9,000'. Sol Vista base is 8200' base of Sun Valley is about 6000'. To me, "at altitude" doesn't begin till your over 10,000'.

As to your question, I'd guess that the folks at Sun Valley put together the best package.

My first thought wasn't altitude, but the remoteness of the venue. Ketchum is a long way from any major population center.

If Chopper designed the course your last concern will be the altitude.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Whiners and False Choices

3000? 3000 is nothing.

And yet, that's where most USAC members live. Why discourage the majority of members from attending Nationals by repeatedly having the event at altitude? Why?

Maybe we should move the Ironman World Championships from Kona because a lot of "consumers" don't live where they can practice swimming in the ocean.

You are telling the reader to make a false choice. Kona, or no Kona. Last time I checked, there are Ironman qualifiers all over the country using large bodies of water called "lakes" to host the swim portion.

The triathlon federation has done the right thing. It brought the events to the customer regardless of where they live. Triathlons are hosted at large bodies of water that aren't the ocean surrounding the island of Kona. (lakes) In an incredible coincidence Triathlon has a growing membership. Competitive mountain cycling? Not so much.

As for the "whiner" comment, what is the point of a personal attack? Maybe that attitude has something to do with the zero growth and lack of sponsorship dollars in competitive mountain biking?

Defending Tahoe as a nice place was not the criticism. USAC continually uses venues at altitude to host their championship events. There are lots of 'nice places' to host a National championships, without discouraging the vast majority of USAC members from attending because of the altitude. Incredible and true at the same time.

Finally, my original question was if anyone had insight into how/why USAC continually chooses altitude locations. So far, "I guess they put together the best package" is the only valid answer.

 

[Rip:30]

And yet, that's where most USAC members live. Why discourage the majority of members from attending Nationals by repeatedly having the event at altitude? Why?

As for the "whiner" comment, what is the point of a personal attack? Maybe that attitude has something to do with the zero growth and lack of sponsorship dollars in competitive mountain biking?

Defending Tahoe as a nice place was not the criticism. USAC continually uses venues at altitude to host their championship events. There are lots of 'nice places' to host a National championships, without discouraging the vast majority of USAC members from attending because of the altitude. Incredible and true at the same time.

Finally, my original question was if anyone had insight into how/why USAC continually chooses altitude locations. So far, "I guess they put together the best package" is the only valid answer.

Maybe you should apply for the next Nats to be at your lowland location of choice. USAC needs more effective promoters. We end up with more altitude venues because there are more race promoters from mountainous locations. And what about the recent string of elite Nats at Mt Snow, before Sol Vista. Mt Snow is a pretty awesome venue, course, and location, all well below 3k. And for collegiate nats, there was the low PA venue and the low NC venue.