Saturday 10 October · Loburn
Gorges Grand Prix
A proper 100 km handicapped road race across some of North Canterbury’s best racing roads. We currently have 45 riders and need 70 by Friday.
Enter Gorges
Pelo Performance public racing update
45 riders in.
25 to go.
Canterbury has responded. We have made good progress, but we still need more riders to secure the Gorges Grand Prix start line.
45
riders entered
70
riders required
Entry position as of Wednesday afternoon. We need another 25 riders.
Gorges go/no-go decision: 5.00 pm Friday 18 September
Where things stand
Thank you. Now we need the next 25.
Earlier this week, the Gorges Grand Prix had only around 20 to 25 riders entered. As of Wednesday afternoon, that number has climbed to 45 riders.
That is a very encouraging response. Thank you to everyone who has entered, shared the message, encouraged a mate or finally removed their race entry from the lengthy internal committee process.
We are moving in the right direction, but we are not there yet. To proceed confidently, Gorges needs to reach 70 paid entries by 5.00 pm on Friday 18 September.
We need another 25 riders to put the race safely and sustainably on the road.
This is a practical decision, not a threat
I need to make the final financial and operational commitments for the Gorges Grand Prix this Friday.
If the race has not reached a viable number, I will cancel it early, before committing further costs. Everyone already entered will be offered a refund or voucher.
I do not want to wait until the eleventh hour, spend more money and then cancel. That would be unfair on the riders, sponsors, volunteers and suppliers who have committed to the event.
The wider calendar
Main Divide and Waikari remain on
The Friday decision applies to the Gorges Grand Prix.
Main Divide and Waikari remain on the calendar and will be assessed separately on their own entries, costs and operational requirements.
If you intend to ride Main Divide, please enter. Do not hold back because of the Gorges decision. Main Divide is a separate race with its own start line to fill.
Why early entries matter
Road races cannot be organised on good intentions
Putting on a road race means arranging traffic management, safety planning, permissions, volunteers, timing, prizes, venues, equipment and communications.
It also means months of finding sponsors, building websites, answering questions, researching, producing somewhat questionable social-media campaigns, printing brochures and putting up billboards.
Many of those costs and commitments must be confirmed well before race day. Saying you intend to race is encouraging, but an actual entry is what allows the event to proceed.
I love organising racing. I love watching riders pin on a number, challenge themselves and finish with stories that become noticeably more impressive by the following weekend.
But I cannot continue carrying the time, cost and responsibility of major road events that attract only 40 or 50 riders.
I make less than the minimum wage from organising racing. I accept that because I enjoy it and another business supports me, but there still needs to be enough left over to build future events.
No entries means no race. It really is that simple.
A personal note
I know I need to earn your entry
I also accept responsibility for making these races interesting, exciting, safe and worth entering.
I have invested a huge amount of time into the events, promotion, websites, brochures and advertising. If that work has not connected strongly enough with riders, I need to learn from it and improve.
I am not blaming the cycling community. I am explaining honestly where the event stands and what is required for it to continue.
The response since Monday has been heartening. We have reached 45. Now we need to find the next 25 riders.
If you are considering racing
You do not need to feel completely ready
You might be unsure about your fitness. You might be worried about being dropped, choosing the wrong handicap mark or discovering that everyone else has apparently been secretly training.
That apprehension is part of racing.
A weekend bunch ride is excellent, but it cannot replace the nerves, uncertainty and satisfaction of pinning on a number and genuinely testing yourself.
Gorges is a handicapped race. Riders start with others of similar ability, the early groups get the road, the faster groups get the chase and everyone gets a proper race.
You do not need perfect form. You just need to be willing to have a crack.
If Gorges is cancelled or postponed, refunds or vouchers will be available. If you are injured, unwell or genuinely unable to race a week beforehand, contact me and I will deal with it reasonably.
If you withdraw at 9.47 pm the night before because your legs have issued a strongly worded objection, the negotiations may be slightly less generous.
Sunday 18 October · Darfield to Arthur’s Pass
Main Divide Classic
A 109 km handicapped road race from the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps. Long, honest and unforgettable. Main Divide remains on the calendar.
Enter Main DivideBacked by people who believe in Canterbury cycling
Epoch Properties and Pringle Homes have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the Canterbury cycling community.
Brent Jones and David Cresswell of Epoch Properties have made a substantial, long-term commitment to establishing and securing the Epoch Tour.
Aaron Pringle and Pringle Homes have repeatedly backed our summer races, prize pools and the wider Canterbury road-racing calendar.
These businesses have done far more than put logos on posters. Their support has paid for prizes, traffic management, equipment and races that otherwise would not have reached the start line.
With enormous thanks to Whoosh, Scotty Browns Bicycle Emporium, Hub Cycles, Hayden Roulston Real Estate, Sons & Co, Friday Solutions, Sprout Accountants, Focus Projects, Badger Coaching, Champion System and the many other people supporting Canterbury racing.
45 are in.
Will you be one of the next 25?
If you intend to race, entering now is the most useful thing you can do. Let’s reach 70 and get on with putting on a bloody good bike race.
Alex Mann
Race Director, Pelo Performance
