People competing in a bike race are given a number so that everyone can be identified. No longer is there a private school kid with both parents and a three-car garage going against someone that is significantly less fortunate. But now they are #125 versus #187. It is cleaner that way. It tries to even the playing field in a sport that can never be even.
Cycling and more particularly, cycling races inherently skew towards the wealthy. We are struck by this fact every year — the race fees. Since we cover the costs of all of our programming, we understand why the barriers to entry can be too high. Even if you have a bike and have enough training, the races are not close and they are not cheap.
We have never judged our outcomes on the results of a race. The race itself is often the least impactful part of the entire experience. We use the races as a destination point and something to both look forward to but also to train for and prepare for. It is often a time where people can get out of Richmond and see something new. Or potentially camp outside for the first time in their lives.
And while we had all of our racers set goals for the upcoming racing season, our mission has always been much greater than bikes. So the races have represented points of reference on the progress with different individuals; not the progress of their biking skills, but the progress of a person's life and well-being. Because we know that all the competitors are not starting the race from the same point.
Our racers are often competing against themselves more than they are competing against others. So while we look forward to the upcoming racing season, we also will grimace at the expenditures that we will incur for what will total 5 days over the fall.
Check out this list below about our different expenses and see if you are able to support RCC during the fall racing season by contributing to our trips.
NICA League Fees:
NICA Coach Membership/License - $25
League Team Registration - $125
Student Athlete Registration - $225
Registration for 7 RCC youth - $1,575
NICA Student Athlete Membership - $25
Membership for 7 RCC youth - $175
NICA total = $1,900
And then we have to budget for each trip:
Miller School:
Gas: $75
Breakfast: $60
Lunch: $75
Dinner: $100
Supplies and Snack: $125
Total: $435
Stokesville, where we are planning on driving on Friday to camp overnight prior to the race:
Gas: $125
Dinner: $125
Breakfast: $50
Lunch: $75
Dinner: $100
Supplies and Snack: $125
Total: $600
Race #3 at Monticello High School
Gas: $75
Breakfast: $60
Lunch: $75
Dinner: $100
Supplies and Snack: $125
Total: $435
Race #4 at Woodberry Forest School
Gas: $75
Breakfast: $60
Lunch: $75
Dinner: $100
Supplies and Snack: $125
Total: $435
So add it all together:
NICA: $1,900
Race #1: $435
Race #2: $600
Race #3:$435
Race #4: $435
Total: $3,805