NCNCA : Messages : 2309-2338 of 4229

The final 2011 NCNCA Points Series update has been posted at.
http://209.204.175.237/points/

Congratulations to SJBC for leading the Overall Team Points competition for the
second year.

Congratulations to the leaders of the 12 individual points categories. Awards
for the points leaders will be presented at the NCNCA Race Scheduling meeting
later this year (the date location will be announced later).

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Elite 1/2/ Men - Rand Miller, Webcor/Alto Velo

Elite 3 Men - Keven Bricknell, Team Mike's Bikes

Elite 4 Men - Jonathan Barbus, Sterling Sports Group

Master 35+ 1/2/3 - Keith DeFiebre, Central Coast Cycling Club

Master 35+ Cat 4 - Oliver Ryan, R4R-Make A Wish

Master 45+ 1/2/3 - Michael O'Rourke, SAFEWAY/PureRed Creative/Bicycles Plus

Master 45+ Cat 4 - Bob Ehardt, Bicycle Planet

Master 55+ 1/2/3/4 - Mark Caldwell, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Specialized

Women 1/2 - Mary Elizabeth Maroon, Webcor/Alto Velo

Women Cat 3 - Cybil Silberman, Early Bird Womens Developmental Cycling Team

Women Cat 4 - Kaya Cohn, Metromint Cycling

Women 35+ 1/2/3 - Kim Wik, Sycomp Racing
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ken Hernandez

#2311

From: Barry Beams <bikelighting@...>
Date: Mon Oct 3, 2011 9:30 pm
Subject: Re: Central Coast Circuit Race #9

bikelighting@...

With shorter days leaving us only after dark hours to get our riding in, some of you may enjoy this nighttime GPS video of descending highway 9 to Saratoga, demonstrating that effective lighting can illuminate us as well as the other vehicles on the road at any hour of day.

Enjoy,

Barry

��  _{__Q} � � ��  Barry Beams
�-->`�\`-,<===�� Bicycle Lights
_((*)/ (*)___ ________________________
�� Barry Burr � � � � � � � � � �� p(650) 518-0574
�� BikeLighting@...�� f (650) 968-1228
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001655731941

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain

Reply | Messages in this Topic (2)

#2312

From: Barry Beams <jkkerouac@...>
Date: Mon Oct 3, 2011 9:51 pm
Subject: Nighttime descent of Highway 9

marficbarry

http://contour.com/stories/highway-9-at-same-as-daylight-speeds--3

With shorter days leaving only after dark hours to get riding in, some of you may enjoy this nighttime GPS video of descending highway 9 to Saratoga, demonstrating that effective lighting can illuminate us as well as the other vehicles on the road at any hour of day.

Enjoy,

Barry

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain

#2313

From: "Steven L. Sheffield" <steven.l.sheffield@...>
Date: Tue Oct 4, 2011 1:51 am
Subject: Fwd: [Utah Cycling] SportsBaseOnline

veloworks

Received through the Utah Cycling Association mailing list earlier today; I know
that Sportsbase Online has also been a partner of the NCNCA for the past few
years �



--
Steven L. Sheffield
steven.l.sheffield at gmail dot com




Begin forwarded message:

> Subject: [Utah Cycling] Fwd: SportsBaseOnline
> Date: October 3, 2011 2:51:03 PM MDT
> To: TheUCA <TheUCA@googlegroups.com>
>
>
>
> From: "SportsBaseOnline Admin" <admin@...>
> Sent: Monday, October 3, 2011 12:23:08 PM
> Subject: SportsBaseOnline
>
> We regret to inform you that due to financial reasons Sports Marketing
Concepts, Inc. DBA SportsBaseOnline will be dissolving as of October 15, 2011
and is ceasing operations.  We have explored every option to avoid this outcome
to no avail.  There are no funds available and no tangible or other assets owned
by the corporation that could be monetized to make restitution or pay claims.
>
> We apologize for this unfortunate circumstance.
>
> Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc.
> --
> http://www.utahcycling.com
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Utah Cycling Assoc" group.
> To post to this group, send email to TheUCA@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
TheUCA-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/TheUCA?hl=en

Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2314

From: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 12:59 am
Subject: Help develop the next race registration system

latchkey_2001

Hello, fellow racers! I'd like your input.

My cofounder Jeff and I have been quietly working for the last few�months on a registration system designed for bicycle race promoters and athletes. �It will be live in time for the 2012 season. �Ron Castia has graciously helped guide our initial development. �Now we're ready to get some additional feedback from members of this group.

If you are willing to spend 10-15 minutes talking to us about what features are most important to you, please contact me off-list at�latchkey@....

About us: �We are 15+ year software veterans who decided to start a�company together. �Jon has been racing bikes for 7 seasons and is a�board member of Dolce Vita Cycling. �Jeff runs the occasional 10k and�loves everything with two wheels.

Thanks,

Jon Stevens

#2315

From: Shawn Mehaffey <spmehaffey@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 6:13 am
Subject: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

spmehaffey

Jon,

This kind of enthusiasm is exactly what the idea of American Enterprise is all about. Unfortunately, patent lawsuits are what the reality of American business on the Internet is today.

Legal firms, known pejoratively as patent trolls, buy patents of things as simple as program designs, interfaces, etc. that have been around since the days of the first Apple Macintosh. They use this collection of intellectual property to sue almost any business functioning on the Internet; in fact I would not be surprised if a patent lawsuit is part of the reason for SBO's demise.

Here's are two links to more info about patent trolls:

1) The ubiquitous Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll

2) The web page for an episode of This American Life, an excellent public radio show that in this case discusses patent trolls and how they are stifling business and innovation (note both audio and the transcript are available):

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/441/when-patents-attack

Finally, promoters may want to take a look at the new offering from USA Cycling. USAC recently improved its website and now offers an end-to-end system for setting up events, from requesting a permit to managing registrations. I used the old version for my spring clinic and am sure the new system offers more functionality.

Shawn Mehaffey

USAC Level II Coach

(and in the daytime an Information Risk Management Analyst)

From: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 5:59 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] Help develop the next race registration system

Hello, fellow racers! I'd like your input.

My cofounder Jeff and I have been quietly working for the last few months on a registration system designed for bicycle race promoters and athletes. It will be live in time for the 2012 season. Ron Castia has graciously helped guide our initial development. Now we're ready to get some additional feedback from members of this group.

If you are willing to spend 10-15 minutes talking to us about what features are most important to you, please contact me off-list at latchkey@....

About us: We are 15+ year software veterans who decided to start a company together. Jon has been racing bikes for 7 seasons and is a board member of Dolce Vita Cycling. Jeff runs the occasional 10k and loves everything with two wheels.

Thanks,

Jon Stevens

#2316

From: "Steven L. Sheffield" <steven.l.sheffield@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 12:11 pm
Subject: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

veloworks

The theory in Utah, where SBO is based, is that SBO was being operated like a Ponzi scheme.

Several promoters of bike races in Utah have never been paid the registration monies that SBO took in (which should have been segregated from SBO revenue and held in escrow) months ago. In many cases, these losses are in the $10-20K range for each event. It is likely that a number of these events will no longer be able to be held in the future because of these losses.

The only real explanation for the complete disappearance of money collected is either a) monies collected from race A were being used to pay the promoters of previously held race B, whose registration fees had been used to pay the promoters of race C, and so on; or b) outright theft.

No one locally has been able to contact the owner of SBO for nearly a month, and yet until the announcement of SBO's demise fame out on Monday, SBO was still taking in registration fees.

If this were a legal/intellectual property issue, someone within the Utah cycling community would know about it, considering the number of lawyers we have who race ... and I'm sure the announcement of SBO's dissolution would have made mention of that as a reason and indicated that every effort would be made to pay promoters monies owed, rather than just a terse "there are no assets" claim.

Whether intentional or not, it appears that SBO was perpetrating a fraud.

Steven L. Sheffield

Sent from my iPhone ... ack!

On Oct 5, 2011, at 12:13 AM, Shawn Mehaffey <spmehaffey@...> wrote:

Jon,

This kind of enthusiasm is exactly what the idea of American Enterprise is all about. Unfortunately, patent lawsuits are what the reality of American business on the Internet is today.

Legal firms, known pejoratively as patent trolls, buy patents of things as simple as program designs, interfaces, etc. that have been around since the days of the first Apple Macintosh. They use this collection of intellectual property to sue almost any business functioning on the Internet; in fact I would not be surprised if a patent lawsuit is part of the reason for SBO's demise.

Here's are two links to more info about patent trolls:

    1) The ubiquitous Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll

    2) The web page for an episode of This American Life, an excellent public radio show that in this case discusses patent trolls and how they are stifling business and innovation (note both audio and the transcript are available):

                http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/441/when-patents-attack

Finally, promoters may want to take a look at the new offering from USA Cycling. USAC recently improved its website and now offers an end-to-end system for setting up events, from requesting a permit to managing registrations. I used the old version for my spring clinic and am sure the new system offers more functionality.

Shawn Mehaffey
USAC Level II Coach
(and in the daytime an Information Risk Management Analyst)

From: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 5:59 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] Help develop the next race registration system

Hello, fellow racers! I'd like your input.

My cofounder Jeff and I have been quietly working for the last few months on a registration system designed for bicycle race promoters and athletes. It will be live in time for the 2012 season. Ron Castia has graciously helped guide our initial development. Now we're ready to get some additional feedback from members of this group.

If you are willing to spend 10-15 minutes talking to us about what features are most important to you, please contact me off-list at latchkey@....

About us: We are 15+ year software veterans who decided to start a company together. Jon has been racing bikes for 7 seasons and is a board member of Dolce Vita Cycling. Jeff runs the occasional 10k and loves everything with two wheels.

Thanks,

Jon Stevens

#2317

From: John F Gerling <jgerling@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 1:51 pm
Subject: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

jfgerling1

What struck me about how SBO did business was the lack of a contract. Promoters would set up their event on the SBO website and then rely purely on faith that the reg fees would be paid to them. I'm no legal expert, but seems to me that this will make collecting the amounts owed rather difficult. Criminal fraud, or just a civil matter? I wonder what their local AG would think about it.

JohnG

From: Steven L. Sheffield <steven.l.sheffield@...>
To: Shawn Mehaffey <spmehaffey@...>
Cc: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>; "NCNCA@yahoogroups.com" <NCNCA@yahoogroups.com>; "latchkey@..." <latchkey@...>
Sent: Wed, October 5, 2011 5:11:51 AM
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

The theory in Utah, where SBO is based, is that SBO was being operated like a Ponzi scheme.

No one locally has been able to contact the owner of SBO for nearly a month, and yet until the announcement of SBO's demise fame out on Monday, SBO was still taking in registration fees.

Whether intentional or not, it appears that SBO was perpetrating a fraud.

Steven L. Sheffield

Sent from my iPhone ... ack!

On Oct 5, 2011, at 12:13 AM, Shawn Mehaffey <spmehaffey@...> wrote:

Jon,

This kind of enthusiasm is exactly what the idea of American Enterprise is all about. Unfortunately, patent lawsuits are what the reality of American business on the Internet is today.

Legal firms, known pejoratively as patent trolls, buy patents of things as simple as program designs, interfaces, etc. that have been around since the days of the first Apple Macintosh. They use this collection of intellectual property to sue almost any business functioning on the Internet; in fact I would not be surprised if a patent lawsuit is part of the reason for SBO's demise.

Here's are two links to more info about patent trolls:

    1) The ubiquitous Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll

    2) The web page for an episode of This American Life, an excellent public radio show that in this case discusses patent trolls and how they are stifling business and innovation (note both audio and the transcript are available):

                http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/441/when-patents-attack

Finally, promoters may want to take a look at the new offering from USA Cycling. USAC recently improved its website and now offers an end-to-end system for setting up events, from requesting a permit to managing registrations. I used the old version for my spring clinic and am sure the new system offers more functionality.

Shawn Mehaffey

USAC Level II Coach

(and in the daytime an Information Risk Management Analyst)

From: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 5:59 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] Help develop the next race registration system

Hello, fellow racers! I'd like your input.

My cofounder Jeff and I have been quietly working for the last few months on a registration system designed for bicycle race promoters and athletes. It will be live in time for the 2012 season. Ron Castia has graciously helped guide our initial development. Now we're ready to get some additional feedback from members of this group.

If you are willing to spend 10-15 minutes talking to us about what features are most important to you, please contact me off-list at latchkey@....

About us: We are 15+ year software veterans who decided to start a company together. Jon has been racing bikes for 7 seasons and is a board member of Dolce Vita Cycling. Jeff runs the occasional 10k and loves everything with two wheels.

Thanks,

Jon Stevens

#2318

From: Gordon Ong <bike_medic@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 2:00 pm
Subject: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

Bike_Medic

SBO is sports base on line registration? They are out of business?

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

From: John F Gerling <jgerling@...>;
To: NCNCA <NCNCA@yahoogroups.com>;
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC
Sent: Wed, Oct 5, 2011 1:51:01 PM

JohnG

The theory in Utah, where SBO is based, is that SBO was being operated like a Ponzi scheme.

No one locally has been able to contact the owner of SBO for nearly a month, and yet until the announcement of SBO's demise fame out on Monday, SBO was still taking in registration fees.

Whether intentional or not, it appears that SBO was perpetrating a fraud.

Steven L. Sheffield

Sent from my iPhone ... ack!

On Oct 5, 2011, at 12:13 AM, Shawn Mehaffey <spmehaffey@...> wrote:

Jon,

This kind of enthusiasm is exactly what the idea of American Enterprise is all about. Unfortunately, patent lawsuits are what the reality of American business on the Internet is today.

Legal firms, known pejoratively as patent trolls, buy patents of things as simple as program designs, interfaces, etc. that have been around since the days of the first Apple Macintosh. They use this collection of intellectual property to sue almost any business functioning on the Internet; in fact I would not be surprised if a patent lawsuit is part of the reason for SBO's demise.

Here's are two links to more info about patent trolls:

    1) The ubiquitous Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll

    2) The web page for an episode of This American Life, an excellent public radio show that in this case discusses patent trolls and how they are stifling business and innovation (note both audio and the transcript are available):

                http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/441/when-patents-attack

Finally, promoters may want to take a look at the new offering from USA Cycling. USAC recently improved its website and now offers an end-to-end system for setting up events, from requesting a permit to managing registrations. I used the old version for my spring clinic and am sure the new system offers more functionality.

Shawn Mehaffey

USAC Level II Coach

(and in the daytime an Information Risk Management Analyst)

From: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 5:59 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] Help develop the next race registration system

Hello, fellow racers! I'd like your input.

My cofounder Jeff and I have been quietly working for the last few months on a registration system designed for bicycle race promoters and athletes. It will be live in time for the 2012 season. Ron Castia has graciously helped guide our initial development. Now we're ready to get some additional feedback from members of this group.

If you are willing to spend 10-15 minutes talking to us about what features are most important to you, please contact me off-list at latchkey@....

About us: We are 15+ year software veterans who decided to start a company together. Jon has been racing bikes for 7 seasons and is a board member of Dolce Vita Cycling. Jeff runs the occasional 10k and loves everything with two wheels.

Thanks,

Jon Stevens

#2319

From: "Bill" <bnicely@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 2:27 pm
Subject: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

bnicely...

Folks,

Speculating on the nature of the case concerning SBO is futile, especially on
here.  While my heart goes out to the promoters effected by this business
failure I cannot sit idly by and watch the vilification of Dirk Cowley and SBO. 
There is often more than meets the eye and while I would not ask all or anyone
to give Dirk the benefit of the doubt, I would ask those viewing from the
sidelines to delay judgement until facts are known.

I have made several hours of phone calls in the last 48 hours attempting to
lighten the burden to promoters and assisting their efforts to right their
ships.  I am grateful to Steve Johnson at USAC and our Board of Directors for
their assistance and decisiveness.  The good news is that no event is in danger
of not returning and each promoter has made financial arrangements to absorb
their losses and cover financial obligations.

I have been contacted by several registration companies vying for local
business.  It all seems a little too soon.  Can you wait a week?  We're a little
busy here.  I would recommend any promoter to strongly consider the financial
strength of any organization they entrust their funds to moving forward.

Cheers,
Bill

#2320

From: "Larry Upthegrove" <orchard53@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 4:03 pm
Subject: RE: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

bowl706lu

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/10/news/sbo-shut-down-may-leave-race-promotors-empty-handed_194422?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/10/news/sbo-shut-down-may-leave-race-promotors-empty-handed_194422

Velonews short article.

Larry

From: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NCNCA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bill
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 7:28 AM
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

Folks,

Speculating on the nature of the case concerning SBO is futile, especially on here. While my heart goes out to the promoters effected by this business failure I cannot sit idly by and watch the vilification of Dirk Cowley and SBO. There is often more than meets the eye and while I would not ask all or anyone to give Dirk the benefit of the doubt, I would ask those viewing from the sidelines to delay judgement until facts are known.

I have made several hours of phone calls in the last 48 hours attempting to lighten the burden to promoters and assisting their efforts to right their ships. I am grateful to Steve Johnson at USAC and our Board of Directors for their assistance and decisiveness. The good news is that no event is in danger of not returning and each promoter has made financial arrangements to absorb their losses and cover financial obligations.

I have been contacted by several registration companies vying for local business. It all seems a little too soon. Can you wait a week? We're a little busy here. I would recommend any promoter to strongly consider the financial strength of any organization they entrust their funds to moving forward.

Cheers,
Bill

#2321

From: "tb_in_sf" <tadborek@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 4:40 pm
Subject: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

tb_in_sf

--- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, Shawn Mehaffey <spmehaffey@...> wrote:
>
> Finally, promoters may want to take a look at the new offering from USA
Cycling.  USAC recently improved its website and now offers an end-to-end
system for setting up events, from requesting a permit to managing
registrations.  I used the old version for my spring clinic and am sure the new
system offers more functionality.
>

We used the USAC system for Tam this year, in part because SBO had held funds
for so long last year - I was floating over $10k in expenses for two months,
with cat-ate-my-homework excuses for the delays.

And for that I am grateful because with this year's cancellation we would have
had to refund over $8k in pre-reg entry fees while getting no revenue from SBO -
most certainly, sinking the event. Which would mean I would need to get in the
car and drive to Utah and secure my legal rights as best I could and as someone
mentioned, drop by the AG and discuss the fact that something well north of $60k
in funds, including funds for volunteer-based nonprofit organizations, seems to
have disappeared from the SBO merchant account, after being collected within the
past 3-4 weeks and where exactly did that money go? (Then, head to slickrock to
blow off some steam!)

We'd use the USAC system again, a nice feature of it is that the licensee data
is all accurate, and registration can automatically be limited only to
categories each racer qualifies for. The user interface is pretty easy to use,
and you can journal pre-reg funds out (weekly I believe) via EFT which is
suddenly a very key feature. Plus they were nice enough to handle the hundreds
of refunds for us, even though the system doesn't currently deal with it, saving
me a case of carpal tunnel syndrome from writing all those refund checks.

Its only downside frankly is that it isn't free or close to it. Sure, it has a
cost to develop it, and maybe that $2-3 per entry rate is that cost. If it is a
net revenue generator, I wonder why...and whether it'd make sense for the Local
Associations to band together to build their own system for use by member clubs,
at-cost. But that's the question, is "at-cost" $0.50 or more like $2 (in which
case, not worth the bother/risk). There are merchant-bank fees and "customer
service" costs that are unavoidable, and all software needs upkeep. Back to
SBO...did they go belly-up because their per-entry fee was set too low, or is
there more to the story?

-Tad

#2322

From: Chris Black <cblackride@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 4:50 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

cblackride

We could always just return to the snail mail system. Unless USPS also goes out of business!

Chris Black

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Specialized Cycling Team

San Luis Obispo, CA

Hudson, WI

#2323

From: John F Gerling <jgerling@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 5:21 pm
Subject: Re: Help develop the next race registration system

jfgerling1

Hey Jon,

Here's a suggestion for you. Set up your system to allow all registration fees to be deposited into an account which is under the sole control of the promoter while keeping the service fee for your own account. Not sure about how to do it or the logistics that might be involved, but I'd be very surprised if it can't be done. This should resolve any and all concerns the promoter might have about getting paid. And based on recent events it could be the differentiating factor that wins all the business!

JohnG

From: Jon Stevens <latchkey@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 4, 2011 5:59:46 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] Help develop the next race registration system

Hello, fellow racers! I'd like your input.

#2324

From: "Bill" <bnicely@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 5:28 pm
Subject: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

bnicely...

Of course the speculation continues in the face of my request to the contrary. 
This is false bravado by someone not personally affected.  Many base assumptions
have been made by those that have few facts.  Less than 48 hours have passed
since the first notice.

I now have DIRECT information that this will be resolved in the next 24-48 hours
(promoters will be paid).  Please stop speculating.

My focus now goes to the elections which open today, 2012 race scheduling which
begins next week and organizing registration options for promoters for their
future events.  Happy trails everyone.


>
>
> We used the USAC system for Tam this year, in part because SBO had held funds
for so long last year - I was floating over $10k in expenses for two months,
with cat-ate-my-homework excuses for the delays.
>
> And for that I am grateful because with this year's cancellation we would have
had to refund over $8k in pre-reg entry fees while getting no revenue from SBO -
most certainly, sinking the event. Which would mean I would need to get in the
car and drive to Utah and secure my legal rights as best I could and as someone
mentioned, drop by the AG and discuss the fact that something well north of $60k
in funds, including funds for volunteer-based nonprofit organizations, seems to
have disappeared from the SBO merchant account, after being collected within the
past 3-4 weeks and where exactly did that money go? (Then, head to slickrock to
blow off some steam!)
>
> We'd use the USAC system again, a nice feature of it is that the licensee data
is all accurate, and registration can automatically be limited only to
categories each racer qualifies for. The user interface is pretty easy to use,
and you can journal pre-reg funds out (weekly I believe) via EFT which is
suddenly a very key feature. Plus they were nice enough to handle the hundreds
of refunds for us, even though the system doesn't currently deal with it, saving
me a case of carpal tunnel syndrome from writing all those refund checks.
>
> Its only downside frankly is that it isn't free or close to it. Sure, it has a
cost to develop it, and maybe that $2-3 per entry rate is that cost. If it is a
net revenue generator, I wonder why...and whether it'd make sense for the Local
Associations to band together to build their own system for use by member clubs,
at-cost. But that's the question, is "at-cost" $0.50 or more like $2 (in which
case, not worth the bother/risk). There are merchant-bank fees and "customer
service" costs that are unavoidable, and all software needs upkeep. Back to
SBO...did they go belly-up because their per-entry fee was set too low, or is
there more to the story?
>
> -Tad
>

#2325

From: soni andreini poulsen <conejotoo@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 5:42 pm
Subject: FW: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

sandreinipou...

That is certainly good news if our promoters do get paid!

I think that if Dirk Cowley didn't want people to speculate about what happened that he should have been more forthcoming with some information.

Soni

To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
From: bnicely@...
Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 17:28:46 +0000
Subject: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

Of course the speculation continues in the face of my request to the contrary. This is false bravado by someone not personally affected. Many base assumptions have been made by those that have few facts. Less than 48 hours have passed since the first notice.

I now have DIRECT information that this will be resolved in the next 24-48 hours (promoters will be paid). Please stop speculating.

My focus now goes to the elections which open today, 2012 race scheduling which begins next week and organizing registration options for promoters for their future events. Happy trails everyone.

>
>
> We used the USAC system for Tam this year, in part because SBO had held funds for so long last year - I was floating over $10k in expenses for two months, with cat-ate-my-homework excuses for the delays.
>
> And for that I am grateful because with this year's cancellation we would have had to refund over $8k in pre-reg entry fees while getting no revenue from SBO - most certainly, sinking the event. Which would mean I would need to get in the car and drive to Utah and secure my legal rights as best I could and as someone mentioned, drop by the AG and discuss the fact that something well north of $60k in funds, including funds for volunteer-based nonprofit organizations, seems to have disappeared from the SBO merchant account, after being collected within the past 3-4 weeks and where exactly did that money go? (Then, head to slickrock to blow off some steam!)
>
> We'd use the USAC system again, a nice feature of it is that the licensee data is all accurate, and registration can automatically be limited only to categories each racer qualifies for. The user interface is pretty easy to use, and you can journal pre-reg funds out (weekly I believe) via EFT which is suddenly a very key feature. Plus they were nice enough to handle the hundreds of refunds for us, even though the system doesn't currently deal with it, saving me a case of carpal tunnel syndrome from writing all those refund checks.
>
> Its only downside frankly is that it isn't free or close to it. Sure, it has a cost to develop it, and maybe that $2-3 per entry rate is that cost. If it is a net revenue generator, I wonder why...and whether it'd make sense for the Local Associations to band together to build their own system for use by member clubs, at-cost. But that's the question, is "at-cost" $0.50 or more like $2 (in which case, not worth the bother/risk). There are merchant-bank fees and "customer service" costs that are unavoidable, and all software needs upkeep. Back to SBO...did they go belly-up because their per-entry fee was set too low, or is there more to the story?
>
> -Tad
>

#2326

From: George Meilahn <gfmeilahn@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 5:45 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

gfmeilahn

That gets my vote. They do need our business. BikeReg.com and Active.com and Truesport are also bicycle friendly online services.

From: Chris Black <cblackride@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

We could always just return to the snail mail system. Unless USPS also goes out of business!

Chris Black

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Specialized Cycling Team

San Luis Obispo, CA

Hudson, WI

#2327

From: "Heidi" <downfast@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 7:10 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: [Utah Cycling] SportsBaseOnline

downfast...

This even made it onto VeloNews...

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/10/news/sbo-shut-down-may-leave-race-promoto\
rs-empty-handed_194422


--- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, "Steven L. Sheffield" <steven.l.sheffield@...>
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Received through the Utah Cycling Association mailing list earlier today; I
know that Sportsbase Online has also been a partner of the NCNCA for the past
few years �
>
>
>
> --
> Steven L. Sheffield
> steven.l.sheffield at gmail dot com
>
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> > Subject: [Utah Cycling] Fwd: SportsBaseOnline
> > Date: October 3, 2011 2:51:03 PM MDT
> > To: TheUCA <TheUCA@googlegroups.com>
> >
> >
> >
> > From: "SportsBaseOnline Admin" <admin@...>
> > Sent: Monday, October 3, 2011 12:23:08 PM
> > Subject: SportsBaseOnline
> >
> > We regret to inform you that due to financial reasons Sports Marketing
Concepts, Inc. DBA SportsBaseOnline will be dissolving as of October 15, 2011
and is ceasing operations.  We have explored every option to avoid this outcome
to no avail.  There are no funds available and no tangible or other assets owned
by the corporation that could be monetized to make restitution or pay claims.
> >
> > We apologize for this unfortunate circumstance.
> >
> > Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc.
> > --
> > http://www.utahcycling.com
> >
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Utah Cycling Assoc" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to TheUCA@googlegroups.com
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
TheUCA-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> > For more options, visit this group at
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/TheUCA?hl=en
>
>
>
> >
>

Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2328

From: Barry Beams <bikelighting@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 7:44 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Fwd: [Utah Cycling] SportsBaseOnline

bikelighting@...

Let's all sit tight and see where this goes. �Else, the kneejerk accusations and speculations made now will be the unerasable spectre and unsubstantiated innuendo of the future, regardless of what eventual truth comes out.

Barry

On Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 12:10 PM, Heidi <downfast@...> wrote:

�

This even made it onto VeloNews...

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/10/news/sbo-shut-down-may-leave-race-promotors-empty-handed_194422

--- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, "Steven L. Sheffield" <steven.l.sheffield@...> wrote:
�> Received through the Utah Cycling Association mailing list earlier today; I know that Sportsbase Online has also been a partner of the NCNCA for the past few years �

�

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain

Reply | Messages in this Topic (3)

#2329

From: shaun bagley <shaunb93291@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 8:33 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

shaunb93291

I guess my question is, if the business was a database from home, that leaves very little overhead, so how do you mismanage thousands of dollars?

From: George Meilahn <gfmeilahn@...>
To: Chris Black <cblackride@...>; "NCNCA@yahoogroups.com" <NCNCA@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

That gets my vote. They do need our business. BikeReg.com and Active.com and Truesport are also bicycle friendly online services.

We could always just return to the snail mail system. Unless USPS also goes out of business!

Chris Black

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Specialized Cycling Team

San Luis Obispo, CA

Hudson, WI

#2330

From: "John Gerling" <jgerling@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 9:11 pm
Subject: RE: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

jfgerling1

That’s what my wife keeps asking…

From: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NCNCA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of shaun bagley
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 1:33 PM
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

I guess my question is, if the business was a database from home, that leaves very little overhead, so how do you mismanage thousands of dollars?

That gets my vote. They do need our business. BikeReg.com and Active.com and Truesport are also bicycle friendly online services.

We could always just return to the snail mail system. Unless USPS also goes out of business!

Chris Black

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Specialized Cycling Team

San Luis Obispo, CA

Hudson, WI

#2331

From: "Steven L. Sheffield" <steven.l.sheffield@...>
Date: Wed Oct 5, 2011 10:44 pm
Subject: Fwd: [Utah Cycling] Update from SportsBaseOnline

veloworks

Another update from the Utah Cycling Association regarding SBO � so it does
definitely seem as though the management of SBO does intend to make good.

I sincerely hope that this information is correct, in which case I'll happily
retract my previous comments on the situation.

However, the owner of SBO could have saved himself a lot of negative feelings
had he been more forthright about the problems that SBO was having, and had his
notice of dissolution and email not been so tersely worded indicating that there
are no assets, which he acknowledges below.

It's obvious how I read and interpreted those original statements, and I know
I'm not the only one.



Begin forwarded message:

> Subject: [Utah Cycling] Fwd: Update from SportsBaseOnline
> Date: October 5, 2011 2:43:50 PM MDT
> To: TheUCA <TheUCA@googlegroups.com>
>
> FYI
>
> From: "SportsBaseOnline Admin" <admin@...>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 2:41:50 PM
> Subject: Update from SportsBaseOnline
>
> First off, we apologize for the unclear email that was sent on Monday, October
3, 2011.  Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc. DBA SportsBaseOnline is dissolving as
of October 15, 2011 but has every intention of paying funds owed to all
outstanding events with regard to registration fees.
>
> We are currently working to sell company assets and obtain private funding
with which to do so.  We hope to have this solidified and have payments
dispersed as soon as possible.  We will keep you posted with regard to your
payment and what steps need to be followed to complete the transfer of funds.
> --
>


--
Steven L. Sheffield
steven.l.sheffield at gmail dot com

#2332

From: "Bill" <bnicely@...>
Date: Thu Oct 6, 2011 1:48 pm
Subject: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates

bnicely...

The individuals listed have been nominated to run for the 2012 NCNCA Board of
Directors.  Ballots have been emailed to club delegates.


Candidates:
Tad Borek*
Mark Davis
Keith DeFiebre*
Ryan Fu
Warren Geissert*
Kristen Hill
Robert Leibold*
Roger Marquis
Kathryn Curi Mattis*
George Meilahn
Bill Nicely*
Eric Petersen*

* = 2011 Board Member

#2333

From: "Ron" <zronn@...>
Date: Thu Oct 6, 2011 9:50 pm
Subject: Re: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates

zronn...

Thank you to all the candidates that have tossed their hat into the ring.

Any chance that we could get some info on each of the candidates? Just something
basics, like who are they, what their racing involvement or background is, and
why they are interested in being on the board.

Cheers,
Ron Castia
East Bay Cyclist/InfoVista Cycling Team
3rd at 24 Hour Mt. Bike National Championships

--- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, "Bill" <bnicely@...> wrote:
>
> The individuals listed have been nominated to run for the 2012 NCNCA Board of
Directors.  Ballots have been emailed to club delegates.
>
>
> Candidates:
> Tad Borek*
> Mark Davis
> Keith DeFiebre*
> Ryan Fu
> Warren Geissert*
> Kristen Hill
> Robert Leibold*
> Roger Marquis
> Kathryn Curi Mattis*
> George Meilahn
> Bill Nicely*
> Eric Petersen*
>
> * = 2011 Board Member
>

#2334

From: Warren Geissert <warren.g@...>
Date: Thu Oct 6, 2011 10:44 pm
Subject: Re: Re: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates

warren.g...

Bill has been trying to collect the candidate statements for some time now. The deadline is 5pm Friday. After that, all of the ones sent in will be posted on the website together.

-Warren Geissert

p.s. Ron, since I know you want to know, I've raced for more than 30 years, my favorite color is purple, and I like Thai food.

From: Ron <zronn@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, October 6, 2011 2:50:38 PM
Subject: [NCNCA] Re: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates

Thank you to all the candidates that have tossed their hat into the ring.

Any chance that we could get some info on each of the candidates? Just something basics, like who are they, what their racing involvement or background is, and why they are interested in being on the board.

Cheers,
Ron Castia
East Bay Cyclist/InfoVista Cycling Team
3rd at 24 Hour Mt. Bike National Championships

--- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, "Bill" <bnicely@...> wrote:
>
> The individuals listed have been nominated to run for the 2012 NCNCA Board of Directors. Ballots have been emailed to club delegates.
>
>
> Candidates:
> Tad Borek*
> Mark Davis
> Keith DeFiebre*
> Ryan Fu
> Warren Geissert*
> Kristen Hill
> Robert Leibold*
> Roger Marquis
> Kathryn Curi Mattis*
> George Meilahn
> Bill Nicely*
> Eric Petersen*
>
> * = 2011 Board Member
>

#2335

From: "Michael Wesley" <michael@...>
Date: Fri Oct 7, 2011 4:59 am
Subject: Beginner CAT 4/5 Track Racing is on this Saturday at Hellyer Park!

mwez

Beginner Cat 4/5 Race Series
Presented by NorthCalWater.com
Hellyer Park Velodrome

NO USA Cycling LICENSE REQUIRED!!!

Saturday October 8th, sign-ups noon to 1:00 PM immediately after the AM
beginner training.  The weather looks great and should be mid 70s without
rain.  Gage of Northcalwater.com has provided medals for the event.

DETAILS:
- 3 Beginner Sessions required to race.
- $15 to race all races
- $5 bike rental
- Juniors 18 and under race free
- 200M Sprint, Scratch, Points Race

NOTES:
- Your road category is not your track category ...
- Don't know your category?  Then you're CAT 5 if male and CAT 4 if female
- No upgrade points
- If you pay to rent a bike in the morning, you will not have to pay twice
- Juniors 10 - 14 will be checked for rollout ...

Get the flyer at http://www.iwesley.com/beginner_flyer.pdf

#2336

From: Brad House <brad6183@...>
Date: Sun Oct 9, 2011 4:08 pm
Subject: RE: Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

brad6183

I been happy with the new kid on the block, imAthlete.com They are responsive and very open to improvements http://www.imathlete.com/events/EventOverview.aspx?fEID=11236

backontrackproductions.com
bikesportradio.us
Your address has been added to our address book. Our monthly bike e-news will automatically be sent to your email address. Please simply opt out if you do not wish to continue receiving it.
"I'm not in traffic, I am traffic."

--- On Wed, 10/5/11, John Gerling <jgerling@...> wrote:

From: John Gerling <jgerling@...>
Subject: RE: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC
To: "NCNCA" <NCNCA@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2011, 2:11 PM

That’s what my wife keeps asking…

From: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com [mailto:NCNCA@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of shaun bagley
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 1:33 PM
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

I guess my question is, if the business was a database from home, that leaves very little overhead, so how do you mismanage thousands of dollars?

From: George Meilahn <gfmeilahn@...>
To: Chris Black <cblackride@...>; "NCNCA@yahoogroups.com" <NCNCA@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

That gets my vote. They do need our business. BikeReg.com and Active.com and Truesport are also bicycle friendly online services.

From: Chris Black <cblackride@...>
To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: [NCNCA] Re: Patents, your proposed race registration system, and USAC

We could always just return to the snail mail system. Unless USPS also goes out of business!

Chris Black

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney/Specialized Cycling Team

San Luis Obispo, CA

Hudson, WI

#2337

From: "Ron" <zronn@...>
Date: Sun Oct 9, 2011 5:26 pm
Subject: Re: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates

zronn...

FYI, I have not yet voted due to not having seen any candidate statements or
introductions.
Perhaps I am the only one that thinks it is a good idea to know where the
candidates are coming from, and why they want to be involved.

One perspective I would like to share.
I would prefer not to see a board made up of mostly track racers. This isn't the
track, it's road and off road. Just because a mechanism or form of governance
worked with the track organization, doesn't make it an automatic fit for the
much larger constituency of the NCNCA.


Ron
--- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, Warren Geissert <warren.g@...> wrote:
>
> Bill has been trying to collect the candidate statements for some time now.
The
> deadline is 5pm Friday. After that, all of the ones sent in will be posted on
> the website together.
>
> -Warren Geissert
>
> p.s. Ron, since I know you want to know, I've raced for more than 30 years, my
> favorite color is purple, and I like Thai food.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Ron <zronn@...>
> To: NCNCA@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, October 6, 2011 2:50:38 PM
> Subject: [NCNCA] Re: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates
>
>
> Thank you to all the candidates that have tossed their hat into the ring.
>
> Any chance that we could get some info on each of the candidates? Just
something
> basics, like who are they, what their racing involvement or background is, and
> why they are interested in being on the board.
>
> Cheers,
> Ron Castia
> East Bay Cyclist/InfoVista Cycling Team
> 3rd at 24 Hour Mt. Bike National Championships
>
> --- In NCNCA@yahoogroups.com, "Bill" <bnicely@> wrote:
> >
> > The individuals listed have been nominated to run for the 2012 NCNCA Board
of
> >Directors.  Ballots have been emailed to club delegates.
> >
> >
> > Candidates:
> > Tad Borek*
> > Mark Davis
> > Keith DeFiebre*
> > Ryan Fu
> > Warren Geissert*
> > Kristen Hill
> > Robert Leibold*
> > Roger Marquis
> > Kathryn Curi Mattis*
> > George Meilahn
> > Bill Nicely*
> > Eric Petersen*
> >
> > * = 2011 Board Member
> >
>

#2338

From: Warren Geissert <warren.g@...>
Date: Sun Oct 9, 2011 6:07 pm
Subject: Re: NCNCA Board of Directors Candidates

warren.g...

Ron Castia wrote:

"One perspective I would like to share.
I would prefer not to see a board made up of mostly track racers. This isn't the track, it's road and off road. Just because a mechanism or form of governance worked with the track organization, doesn't make it an automatic fit for the much larger constituency of the NCNCA."

Ron, I think your concern is without merit, and your assertion that NCNCA is road and off-road, not track, is incorrect. The NCNCA governs all disciplines of racing in the District including road, CX, MTB and track.

This past year there were two NCNCA Board members who are also on the NCVA Board, and that was definitely a help at times. This coming year there will be no NCNCA Board Members who are also on the NCVA Board, and I think there will be 3 out of 9 NCNCA Board Members (same as last year) who race on the track and road.

Regardless of whether there are 3 members who happen to race and/or promote races on the track and road, or if there are two, it makes no difference except that they might have more insight into another aspect of racing that road-only people might not have. Two board members promote CX races, and they also provide useful insight at times about CX races.

Specifically, if there is some aspect of NCNCA governance that you think came from the NCVA, please state what it is, and why you think it is/was not the best solution for the NCNCA as well. Perhaps you are concerned that I, who was a NCVA Board Member for the past 3 years, was the one who first suggested the recent Amendment to change the NCNCA elections to October, for better continuity, similar to why the NCVA has their elections in September. The NCNCA delegates supported that idea by a vote of 35-0.

I think it's a little insulting to the NCNCA Board members when you suggest that they/we would incorporate some aspect of NCVA governance as an "automatic fit" for the NCNCA. I believe we are quite able to think things through more carefully than what you suggest. And keep in mind that the NCNCA Board is made up of NINE individuals who each get an equal vote.

-Warren Geissert