Almanzo - Chris Skogen sounds off

That's all I need from him, and more than I should ask for!

Sounds like fun!!!  Where do I sign up?

Chris has got it right.

I like it, I like it a lot. Thanks Chris!

If it were my race or if I were to put on a race I would however accept donations to pay for food that I would cook myself and provide. I would also figure out some sort of art made from bicycle parts, made by me or a friend willing to donate to be awarded to the first place male and female but thats about it.

It's a very admirable thing that Chris has been doing. He created an event, was a key person in the growth of this type of racing/riding, and will always be linked to it.

It seems to me though, by his current and past comments, as well as comments by people in response. that the attitude is that if you are selling things that you aren't in it for the "right" reason. Why is it that you can't be a brand and be in something for the right reason?

@frontrangegravel, I totally understand your point as well as Chris'. Chris is saying that cycling is and should be a free sport, I get that. At the same time there are others trying to get rich off of bike races, which, from what I gather, Chris doesn't feel that is right. Me on the other hand, I guess if that is how others want to make a living and create a business, fine. I, like I somewhat stated previously, would either accept donations or charge a minimal entry fee to pay for necessary things (GOOD beer and food/drinks at the end). That being said, others may not feel those are necessary things, I however like the social gathering and get together at the end accompanied with food and drinks! And don't get me wrong, I love to donate, I am a very giving person but some things I just can't afford.

Since I am considering heading up a race this summer, I think this discussion could be a big help to me.

@IowaGravel First, only do the race if you are ok with a busy part time job and have money to lose/give away for at least the first year.

It is free like 99% of the time unless you voluntarily sign up for those pay events. Just because those people charging money are making (or losing) money doesn't make them not pure for the sport or bad. Actually, quite the opposite. While Chris does have a lot at stake and a lot on his mind, he does not have 100's or 1000's of people's hard earned dollars with the expectation to make the event perfect for everyone. For him, if there is a hiccup, people just slough it off and say, well, it's free.

He isn't taking on the same risk because of the lack of cash going to him. Those with so much to risk, spend a lot of time and energy trying to provide the best experience, just as he does. People are real quick to jump on and say they are all for it, love the vibe, etc., but when it comes to paying for that, they start to grumble. Perhaps if we had 100% of the people giving, like you, there'd never be an issue.

The fact that no racer or group of racers came forward and made a donation to an org or set something up to make that happen without being prompted says more than any Facebook comments. Case in point....the Chequamegon 100 was getting complaints about the "entrance fee." A DONATION to CAMBA - the full amount...and people were complaining.

It'd be a simple solution to just mention that he was going to keep it low key this year and that was it. He gets the response he does because, based on his actions/comments, he asks for it. I would really like to see him have the support and job he wants, but he isn't helping himself.

If you have any questions about directing a race, whether paid or free, I can offer up some advice. In addition to the gravel rides you'll find here on Ridinggravel.com, I am a codirector of the Frozen40.com, AbominableEvents.com, and working on some other stuff. I do it all for the right reasons and am a mtn biker through and through. Feel free to contact me anytime and I'm happy to help out with any questions. I won't charge you even....well, not at first at least..ha

I guess the event grew in ways he didn't like and if he wants to change it back to what he envisioned, I'm cool with that. I'm also cool with others planning events with voluntary contributions to cover expenses or others charging an entry fee with profits going to charities and/or to make money for the organizers. Whatever gives people opportunities to ride in great places.

First met Chris in 2008, and since the very beginning he's reiterated the fact that Almanzo was always about a bunch of friends, old and new, getting together once a year to experience those amazing roads in SE MN, never was about the sponsors or pimping them through the event.  I'm sure that's hard to avoid when you're surrounded by a bunch of brands who want nothing more than to ride his coattails to boost revenue for their new 'gravel grinder' specific bike or doohicky.  Almanzo was created purely out of love of getting out there on the route, and the shared experience of community. Nothing more, nothing less.  I'm glad he stuck to his guns and isn't losing perspective of why Almanzo began in the first place.

"I'm sure that's hard to avoid when you're surrounded by a bunch of brands who want nothing more than to ride his coattails to boost revenue for their new 'gravel grinder' specific bike or doohicky.  Almanzo was created purely out of love of getting out there on the route, and the shared experience of community. Nothing more, nothing less."

To assume that these people selling their new "doohicky" don't do it out of love of getting out there is just false. Just because one does something for free and one for money doesn't mean there is somehow more love for that free thing.

Everyone who makes money must really hate their jobs. I can't imagine that you'd be happy if someone came in and volunteered to do your job for free. Your boss: "Sorry, he just loves the job more than you do." That'd be an awkward conversation.

@Bluesdawg Yes, agreed. But, what keeps him from getting hired like he apparently wants is ultimately biting the hand that was trying to feed him.

The free race thing is a weird thing, that, like anything, I'm not sure is exactly sustainable. The amount of work people put into events is mind-numbing and when people start talking to those that don't get paid, they'll quickly realize it's not for them.

The last few years has seen an explosion of them, but it'll catch up too.

wirider3 wrote:To assume that these people selling their new "doohicky" don't do it out of love of getting out there is just false. Just because one does something for free and one for money doesn't mean there is somehow more love for that free thing.

Everyone who makes money must really hate their jobs. I can't imagine that you'd be happy if someone came in and volunteered to do your job for free. Your boss: "Sorry, he just loves the job more than you do." That'd be an awkward conversation.

When did I ever say that the sponsors don't do it out of love? After all I was a sponsor of Almanzo for two years before moving at the end of 2010.  My aversion is about brands that are trying to capitalize off "gravel" this and "grinder" that by using Almanzo as their vehicle, which was explained multiple times now that this particular event was never about that.  Who ever gave you the impression that the promoters of free racing are in collusion and propagating a hostile take over of pay-to-play sanctioned races?  Wouldn't that be hypocritical for hundreds of USAC card carrying racers to line up at these free events every season?  You know what I think makes for awkward conversation, is when someone takes other people's ideas and misrepresents them for the sake of their own argument.