I'm a Sucker

Yup. I walked right into their little party and took the bait. I just entered into the Iceman Cometh Challenge 2008... lottery. For years the event has been selling out sooner and sooner until last years frenzy ensued. I actually got my registration in last year before the official start. I was like, #35 or so so I wasn't the only one with my ear on the ground and fingers tapping on the keyboard. Anyway, for the 2008 season, they've elected to go to a lottery system to select the 2000-2500 participants.

I find it rather sad, actually. The thrill of getting an entry was just as fun as participating in the event. And they've taken that away. The lottery system was put in place, I speculate, to make the entry more "fair" to those that do not have access to a computer for registration during the "window of opportunity" or don't have the ability to stuff an envelope and drop it into a box along with their bills. I just assume those people are lazy and complaining. Don't be too offended by that comment... I find that attitude just about anywhere I go....

On the up side, it will allow the event to gauge how many people are actually interested in the race. Before they would reach the limit and turn everyone away. This way they can gather all of the names of the interested, slap them on the mailing lists and see that maybe 3500 people are interested in participating. Could it even help them justify a 2-day event? From what I have heard, the 2000-2500 rider cap is a daily use restriction on the event from the surrounding governing bodies. Crazy... a 2-day bikefest. That way people can race their geared rigs on Saturday and then whip out the singlespeeds for a Sunday romp. The other nice possibility would be for parents to be able to watch their kids in the Slush Cup and other events. There are possibilities here, you know.

Anyway... get up and get going. Everybody