Ruapehu Cycle Classic - Cancelled

[thekiwi]

http://cycleclassic.com/

Hi All

I have some unfortunate news. We are making a call today on the 2012 Ruapehu Cycle Classic, and due to a low number of entries, the event will not be taking place this year.

While entries are up 20% on 2011, based on previous years' experience, we are only likely to have 250 entries (350 riders) for 2012, something which would see us fall short on the event budget by around $15K. For Tania and me, that is a big chunk of cash for us to contemplate 'investing' in the future of the Ruapehu Cycle Classic - something we have already done for each of the last 5 years - and with other organisations and businesses in the greater Ruapehu District not yet sharing the same vision or ability/willingness to invest in the future of the event, we are questioning whether there is a long term future for this bike race around the Central Plateau.

There is no doubt that road cycling events in destination towns are struggling at present. People are choosing to ride from home and spend $4 on a coffee, rather than the petrol, food, accommodation and entry fee costs associated with travelling from Auckland or Wellington to somewhere like Ohakune.

What those who do travel to our event each year understand, is that on its day (and we have had stunning weather for the last 4 years), the Central Plateau is one of the best places in the country to ride your bike and spend the weekend. I spent a lot of great weekends in Ohakune as a kid - both in summer and winter - and I believe it is a great place to visit at any time of the year.

Unfortunately we have come to the realisation that while Tania and I are both passionate about the race, and a growing number of locals are also enthusiastic about its future, it doesn't make financial sense for us to continue to invest money and struggle to grow the event without local financial support.

With our extra investment in the profile and format of the Ruapehu Cycle Classic this year, it is right at the tipping point for success, and the really disappointing thing is that by cancelling it this year, it is basically a start-up from square one should we secure funding for 2013.

I am sorry that we find ourselves having to make this difficult decision, as 'Ruapehu' is one the events we love putting on, and coming back to visit each year, but despite our best efforts, it won't be happening this year.

Thank you all for your ongoing support, for entering the race, and coming back year after year. Thanks also to the handful of locals in Ohakune who realise what great potential the event has, and a huge thank you to the team at BikeNZ who are doing such a great job driving the future of cycling in New Zealand, and who have supported and promoted the Ruapehu Cycle Classic for 2012. I am sorry we couldn't repay the faith.

Everyone will receive a full refund - details to follow in separate email.

Best regards
Matt

Race Director
Ruapehu Cycle Classic
www.cycleclassic.com

[znomit]

That's a great ride.

[craigofnz]

. That is a really nice ride. I think a lot of people are scared by the Desert Road, but the timing of the ride has virtually no traffic and there are wide shoulders too.

Would love to ride this one again, but you can't ride them all each and every year.

I wish the organisers all the best and do hope that they are able to get it off the ground again in 2013.

[kookaburra]

I was really looking forward to this.I put my entry in on Wednesday - I would have felt really guilty if the race had been cancelled prior to my entry as thinking about entering is a lot different to actually putting an entry in.
I guess it takes a while for an event to gain traction - it is a pity it has not made it after 5 years.
I have done the 160 km event two years ago and this years format looked like a great event with the 3 races.
I had also planned on staying 3 or 4 days in Ohakune but I have cancelled that plan now.
Thanks for the effort in trying to organise this years event and the best of luck to Matt & Tania for any future events.

[blitzer maloney]

I did all 3 races last year, was a really good w/e and a really well run event. The 160 was quite brutal though. Ohakune over summer is super nice (nicer than winter IMO even thogh I have a life pass for the mtn), such nice riding around there and very little traffic.

Def a shame the event didn't take off but you can't just go on loosing money.

[kookaburra]

Has any one had a refund yet ?

[kookaburra]

Good news - just got an email confirming the organisers are sorting out the refunds.
In addition they also offered a free Ruapehu Cycle Classic beanie.