Great ideas Dan. You hit upon many of my hot button items. The ever increasing cost and availability of quality races here in Nor Cal is troubling. When I first got into the sport about nine years ago it seemed like more of a fringe sport but now is quite mainstream. I don’t complain about that and enjoy seeing new folks entering the sport. But the costs are out of control. I love Wildflower but between the entry fee and park entry/camping fees it is almost like the cost of a vacation! I realize this is a capitalist system driven by supply and demand but doubt the ever increasing prices are sustainable. Eventually people will just walk away. That would be bad for our sport.
Many of your ideas about aggregation of procurement volumes is a no-brainer and something successful businesses have been doing for years. Perhaps USAT can sponsor an RD association that can hammer our global contracts with suppliers to help them (and us) same money.
I would also like to see USAT do more for the “average Joe” age grouper and not spend so much on the ultra elite level athletes. After all it is the masses who are the back bone of triathlon both in numbers and in terms of financial support. Perhaps I would fee differently if I was an ultra elite (on a good day the best I do is top 20% of my AG). In any event thanks for your great ideas and support of our sport.
Mike