I rode my bike across Indiana again this year.
It has been ten years since I did it last time. One of the things that I noticed this year? There were a lot less riders. In 2014, there were 1,120 finishers. This year it were 433. I wrote a post on the RAIN Ride Facebook group page and got a lot of responses:
What can we do to bring these numbers back up over 1,000? This is one of the two premier cycling events held each year in Indiana. RAGBRAI can't be siphoning off that many riders in years when the two events compete.
There are a couple of months to strategize about it, and several more months to do something about it. BBC, crowdsource this brain trust you've got here online and come up with five things we can do to reverse this disturbing trend. It isn't the ride, 40 is a lovely route. It isn't the volunteers, they've been amazing. It isn't the length, that is why the people who sign up, sign up. I'm sure it is a variety of factors...but let's identify them and do something about 'em!
There were a lot of excellent responses.
The bicycle boom as we knew it is over. Those 20 to 40-year-olds who rode, rode, rode are now in their 60s and 70s. There is no influx of younger riders to take their place. - Paul
He’s right, you know. Who is inviting these kids out on weekly group rides? Is anyone helping them get set up with kit and answering their questions?
Attrition isn’t due to other events, it’s due to keeping up with the times:
Not listed on granfondoguide.com,
No Instagram handle
Not chip timed
No crossing support at 2 or 3 major intersections
No sponsors to cross-promote with
No outreach to clubs/other local events to cross-promote
Antiquated registration that doesn’t allow visibility to others attending
Saturdays conditions should have merited more than 1,000 participants. Simply a gorgeous day. - Josh
Someone needs to hire Josh as a bike event coordinator.
Going back to the Facebook group at the end of the day I see that several others have picked up where I left off and are coming up with some great ideas. This is exciting. It is cyclists not only riding, but advocating. Add recruiting to that mix and we are set to create something unique and powerful: An America where cycling takes off again, but this time coupled with the infrastructure to sustain it. That is what The Bike Guy is all about. It’s what I’m all about. I’ll keep you updated on what happens over the next year with planning for 2025’s RAIN Ride.