Conference noted::bicycle

    I'm a big promoter of cycle racing, but it's still hard for me to 
    imagine working as a volunteer to marshall a course for poor, penniless 
    Donald Trump.  I also resent the threat of the race not coming back
    to Boston merely as a result of the organizers' poor planning.  In
    fact, I believe that if last year was any indicator, the race won't 
    be back in Boston next year ANYWAY -- it'll move on to some other
    location.  And if it ever does come back, it'll probably be strictly
    for cold, clear economic reasons (sponsorship, regional bike sales 
    market share, Trump name recognition for the BOS-NYC shuttle business).
    
    Also from the racers' point of view, I don't relish the idea of 
    inexperienced volunteer marshalls trying to control crowds that
    have never seen a pro bike race, and don't know how to act.  The
    situation can be quite serious when motorists attempt to enter the
    course.  Will a volunteer be able to stop them?  In other countries,
    the state police marshalls the course with the authority and
    experience the racers deserve.
    
    
    MATT

I'd just like to second what Matt said,       

The Tour de Trump is BIG money with Big TV coverage and very 
commercial.  It's like sending money for Americas Cup -- another 
rich commercial "charity" that doesn't need the money but is a great 
band wagon for publicity.

If you wanna volunteer for something (and please do), how about
Earth Day or environment or Population Control or the League of
American Wheelmen or one of the many real non-profit charitable
organizations which will really help with our quality of life
problems. 

	~Mike

	At first I wasn't going to bother to respond to the two replies to 
	base not but I thought a few points should be cleared up.

	First, you would not be helping Donald Trump by volunteering, you 
	would be helping the sport of cycling and cycle racing. Trump has
	little to do with the race. The whole Idea of the name Tour de Trump
	was that of the promoters. They went to Trump to ask for support
	and the use of the name. When Trumps name is used the media sits 
	up and takes notice. This gets things done. Do you think that the
	race would have got the coverage it did last year or if the promoters
	had been able to pull it off with out the clout that the name Trump
	gave them. 

	Second, The race probably won't be back next year as most stage races
	change courses each year. I won't argue that most courses change for 
	economic reasons. The course for the Tour de France is determined by 
	which cities and towns pay the most for the privilege of having the 
	race go through  their town. The tdt hasn't cost the city of boston a 
	dime.

	Third, The marshalls aren't necessarily inexperienced. The organizers
	approached the bike shops and bike clubs for volunteers. They are not
	looking for just anybody off the street. This way they get people 
	who have a clue about cycle racing and the cyclist get to help 
	their sport. 	

	Fourth, we can't depend on the State police to marshall the race. I 
	recall someone putting in a description, in either this conference or
	the cycle_racing conference, of the tour de Lowell where the State 
	Trooper that was riding along with the pack was telling the pack to 
	in single file. If you were one of the racers and you had a choice of 
	State Troopers without a clue on cycle racing or local cyclists
	marshalling the race who would you pick.


	Finally, it would be nice if we were all spoiled from watching cycling
	in Europe but most of us aren't. We have to take what we can get and
	this year we are lucky enough to have the only major stage race in 
	The U.S to come to Boston. 
	

    
      Yah to what Paul G. said...I have never seen a world class bike race,
    and I'm looking forward to seeing this one. I'm new to cycling but I
    would think that everyone interested in the sport would be doing
    everything in their power to promote it even if the powers that be
    benifit from it...read that "Make Money". 
     I will be taking my family to see this, (perhaps) once in a lifetime
    event. They may then be able to understand why I enjoy cycling so much.
    
    
     I hope that these world class racers leave this last leg of the 'TDT'
    thinking that the folks in Mass. are world class cycle racing
    supporters...
    
    Go to the TDT..and ENJOY.
    
    PM

    I called the Spoke 'N' Wheel yesterday and signed up to be a marshall.
    Frank said he'd get back to me with more info. They're having a meeting
    in the next week or two and he wasn't sure if he could just go and
    bring back the info or the volunteers would need to go. Also, there's a
    meeting the night before (Saturday the 12th) the race. I told him we
    were having company for dinner that evening and he said it's probably
    ok that I couldn't make it. I'll put some more replies in to this note
    as things develop.
    
    						Thom...

Are you getting anything for doing this, other than the satisfaction of helping 
and watching the peleton go by in about 10 seconds?

    
    
       I got a letter in the mail about a week ago with a return address
    of the Mayors office in Boston.  I thought this was kind of funny
    considering I live in Worcester.  The letter was asking for volunteers
    to help marshal the Tour de Trump.  I went to the Worcester meeting
    at O'neals last night and came away as the Marshal responsible for
    the Grafton section of the course.  There were about 45 people at
    the meeting and a few were from Digital.  If anyone else is interested
    in being a course Marshall call Jim O'neal at O'neals Bike shop
    in Worcester.  There are 500 t-shirts being sent to massachussetts
    for the marshalls.  Thats the physical reward you get for helping
    and there is also some kind of dinner in Boston at a place called
    Champions if you want.  I am looking forward to being part of the
    race and watching go by a section that I feel personally responsible
    for.  The police may be the official word but for the time the racers
    are on the road in grafton I will consider it My road and My
    responsibility.  Please Volunteer to Marshall if you can.  I'll
    appreciate,  The organizers will appreciate it and you will Enjoy
    it !
    
                        John C.
    

    I'll be marshalling, under the auspices of Franks Spoke 'n' Wheel in
    Framingham, Mass, the section of Route 135 in Framingham/Natick. As the
    previous note stated, you get a T-shirt and 2 tickets to the party at
    Champions Sports Bar in the Marriott Copley. The top 10 riders are
    supposed to be there. I have to report at 11 on Sunday morning.
    
    						Thom...