How to run a Non Event 101 & Karapoti what next?

As most of you in the bike industry would have heard, Karapoti was cancelled due to extreme weather conditions. Gutting as it may have been for all of us that have been training hard for the past week for this event, take a minute to stop and think about how hard the decision to cancel it may have been. Knowing that there were 1000 compeditors out there amping to get on the start line. I have been in events in the past that have been cancelled due to extreme or dangrous circumstances and have been appauled at how they were dealt with post cancellation. The thing that seperates this event from the rest for me was the professional way it was dealt with, and the extent the organisers went/are going to to rectify this for us punters.

As you can see below are some examples of why it was cancelled and for good reason. Imagine what would have happened to Anton Cooper crossing the river this year???

Thanks to Craig Madsen for the Pic of Anton

Some of the Bushlove riders are still trying to consol themselves.The river levels:
Below is an email sent out from the Karapoti organsers, outlining why they made this decision and what they are going to do about compensation for it. I think you will agree they have gone out of their way to keep people happy.

“Well, what can we say except "Gutted!"

In 27 years Karapoti has never even looked likely to be cancelled. To give you an idea of the conditions out there; in last year's rain the river level readings we watch was 9 cumecs. At 10am on Saturday it was 71cumecs! The cancellation wasn't taken lightly. We've had a couple of complaints that we didn't give enough notice, but this was because we didn't want to pull the pin until we were 100% confident it was the right thing to do. Karapoti is a lot more sheltered that many of the regions affected by the storms, so the issue was river levels and the cold. Our search and rescue crews typically give aid to around 80 riders in a normal year, but in those conditions it would have been 200+ people, and with the added risks of hypothermia and no helicopter rescue being available. In the end we had to be guided by them because they are the experts. Incidently, on Sunday we know of a couple of people who went to ride the course but turned back after getting too wet and cold very early.

So, firstly to the obvious question that a few people have already been asking... We're sorry, but the refund policy is clear when you enter. Entry fees are non-refundable after Feb1. In the case of cancellation this is because despite the event not going ahead we still have to pay for it.

Secondly, to the 132 emails we've received from people showing sympathy and support, thanks so much. It means alot to us, because we know how disappointing it is for you. The nicest email was actually from a couple in Invercargill, who couldn't even go home on Sunday. We've been a tad blown away by the support and have answered every email, so thanks.

Thirdly, as we speak we are looking at organising a Karapoti make-up event. But there are alot of things to work through (concessions, volunteers, search & rescue crews etc) before we can announce anything. But it will be a free event & you'll be the first to hear when or if we get something sorted.

In the meantime, we've teamed up with the Colville Connection to offer all 2012 Karapoti riders the chance to enter the Colville Connection Mountain Bike events at half price.
2012 KARAPOTI / COLVILLE CONNECTION OFFER - Half Price Entries for 2012 Colville Connection Mountain Bike Events, this Saturday 10th March.

ENTER ONLINE AT http://www.colvilleconnection.co.nz/ - use the promotion code TS12KARAPOTI when you enter.”

Looks like the Mountain Bike season is not over yet, MEAN!

Cheers

Tigs