My $.02.

First off, I live in southern Oregon--so distance is a factor in the races I race.

Gas prices had an impact on what I raced this year. For cross-country races--I raced only 4 races this year:
Yreka, Grants Pass, Merlin, and Ashland.

Now, driving/gas is not that bad--as long as it's worth it. I also did 2 12-hour races in California (one in Weaverville and one in Arcata). I also plan on doing the Whiskeytown 9-to-5. What I am getting at--is, "If I am going to drive for 3-plus hours each way (and possibly spend the night in a hotel)--I want to make sure the race distance is worth it.

I race sport and singlespeed. There is nothing worse then going through the whole effort/expense of a race for a 1.5 hour sprint. On any other normal weekend--I like to get 3 to 5 hours of riding in. Make the sport level races 2-hour minimum and the expert level 3-hour minimum.

So there is a sliding scale--distance/expense vs. length of the race.

On a completely related note from a different point of view--for those of us married with kids, having a race on Mother's Day or Easter weekend--simply doesn't work. I won't ever attend one of those races.

And to repeat the sentiments of others--having one series would be best--although the Ski Bowl/Mt Hood races are simply too far for us Southern Oregon racers.

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