Race Event Ranking Guide

I am proposing a race rating/ranking system to create a Top Race Event Ranking list that will be useful to all types of riders to help people choose their events.

First thing to note is, I will be participating in most of these events through as a racer, but I will objectively look at it as if I was riding it non-competitively too.

A lot of these categories for this race rating system highly are subjective, and I will be trying to compare each event to other races. Of course, comparing two events is quite impossible, but by creating a ranking system with quite a few categories, it should enable an overall feel to an event to help people target events that are more suited for their wants and needs as a bike rider.

I may eventually break up the rankings of the races into small, medium, and large event rankings. This is because there are going to be more expectations for large events that a meant to draw people in from all over the country and world compared to a small event that is working off a smaller budget.

Here are a few of the race rating categories I will be judging each event by. Some categories will be weighted heavier than others depending on the event size.

Cost – How much does the event cost. Strictly the race entry fees. Travel is not included. A single event may be expensive, but if you only plan to do a few events in a season then this is not a huge deal. For people, that want to do quite a few events, say 8-10 races, this category will weigh more in their decision making.

Course Distance Options – Does the event have options for all levels of riders and options for those that don’t want a long course.

Race Category Options – Age, Sex, bike type etc.

Pre-Race Communication – Promotor communication and regular updates pre-event.

Ease of Entry – The amount of race entries available vs the amount of people wanting to get in.

Ease of Travel – How accessible is the location of the event mainly for out-of-state riders needing to fly in. Most gravel races are quite rural, and some are tailored for local riders and not expecting to draw in large crowds.

Lodging – Are there campgrounds and hotels nearby.

Competition Level (Weighted at 0 for Non-Racers) – Pros and ex-Pros or just the local fast guys.

Course Difficulty – Flat vs hilly or mud vs compact or fine vs large gravel.

Sag Support – Does the promotor offer SAG support

Aid/Feed Station Availability and Supplies – Are there plenty of feed stations and how well are they stocked.

Live Race Coverage/Photography – Is there lead car, is there live updating during the race, is there someone taking official race pictures.

Prize Money – Does the event payout or have intermediate prizes.

Accompanying Race Festivities – This is to rate if the race has vendors, surrounding shops, and other entertainment particularly for people who travel with the cyclist and do not participate in the event.

Post Ride Party – All races should have some type of social gathering to enjoy some comradery with our fellow cyclist.

Post Ride Food – Was there food and drinks and was it good.

Overall Ranking

I am in the process of coming up with a weighting system of race rating categories for the overall ranking. I will come up with a race score out of 100 and post the weights of each category soon.

Comment below on if you think other race rating categories should be added or omitted in the ranking. Thank you for reading and following along on my adventures.