Data, data, data…. It’s all about the data!
One of the most common situations that we as a timing company come across is a race that is not completely prepared with their registration data. 90% of the results process is the registration data. And sometimes, the data can be bad, and it is not known until we start posting the results at a race. Let me tell you, no one knows “heat,” until they have felt it from someone who has just spent an hour or two pushing themselves to the limit, then not have accurate results.
Most of the time, we time races that are only put on once a year. There is a core group of folks that come together once a year to put on a race. And one person gets assigned the daunting task of managing the registration data. Not an easy job considering that this person usually has a “real” job, a family etc. And since we (Milliseconds) are relying on this person to get us a good, clean data file, we offer up our assistance. We are here to help. If you have questions, or need to know what format we need things in, please feel free to shoot any one of us an email, or a phone call. We do this almost every weekend, are pretty savvy with spreadsheets, and ultimately are interested in the overall success of your race.
Again, the registration data is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to timing. Registration data that is not complete, or not accurate translates into poor results which produces unhappy racers.
One of our timing points was stolen!
Last weekend we had a timing point stolen at the Telos Timp Tri. Why any one would want to steal one is beyond me. It’s only good for a very specific purpose, timing races. It was set up in front of the Orem Rec Center where the race started and was stolen before the race even began. Here is a picture of one of our other timing points so you know what it looks like.
If you have any information about it, please contact us or the Orem Police department (801-229-7070).
Sea Otter Classic
Greetings Milliseconds fans! Eric here, part of the Milliseconds Timing Crew. I’ll be popping in here from time to time to share some of the things swirling around in my head.
Amongst other races this weekend, Mac, I and crew have been at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey CA. This race is a huge deal, not so much as the races go, but it is a celebration of the sport of cycling and the largest cycling “festival” in North America. Being a part of the event this year has had me thinking that this is what it would be like to be part of a traveling carnival. We have been here for a week, staying in a 30ft long travel trailer, eating event food and working long hours. Certainly a life I would not choose, but it’s fun for a week! Everything has gone amazingly well, and we’ve had a blast, but tomorrow morning will be happy to hit the road for home.
Stay tuned for more from me as the timing season gets under way. I will check in periodically. I leave you this time with an appropriate quote that applies in bike racing- “Ride it like you stole it!”-unknown.