Inbelievable

The Great Valentine Century. Another Frahm Experience.

As I'm sure you've come to expect, there's a story that goes along with everything we do. Last weekend we "participated" in the Great Valentine Century. A bike race throughout Sanford, Florida. Far and above the most unorganized, unprofessional, ridiculous event that I have ever been apart of (Remember, I have been competing since I was 6 years old - that's nearly 20 years of events). A few examples...

• No Start/Finish Line
• No Time Clock
• The official route directions were WRONG
• The route was VERY poorly (if at all) marked
• No race officials anywhere to be seen

So after following the WRONG directions, we went from the ghetto to the middle of a professional bike race (ya - there was a real professional race with the hardcore serious riders just a few miles up the road & we rode with them - picture that) en route to finding the "official" race route.

This fantastic bike race came with a $65 entry fee (oh ya, there was a t-shirt & sandwich lunch included in the fee) that I felt was disputable. However, the event "organizer" (who still remains anonymous) felt otherwise. Here's a few lessons from him on how not to treat your customers.

• "Riders that could not find the Alpha list may of course could have trouble to find anything else as well"
• "As you can see and you may reflect, the ride was darn well organized"
• "Yes the first word on your sheet says right while the green arrow says LEFT." (umm...so which are we to follow arrows or directions??)
• "Those who are missing it are, inbelieveable" (Can somebody please look that word up for me??)
• "I can not take you complaint serious and again it is unfounded."
• "Hope to see you on our next fund raiser"

In all fairness, I should mention that he offered to apply our entry fee to next year's event. While it was a gesture, I have no plans on returning to the Great Valentine Century.