Sunday, 6:00 am - Although the wind and temperatures would have allowed for a good race today, the constant light rain all night have caused the gravel portions of the Auto Road to become muddy and slippery making them unsafe to race or drive on. We were hoping to see a positive change in the weather during the morning but we'll see increasing rain instead forcing the cancellation of today's already postponed Newton's Revenge.

Hart's Turkey Farm will be here serving lunch so racers and their support crews are invited to come up and enjoy that. Please come up to drop off your timing chip if you have pre-registered.

See: www.mountwashingtonautoroad.com/index.php?module=SimpleNews&func=display&sid=107&theme=Auto%20Road%20Theme for full release.

Comments

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Elaine on Jul 8th 2007, 8:17 am

I am wondering.....due to the high cost of motels, travel, and meals. etc.....when the event is totally cancelled, do the participants at least get their $300.00 refunded?

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Jen C on Jul 8th 2007, 8:37 am

No Elaine: You get either $150 back OR you get a $150 deposit towards next years race. You think they would be able to do something better about this.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 8th 2007, 10:42 am

Are you sure about the $150 because a refund of only $150 is unacceptable. Did somebody check with Mary or Amy???

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 8th 2007, 10:46 am

I expect at least a refund of $150 + $150 credit toward next year. Did we know if they will re-schedule Newton's Revenge this year?

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Susan S on Jul 8th 2007, 11:14 am

I will be very unhappy to get only $150 if they do not reschedule the race.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Ed Kinnaly on Jul 8th 2007, 11:50 am

Airlines don't compensate you for acts of God, weather, etc. I am sure that the race organizers are as unhappy as all of us (I am a rider). But before people jump down their throats about the $150 - we all might want to think about the expenses the race incurred to get to this point........

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 8th 2007, 12:27 pm

I agree with you Ed, let's wait. I am not asking them to compensaqte for my expenses: Motel, food and gaz (I am from Canada) All I want is to be compensate fairly and I think $150 + $150 credit for next year is very reasonnable.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Patrick on Jul 8th 2007, 3:19 pm

I agree with Johnny, a $150 refund + $150 credit are a minimum.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Jeff on Jul 8th 2007, 5:20 pm

I spoke with race organizers and it has been confirmed that $150 is the refund amount, or a credit toward next years ride. I know it sounds bad, but something to consider..there is a cost associated with setting up the race for two days. With that being said, I do think the race is expensive, but the market demand supports it!

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Jeff on Jul 8th 2007, 5:22 pm

I also think it would be great if they provided the option of having a guaranteed spot in the August hillclimb in 2008.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 8th 2007, 5:35 pm

I do not care how much it cost them for setting up the race, if that is the case, I lost $150 + motel + food + traveling + $$ setting up my bike for the race + time......all that for a race that never occurred!!! I do not need to say that I will be very frustrated. I read the disclaimer and where do we see that the reimbursement fees are $150 if the race is cancelled???

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by tom on Jul 8th 2007, 7:11 pm

It is obvious that they only cancelled the race because they didnt want to fix the dirt section of the road. The conditions in 2004 were just as bad and the gravel and dirt road was just as loose. The decision had nothing to do with safety - the auto road just didn't want to be inconvenienced. http://www.jsmcelvery.com/photos/2004/road/mw/04mw2.jpg

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Jen C on Jul 8th 2007, 7:27 pm

you know, i can understand if they needed money to set up the race and advertising or food and whatnot, but think about it...150 a person? really. i mean if they held back 50 a person, which is reasonable, thats 15,000 dollars right there. where the heck is the rest of the money going if theres no race??? also, why not postpone the race until 8am? i see it was open to vehicles by 7:30am...

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Shut Up and Ride on Jul 8th 2007, 7:46 pm

Quit your whining! Tin Mountain does not refund anything if the race is canceled. They take it as a "donation" I'm happy to help out Tin MT and or the Observatory and I'm grateful for the $150 refund.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 8th 2007, 10:26 pm

Jen C: There are also revenues from sponsors, designated drivers and passengers so overall that makes lot of money for a CANCELLED event. " Tin Mountain does not refund anything if the race is canceled. " WHERE on the registration form do you see that ??? I suggest you go read the refund policy carfully.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Shut Up and Ride on Jul 9th 2007, 7:16 am

Have you read it John? http://www.mtwashingtonbicyclehillclimb.org/mwarbh/index.cfm/2007/3/26/Weather-Date "If weather should cause cancellation both days, your entry fee will be graciously accepted as a donation to Tin Mountain. Sorry, NO REFUNDS."

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Amy on Jul 9th 2007, 1:39 pm

Without knowing exactly how much was invested in the pre-race preparations, I hesitate to criticize the amount that was held back. I guess the way I feel about is that if you want a guarantee that a race will happen, then go ride Equinox or Ascutney or any other uphill race where the mountain doesn't have the reputation as having some of the worst weather in the world. We all took a chance that this would happen and to blame the race organizers, or the Auto road folks, is just childishness. They stood to make a whole lot more money if the race was held than they obviously did once they made the decison to cancel. The same folks who are complaining now about the cancellation are probably the same ones who would have complained if the race was held an they slipped and slid on the dirt. Being a race organizer can surely be a thankless job. Give them a break. We can quibble about how much they should have refunded..I too thought perhaps $150 wasn't enough, but now that I have had time to get over the disappointment and really think about it, perhaps it was ok. No one forced anyone to take the risk of registering for an event that might not happen, no one asked any of us to spend gas money, motel money, food expenses, etc. So to blame someone else for your disappointment is pretty unfair. I, for one, believe they made the absolutely right decision and you can bet they were up most of the night agonizing over what to do. It wasn't done lightly and it wasn't done without considering all those factors. Maybe some things could have been done differently, but I am ok with it...hugely disappointed, but I surely don't blame the organizers. Blame Mother Nature if it is in your nature to blame, but lighten up on Mary and the others. You are lucky these races happen at all.....

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 9th 2007, 8:46 pm

Amy: I'm not writing in to complain, I know and understand how hard the organizers worked to organize this race. I am wondering and curious to know, in the whole history of the race, how many times the race was postponed and cancelled ??

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 9th 2007, 8:55 pm

thanks SUAR for the link but that was not the site I used when I had registered. This was the website : http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=4066 " Refund Policy Refunds will only be processed after Newton's Revenge registration has sold out and to the extent that there exists eligible replacements on the wait list. All refunds will be processed at $300.00 less $50.00 service fee. No Refunds will be given after May 1. Riders who have registered for Newton's Revenge may not trade, sell, or exchange their registration with anyone else without the expressed permission of the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Prizes " As you can see, there is no mention of not reimburseing the participants.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Sue on Jul 9th 2007, 9:01 pm

Good job, Amy, I agree. I think when you sign up for a ride such as this, when you KNOW it is a benefit ( Newton' s Revenge IS a benefit event for the Mount Washington Observatory), one would understand that part of the entry fee is designated for the recipient right off the top, while the Auto Road assumes the expenses for the logistics and execution. The Auto Road turned out ALL their staff, from EVERY department ...plus the volunteers, the vendors, Abbots Tent Rental, Granite State Timing, Harts Turkey Farm, the HAM radio network... and many others ...everything was there and in place for both days. There were porta potties and trash collection, water stops and Space Blankets, there would be both volunteer and paid Support personnel along the race route, including EMS from the town of Gorham. The Auto Road Plan was in place each day to support the race as if it would go as scheduled. Race requirements for road use also displaced NH State Parks Employees schedule. I'd have no problem writing off half of the entry fee as a charitable donation to Mount Washington Observatory. If the Auto Road specifies that the refund /credit is only 150 $, that is my donation to MWO. After all, I didn't make the list for the August Hillclimb, and if that one gets cancelled, there is no recourse there, either. C'est la vie, plus c'est la meme chose,

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Patrick on Jul 10th 2007, 12:23 am

Johnny, I got the same refund policy as you.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Dharma Bum on Jul 11th 2007, 1:06 pm

It is my understanding that this past weekend was the first time since the concept of a weather date for the race (Newton's and MWARHC) was added that the race did not go off. Rather than criticize the decision to cancel the race, I suggest that those of us who didn't get to do the practice ride and just want to ride the mountain (some for the first time) show some support for a possible rescheduling a date so we can get another shot at riding to the summit. It is my understanding that such an option is not completely out of the picture. Please show your support. Thanks.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Aléric Cirella on Jul 11th 2007, 2:54 pm

I support Johnny for a full refund/credit!!!!!

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 11th 2007, 7:16 pm

Rescheduling the race would solve everything but unfortunately, I doubt they would do that. It is clear in my mind that they must re-imburse everybody $300 minus fees of $50. click on the registration link: http://www.newtonsrevenge.com/newton2.html

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 11th 2007, 7:18 pm

Anybody got news from the organizers???

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by SUAR on Jul 11th 2007, 7:49 pm

"No Refunds will be given after May 1"

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 11th 2007, 8:00 pm

"No Refunds will be given after May 1" That is true, but the event MUST HAPPEN. If the organizers choose NOT to reimburse the racers in case the event is not postponed or simply cancelled they MUST state it in the registration form......exactly like in the form (from another site) that SUAR posted (a few posts ago).

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 11th 2007, 8:04 pm

CRY BABIES, please check this: : https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Carl on Jul 11th 2007, 9:06 pm

The ride organizers did a great job and I want to express my appreciation. I fully understood that there was no refund if the race was cancelled. While I was disappointed, I respect their decision and plan on returning next year.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Ray on Jul 11th 2007, 9:30 pm

I raced in 93 and in 94 I was registered but the race was canceled due to icing. It was held in September back then and only one day with no weather date. I've known for years that there was no refund for the Tin Mountain race and was surpirzed with the $150 refund that Newton's gave. I'm with you Carl, Amy, Sue and others Thanks to all the Organizers, Volunteers and Support People for putting on this race. Thanks to the MW Observatory Thank you Mary. I'll be back next year! Ray

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Michael on Jul 11th 2007, 10:16 pm

I train 8 months for this race and spent a total of $1000 for this weekend. I do not plan to come back anymore if I do not get my money back. Like Johnny said, never in the registration form, the organizers mention the possibility of not getting a reimbursement if the race is cancelled due to bad weather.....to me, it is a non-sense, if you consider (like the organizers say) that Mt. Washington is well know for bad weather. Legally, the people of M.W. will have know choice than paying back all the people.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Michael on Jul 11th 2007, 10:24 pm

Johnny, I will try talk to the lawyer in my company and have him examine the form that everybody filled out when they registered. I will keep you posted.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Doug on Jul 12th 2007, 1:29 pm

Legal action or even the threat of it will destroy these events for everybody. The race organziers took a lot of crap when the price went to $300, then again when it started selling out in minutes, and now they are threatened for canceling event that was created to fix sell-out problem? I would agree with earlier posts, an organizer just can't win.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Howie on Jul 13th 2007, 6:05 pm

Newton's Revenge registrants will receive a letter concerning the cancellation in their email Friday evening, July 13.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by SUAR on Jul 13th 2007, 6:22 pm

Can we refund Johnny's full $300 and ban him from the informal ride and entering in all future Mt Washington events?

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Michelle on Jul 14th 2007, 12:03 pm

The problem is that the refund policy on the registration form does not address what happens if the race is canceled by the Newton's Revenge people due to weather. The refund policy on the registration form explains what happens if you decide not to ride in the race before the race occurs or if you don't want to ride the race in bad weather - NOT if the race itself is canceled. Basically, it says that the only time you could be eligible for a refund is if the race is full - and it never was full. So, no one, at any time, was EVER eligible for a refund. For the benefit of the registrants, I suggest that the race organizers make it very clear in the registration form that there is NO policy on refunding your money if the race is canceled. I think the big problem is amount of money it costs for registration - $300 is steep. Also, The Auto Road race allows you to defer your entry free by getting sponsors to donate for you - on an official sponsor form. Newton's does not. Maybe Newton's can copy the Auto Road race lead, and start that policy next year.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 14th 2007, 6:18 pm

Michelle what happened to people like us who were misled? If I would have known that we were not going to be refunded, I never would have registered for that race. 1- Find me a race where the registration fees are more than $100? You will see, there is none beside this "supposed" race. 2- Why organise an informal ride when they have all of our money?? How much more money would it have cost for the race to really happen? 3- After what they did, why should we risk incurring more expenses, what guarantees do we have that the informal ride won`t be cancelled?

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 14th 2007, 6:26 pm

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by SUAR on Jul 14th 2007, 7:50 pm

"what guarantees do we have that the informal ride won`t be cancelled?" Mt Washington, Home of the worlds worst weather. There are no guarantees. Your not to bright are you Johnny?

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 14th 2007, 8:01 pm

Me bright? I don't know, but at least, I went to school and got my degrees so I could decently work in my field and more importantly work HONESTLY so I can look at myself in the mirror because I do not steal $$ from innocent people.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Perry on Jul 14th 2007, 8:18 pm

Why all this whining about $$$$. I am disapointed that the event did not happen,but the money is a donation and is going to a great cause. The auto road is giving everybody another chance to ride the road on the 29th hopefully the weather will allow it to happen if not I will be disapointed but why complain about the money.Lets try to thank the event staff and workers who are doing all they can for us to have a chance to ride the hardest road in the world!

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 14th 2007, 8:18 pm

"Mt Washington, Home of the worlds worst weather. There are no guarantees" Even a not too bright guy like me would have put a clause not refunding due to a bad weather cancellation, unless....

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Sick of Johnny on Jul 17th 2007, 8:37 am

Johnny, enough, the race organizers have made their decision. You seem to believe the old saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". In this case the squeaky wheel needs to be thrown in the junk pile. Do I really need to point out that complaining on a BLOG is not going to get you anywhere? (Other than puff up your feathers a little because you get people like me to pay attention to you).

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Sick of Johnny I on Jul 17th 2007, 10:22 am

No one stole your money, Johnny. You willingly (I would hope) and freely donated your money to a charitable cause. Now that you have your degrees, why don't you grow up and join the rest of the world as a responsible and MATURE adult. The world has enough cry babies.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 17th 2007, 12:33 pm

Do you know what a CONTRACT is? Show me where in the contract that I signed that I have accepted to donate my money...W-H-E-R-E? Do you understand that there are some people that paid to participate to a race and not to give their $$$ to a charitable cause because honestly, I do not care about your cause. Are you going to give a TAX RECEIPT for the donation???

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 17th 2007, 12:41 pm

One advice for you, go surf on other cycling forums and see what the REAL people, think about this situation...you will surprised. DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW???

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Patrick on Jul 18th 2007, 1:52 am

I want a tax receipt for my $150 donation.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Patrick on Jul 18th 2007, 1:55 am

Race organizers wake up! Stop hiding behind your masks.

the big question??
by eric on Jul 20th 2007, 3:22 am

How was the turkey dinner?

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Susan on Jul 21st 2007, 10:57 pm

with the money they made from the race, they probably had caviar & foie gras beside turkey.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Jul 28th 2007, 11:33 pm

The big question is not about the CAVIAR fest they had but....how many people will TRUST this organization again and show up for tomorrow's informal ride???

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Tim on Aug 8th 2007, 8:15 am

This is an outdoor sport in New England. The race was not cancelled for frivolous reasons. Do you ask for motel and gas money back when your ski weekend is rained out? If you can't stand the risk of New England weather don't sign up. Stay home. Leave New England to us.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny_Yutah on Oct 15th 2007, 8:27 pm

Now I understand why they did not reimburse my money: http://www.mtwashingtonautoroad.com/BlogEntry-1035.html

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Johnny on Feb 3rd 2008, 11:05 pm

This year they added to their cancellation policy: " If Newton’s Revenge is cancelled on July 12, or 13, 2008 racers will receive a refund of $150.00." It is funny, it was not there last year and they kept our money to finance their X-Mas party!!! F_ thieves.

Re: Newton's Revenge Cancelled
by Shut Up and Ride on Feb 12th 2008, 5:46 pm

Did you forget to take your meds again Johnny?