The Birkebeinerrittet has been one of the great bastions of trim in Norway. The race between Rena and Lillehammer has almost been a people’s movement. But when the race now gets underway on Saturday, the race that marks a 30th anniversary, there will be a significantly smaller starting field than when the event was at its height. In the peak years, there were 17,000 registered for the Birkebeinerrittet, now the number is down to approximately 4,000. And the organizer is struggling to get young participants and women. The accounts for 2022 also show red numbers and an operating loss of NOK 4 million. Birken AS has also lost a third of its equity. And figures show that it is not just Birken that is struggling. A “hype” is over SPREK CHAIRMAN: Tim Bennett has ridden Birken himself 15 times, but says the popularity boom is definitely over. Photo: Privat President and chairman of Kondis magazine, Tim Bennett, believes it is obvious that the ride’s popularity has declined. – The status of the Birkebeinerrittet is declining, there is no doubt about that. There has been a “hype”, where the race was prestigious and something that good people should do to show off a bit. It’s definitely over. He says that he himself has ridden Birken fifteen times, and was one of those who sat ready in front of the PC when registration started, to secure a place. – It was about signing up before it was full. Should have one ride Bennett believes that one should now focus on having one ride, rather than many different variants, such as the ultra-birken and electric bike. – If you go back to a birch bone race, I think it can grow again. The Birkebeinerrittet is cool, and a ride that anyone can do. And Birken should manage to have 8–9,000 participants. He also says that Birken’s problems are not unique, but that cycling as a whole is struggling to get involved. – Cycling fails to attract the exerciser. And it is expensive and difficult to get to a ride. It seems that the status of the rides in general is declining. – It is not a crisis POSITIVE: Chairman of the board of Birken AS, Lasse Kollerud, believes that it is not a crisis situation. But he believes you have to roll up your sleeves and work to improve the situation. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news Lasse Kollerud, chairman of Birken AS, believes that the Birkebeinerrittet is a successful event despite a decrease in the number of participants. – I would say that it is popular. It is not a crisis. But we probably have to sit down and look at some trends in the market. Not least targeting the younger ones, who are not as competitive as the older ones. He says they are now looking at which events should be held, how they should be carried out and organised. When it comes to the decline in cycling in general, he believes that it is a major issue to tackle. – I think there are long-term trends that are difficult to influence. You can see it in the membership numbers in the Cycling Association and the number of licences, it has the same trend as the rides. HISTORICAL: The Birkebeinerrittet is steeped in tradition. Here are pictures from the first ride. Photo: Birken Big drop in rides According to the Norwegian Cycling Association, one indicator of participation in rides is the number of people who buy a one-time license for a bicycle. The figures show that while there were around 60,000 Norwegians who bought a one-off license in the years 2010-2013, the figure for 2022 was just over 10,000. GENERAL SECRETARY: Kjersti Størset admits downturns for riding, but believes in new heights. Photo: press image Kjersti Størset, secretary general of the Norwegian Cycling Association, says that it has been a difficult time and that there was a decline in rides even before the pandemic. – There is no doubt that it has been a golden age and that you have been in a trough. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a heyday again. It’s defensive to think that you can’t make it happen again. She believes that the signals in the environments are more positive than a short time ago, but that the rides have received competition via modern technology. – There has been a lot of technology and apps that people like to use, this also applies to bicycles. Wet fun this year Størset has some thoughts on what the cycling association can do to restore the popularity of the rides. – It is alpha and omega with a good club activity. It is important to have a common training goal in a club, be it the Birken or another ride. As a federation, we must be good at supporting our clubs. And she believes it is important to be realistic. – Maybe we should close the list. It is better to have a small event than no event, and try to build it up again. DAILY LEADER: Eirik Torbjørnsen is not daunted by the fact that rain has been reported. He says the Birkebeinerrittet should be a small test of manhood. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news Perhaps it is somewhat symbolic of the challenges Birken is facing, that this year’s anniversary ride looks like it will be a wet pleasure. Large amounts of rainfall have been reported for the weekend. But the management, in general manager Eirik Torbjørnsen, takes it with composure and a smile. – Last year it was sunny, this year it will probably be a bit wet and probably a trial for some. But the route is built to withstand some rainfall. And Birken should be a challenge for everyone.
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Birken’s 30th anniversary but they struggle with red numbers and participant flight – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
