Sorry, that did sound a bit negative. Putting it a bit more clearly (I hope), I had trouble understanding why the first thing you did was to look at charity rides. And you've explained it quite well in your subsequent post, quoted above. Have fun, however you do it.
Charity rides too expensive?
- Thread starter Cambie
- Start date
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jefmcg
Guru
Sorry, this doesn't seem to be audax. They are usually between £5 and £10. I've lashed out £30 for one in may, but thats 600km with home cooked food all the way around and somewhere to sleep.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Event Details
Event Location – AJ Cycles, Bury Close, Higham Ferrers, NN10 8HQ
Routes – 25, 40 & 80 Miles (GPS device links available)
Parking – Free Parking within Bury close Ind estate
Registration – Opens 7.30am, Free tea & coffee available
Ride Start Time – 8.30-9am, 80 mile route followed by 40 & 25 mile
Feed Stations – 80 miles = 2 stations, 40 & 25 mile = 1 station, with drinks, gels, fruit & cake
Event Pricing – 80 mile = £25, 40 & 25 mile = £20
jefmcg
Guru
Tin Pot
Guru
My own experience raising money for charity through a bike ride was pretty disheartening, I started out feeling like I was helping needy children and ended feeling like a freeloader with a bill for my monthly salary that I couldn't afford to pay.
That was fifteen years ago, and with many friends who've worked in the charity industry I understand the need for it, but I can't say I like it. And every person phoning me to sign up a direct debit so they can "get their cut" makes me sick.
I would suggest entering a wiggle sportive event yourself, something £30-£60, and raising money for charity anyway. That way there is no pressure, no target , just charity.
Or, if you're feeling flush, make one big donation yourself to cover a charity entry entirely(!)
Good luck, and good luck with raising funds! Once you've made your decision you can forget all the negativity!
That was fifteen years ago, and with many friends who've worked in the charity industry I understand the need for it, but I can't say I like it. And every person phoning me to sign up a direct debit so they can "get their cut" makes me sick.
I would suggest entering a wiggle sportive event yourself, something £30-£60, and raising money for charity anyway. That way there is no pressure, no target , just charity.
Or, if you're feeling flush, make one big donation yourself to cover a charity entry entirely(!)
Good luck, and good luck with raising funds! Once you've made your decision you can forget all the negativity!
Tin Pot
Guru
Profit is not a problem, profiting from charity is.
The finger is not pointed at the event organiser, it is the charity's decision to pay for places at an event.
Speculate to accumulate.
the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
Charity fundraising is an industrialised process, it does what it does to maximise it's returns, the economics of the charity ride makes sense to the fund raising organisation, it won't make sense to a club rider or Audax rider, it might appeal to people who have never considered a long ride before, people who are perhaps outside of the cultural norms of club /road/audax/sportive riding.
w00hoo_kent
One of the 64K
- Location
- Maidstone or Greenwich
To be fair, I was pretty specific about it being what I've heard about L2B rather than experienced. You'll probably get similar comments when it comes closer this year, along with people working out how to cheat the system and ride it for free.
Still, nice to hear positive stories about it.
For me that would feel wrong, which is why I would not do it.
No I expect you wouldn't.
Friend of mine who did the ride was nervous about doing it as she was new to cycling so she asked her husband to accompany her. She signed up, he didn't. Is that wrong?
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
Charity events do seem to be going up in price.
Some commercial ones, like the now-defunct Etape Pennines with a £63 entry fee, were nominally 'charity' but run by major for-profit organisations.
I did the GHS Memorial Ride (100/50 miles total, stop at Pocklington) last year - the fee? A massive £3.
Having done the BHF Night Ride and some others, along with the biggest sportives, I'm finding the audax scene better.
Some commercial ones, like the now-defunct Etape Pennines with a £63 entry fee, were nominally 'charity' but run by major for-profit organisations.
I did the GHS Memorial Ride (100/50 miles total, stop at Pocklington) last year - the fee? A massive £3.
Having done the BHF Night Ride and some others, along with the biggest sportives, I'm finding the audax scene better.
