I'm in the early stages of planning a mid-life crisis event-based cycle ride after gaining phase 1 approval from the good Mrs Dr Bollo. However, every time this has come up in conversation, people ask me "Is it for charity?" and they seem shocked when I tell them I'm just doing it for my own satisfaction. I'm kind of with Sheldon Brown on this one. So, opinions please.
Lot of work for charidy, mate
- Thread starter Bollo
- Start date
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jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
my feeling is that charity things should be ones that require a real over the top training prep, or are really tough in themselves (for your level of ability. I love touring so asking for sponsorship for a 60 mile per day tour is taking the piss.
I also do triathlons, and love them. I am however asking for sponsorship for a half Ironman as it will be a massive personal challenge and will require a lot of training....
I also do triathlons, and love them. I am however asking for sponsorship for a half Ironman as it will be a massive personal challenge and will require a lot of training....
Rhythm Thief
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ross on Wye
Ride for the hell of it. I don't play my guitar, or read books, or listen to music, or any of the other things I do for fun, for charity.
Keith Oates
Janner
- Location
- Penarth, Wales
Ride what you like, where you like and for whatever reason you want, that has to be the best excuse for cycling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mondobongo
Über Member
Do it for yourself and enjoy it.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
No need to feel guilty, just get away and enjoy this event for yourself. 
Sh4rkyBloke
Jaffa Cake monster
- Location
- Manchester, UK
I can see Sheldon's point.. however, if you already enjoy cycling then doing a 'thon' (as he puts it) won't put you off it.
If what you are doing is a personal challenge that will require training etc. then others who are not cyclists will certainly see it as something big... if they want to sponsor you then why not help out a Charity as well?
I collected sponsorship for my first 60 miler as it was by far the longest distance I'd covered (with full panniers on a hybrid - always be prepared!!), but when doing it the following year it seemed a bit of a sham to ask for money as I was a regular commuter then and it wasn't such a big deal any more.
Your choice though.
If what you are doing is a personal challenge that will require training etc. then others who are not cyclists will certainly see it as something big... if they want to sponsor you then why not help out a Charity as well?
I collected sponsorship for my first 60 miler as it was by far the longest distance I'd covered (with full panniers on a hybrid - always be prepared!!), but when doing it the following year it seemed a bit of a sham to ask for money as I was a regular commuter then and it wasn't such a big deal any more.
Your choice though.
Over The Hill
Guru
- Location
- Ridden off into the sunset
I would just do it for myself.
I do one charity ride per year and did swimming things before that. I rattle the tin at work but feel you cannot keep going back every month. If I am tagging onto a BHF ride or something then they are not doing it for their amusement they do it to raise money. Beyond that I make sure their cost is covered + chip a bit in myself.
I cannot stand these rip off charity things - mostly seem to be parachute jumps where they say something like "raise £250 and the jump is free". Effectively half my charity money is going towards someones frigging parachute jump. They may as well have a charity day at Alton Towers on my expense.
Charity fatigue sets in I am afraid. I usually listen to Terry Wogan in the morning but it is switched off this week because he is banging on about his frigging charity auction all the time. And I will not be watching it on Friday. The whole emotional frenzy is too much and it sort of steps over a line.
I support what I think is good without any downside. Lottery, Charity shops, tin rattling, good events.
I do one charity ride per year and did swimming things before that. I rattle the tin at work but feel you cannot keep going back every month. If I am tagging onto a BHF ride or something then they are not doing it for their amusement they do it to raise money. Beyond that I make sure their cost is covered + chip a bit in myself.
I cannot stand these rip off charity things - mostly seem to be parachute jumps where they say something like "raise £250 and the jump is free". Effectively half my charity money is going towards someones frigging parachute jump. They may as well have a charity day at Alton Towers on my expense.
Charity fatigue sets in I am afraid. I usually listen to Terry Wogan in the morning but it is switched off this week because he is banging on about his frigging charity auction all the time. And I will not be watching it on Friday. The whole emotional frenzy is too much and it sort of steps over a line.
I support what I think is good without any downside. Lottery, Charity shops, tin rattling, good events.
Andy in Sig
Vice President in Exile
- Location
- Sigmaringen, Germany
Obviously do it simply because you want to.
Kirstie
Über Member
I've been through this exact decision process myself.
Last year my auntie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer so i decided to do some fundraising for pancreatic cancer UK by running race for lifes etc in 2008. I've never run in my life and so it was a challenge for me
By coincidence I was doing a lejog this year, but for my own satisfaction as a cycle tourist. About 2 months before my lejog, I had an injury and my doc told me that on no account should I ever run on uneven surfaces, ie out of doors. This completely put pay to my running charity plans.
So for me it was a no brainer - so i didn't waste the opportunity to raise funds I did my lejog for pancreatic cancer UK, but also had a really fun tour. It was still really hard.
Although I felt funny about it at first what I found was that my non cycling family and friends were really impressed at the effort I made and gave me lots of money. A cycle tour is still a big deal to a lot of people, and so it made for some nice donations and a lot of support. I raised 2 grand in the end. It was really satisfying.
I don't think I'd do any old tour for any old charity. This one was completely personal to me, and has actually helped me deal with the grim realities of my auntie's illness. (For what it's worth, pancreatic cancer is pretty much a death sentence. Most people don't last a year from diagnosis and only 2% last five years. Bizarrely you wouldn't know my auntie was ill and she's still going strong!)
Last year my auntie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer so i decided to do some fundraising for pancreatic cancer UK by running race for lifes etc in 2008. I've never run in my life and so it was a challenge for me
By coincidence I was doing a lejog this year, but for my own satisfaction as a cycle tourist. About 2 months before my lejog, I had an injury and my doc told me that on no account should I ever run on uneven surfaces, ie out of doors. This completely put pay to my running charity plans.
So for me it was a no brainer - so i didn't waste the opportunity to raise funds I did my lejog for pancreatic cancer UK, but also had a really fun tour. It was still really hard.
Although I felt funny about it at first what I found was that my non cycling family and friends were really impressed at the effort I made and gave me lots of money. A cycle tour is still a big deal to a lot of people, and so it made for some nice donations and a lot of support. I raised 2 grand in the end. It was really satisfying.
I don't think I'd do any old tour for any old charity. This one was completely personal to me, and has actually helped me deal with the grim realities of my auntie's illness. (For what it's worth, pancreatic cancer is pretty much a death sentence. Most people don't last a year from diagnosis and only 2% last five years. Bizarrely you wouldn't know my auntie was ill and she's still going strong!)
