Sportive entry fees - RIP OFF !

[lukesdad]

I can recommend the following if you wish:

Cheltenham Flyer 200 in April. (120 riders)

Cotswolds Expedition/Outing/Journey in June , 200;100 & 150. (120 on each)

Nutty Nuns/Merry Monks in May, 150 & 200. (100 on the 150; 30 on the 200)

Kidderminster Killer, 200 in September (around 40 riders)

The Elenith in April, 300. (120 riders) - only if experienced with this distance.

They are all exemplars of good practice and I can recommend them.

It would cost me more to get to one of those, than to enter a sportive. Can t you recommend one further west.

 

[adscrim]

Sportive Kinross is still £20 until the 1st of December. £5 goes striaght to charity (CHAS) and I believe any remaining profit will bolster club funds. Electronic timing, feed stations and showering facilities are provided. I have no affilitation with the club but I like sportives because there is the chance you could be riding in large groups (50+), which I find a lot of fun. I paid for the Etape Caledonia this year and had an absolute blast, at one point I was riding round the south side of loch rannoch in a group I would estimate to be 100+ strong, an exhilirating experience. Riders were laughing and joking, introducing themselves to new faces as the group moved around and new bodies took a turn on the front. There was definitely some racing going on as we got to the finish, both between the members of the group I was in and against the clock - we were closing in on the 4hr mark. I think the EC is a little over priced, but then it's run by an organisation for profit and I was aware of this when I signed up. I certainly don't regret it or feel ripped off.

 

[jimboalee]

...to be engraved on the inside of Jimbo's eyelids...

The Audax thing is odd. Imagine the following. You're in a group of (say) seven at the front of the ride. You have a puncture, raise your hand, shout stopping, and pull over to the side of the road. Do your fellow Audaxers

a) stop and give you a hand
b) shout 'see you at the tea stop' and push on
c) pretend they haven't noticed when you catch them up at the tea stop

I am not a Sportivphobic. I consider myself an 'all round' cyclist willing to have a go at any kind of cycling activity.

I do however agree with the OP that Sportives are expensive. 'Supply and demand' as I see it.

I threw in the 'Devil' thing to get a measure of the amount of hostility I would recieve if I SUGGESTED something different from both Sportives and Audaxes where cyclist can have a competative and fun event.

It seems there are hostile fractions here, who speak strongly for their chosen discipline and equally strongly against other cyclist's chosen discipline.

Cycle clubs organising 'Track days' is however, a thing of the past. I enjoyed them tremendously, as I do Audax calendar events, Sunday club rides, Sponsored events, Audax DIYs and MidMesh rides.

Next year, I shall enter a Sportive. I will be in the 'Veteran' class.

 

[PpPete]

Blimey Fiona N must be a serious sportiver ! I never take that much notice

You've not read some of her posts then.... this is one lady you probably don't want to race against, in a Sportive, an Audax, a TT or anything else.

Seriously- I'm baffled by some of the comments about Audax not being "inclusive" & welcoming. Sure there are a lot of people who already know each other, but I certainly havnt found any to be at all "cliquey"; rather the opposite, all extremely friendly IME. Maybe I just havnt done enough in my first year as an AUK member....


EDIT - I'm certainly not hostile to Sportives (or to Devil take the hindmost for that matter) they just don't appeal to me, Audax does. As RichP said - each to their own.

 

[Fran143]

Who's cracking a whip at your arse making you jump through hoops?

I for one, and many other veterans of the Track and roadrace scene don't entertain the Sportive circus. As the OP said, they're a rip off and only a pale immitation of what can be enjoyed riding properly competative events.

But hey, each to their own.

And anyway. Why pay all that dosh to ride round below your potential?

For a "veteran" you have a strange stance.....not that I am saying for one minute that you should be encouraging anyone(God Forbid) to participate in Sportives, but they are NOT all overpriced as I could class myself a veteran in the field of Sportives. I enjoy the spirit of them when you get the opportunity to ride with many riders. Yes I can go out with my friends or local club but why shouldn't I participate in Sportives. Just my opinion that I am happy to share without ramming it down anyones throat.

 

[Fiona N]

It's unlikely that 3 riders provide and accurate base from which to form an opinion on tens of thousands.

Just giving an example to illustrate my point but the same has happened - albeit not quite so pointedly as this specific woman and companions - on all the sportives I've entered in this country.



And I do agree with Jimbo - 'Devil take the hindmost' is pretty much the most fun you can have on a 'road' without proper hills. I often used to wish crits were run under the same rules to add a bit of interest to 30 laps or whatever

 

[Garz]

The thing I've noticed about the - how shall I put this? - more serious sportives (i.e. not charity 60-100km rides with loads of newbies) is that the riders are desperate not to be seen with anyone who looks like they might be slower than them.

They are quite competitive and certainly emit an aura of 'I must do better than that guy' feel to them but I do enjoy it as they tend to back a charity, force me to train some and also offer an opportunity to meet new people I otherwise wouldn't get to meet.

In the Big G from Beverley, I rode probably 85-90% solo...
The woman, particularly, was about 20 years younger than me, and much slimmer so clearly didn't want to be associated with a somewhat overweight, middle-aged female cyclist...
But if we'd ridden together they would have had the advantage of a strong rider to help them into the wind and I would have got some rest from a solo ride.

I remember from the Blackpool ride you were a great strong rider, definitely one to watch out for!

I can't imagine riders in an Audax event missing the opportunity to ride with someone going at the same pace to share the work, especially on a particularly windy day...
So I'd say that Audaxers are rather more inclusive than sportivers who seem desperate to look the part even if they haven't actually got the legs. Mind you, Audaxers know that strong cyclists come in all sorts of unlikely looking packages, experience gained over long hours in the saddle - experience most sportivers haven't got (yet)

I'm sure it was this forum I read a post from a guy who tried talking to a fellow audaxer and share the duties (to eleviate the wind etc) and got snubbed completely, this ended up both being knackered and unhappy for all the wrong reasons

 

[jimboalee]

Fiona N, on 09 November 2010 - 12:46:42, said:

In the Big G from Beverley, I rode probably 85-90% solo...
The woman, particularly, was about 20 years younger than me, and much slimmer so clearly didn't want to be associated with a somewhat overweight, middle-aged female cyclist...
But if we'd ridden together they would have had the advantage of a strong rider to help them into the wind and I would have got some rest from a solo ride.


Which meant,,, The young whippersnapper had sod all idea of how to conserve some energy for the sprint finish.
That was a bit of a feat on the woman ?? girl's part, entering a ride like that aged five.

 

[PpPete]

I'm sure it was this forum I read a post from a guy who tried talking to a fellow audaxer and share the duties (to eleviate the wind etc) and got snubbed completely, this ended up both being knackered and unhappy for all the wrong reasons

In my limited Audax experience that is fortunately very rare...... or maybe it's just that I can't keep up with those with whom duties migh be shared.

 

[Ron Keegan]

How depressing to see this topic - Sportive entry fees - RIP OFF! - continually near the top of the threads. Surely the exclamation mark should at least now be replaced with a question mark, given the number who have posted disagreements with the tread's title. In my informed opinion, it's a title which could hughely damage the development of a cycling discipline now enjoyed by thousands. However, as the proud instigator of two major sportives, I'd like to add my 10 pence worth and, hopefully, close the debate; but I doubt it.

Why is it that some, who willingly spend large sums to equip themselves to cycle, baulk at the entry fee for an event? Can you imagine a golfer shelling out on a set of clubs and then refusing to pay the green fees, or a true football fan buying the team kit, but not a ticket to the match? Personally, I believe there are probably very few sportive organisers who deliberately set out to rip people off. True, some may not reach expected standards but their events will not suvive as riders will always vote with their pedals.

Sportives are still relatively young and we all need a little time to find the level. A good start may be if standards were set by a controlling body. I hear British Cycling are working on an event grading system.

My two organisational involvements are The Dartmoor Classic and The Exmoor Beast. The first is run by a cycling club while the other is staged by an events management company. The motivation behind both events is the same. Firstly to put on a great event that people are happy to enter and secondly to return a financial surplus. In the case of the "Classic" the money raised helps support the Mid-Devon Cycling Club and also allows donations to be made to good causes. For "The Beast" a fair profit is expected for a commercial commitment. As far as providing a fully supported great day out on the bike, "The Beast" delivers this in spades, while never loosing sight of where the money is being spent. The Somerset event has to pay for everything out of the entry fees, including the wages of all who help on the weekend of the ride and a substantial portion of the office overheads and staffing. "The Classic" has the luxuury of being supported by volunteers and can therefore be a bit more generous with what it gives riders in return for their entry fee. Both, I belive, offer good value for money and both cost thousands of pounds to put on. So, as with everything else, you pays yer money and yer takes yer choice !

The phenominal growth of U.K. sportives has to be good for the well being of the individuals who ride them, the health of the nation and a benefit to the environment. So, let's not kill them off, before ithey has a chance to fully mature, by headlines like RIP OFF!

Now I'm off to start another thread - BEST VALUE FOR MONEY BRITISH SPORTIVES - care to join me?

Cheers
Ron Keegan

 

[jimboalee]

How depressing to see this topic - Sportive entry fees - RIP OFF! - continually near the top of the threads. Surely the exclamation mark should at least now be replaced with a question mark, given the number who have posted disagreements with the tread's title. In my informed opinion, it's a title which could hughely damage the development of a cycling discipline now enjoyed by thousands. However, as the proud instigator of two major sportives, I'd like to add my 10 pence worth and, hopefully, close the debate; but I doubt it.

Why is it that some, who willingly spend large sums to equip themselves to cycle, baulk at the entry fee for an event? Can you imagine a golfer shelling out on a set of clubs and then refusing to pay the green fees, or a true football fan buying the team kit, but not a ticket to the match? Personally, I believe there are probably very few sportive organisers who deliberately set out to rip people off. True, some may not reach expected standards but their events will not suvive as riders will always vote with their pedals.

Sportives are still relatively young and we all need a little time to find the level. A good start may be if standards were set by a controlling body. I hear British Cycling are working on an event grading system.

My two organisational involvements are The Dartmoor Classic and The Exmoor Beast. The first is run by a cycling club while the other is staged by an events management company. The motivation behind both events is the same. Firstly to put on a great event that people are happy to enter and secondly to return a financial surplus. In the case of the "Classic" the money raised helps support the Mid-Devon Cycling Club and also allows donations to be made to good causes. For "The Beast" a fair profit is expected for a commercial commitment. As far as providing a fully supported great day out on the bike, "The Beast" delivers this in spades, while never loosing sight of where the money is being spent. The Somerset event has to pay for everything out of the entry fees, including the wages of all who help on the weekend of the ride and a substantial portion of the office overheads and staffing. "The Classic" has the luxuury of being supported by volunteers and can therefore be a bit more generous with what it gives riders in return for their entry fee. Both, I belive, offer good value for money and both cost thousands of pounds to put on. So, as with everything else, you pays yer money and yer takes yer choice !

The phenominal growth of U.K. sportives has to be good for the well being of the individuals who ride them, the health of the nation and a benefit to the environment. So, let's not kill them off, before ithey has a chance to fully mature, by headlines like RIP OFF!

Now I'm off to start another thread - BEST VALUE FOR MONEY BRITISH SPORTIVES - care to join me?

Cheers
Ron Keegan

Now wait just a cotton-pickin' minute. Ventoux50 expressed his opinion, which he is perfectly entitled to do on a public forum. He also asked a few questions about who makes the wedge out of sportives. Why shouldn't he ask about something that is puzzling him?



The result of the statement and the question has brought varying responses, a balanced range of devotees and haters.



Cyclists don't spend wodges of cash AND EXPECT to shell out further on 'green fees', as their 'green' is the Queen's highway, which within their council tax, they have already paid to use.



Also, I assure you there are thousands of footy fans ( many more than cyclists ) who buy the team replicas and NEVER go to watch a match.



You could have used the simile of the Angler who buys a £3000 Roach Pole and declines to pay the Nat Rivers Auth' or Brit Waterways rod licence fee. If he fishes without the licences, he's poaching.

If a cyclist rides his bike on the road without paying the Sportive fee, he's enjoying a nice ride in the countryside where loads of other cyclists are riding in what seems to be quite a hurry.
So he might join in for the craic.

 

[amaferanga]

Now wait just a cotton-pickin' minute. Ventoux50 expressed his opinion, which he is perfectly entitled to do on a public forum. He also asked a few questions about who makes the wedge out of sportives. Why shouldn't he ask about something that is puzzling him?



The result of the statement and the question has brought varying responses, a balanced range of devotees and haters.



Cyclists don't spend wodges of cash AND EXPECT to shell out further on 'green fees', as their 'green' is the Queen's highway, which within their council tax, they have already paid to use.



Also, I assure you there are thousands of footy fans ( many more than cyclists ) who buy the team replicas and NEVER go to watch a match.



You could have used the simile of the Angler who buys a £3000 Roach Pole and declines to pay the Nat Rivers Auth' or Brit Waterways rod licence fee. If he fishes without the licences, he's poaching.

If a cyclist rides his bike on the road without paying the Sportive fee, he's enjoying a nice ride in the countryside where loads of other cyclists are riding in what seems to be quite a hurry.
So he might join in for the craic.

Cyclists can go for a ride any time they want. Just like if people want to go for a run they don't have to pay. But if people want to take part in an EVENT then they should expect to pay.

Also, Ron did say true football fan.

And only muppets intentionally ride sportive routes at the same time as the event to avoid paying the fees....

 

[jimboalee]

Cyclists can go for a ride any time they want. Just like if people want to go for a run they don't have to pay. But if people want to take part in an EVENT then they should expect to pay.

Also, Ron did say true football fan.

And only muppets intentionally ride sportive routes at the same time as the event to avoid paying the fees....

Oi! You haven't paid.

 

[lukesdad]

As a club we organise the Presili Angel. Its a lot of work for the club all volunteers, and there is not a lot of profit,which has in the past been shared between the club and the village fund where it starts and finishes. The entrance fee we believe to be reasonable and have had good feedback from the participents. 2011 will be our third event.

 

[smutchin]

Why is it that some, who willingly spend large sums to equip themselves to cycle, baulk at the entry fee for an event?

For me, it's not a question of baulking at anything, it's a question of having to make compromises. I can't afford to have a nice bike and enter lots of expensive events, it's an either/or choice. So I chose to have a nice bike and use it to take part in other forms of cycling that don't impinge further on my wallet. Which is emphatically not a criticism of Sportives or the people who do them. Just a slightly more practical option than entering an event and not having anything to ride it on...

I'd really like to do more of all kinds of cycling events, including Sportives. Audaxes suit my wallet better, but I still can't afford to enter as many of them as I'd like either - they're relatively cheap but not free, especially when you take into account the associated costs of travel and so on.

Actually, I'd really like to do a Triathlon, but most of them are way out of my league financially.

So, as with everything else, you pays yer money and yer takes yer choice !

Quite.

The phenominal growth of U.K. sportives has to be good for the well being of the individuals who ride them, the health of the nation and a benefit to the environment.

And what's more, it's all adding to the overall numbers of cyclists, which has to be a good thing for all of us.

d.