How depressing to see this topic - Sportive entry fees - RIP OFF! - continually near the top of the threads.
In my informed opinion, it's a title which could hughely damage the development of a cycling discipline now enjoyed by thousands.
Why is it that some, who willingly spend large sums to equip themselves to cycle, baulk at the entry fee for an event?
Personally, I believe there are probably very few sportive organisers who deliberately set out to rip people off.
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.
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
Poor old Ron, taking this as a personal attack on your involvement in organising sportives !
Unfortunately when I posted this thread I had no idea I was likely to insult you so much - for that I apologise.
Howerer, matey, as has been pointed out to you, this is a public forum where members of the forum are allowed to express opinions and comments thereon.
Why then do you find this particular thread depressing ? is it because you genuinely want to see sportive rides expanding year by year, or is it that you are afraid that once the seed of thought is planted that we might be paying too much - people might actually stay away from your events ?
Just how exactly, (in your informed opinion) is this itsy bitsy thread going to damage the development of sportive riding.........not exactly front page news on the dailies is it ?
The reason why some people baulk at high entry fees (even if they ride a £7k bike) is because like it or not, some entry fees ARE too high. The ownership of a Ferrari doesn't mean you should by necessity attend all Grands Prix does it ?
Your 'belief' that there are very few organisers who set out to rip people off implies that you must believe that there are a number who would do so. (doesn't really back up your argument very well that one).
As for BC becoming involved in the regulation of sp[ortives - great, just wait to see what a horlicks they make of that !
Dartmoor Classic versus Exmoor Beast - different animals I would suggest, one run by and for the benefit of a club and charities, the other to return a fair profit for commercial commitment - I would imagine the latter might fall into the category of event which prompted me to post the op.
Quite honestly I would think that if the recipients of the profits from these events were primarily cycling clubs and/or charities then there would be less 'protest' at the high entry fees.
I'm not trying to kill off sportive riding, au contraire Rodney - I believe that forums such as this ignite public (cycling) debate into such matters and as such become part of the regulatory process which allows all of us to enjoy the sport. If that scares you then that suggests to me that you would rather we were all kept in the dark, didn't question where the money goes - therefore allowing organisers to continue to increase entry fees unopposed.
If thats upset you - - - tough !
