[Closed] paying to do a event.......yes or no?

Events can be fun. You get to meet new folk, chat etc. There can be a bit of a fun vibe going on. I don't mind doing the odd one or two.

I've paid £15 each for Jane and me to do a 32 mile event, but I know the profits go to charity, there's good support around the route, and food at the end. Not sure id pay £35 a head rather than £15 each though

The organisation and event at ardrock last year was certainly worth the fee.

Follow your own route. Unless there is a competitive element or some sort of incentive like free pies/ale/tshirts etc. Or the chance to ride some great tracks not normally open to the public. Or a load of Kudos from being able to say " I did the......."
Your call really.

It's a good way to motivate yourself to do something, also good for camaraderie. Sounds like you are motivated anyway and the longer rides are less social so I'd keep the cash and do my own thing.

Ride your own route Ton and invite a few mates to join you 🙂

Paying £35 to ride my bike would cause me considerable pain, ride your route, if having company is important ride it on the day of the event.

Enjoy the meal

Do both one each day.
If the event offers something then see if it's something you value.

stumpy_m4 - Member
Ride your own route Ton and invite a few mates to join you

Perhaps buy them all a pie and a pint each and get binners to knock you up some t-shirts - and then charge them all £25. 🙂

I did an Audax on Exmoor last year, £6, a few weeks later I did the Exmoor Beast which covered a lot of the same area for around 5 times as much money, and for what? electronic timing and a food stop that I didn't stop at.

That sort of price doesn't seem too unreasonable for enjoying a well-planned and signed route, probably with a bit of food thrown in. Perhaps a touch on the pricey side but not outrageous. It's not quite 550 quid for three days in the lakes 🙂

Unless it is a race i tend to do my own thing. I like the freedom to pick dates based on weather. Did the fred whitton route last may in the sunshine. Mate paid to do it in the rain. Events offer things, decide if they are worth it for you.

Different atmosphere and people to meet on different events. Only you know if it's worth your money.

Audax are cheaper than sportives depending on how you attack the Cafe stops. But I'd pay money not to have to depend on gels and energy bars.

I've entered a couple this year. I used to be in the 'sod it, why pay to ride open roads?' camp, especially since you can just download the route gpx files from UKCycling events without paying anything.
I sometimes need the incentive to actually get my arse out though. This weekend for example I'm doing a sportive near Winchester. The weather looks cold and possibly wet & after a long week at work quite easy to change the plan from a big ride to just pootling around locally but I've paid so I will go.

Tricky, but if like me you are picky you can do those events that appeal, ditch those that don't.

I'm doing this Gravel Reviver in April, can't think of a better exponent of a charged event than this. Whilst I could do it on my own, I feel this type of event is way better suited for a mass charged event than most on the market. I mean after all it's 200k over gravel and they're providing support, borrom wagon, food and another 400 slightly bonkers types on bikes.

But then you get down the Wiggle stuff and No, never pay for that.

I do a local road charity one every summer, organised by a Round Table. It's 75 miles, and entry is £20, all going to local charities.

It is quite acceptable, indeed expected, to eat £20 worth of cake at the 4 wonderful stop points round the course 🙂

Etape Caledonia etc - no way, £70 entry, not a bean to charity, accommodation charges min 3 night stay etc... 🙁 Have in recent years done a ride weekend with mates over same roads, incorporating a nice B&N, dinner and a pint, for less money...

I sometimes need the incentive to actually get my arse out though.

^^This - I think committing to an event makes you get out and ride if you know it is coming up..

I did the Wiggle 'French Invasion' thing last year - it was £70ish but that included a ferry to France and it was very well organised.

If I get a Ride London ballot place i'll be paying to do that. (did it last year - it was an interesting experience that i'd like again)

I'm doing the Sport relief 50 miler from the Olympic park next month - it is for charity and places were half price (£17.50) when I booked it up.

I might do one or two others this year, but they'll be on the cheaper end of the scale.

The Evans events - £20 - broom wagon, 2x cake stops, timing, no worries about following the route.
The Wiggle events - £35 - as above, but you get a tshirt and a crappy medal in addition.

Both allow you to not really think about routing for the day and will give you a route you might not have tried before.

I've done both, the Wiggle events generally have a bit more going on at the end (i.e. shops in tents) but aren't that much different.

I'm doing a few Evans rides this year, as motivation for actually getting out and doing something different rather than the 20 minute drive to Swinley. (Also, they do 3 for 2 in January).

I would say if you've already got the route planned, don't pay the money.

As above, it's really not about the cost/what it buys you, it's just "do I want to do this as part of a bigger event". It can be good, it can be less good- I love racing frinstance not so much for the race itself but for the wider "400 people are doing this with me" shared experience thing.

jimdubleyou - Member

you get a tshirt and a crappy medal in addition.

I've always been cynical about the medals but my brother got one for doing a poxy 5k run and now I'm jealous. Medals for everyone!

Every child wins a prize!