Pierre GlobalSp

So if its a government research thing then why not just have registration requirement and not a fee?

My personal response; - I will now enter the race as others have made fair argument for its relative worth - I will only pick 2 or 3 a year to enter - I strongly feel that this argument of "people pay therefore it's ok" is flawed. Race capacity and racing places are limited and therefore demand is always likely to exceed supply. This naturally pushes up prices resulting in the sport being dominated by the rich. I have nothing wrong with people being rich! But are we going to allow a sport to exclude so many people that would like to get into it? I was inspired to get into cycling using my pocket money as a school kid. There is no way I could do that now! I fear that if we just stand aside and let the markets decide sport, that sport will never flourish.

The consensus on this topic seems to be such; - Most people feel that the rise in costs are affecting their choice of races - But most will still enter at least some races - Almost everyone says that they don't mind paying if it's justified - We all agree that races are expensive to run (I have organised some myself and it is!) - But nobody can say what the justification for CSA licensing is? - Races are still full which indicates that demand still lives

It's a fair point but their is something very special about the vibe with loads of other people. I find I am now only entering the races where the organisers have made an effort to create trails on usually closed areas of farms or reserves - this way you are getting something for your money. And I do agree with many other comments that this does cost money.

I agree 100%! I'm compelled to add a Rands/km function on my cycling computer so that I can see how much its costing me. Do you think if you broke your wheels in the first 5km they'd give you a refund? I am quite interested in the justification behind that.

Most of this has been a discussion not complaints. Only with the right information can we do anything about it.

A very fair point

That's exactly what I have resorted to doing - picking out one or two races that I really love and justifying the expense as my annual dose of race fever. The rest of the time I'll just go out on my own.

That's a really tough question - and really why I ask. Are these acceptable prices and I just can't afford them, or are they not acceptable? I think its acceptable if it can be justified but I don't understand why there are these extra licensing fees etc - they're not building trails or paying medics. Or are they? And if so why are they a recent addition?

Willie before you start boxing what we're saying into shallow little categories please have a closer look at what I am saying; I cannot afford this therefore I will stay away. But I don't want to just mindlessly bitch and winge so I asked whether I was an exception or whether this is an overall feeling? I value somebody disagreeing with me but instead of just waving it aside without engaging in what's being said, maybe you can constructively enhance the discussion by giving us your point of view of why you think these costs need to be as high as they are?

I just found out that as a non-membered cyclist I need to pay R185 to ride 60km in the upcoming Burger MTB challenge. Does anyone else feel like this is getting a bit ridiculous?? And what is this licensing fee for? We seemed to manage quite fine without it in the past. Am I misinformed or unaware of complexities or do other people also feel that this is not right?