Cycle Race fees

[TCRCARBON]

As an organiser of smaller events in our area we have found that a total lack of volunteers to help is forcing us to pay marshals etc to help out at rides. Where we could charge minimal entry fees before we are being forced to up our entry fees as well. With the road events it costs a lot to get referees etc to the event to meet with CSA requirements. Everyone wants a goody bag, medal, shirt etc and In a smaller centre where big sponsorships are hard to come by, it is really difficult to keep costs down.

 

Organising an event like 94.7 cannot be easy. To close JHB down for a day for the cyclists to use is an achievement of note.

 

I do think that the multi day MTB events are the ones really pulling the ring out of it.

 

Our 2 day MTB event costs R350.00! You just provide your tent....

 

Takes place on 26 - 27 Feb in Newcastle district.

[gtr1]

Years ago you had a handful of clubs around Gauteng, and tjey were repsonsible for organising various races on the calender. Entry fees went to prize money and maybe a bit to the club. Volunteers did the marshelling etc and usually the province provided the officials.

 

Now every race has an organiser making money out of it and supposedly the monies are going to charity. So then why can't we get a donation certificate from the charity which you could then claim back on your tax return ???????

 

I've yet to see the breakdown after a race as to how much was collected and how much went to charity etc. That would be interesting.

 

So I agree, entry fees way too high for what one gets. Rather have a training ride and spend that money on a family breakfast afterwards. So yes, boycott the event and maybe they'll get the message. One does have a choice.

[Mr. G]

Magalies Monster 2011 is the same price as last year, R150 for the race and R35 for the CSA permit thingymabob...

 

I agree the Sabie classic is only R175.00 similar the Monster , with huge orgaization required and some local small races charge the same- Like Red Stone last weekend!

Edited January 27, 2011 by Mr. G

[Bateleur1]

No, I mean whingeing pansy girls.

 

You spend how much on kit?

 

You spend how many hours training?

 

And then you squeal about race fees? Racing isn't compulsory. If you don't want to do it, don't.

 

Welcome to the market economy. If race fees do not represent good value, don't enter.

 

If you feel race organisers are ripping everybody off, go right ahead and do it cheaper.

 

That is what I do. But I have to admit. I do miss the day where I get up in the morning and decide to go do a race in the area and rip out a R50.00 out of the wallet and hop onto the bike to go do the race and still have money for pancake and coke afterwards. I remember cycling growing quite rapidly as well then. Was not too long ago.

 

Your right ... I'll shut up and mind my own business

[Oltremo]

I don't mind paying teh race fees or PPA memebership fees. If I couldn't afford it, I wouldn't use it, no different from anything else. If I cannot afford a helicopter trip around the city, tehn I do without it.

 

You okes like to winge about what you are paying for and what you are getting.

A smoker pays more for his smokes in a week than what I pay for a cycle race. (Perspective)

A meal for me and my wife is equivalent to my race money in the month of FEB. (Perspective)

1 Speeding ticket = ???? (Perspective)

 

My bro from London reckons we are spoilt with our PPA organised events, they have 1 race every once in a while (less than 1/month), start time between 8 and 9, at least our PPA events specify the start time.

 

Stop moaning. Lets pay and attend so that we can have more. Nothing in life is free.

[Mr. G]

Don't stress too much, I believe in time there will be too many races available and the ones that don't offer value for money will see their asses

[Tokyo]

Cycling is a expensive sport and race fees are only a very small part of the expenses. Our group of friends takes turns to go drive through to get race numbers and then we go pick up our race number at their house that evening. Or why not ask your LBS to organize someone from the club to go though and depending on how many people use the service you pay x amount for petrol.

[GLuvsMtb]

Great! Hopefully all the race orginisers read this, and go into high-end bike tourism instead. They can do a lot better wheeling well-to-do rich folk from Europe around to ride on our routes and trails. I accept that you don't see the value being added, but let me tell you that most orginisers are not driving X5's and living in fancy houses. To tell the truth, doing this for a living makes little sense from a financial point of view. I would gladly pay more for races if they are run by pro's that understands my needs and they give me the experience I long for. The worst races (and some of the best, mind you) were the "kerk bazaar" types, that charge you only R50, have luke-warm water at the 1 water point, got the km's of the route all wrong, very little marshalling and medical support, and poor marketing (where only 50 riders pitch for the race).

[pbp2007]

As a rider, I feel your pain.

 

As an organiser, I don't expect your sympathy, but let's be realistic: a 15 km road run in a confined area lasting 2 hours is vastly different from a bike race covering the entire South Peninsula and lasting 4 hours.

 

Our little 75 km ride gets a R20 000 bill from the traffic department alone. Then there's the R12 000 to Pedal Power, I think R5 000 to medical, etc etc.

 

We can't cover all points with volunteers from the club, so we get the help of other service organisations. For which we pay.

 

The wailing of violins must be deafening by now, but I should also add that all the proceeds two years ago went towards buying a specialised unit for Red Cross Children's hospital. Last year, when the NSRI needed a new computer, we paid for it. Etc, etc.

 

I know this has nothing to do with the enjoyment of your ride, and very little to do with how much you pay. Just thought you needed to know. We charge the PPA recommended fees, by the way.

 

And our books are open to scrutiny.

[Weight Weenie]

Seeing as I'm from PTA East and drive past Cyclelab on William Nicol daily, let me know next time and I'll pickup the numbers for you guys and you can get it from me, R10 a pop

[leeu52]

Consider Babbas online ... R120.00 T-shirt and Medal included ... all waiting for you at the venue ... or Vori-Berg ....R80.00....Cheese-egg dagwood burger R20.00 and see me do a faceplant for free ....priceless!

[scotty]

Kremertart is also good value, ignore the goodie bag which in itself is tops, the cost includes meals during the race and a potjie after. Acommodatiion varies from choice of dirt cheap hostel and camping to luxury.

[andydude]

And our books are open to scrutiny.

 

pbp2007 maybe you can give us a bit of a breakdown? I think it will be interesting to see the income (entries and sponsors) and then listing some of the bigger expenses. We are all just speculating, but if you only end up with a net profit margin of 20% then it's not a rip-off.

 

Help us - please give us clarity

 

I assume you're talking about the Olympic Cycles funride.

[pbp2007]

I've requested more complete figures.

As soon as they're available I'll post them here.

[Shebeen]

I'll pay that any time for Ironman. Always excellent goody bags, pasta party, awards banguet, a whole weekend of 'fun', and excellent good looking medals. R70,000.00 price money for male and female winners.

What do you get at cycle races?

Does the goody bag have a big tub of vaseline in it? Or maybe some orange sherbert to convince you of the bargain race you've done.

There is only one cycle race that charges at a similar level. You know that really overhyped 7day one

[Guest agteros]

Does the goody bag have a big tub of vaseline in it? Or maybe some orange sherbert to convince you of the bargain race you've done.

There is only one cycle race that charges at a similar level. You know that really overhyped 7day one

 

IF you refer to the Cape Epic.... Ironman is an absolute cheapy compared to that... R25000+ per team ... OUCH