Value for money 99 fee vs other PPA rides ?

[Lounge Lizard]

Every year the 99er fee gets my goat.

I decided not to place on forum till after the ride - because comments will just be 'don't ride'

But what is it that makes us do it ?

• 
   
  
• No other rides this weekend ?
  
• Goody bag compensates for high fees ?
  
• The water/drink tables are ....well, just water/drink tables - no major difference ?
  
• Winners get good prize money - but why must I pay for more and more prize money - I won't win or enjoy the ride more ?
  
• Lucky draw prize - only one person wins the big prize (normal probability not you/me) ? and at most events hardly anyone sits around for two hours waiting for the prize giving ?
  
• Money going to a good cause ? Same with all rides - fees mostly to charities etc.?
  
• Most riders complain that generally fun ride fees are high - and if you do them regularly, the fuel, entry, etc etc ads up. So, why go the the most expensive event ?
  
• We enjoy the event - Of Course we do - but is it R 100-180 more fun than another ride ?
  

 

I have read their excuse of why the are so expensive, but am not convinced that the fee is justified.

Routes are the same as used by PPA and other - so marshall cost could be the same etc.

What was in your goody bag - do you think it makes up for the extra fees ?

 

Comparison of event fees:

 

PPA mostly, early entry, member : R 70 or the non-member R 100

99 er , early member entry fee : R 170 or the non-member R 190

 

PPA mostly late entry fees member :R 100 or non-member R 120

99 er , late entry fee member :R 280 ....... R 280

 

Similar differences for the MTB events.

 

 

 

So, when will you stop going to an event;

This one cost mainly R 170 to 280

Will you still go at R 200, 300, 400, 500 ?

Do we care - do we have b@lls to boycott - do we think like consumers ?

What does your non-riding wife, partner, hubby etc think - fair to spend this money to ride a public road ?

 

 

Not being negative here guys - just trying to think why we do it, are we making cycling easier to start for those less wealthy than us, are these fees discriminating against...and basically just not reasonable ?

[Dicky DQ]

I did not ride this year so......

 

But, this is usually one of the better, safer rides out there and is well managed with great lucky draw prizes etc. (Note I do not attend any lucky draws etc. it is a waste for me. I do the ride and go home.)

 

It takes a lot to put on a good show and for as long as ppl are prepared to pay the entry they will keep going up. Until the numbers drop and it is not financially viable for the organizers.

 

the current fee seems steep, but not outrageous, you now just have to pick your rides. This will also impact on the overall number of races and only the best will survive.

 

In closing the 99'r is not just another PPA ride............ It is a lot better IMHO.

 

It is a proper distance, gets the profile of cycling in the WC up, gets some of the Pros here and is good for the local racing scene. Oh yes it's main aim is FUNDRAISING FOR THE SCHOOL.

[Dicky DQ]

Your poll does not cater for all the options so I think you are gonna get less results than you want.

There is no option for Section 1 & 3 that I would want to check

Section 1 - Depends on what I want to get out of the race (currently it is too much, but if the factors were correct even 1k would be OK)

 

Section 3 - Again Depends on my personal value proposition.

[TheSaint]

I posted something similar in the week and got some good comments. A few guys shot me down. (as expected- some use this forum to vent their frustations

 

I hope the guys that rode had an excellent day in the saddle.

 

Unfortunately for me it was rather expensive. I only got a late reply from the boss giving me time off so would have had to pay the R280 late entry fee. That plus my travelling, food, drinks etc. would have set me back by roughly R380.

 

The 3 Passes is taking place tomorrow from Cape Academy. Much cheaper and closer as well. PPA funride.

 

Have nothing against the 99er but the price tends to exclude some cyclists. Even my buddies that can afford are reluctant to do it.

 

Airbender gave a nice breakdown (justification) as to why the fees are so high. didnt make a difference to me though.

 

As Willehond explained to me, 'take your bike and ride somewhere else'

[firewolf]

Sorry. But. If ya got a problem with the fees. Then just don't ride.

 

I not rich. I a Fireman. I make plans to make real my passion. So.. maybe I eat two less restaurant meals a month. I prioritize. I pay my race fees. I race.

 

And. you know what? The therapeutic value is worth more than the entry fee.

 

But hey. thats just me.

['Dale]

I can afford it.

And, it is so exclusive to those riders that find it financially challenging.

Thus, distancing so many from this weird and wonderful sport.

[Rapunzel]

I was rather disappointed from a prize perspective. Lucky draw prizes were great but position prizes were dismal. The 108km had plenty of prizes and over R25000 in prize money but only 2 prizes overall totalling R550 per event(no women's prizes at all) for the 64km and 35km mtb.

[flymango]

I thought it was an incredibly well run event, with HUNDREDS of volunteers unselfishly giving up their Saturday to make our day a special race. I did the MTB race, and the marshalls and water tables were excellent. The course layout too. WORTH EVERY CENT!!

 

Insofar position prizes are concerned? Mmmm ... I'm never going to get one of those, so I'm all for spreading the sponsorships all around for lucky draws. Also means we don't just grab our free Coke and head off home - so more mileage for the sponsors.

 

My only gripe (although it didn't effect me): why the surcharge on late entries? But that's been covered on another thread.