With the growing numbers of cyclists getting into the sport and signing up for the vast array of sportive rides out there I have been having a think of the best way to save you all pennies..............
Back in the day when sportives were first starting lots of charitable work was done and rides were a very reasonable £10-£12 with various charities getting much needed income from a great days event..........
Nowadays though there are many specialist companies jumping on board who will actually organise an event in your name and make a fortune out of cyclists who think charity is still on the receiving end of sometimes £50+ entry fees. In the vast majority of cases charity is seemingly getting nothing - unless you raise sponsorship money yourself - the only pockets which are getting lined are the guys who are charging over the odds for the event in the first place.
Have a good read about where your money goes and if its just to line the pockets of the fat cats cashing in on cycling's popularity then why not just ride and don't pay?????
Start and finish points - usually in public parks and rides on public roads! Who can stop you............? No-one
I think the ethos of sportive riding has become skewed as more and more companies view cyclists as a cash-cow and will do anything they can to milk you for as much as they can.
Keep an eye out.....................
Jim