Liz33

Hi
Just wondering if you can ride on a century ride event even if you are not registered to participate and haven't pay or raise funds.
Please don't judge. Thanks

cb400bill

If the event is being held on open public roads, yes. However, you'll have to supply your own food, water, snacks, and support. While I may or may not judge you, those who are running the event likely will.

canklecat

Go for it. Dave Lockwood did. He rode the 1991 Tour de France as a solo amateur, without a team or support.


As long as it's an open course on public roads, you ride safely, and you're prepared to support yourself, I don't see why anyone would object. There are always a few local cyclists who happen to be riding those routes anyway. From the organizer's perspective they should see it as a way to encourage others like you to participate officially the next year.

Frankly, I don't participate in those paid events anymore because they're expensive, there are local charities such as food banks and homeless shelters that could put my meager cash to better use directly, and most such events are either promotions for the local economy or indulgences for cyclists who want a new jersey or memorabilia. All of which is fine. Just not my thing anymore. I did enough of those years ago.

The one time I've been really impressed by a participant in a major event ride was when a friend last summer rode all the way to Wichita Falls for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred, rode the event and rode back home for a total of nearly 300 miles in two days, averaging faster than I can pushing my hardest for only 20-30 miles.

Metieval

they can't stop you from riding public roads.

Lakerat

My son and I paddled a point to point river trip at the same time as hundreds raced it last year. It was nice not having to jump through all the hoops those entered did and avoid the exorbitant entry fees. The organizers stopped to talk to us and understood we were river trippers separate from their race. I told them outlandish BS and my son said what I told them was perfect, and it may have been. One of those inspired moments where the BS just rolls.

Imagining worst case scenarios, they had days to ID us and if so maybe banned us from future events. I hate to be banned from anything, my response would have been: "Hey, man, we just did the Ed Sullivan Show"

I don't really approve of going rogue in events like this, but I made this exception, and likely will be the only time I ever will.

CliffordK

Many organized rides publish a map online, and may paint guide markers on the road.

Just download the map and follow the road markings another weekend, and nobody will care.

jwalther

Yes you can, but no you shouldn't.

Paul Barnard

I encourage it!

Jim from Boston

Can I ride on a century event if I'm not registered?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz33

Hi
Just wondering if you can ride on a century ride event even if you are not registered to participate and haven't pay or raise funds.

Please don't judge. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb400bill

If the event is being held on open public roads, yes. However, you'll have to supply your own food, water, snacks, and support. While I may or may not judge you, those who are running the event likely will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalther

Yes you can, but no you shouldn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliffordK

Many organized rides publish a map on line, andmay paint guide markers on the road.

Just download the map and follow the road markings another weekend, and nobody will care..

Quote:

Originally Posted by canklecat

…Frankly, I don't participate in those paid events anymore because they're expensive, there are local charities such as food banks and homeless shelters that could put my meager cash to better use directly, and most such events are either promotions for the local economy or indulgences for cyclists who want a new jersey or memorabilia. All of which is fine.

Just not my thing anymore. I did enough of those years ago….

I previously posted to this thread, "Little rant: I hate charity events...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I’ve read that the reason such athletic events as Charity Rides, Swims and Runs are popular is because the value of the benefit received by the participant is near zero, and thus the entire donation is tax-deductible. For example if one attends a gala fundraising dinner, the cost of the dinner is not tax-deductible...

There was at least one thread on BF I read a few years ago, that queried the “ethics” of using routes constructed by a charity, and even riding the event on the given day as a ”bandit.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machka

That's a big no-no. I wouldn't even suggest it.

Never mind ethics, there are liability issues involved.

Here in Massachusetts the premier fund-raising Ride with an expected donation of around at least about $3500 is the Pan Massachusetts Challenge (Pan-Mass, PMC), about 150 miles in two days to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They do take your credit card number before the Ride. It may well be the largest such event in total donations.

When anyone finds out I'm a cyclist, they usually ask "Do you do the Pan-Mass?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

...Soon afterwards I caught up with a rider wearing a really cool Boston Red Sox cycling jersey, a souvenir of the 2002 Pan Mass Challenge. As usual, when I meet a serious cyclist, I tell them about Bike Forums, of which he was unaware...

BikeLite

Some might want to do this because it is safer than going alone on some country roads where that mack truck will run over you and just keep going.

jimmie65

In August? That is impressive.

TimothyH

If you use the organizer's services - rest stops or SAG - without paying then you are stealing.


-Tim-

hillyman

Only if you ride it in the opposite direction of route every one else does.

jefnvk

I do judge. Those events take time and effort to put on and run. They often require dealing with local governments on the number of bikes and duration they will be on the roads. They generally require paying for first responders and police presence. Numerous people were required to give up their free time and pay to run their personal vehicles to scout and prepare the routes. Your fees go towards those expenses. If you don't want to pay, do the route on your own the day or weekend before or after. As others have mentioned, if you stop and make use of rest stops and SAG, you are stealing.

If you want to be part of the ride, pay. It really is that simple.

To be fair, that depends on how the event is organized.

Not a century, but the Tour de Troit ride I do every year closes roads. They have police presence, and they will pull people without numbers off the routes, with the rare exception of someone living on the route and are taking the most direct route to a place not on the course. As I've seen people every year being removed from the route, I am guessing there is a large number of folks who try to freeload.

sdmc530

If its a charity event I say go for it. they are very loose on the "rules" just don't use the services and I have no issues with it. Last year at bike MS my boss did this. Was too late to register but rode with us. Did his own supporting and feed support and rode the 75 miles with the group. No issues with us and it was on public roads and trails so they can't really do anything about it.

BUT if its a pay to play event then I say NO.....you pay a fee to do the ride that pays for services like food, SAG, medical issues, etc... then its just plain wrong. I am not sure you could anyways with the higher sense of security. A ride I do if you don't have a number you will be thrown off the course all together. I have one charity event that is a fun ride of 50 miles and they have the timing chips on EVERY rider....they are bright orange on the front forks. No chip and get caught they throw you off course, the second time you actually get charged with trespassing(so they say). I think that is more a empty threat but never the less.

I guess it depends on the ride it self and the group you ride with. Some will not like it at all!

northtexasbiker

As long as it's a charity that just lines it's own pockets, I'll allow it.

shelbyfv

Strange question, obviously it's legal to ride on a public road. The rest is "judging." I've mellowed some on this and can think of a few situations where it might not be bottom feeder reprehensible. Maybe accompanying an impaired friend or family member and you didn't make an arbitrary rider cutoff? Should go w/o saying, don't use food, water, or potty. Make the required donation somehow. On the other hand, if you don't pay one way or another it's theft, probably no loss if that Mack truck hits you

BlazingPedals

I don't judge -- unless the unregistered rider tries to use the services provided by the organizers. As others have said, that's stealing.

Quite often, the organizers will hold a 'dog sweep' ride the week before, to help identify potential problem spots. It will be a smaller group and will not include the food (obviously) of the Main Event, and no registration will be required. If you inquire about a 'dog sweep' ride and do that instead of the main ride, no eyebrows will be raised.

locolobo13 

I try to avoid them. Last year riding by Tempe Town Lake I inadvertently found myself in a triathlon. Of course going the wrong way! Got out as soon as possible. Too many people on the path/trail for me.

Some events the road/path is closed. Some are on open roads. I'm a slower rider so I'm just in the way of the participants no matter which way they're going. Better for all if I find an alternate route.

burnthesheep

This is the correct answer.

I'll provide a caveat to this..........if you leave with the group and arrive back with them there is likely to be a police escort. This cost is fronted by the event. You didn't pay for that.

WNCGoater

I agree with ^^this^^ without question. However, beyond that I'd like to know the OP's reason for wanting to ride an event as it happens and without signing up. Before I make a judgement that is.

blakcloud

I see this different. I wouldn't care if someone judged me or not but ask the questions "is it morally right"? Check your moral compass and then make your decision.

jefnvk

One resource use I will point out: even if they aren't on a closed road, most I have ever been on do have police directing traffic and blocking intersections, for at least parts of the ride. It is hard to get around not using those services.

Also do consider if they traverse private property not generally open to the public. I have seen that before, you would be trespassing in such an instance.

gettingold

Sorry to judge but that is bad form. Do your own century elsewhere if you are not going to donate or otherwise pay for the administrative costs of running the ride.

Liz33

Thank you for your honesty. I understand your point and why they charge fee and how it's used.
My situation is the following. I live in the city but I have a boat 50 miles away in a marina in the river. Every weekend I ride my bike to the boat. I have my own personal goals and schedules of miles I want to complete in a month and yearly etc. For me it's important to ride to my boat, and it also helps me greatly with my depression and anxiety. The rest of my week is just not the same when I can't do this ride. I don't have time in my week to do it another weekday. I go there satuday and come back sunday. The event is happening on the same route I use. It is the only route ok for bicycles, the other way to get there is using the highway. I can't pay for that event, and I'm not interested either in doing so, their cause doesn't resonate with me. I do want to do my routine specially with the nice weather we are expecting and be able to ride to the boat and back which inevitable will put me in the same road than the event for 50 long miles. I wouldn't use their services, I've never needed them. First responders and police presence have the responsibility to attend the call of anyone in distress and I already pay fo that with all the taxes I pay the government yearly, so if I have an accident and need to call for asssistant I would not feel guilty of not being registered in the event. I would feel bad if I were eating their foods and drinks etc. So this is why I asked this question because I would be riding in the event unless I change my weekly routine. The roads won't be closed for this event, but I do feel weird about all of this and wanted to hear from all of you who have more experience dealing with events of this sort.
Thanks.