Liz33

They can also do their event elsewhere and not where I normally ride.

gettingold

Sorry if I misunderstood. Nobody would tell you that you cant ride on the roads you normally ride on because there happens to be a charity event going on. But if you are riding the exact same route at the same time and starting and ending at the same location, you are being disingenuous with that answer.

Liz33

Thank you everyone. I do have my reasons why I asked this, I explained it above quoting one of the responses but it's actually there for everyone wonering why I would want that. I appreciate those that provided me with answers without judging whether you think it's wrong or not. Now I understand better about these events and all it entails and can make a better decision being more informed. I'm not sure what I'll do yet, I'll think about all your answers and decide. Thank you for your time.

Liz33

Got it.no problem. My routine will put me on that event for 50 miles, I have to leave in the morning and I haven't check their schedule but I can only assume they will leave in the morning too. Anyway, I think I got a good idea now of the ethics of this whole thing. Thanks for your input.

jefnvk

Ah, it helps to describe the situation! In such an instance, if they are making use of the only throughfare practical for biking, I would say you are fine (unless of course the course is officially closed). I would also suggest that depending on the event and the amount of roads that you must share, it would probably be very easy to shift your commute by an hour or two and avoid the bulk of the riders. You may want to do that just for your own sanity, cycling in such an environment can really mess with your preffered pace.

There have been a few threads in the past about folks who want to participate in the event without paying. As you can tell, I disagree with those. If you are simply using the only roads available that happen to overlap in part with a ride, IMO you are good to go.

TimothyH

I think this passes the test of reasonableness.

My conscience would be clean riding this.


-Tim-

Liz33

Now that I know better the ethics related to this I am thinking of talking to the organizers and explain amd see what they say. At least to let them know I'll be on the road but not with them, and ask about their schedule so I can see if it gives me a window to rearrange mine. I'm just afraid they'll tell me I can't or something. Hopefully they'll understand. Thank you.

Ironfish653

OK, this is an open-road ride, on a route that you usually use. They are following your route, not the other way around. Just don't take the Start/Finish line, and you aren't 'participating in the event'
If it's possible, time your ride so that you're out there either ahead of or significantly behind the main group. If it's a timed, competitive ride, I'd say let them get out there first, if it's a fundraiser-type ride, then get up the road ahead of them. It sounds like you might be kind of an early bird anyway.

dual650c

I asked the same question a couple years ago and got mostly similar responses to those you've received. Unlike you, I didn't have a "real reason"/purpose for riding that specific route except that that route and day was convenient for my own purposes at the time.

I did "ride the event" without paying but the one concession I made was to leave 1/2 hour before it started so as to NOT use any of the event services at the start (police escort, blocked off intersections, etc.). Along the route, I used the convenience stores and other public services that existed and were routinely open that day for my "support". As far as route markings went, there were few as it was mostly a pretty straight-forward out-and-back route that I had actually laid out myself on Google maps before I even heard the event was scheduled the same day I had planned my ride for.

As I passed a couple of the event support stations along the way, I was waved "at" to turn in and yelled at as I passed -- obviously they thought I was part of the event. On the course I was passed, as I expected, by the rabbits. A couple gave me weird looks, had a few choice words for me, and one even tried to run me towards the edge of the road. Shrug. Some people. I was also passed by numerous people who caught me later in the ride, some after well over 70 miles. These people had little to no problem with my "riding along". Some I chatted with before they passed, others just nodded and passed essentially ignoring me.

My point...on the day of the event, it's hard to guess who's gonna be at least cordial to you and who's not - except for the event organizers, staff and cops. The latter see things differently than most "average" riders so long as you're not "Taking advantage" - at least that's my experience.

So, I say, go for it as if the event were not happening (with possibly minor accommodations on your part). Like others have said, public roads paid for with your taxes. (Asbestos pants might be appropriate if you don't have a thick skin or are not selectively deaf when yelled at.)

Just my 2 cents worth.

fietsbob

For a while I lived in a place not far from the lunch stop for the Davis double century.. ride..

Jim from Boston

Nice replies, though I think while you may ride on their venue and schedule, there is no reason for them to change either.

BTW, I note you post your location as “Between northern CA, south Fl, NC and beautiful MT.” I presume you are not in my usual cycling regions of New England or the Great Lakes, both also boating meccas.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…When I was asked while living in Boston a few years before starting my career ,“Where would you like to live?.” my criteria were living near a big body of water, and the ability to live without a car as I had been much of my earlier two-plus decades; and I was already an avid cyclist….

I learned to love the water from the Great Lakes in [my native] Michigan, and the Atlantic Ocean in Boston.

BTW, I don’t list my location under my avatar, but it is “D’uh.”

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Whenever I see a series of nested quotes, I think "it's Jim from 'Duh' again."

CAT7RDR

Sometimes popular charity rides here in SoCal use well established cycling routes like Hwy 39. I have inadvertently joined a diabetes charity ride twice in consecutive years. No problems, safety in numbers and some casual chit chat. However, I did not use their SAG stops.

WNCGoater

The way you originally posted the question made it seem as though you wanted to participate in the event without being a "participant".
Now that you explained the situation, my response would be, you're not participating in their event, ride to your boat and don't give it another thought.

shelbyfv

I agree that you are good to go. Responses would have been more to the point if you had provided more info initially but perhaps less entertaining. Check the schedule and start early if possible.

Metieval

MANY replies in this topic were judgmental.

"Wanted to participate" wasn't even anywhere close to the way the original post was worded.

my response remains the same. the roads are public, ride them!
If the road isn't closed for a parade, a race, a street fair, festival.. etc... you can ride them.

Metieval

shots fired

Skipjacks

So you're a taxpayer....and want to use the roads that your taxes pay for....

Seems legit to me.

Someone else's event is putting extra traffic on the roads. They aren't renting it exclusively.

Ride the 50 miles all you want.

Skipjacks

They can't tell you that you can't ride on a public street that hasn't been closed to the public.

And if they tell you that you can't ride your bike so they can use the road to promote bike riding....just stare at them until they realize how dumb that sounds.

CliffordK

As you've mentioned, you're not really doing the ride... just using some of the same roads that presumably are open to traffic.

Do you know if the event hands out numbers or otherwise marks their participants? Requires special high vis clothing?

You may well just blend in with the other riders. If you encounter riders you wish to talk to, just be upfront and tell them that you're heading to your weekend hideout.

If your boat is near the halfway point, you may look at doing the reverse course as others have suggested, if that is possible.

Otherwise, I think I'd just blend in. No need to contact the ride organizers as it could just add confusion, or get someone upset. If you do a restroom break at a park the ride is using, you can simply tell anybody you encounter you're heading to the river, and you should be fine.

The only time I'd talk to the organizers is if it overlapped with an actual road race. Even so, you could probably just pull over whenever the racers pass.

Jim from Boston

Can I ride on a century event if I'm not registered?
Here’s another “freebie, you might enjoy, that I use on the one charity ride I do (and register for):

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…I'm thinking about getting (driving) to my next organized century and just leaving at my own start time (around 6 for a 7 AM group start). Anyone else do that?

Of course I would do so at my own liability, and not have a paceline to join.but would probably be overtaken by one that I would be comfortable with.

WNCGoater

I beg to differ. She CLEARLY states the question in such a way as to suggest it were intended to participate in the ride. Many replies you categorize as judgmental was based on that. l If you can't see that, well....

Once she clarified she is simply riding to her boat that just happens to be along the same route as the event, pretty much everyone agreed, just go ride.

And by the way YOUR reply was judgmental, just sayin...

indyfabz

*smh* You are not riding "on [sic] a century event" if you are simply riding on the same roads while one is being held. You are not registered and not taking advantage of the event's amenities, so why would you think you are riding "on" the event?


If the roads are not closed to the public for the event then do your thing.


/thread

indyfabz

+1. See my post directly above. The original post sure sounded like she wanted to take advantage of the ride's amenities, but then clarification was provided.


Starting to wonder if this thread is legitimate.

canklecat

I know! Here's the Strava log. 345 miles in 32 hours, averaging over 17 mph in 20 hours of moving time, just to get to and from the Hotter'N Hell Hundred and participate in the full ride. And he had to backtrack at one point to replace a tire -- I think it was within 20-30 miles of home. He's also the chief mechanic for the city's bike share program. Good feller.

Dirt Farmer

Just ride a three speed with a basket and bell, while wearing your large, floppy, gardening hat. That way everyone will know you're not part of the organized ride.