Bandits and Pirates -- on Event Fees
#101
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The main reason you should care is because you overcooked the second part of that blind S curve. You and your bike/gear are down at the bottom of the ravine next to the road injured. The race/ride is strung out. Nobody witnessed your accident. One of the two bandits, either the OP or Mr. Sellerz took your spot in the head count at the checkpoints. Maybe there are some more bandits on the ride which means there might be some donut chewers/picture takers still behind you that will come by eventually. I'd start making some noise if I were you. Otherwise, we might be reading/hearing about you on CNN/FOX/etc as a missing persons file. Well, until the search parties come upon you and we get the update.
#102
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Is that something that has happened before or is that imagining up a reason to concern yourself with bandits?
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https://www.ymcacva.org/storming-thunder-ridge
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If you have planned out doing this in advance and have to come here to ask if you're the jerk, you probably are.
#106
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I figure if ride organizers didn't see a downside to poachers/freeloaders they'd probably say "Our ride is $150 but if you think you are special enough that you should ride for free, come on out!"
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#108
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Doesn't matter--the group could not be constituted without the insurance, so it's part of the cost of the group that the bandit is so eager to ride with.
Also, I'd reckon that the coverage is probably conditioned on the organizers keeping the event capped, so the bandit might be screwing up your coverage.
You understand that if this becomes real common, people won't be able to organize the events, right?
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#109
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It should be rather obvious, but it was an epiphany to me in my early 20's when the thought occurred, "if a behavior can't scale without the system breaking down, it's probably an assholish behavior." Unfortunately, it seems as if many others either don't understand or don't care about this.
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Out on my normal Sunday training ride and what comes around a sharp down hill corner, wide into my lane completely out of control. A pack of wannabe racers on an organized ride, probably thinking they owned the road for the entry fee. Spring already? Urgh. Looked it up, smallish 700 rider organized ride. At least they did not paint arrows on the pavement. My route crossed the ride's route about an hour later for about 2 miles and the dozen or so riders took up the entire lane. Both sides of the road. After my training ride, my wife returns from church to tell me there is an organized ride going on. How can you tell? "They won't move over to let you pass."
GET OFF MY LAWN. lol
GET OFF MY LAWN. lol
#111
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Our events are run on very reasonable budgets. The MTB XC races we have - usually one or two a month - have many local business and council Sponsors who chip in. There is a minimum participation of circa 150 riders but usually they are upwards of 300 - last race was over 600. The race fee is 10 euros, typically, and covers your number, a t-shirt, a water bottle, Marshalls at every major turn, Police support including closed roads and all the pageantry that goes with a race and of course, the podium trophies for all the categories. Last Sunday's race had free cakes before too! Oh, and free photographer; she gets paid by the organisers.
The MTB races aren't on closed circuits but on public tracks, trails, farms and towns.
The road cycling Gran Fondos are more expensive, circa 20-30 euros but that gets police ******* added in too.
Compared to race entry costs I've seen elsewhere, it is a bargain and very well done.
The MTB races aren't on closed circuits but on public tracks, trails, farms and towns.
The road cycling Gran Fondos are more expensive, circa 20-30 euros but that gets police ******* added in too.
Compared to race entry costs I've seen elsewhere, it is a bargain and very well done.
#112
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#113
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Serious inquiry. Spectators will sometimes bicycle along the Tour de France stages, both ahead of and behind the race, correct? Should we bounce them for taking advantage of the organizers route and signage?
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This is only relevant if you have the intent to ride the course either before the event has started, or after the event has ended. Is that the case?
#115
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I would think the TdF thing would be a timing issue--as long as they're not in the way of the race, the roads are either open for cycling or they are not.
Also, there's just a basic question of norms here. The French business owners are probably appreciating the bicycle tourist trade.
I get that you're trying to turn this into a grey area with the "take advantage" thing, but it entirely misses the point--riding with the group is the thing that constitutes taking UNFAIR advantage of the organizers and paid participants.
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As for the OP’s reference to the Tour de France, the woman who caused the crash with her Opi-Omi sign was convicted of reckless endangerment. She was only fined, but could have faced jail time.
I think the OP needs an “I’m with stupid” T-shirt.
John
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The sponsors are usually the supermarkets, local businesses etc. Here is a typical example of an upcoming MTB race:
https://apedalar.pt/eventos/info/2898
Entry is 10 euros and if you want lunch, add 9.50 euros.
This is one of the more expensive Gran Fondos - 40 euros but look what you get for that: https://granfondoserradaestrela.com/...ions/?id=13290
Portugal is cheaper generally than the USA, UK etc for many things with the exception of housing in the tourist hotspots which is comparable with any sought-after area in the EU and motor vehicles, which are hideously taxed.
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It's permitted as long as there is no potential interference with the race or unless it's otherwise not permitted for other reasons. I rode parts of a few '95 Giro stages on days before the race came through. In one instance, I was coming back down into town from a climb when I was, in fact, directed off the course by the Crabinieri because it was getting close to the time when the riders were expected. When we rode the hilly time trial stage we started early enough that we made it to the finish way before the first rider hti the course. The only thing we were not permitted to do was ride through the finish area. We had to walk around and continue riding after we had bypassed it. I made the climb to the finish at Gressoney-St. Jean well before the riders were due. On the way back down I had to pull over for them as they came by in various groups.
In any even, I hope you are getting whatever satisfaction you hoped to get out of this thread. I understand that if you don't give a border collie enough to do it might make trouble.
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#120
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The sponsors are usually the supermarkets, local businesses etc. Here is a typical example of an upcoming MTB race:
https://apedalar.pt/eventos/info/2898
Entry is 10 euros and if you want lunch, add 9.50 euros.
This is one of the more expensive Gran Fondos - 40 euros but look what you get for that: https://granfondoserradaestrela.com/...ions/?id=13290
Portugal is cheaper generally than the USA, UK etc for many things with the exception of housing in the tourist hotspots which is comparable with any sought-after area in the EU and motor vehicles, which are hideously taxed.
https://apedalar.pt/eventos/info/2898
Entry is 10 euros and if you want lunch, add 9.50 euros.
This is one of the more expensive Gran Fondos - 40 euros but look what you get for that: https://granfondoserradaestrela.com/...ions/?id=13290
Portugal is cheaper generally than the USA, UK etc for many things with the exception of housing in the tourist hotspots which is comparable with any sought-after area in the EU and motor vehicles, which are hideously taxed.
#121
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#122
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In terms of all round insurance for accidents, injuries and liability, there is medical assistance at all events, but medical insurance is borne by the participant, usually in the form of our UCI licenses which covers that specific insurance as well as personal liability. More than that, we have free state healthcare comparable to the UK's NHS and many of us have Private too. So medical insurances etc are covered that way. However, the organisers will have their own liability insurance in place too but to what degree I have never looked into but it is fair to say, tort liability costs/awards will be nowhere near as much.
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#123
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I feel you OP, a ride that I want to do is a whopping $150 and includes a jersey that I don't want. If possible I would ride with a group of respected experienced riders with some clout, so nobody says anything. I think im gonna ride with one of the local racing teams that have riders I'm friends with and be sure to take good pulls.
Just bring your own stuff
Just bring your own stuff
Last edited by Camilo; 04-12-22 at 01:20 PM.
#124
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I'm going to write to a bunch of ride organizers and ask if it's okay for me to ride without paying ... as long as I take some good pulls. I think they'll all be cool with that.
#125
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Yea, I don't think they'll even require you to take good pulls. As long as you just stick with the fast riders to whom bows and genuflections are made, it will be welcomed, I'm sure.
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