Charity Rides

[straas]

A bit of a moan, and I know a lot of them are done for a good cause but why does nearly every long ride / event have to be for charity these days?

I like riding my bike, I don't like walking round the office with a bucket.

 

[MartinQ]

audax?
http://www.aukweb.net/

 

[Racing roadkill]

A bit of a moan, and I know a lot of them are done for a good cause but why does nearly every long ride / event have to be for charity these days?

I like riding my bike, I don't like walking round the office with a bucket.

Not all charities in these charity events require a minimum pledge.

 

[vickster]

There are plenty of sportives from the likes of Wiggle and Evans, you do have to pay however (often to ride on public roads with traffic)

 

[roadrash]

just go for a long ride if that's what you want

 

[mjr]

A bit of a moan, and I know a lot of them are done for a good cause but why does nearly every long ride / event have to be for charity these days?

It helps to portray cycling as extreme and bizarre, thereby keeping it from becoming too popular, which panders to the prejudices of the press barons, which gets coverage for the charity, which allows both to profit. Trebles all round!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

They also have to pay those very reasonable Chairman's salaries,

 

[Arjimlad]

Just ride. If you have a cause you want to raise £ for, ride for that or do whatever. But if you just want to ride, ride. Audax rides are great.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Every week my local paper has some group or individual with their photo plastered in it because they are riding for some cause or other.

I'm sure most of them are just publicity seeking show offs.

 

[Brandane]

Errm; would this be the wrong thread to mention this, then?
It's the first ride for any type of fundraising I have ever done, so can hardly be accused of turning every long ride into a fundraiser.
On this occasion it just so happened that I have a week's holiday, fancied doing a long awaited ride (7 years of a wait, actually); and a local community group is looking for funds for a cause that is relevant to my work. So I am doing it, and anyone who doesn't approve doesn't have to donate. Fairly simple.
But yes it does get a bit wearing, all those sponsor forms doing the rounds, and begging posts on FB etc.. I have tried to keep mine low profile, much to the frustration of my fundraiser - and it does defeat part of the purpose of the trip. But it is only PART of the purpose. First and foremost it is a bike ride. The fundraising part is also useful in that it kicks my arse into having to actually complete the ride. No backing out if it rains a lot!

 

[classic33]

By no means was my only ride in which money was raised the only long ride done. Upto then or since.

The ride was done for fun, but it raised a bit of money. Mainly from others doing the ride.

Question for @straas.
What's a long ride?

 

[tommaguzzi]

i have never ridden for a charity, but last year number one daughter and myself rode to edinbrugh and back to durham for her and sheffield for me. we were asked almost everytime we stopped and found ourselves talking to non cyclists if it was for charity, some of them seemed quite put out that we were wasting our efforts and just riding for pleasure.
it seems that people just expect cyclists who do longish distances are always doing so to raise money.

 

[straas]

audax?
http://www.aukweb.net/

I keep toying with the idea of an audax, they do look like good fun!

By no means was my only ride in which money was raised the only long ride done. Upto then or since.

The ride was done for fun, but it raised a bit of money. Mainly from others doing the ride.

Question for @straas.
What's a long ride?

I'd say anything over 50 miles is long, obviously all subjective.

i have never ridden for a charity, but last year number one daughter and myself rode to edinbrugh and back to durham for her and sheffield for me. we were asked almost everytime we stopped and found ourselves talking to non cyclists if it was for charity, some of them seemed quite put out that we were wasting our efforts and just riding for pleasure.
it seems that people just expect cyclists who do longish distances are always doing so to raise money.

This is basically what I mean, when a non cyclist hears about a ride they ask who it's for. I often head over to conwy from manchester, and have been asked several times what cause it's for - when you tell people it was just for the fun of it they think you're some sort of weirdo.

 

[classic33]

I've done runs, walks and long cycle rides, just for fun. All three have had people saying I'm daft for doing them. Maybe exercise, in any form other than in a gym, is seen as being "mad".

 

[Tracy]

I've been put off doing charity events. I signed up, did the event, collected sponsor money in an online giving page.
(Because I do a lot of charity stuff I set a maximum of £100 per event. You can't keep asking ppl for money time and again so I just ask a few diffrent ones each time) if that makes sense.

Anyway, I did the event, they got the money, you'd think all was done.
They emailed me for weeks after basically to try get more money. (Theres still time to donate any cash you can collect ect) I was sick of all the emails .

So tomorrow I start the 300 mile September bike ride for a charity and have not signed up at all. Have told ppl why im doing it and if they'd like to donate just do it straight to the cause.

I felt quite hounded for money last time so not repeating that mistake. It wasn't this charity but I'm taking no chances .