Sportive entry fee?

[goody]

Have entry fees always been about what they are now? I used to compete in motorcycle enduro's which cost about £40ish to enter but were run on private land which had to be payed for, ambulances were always in attendance (usually two) and the event covered by ACU insurance. Paying £30 to ride my bike on the public highway seems a bit steep, are they more of a commercial exercise or are there costs that I'm not aware of?

 

[Paul.G.]

Its a business, they are perfectly entitled to make a markup. Personally for me I think having someone bring loads of cyclists together, plan and mark a route, provide parking (in some cases) and food / drink stations is worth every penny.

 

[addictfreak]

I like riding in sportives, mainly because its a chance to get out on the roads with 100s if not 1000s of like minded people. But I would agree that some are ridiculously expensive.
You could of course just go out and ride some of the best routes on your own for free. In fact there are many people who wouldn't dream of paying £25 or more to ride on public roads.
But if you like that company of other cyclists, why not look at Audax events. I usually do a couple a year, the cost is between £5-10. You need to be fairly self sufficient and able to follow a route card. But the ones I have done have been well organised and usually with tea and sandwiches at the end.

 

[Banjo]

I like riding in sportives, mainly because its a chance to get out on the roads with 100s if not 1000s of like minded people. But I would agree that some are ridiculously expensive.
You could of course just go out and ride some of the best routes on your own for free. In fact there are many people who wouldn't dream of paying £25 or more to ride on public roads.
But if you like that company of other cyclists, why not look at Audax events. I usually do a couple a year, the cost is between £5-10. You need to be fairly self sufficient and able to follow a route card. But the ones I have done have been well organised and usually with tea and sandwiches at the end.

I was reasonably happy paying £25 /£30 for a sportive but some are charging £50 plus now which I think is taking the p. As long as they keep selling out the prices will continue to rise .

An even cheaper way to ride with other cyclists is to join in a cycle chat informal event somewhere.

 

[Paul.G.]

I have been tempted to try audax but not sure if you get the same ''mass-cycling'' effect as you do on a sportive, that's probably the best attraction for me personally. Also, you can always save the route on your GPS etc or just memorise the ride and do it again as many times as you like for free.

 

[Psyklon]

Have a look at this one! I ride these roads often and was looking forward to taking part in this but nearly fell off my chair when I went to sign-up!!!
http://www.etapemercia.co.uk/

 

[Peteaud]

For me its £25 max

 

[Spartak]

The initial costs of Audax & Sportif vary greatly but taking into account several factors the cost per ride are closer than some think

Audax £5 but then you sometimes have to pay for parking, cafe costs which may be £10+ & medal / badge if required.

Sportif £25 parking inc. ( usually school grounds ), all food/drink at controls free, goody bag at finish inc. medal or keepsake.

Takes cover !!!

 

[tug benson]

evans cycles seem to do the best value for money sportives

 

[Spartak]

evans cycles seem to do the best value for money sportives

The Wiggle ones look good - even better if you enter early

 

[tug benson]

i don`t think wiggle do much sportives in scotland, well at least i haven`t seen them anywhere

 

[Hacienda71]

I have got to a stage where I would only want to ride a closed road sportive or one that is a genuine charity run event where all the profits go to the charity organising it. Not one of these pay us an entry fee (We are a private for profit co.) and then raise money for charity ABC.

 

[fossyant]

Some are better than others. Some stupidly expensive, some also offer lots back like breakfast, feeds, and post ride food.

I don't do many.

 

[Speedball]

I've never actually done a Sportive but looking towards doing a few in preperation for the Ride London 100 but being in Norfolk, not a massive amount of choice available. Only seen Pedal Norfolk in May plus Norwich 50 & 100 and events in June.

Will do the last two events but I was blown away when I saw the price of the Pedal Norfolk rides. Three rides in three days (100 miles on Day 1 & 2 and 50 miles on Day 3) at the "bargain" price of £40 each or all three for £110 - http://www.pedalnorfolk.co.uk/booking.html

Crazy money IMHO

 

[dellzeqq]

is now the time to mention that you can have sixteen FNRttCs for two quid?