Circuit of the Fens - Volunteers Wanted

Actually it's OK to pay whatever you want to ride sportives - that's your call. I just think that many commercial sportives are poor value for money and are not in the traditional spirit of cycling.

I have put down my name as a volunteer marshal and if I don't ride over it would be good to share transport.

Mark wrote:

At last Alec, I think you have grasped my point - 'it's OK to pay whatever you want to ride sportives' or races. It's entirely down to the individual and if they think it's value for money who are we to say otherwise...

Doesn't invalidate my point that they are terrible value for money nor my rant against commercial sportive organisers. Doesn't alter the fact that some are extortionate. Why give money to them when as cyclists we can do it for ourselves through audaxes, reliability rides, club-run sportives or just plain old "turn up and do a century ride with other club members" events. The modern cycling community is bonkers to encourage these profit making organisers. And why do people think they need to pay £30+ for excessive signage, mechanical backup, sag wagons, organised feed stations and so on to have an enjoyable and relatively modest ride round the countryside.

Anyway, it's the exploitation by commercial organisations of naive cyclists that I am objecting to - not so much how the cyclists choose to spend their money. I guess we've said all there is to say now and there are two perspectives on this which we've both expressed clearly. You can have the last word if you like