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Sounds like you've taken a swing at me, and yes you come across as a dick. That said, I understand where you are coming from and why you've reached your views. You might even be correct in the majority of cases when you're questioning a stranger's choices, but you're wrong in this case.
You've made incorrect assumptions wrt what I am planning in terms of getting into ultra cycling, why I'm doing it, how much it will cost me, how I'm doing it, and what I am already doing in my life in terms of supporting charities.
You've chosen to go into specifics, so I'll address them.
My net incremental spend will be about £200 on bike, kit, travel, and accommodation for the event I will do for charity. The event I am doing is DIY (starting from my house), will be incredibly taxing for me - both physically and emotionally - and will enable me to raise a lot of money. I won't enjoy it one bit, which is partly why I'll be able to raise the money. The last time I did something like this, in similar circumstances, I raised nearly £4,000.
Training adventures will have an incremental cost of around £0. You see, I don't really travel anymore, I just like riding bikes, and I want to switch from one discipline into something else. I think long, peaceful rides in the countryside where I live will be good for my soul, and help me deal with some of the tragic shit I've been through over the past two years. I'm really hoping that I'll be able to get myself into sufficient physical and mental shape to do my planned ultra charity ride in 2021. I won't be asking you for any money.
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While I will never be able to compete in an ultraendurance event, I have done long rides and have, on some occasions, sought to use the event to raise money for charity.
My view has been that I want to ride a long way. If I can use this desire to help a good cause and to connect with friends who sponsor me, why not? It helps motivate me. Nothing like getting up sore and stiff and wondering why am I bothering than the thought that if I don't I've either conned my chums or let down a charity.
I spend enough on kit to ensure I can complete the ride safely. I would spend it whether sponsored or not. The sponsorship is good for the charity.
I should add that I always look to do something tougher than before. I recognise charity fatigue. So many times I have happily dipped my hand in my pocket to sponsor dome fat middle aged couch potato run a marathon only the find that they come back to me seven or eight times once they are lithe and fit and obsessed with running. I would never, for example, ride the Ride London as I would prefer the slot to go to someone who can raise money for charity by riding it.
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kerplaagh
cliveo
@jaeyukdapbap
I don't ask this with the sole purpose of being a dick but... I'm probably gonna come across a bit of a dick...
Do you think dropping loadsa money on bikes, kit, air flights (or long distance rail journeys), accommodation, training adventures and the like are going to enable you to raise more money for charity, than giving a regular donation? I think people here have costed their competing in these events before and the total amount (even if done on the cheap) is quite staggering.
If you genuinely want to be charitable maybe this isn't the best way to do it? If you want to be an ultra-dude and have some amazing adventures but also help charity a regular donation might be a good start. Less in total, but regular donations given to charity over a long period of time actually enable them to do more...