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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.
cliveo-
dome fat middle aged couch potato
Good typo.
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I maybe haven't articulated myself fully, aware that what I'm doing is challenging someone's good intentions and have done a slightly poor job of tip-toeing (or stomping) around. My root point is that in a room full of privileged white men it would be a shame if we came to the conclusion that taking part in an ultra event is an effective way of contributing to a good cause, unchallenged.
Anyone considering taking part in something like this likely has enough disposable income to make a regular donation or even better, take a pay cut to give a voluntary afternoon a week to a charity/good cause by either doing menial work, or consulting in their day profession for free to a charity. Aa a result maybe buy less expensive bike stuff, go on fewer holidays, eat out less, etc.
£1 donated monthly for five years goes much further than £60 donated as a one off because the regular can be planned for (refer to donations thread on this very site). Same for committing to regular voluntary work which generates income. All actions help and there's no reason not to take on sponsorship for challenges, but there are more effective (less exciting and sexy) ways of helping...
And your point is good - cycling for charity is fun, easy to relate to and will encourage people to talk about a cause, raise money for it, donate... which is never bad... But often the more boring solution does considerably more unfortunately.
Oliver Schick
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...