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[RC] Charity rides in remote areas - sowrightI am pleased to see that my comment sparked a spirited discussion about how sponsorships and supporting charities might add some new energy to our sport. With regard to rides in remote areas, I participated in triathlons for 5 years before switching to distance riding. Triathlons are usually in VERY remote places, because you need a sizable lake and many miles of quiet roads for cycling. There are very few big city lakes that I'd swim in - think about it! There are very few restaurants and hotels nearby, and TV/media coverage is usually nonexistent. Yet triathletes spend an enormous amount of money on their sport, considering that their bikes don't require food or veterinarians. Thus, the races have adequate sponsors, and the money left over either pays the organizers a salary or goes to charity. Triathlons tend to be small. Many are limited to 300 or less athletes for logistical
reasons. The sport is not unlike distance riding in terms of demographics.
It's actually easier to organize a single event with regard to sponsorship to start, and then if it is successful, add a series of events at the national level, as some have suggested. Once you have a national series, a handful of fortunate individuals are able to make their passion their paying career!
A group of women in northern Michigan did exactly that with a women-only cross-country ski tour series, and another group did it with the national Danskin Triathlon series (also for women-only). The Ironman triathlon is a HUGE international business that draws men and women from around the world. Team in Training raises money for leukemia research by organizing and training newbie runners, cyclists and triathetes for specific races around the country, in exchange for them raising money.
Granted, the number of people interested in distance riding is smaller than triathletes, but it would be interesting to see someone try employing sponsorships in conjunction with charitible giving. I'll add that once you get sponsors and choose a charity, it makes it a lot easier to get newspapers interested in doing articles. As in any endurance sport, every participant has a fascinating story to tell, which makes the press come back for more each year.
Sandra Wright
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