Entry fees

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious
as to how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit
of 500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

If people are willing to pay for it, surely it's up to them how much they
charge.

I should think a fair chunk of that will go towards police marshalling (I
believe they have closed roads for some of the course).

If you can't afford it, ride an Audax -- much more friendly and much
cheaper!

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious as to
how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit of
500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

Is this typical for this sort of thing?

It's a similar cost to the entry fee for L'Etape.

There's quite alot they are providing, and it is of course a business
venture.

The road closures probably don't come in cheap, especially if the
police are charging for their time like they do round my way.

Then there's all the food and water stations, the hire of the
electronic timing gear, and the broom wagon.

They'll be making a good profit I would expect but not, I would say,
one that would be considered unfair.

Simon Bennett said:

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious
as to how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit
of 500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

If people are willing to pay for it, surely it's up to them how much
they charge.

I suppose so, but I'd be happier knowing that either there's a d*nm big
post-ride goody bag or it's supporting local charities.

Quoted message said:

I should think a fair chunk of that will go towards police
marshalling (I believe they have closed roads for some of the course).

I'm not quite sure how they can close roads on that route without seriously
inconveniencing the residents. Still, I know that these things do cost
money to put on. It just seems rather a lot though.

Quoted message said:

If you can't afford it, ride an Audax -- much more friendly and much
cheaper!

See "First Audax report". ;-)

Tim

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious as to
how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit of
500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

Is this typical for this sort of thing?

200 riders seem to think it is an acceptable entry fee.

John B

John B said:

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious
as to how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit
of 500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

Is this typical for this sort of thing?

200 riders seem to think it is an acceptable entry fee.

Can't argue with that. ;-)

Tim

Tim Downie said:

Simon Bennett said:

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious
as to how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit
of 500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

If people are willing to pay for it, surely it's up to them how much
they charge.

I suppose so, but I'd be happier knowing that either there's a d*nm big
post-ride goody bag or it's supporting local charities.

A fivers worth of goody bag would be nice, anything more would
seriously exceed expectations.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I should think a fair chunk of that will go towards police
marshalling (I believe they have closed roads for some of the course).

I'm not quite sure how they can close roads on that route without seriously
inconveniencing the residents. Still, I know that these things do cost
money to put on. It just seems rather a lot though.

There are probably more riders than residents on that route. Applecross
when busy makes the quietest parts of the rest of the UK look like
piccadily circus at rush hour.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you can't afford it, ride an Audax -- much more friendly and much
cheaper!

Cheaper because it is self organised. If you want a) organised timing
b) route marshalls (instead of following the rider in front and hoping
they know where they are going c) sag wagon and organised feed stations
then ride a sportif like this. Otherwise do Audax.

...d

"Simon Bennett" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious
as to how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit
of 500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

Quoted message said:

If people are willing to pay for it, surely it's up to them how much they
charge.

Quoted message said:

I should think a fair chunk of that will go towards police marshalling (I
believe they have closed roads for some of the course).

Quoted message said:

If you can't afford it, ride an Audax -- much more friendly and much
cheaper!

Audax is cheap because volunteer helpers aren't paid for their efforts.
If all concerned were paid £5 per hour, the fees would rocket...

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Simon Brooke said:

in message <[email hidden]>, Tim Downie

(') said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious
as to how they justify and entry fee of 25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit
of 500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

Is this typical for this sort of thing?

I'm charging £10 a rider for entry into 7/24, and I don't have to
organise rolling road closures, with its attendant motor cycle
marshalls and so on. I think £25 for Bealach Na Ba is pretty damned
reasonable.

People aren't making much money from this, if any. If these things
wash their faces they're doing well.

Hadn't thought about the rolling road closures thing. As you say, it does
sound like it'll cost a fair bit to put on.

Money sent off. Gotta do it now!

Tim

Tim Downie said:

I'm quite tempted by this event
(http://bealach-na-ba.co.uk/bealach-na-ba/index.htm) but I'm curious as to
how they justify and entry fee of £25.

Given that they've got over 200 entries in already (and have a limit of
500), that's a fairly tidy sum the organisers will be collecting!

Is this typical for this sort of thing?

Just going off that list they need to :

Print 500 certificates
Provide food for 500 people times X amount of feed stations
Print 500 route maps
Probably provide transport for marshals to route points.
Probably pay for the road closures as well as I guess they'll need
Police.
Fuel the broom wagon.

£25 is not unreasonable.
--
http://www.addict-racing.com