Conference noted::bicycle

192.0. "fund raisers?" by NOVA::FISHER () Wed Dec 31 1986 06:01

This topic started under note 190 but did not belong there so I have added
a new topic to carry forth comments about fundraising organizations which
sometimes appear to care much more about the money than about the sport of
bicycling. 

This note is more a commentary than a list of gripes.  The charities are
businesses and are focusing on segments of the riding public as
"marketshare" and attempting to attract those riders to their businesses in
order to find more people to raise money for them.  The support and concern
that the organizations provide to the riders is a measure of their concern
to their customers and thier concern for cycling. Also I think the
attitudes expressed by a few people in some of the charities often present
a bad picture of the overall attitude. 

My first gripe is that the whole idea makes cycling appear as something out
of the ordinary that must be encouraged by the general public but that's
all part of our image problem. 

As for the organizations, I helped out on an Easter Seals 30 miler in '84. 
Their average rider was a young teenager, the youngest person being Mike,
age 8; the oldest other than myself was about 17. 

I was asked by Mike's parents to accompany Mike to assure his safety. The
ride took 4 hours, Mike had to be continually reminded to stay to the right
of the road.  His father met us at the 20 mile point to wish him well. 

At the beginning of the ride all of the youngsters had to have their bikes
inspected. Adjusted is a more correct term.  These were almost all
department store bikes that live on the lawn all summer long.  Many had
defective brakes.  (I ended up helping the mecahanic.)  There was one that
I told her parents that she could not be safe riding that bike, so her
parents put her on her brother's bike which was 2 inches too big for her. 

The attitude from the official's was "You're the mechanic."  It's a very
hair raising time trying to shape up 20 bikes in an hour. 

I have since refused to help Easter Seals with their rides unless they
require that individuals under the age of 13 be accompanied by a parent. 

An organization in Salem, NH, I think it was the Boy's Club, decided to do
a fundraiser.  At the end of the ride their was noone around to see if
anyone finished. They are not getting the support of the Granite State
Wheelmen in the future. 

The MS Centuries that I have done have varied quite a bit.  I've done 10 of
them in 5 years (That's cost DEC about $1000).  Some have no bananas, just
oranges and apples and gorp.  Some have rest stops where they say "we're
short on water would you please take only one bottleful" -- this after I've
bypassed the previous two stops. Often the support crews smoke.  The 'food'
they have after the ride is usually hot dogs. 

I have enjoyed these for the opportunity to get together with some friends
for a few minutes.  I will do them again.  I complained about not getting
my T shirts from NH MS and received 2 in the mail shortly thereafter.  I
have not felt that other complaints have been addressed seriously -- or
even cared about. 

The Lung Association Bike Treks that I've been associated with are only a
little different.  They do not provide food stops -- they tell you that up
front.  They do have water, though it might be limited.  I was the mechanic
for two of the treks and saw the machines close up, getting a much better
picture of the cycling public as well as the fund raiser business and the
market (the riders). 
                                                     
As mechanic I saw that most of the problem here is as much with the riders
as the organizations.  I have higher expectations because I take the sport
more seriously. On one trek the first 5 stops I made were to adjust saddle
height. 

I would describe the Trek's as trying  to provide a memorable experience
for the riders -- most treks are 3 day trips with sleepovers in different
locations.  Riders are accounted for as much as is possible. 
                                                                                               
To their credit the LA did require helmets.