Road Bike Racing - $230 Entry Fee for Thursday Race

Rather than write the whole thing again, I'll direct you to this link (http://www.ridersready.net).

Be honest. You'd do the same thing, or something close to it.

And if you already have, please share.

BTW, $10 of that was for the actual race itself.

I didn't go to the race, but the talk of the peleton for an entire season in the mid-80's where I lived was two guys who showed up for a criterium in the middle of a business trip. They had forgotten their cycling clothes (kits) but had everything else. The local paper the next day had a photo of two guys sprinting for the finish in dress slacks and ties.

This was a citizen's race, not USCF, so the clothing thing wasn't a big deal.

Yeah, I'd spend the money on new shoes if I forgot them. As is the case with other aspects of life, it's about the experience, not the money spent getting there.

I wouldn't have participated. Really.

My $115 entry fee:

Last year a friend and I were driving ~3 hours to do a race. Bikes loaded? Check. Shoes, helmets, spare wheels? Check. Race bags? Check. Food and water? Check. Power meter head unit? Check Everything's fine! We hit the road.

About an hour down I-95 I realize that "oh s**t, I left my kit at home" and suggest turning around to try to get it before the race. My friend raced for a regional team, based out of town, and had a sponsorship at a shop that was only slightly off the route to the race. His suggestion was to go in and try to get his team's kit. So after getting only slightly lost on the way there, we found the shop, and they had a set of kit for their club team. Of course, as it was my mistake I was going to buy the kit - but I didn't have the discount. So we did a little quasi-ethical bait/switch where he pretended not to have any money and I "bailed him out" with my debit card to the tune of $95 for bibs and a jersey.

Twenty dollars later at the race, I was in $115 for one crit. Didn't make a dime of it back either as my move got caught about 30m from the line :rolleyes:

haha sometimes you need to do what you need to do in order to race... btw nice report on sbf!

Awesome story. I love it when people have their priorities straight. I haven't done it yet, but I've needed to - and been saved by some other very gracious racers (and promoters). Had a bike shop been open at that hour of the morning, I'd have a helmet story to share too!

Awesome story. I love it when people have their priorities straight. I haven't done it yet, but I've needed to - and been saved by some other very gracious racers (and promoters). Had a bike shop been open at that hour of the morning, I'd have a helmet story to share too!

I paid $100+ for a new helmet the last time I went riding down in Bloomington, IN. Little 500 quals were that day, so every shop was open (although, really, it doesn't really make sense for them to be open for that reason) super early.

So, we rolled into Bike and Bean, I buy a new Specialized Decibel, and then we walked upstairs to my teammates apartment. Pretty cool.

P.s. After the ride, which was EPIC, I discovered my old helmet sitting underneath the fold-down seat in my car.

I wouldn't have participated. Really.

In the depths of January when the snow is blowing sideways, I will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I milked every last bit out of summer.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to pay my heating bill, but that's another story.

In the depths of January when the snow is blowing sideways, I will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I milked every last bit out of summer.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to pay my heating bill, but that's another story.

That's why God created axes, fireplaces, and public lands...

Plenty of old snags that NEED to be removed; see "Wildfire", and "Inter-mountain West" or "California" for more details.

In fact, I think California should pay me to come out there in January and remove some deadwood.


My worst transgression to date: $60 for a 12-27 to 'race' the Dirty Dozen (http://thejamoke.blogspot.com/2007/11/poor-decision-making-ability.html). I went there with my great-for-Michigan 11-21 still installed.

I'd rather lose the cost of the actual racing fee then spend a crap load of money just for one race. there's always tomorrow.

I didn't go to the race, but the talk of the peleton for an entire season in the mid-80's where I lived was two guys who showed up for a criterium in the middle of a business trip. They had forgotten their cycling clothes (kits) but had everything else. The local paper the next day had a photo of two guys sprinting for the finish in dress slacks and ties.

This was a citizen's race, not USCF, so the clothing thing wasn't a big deal.

Yeah, I'd spend the money on new shoes if I forgot them. As is the case with other aspects of life, it's about the experience, not the money spent getting there.

There's a race in London each summer than includes a category for people dressed in suits on folding bikes.

Way back when, there was a great picture of one of the Cofrin brothers on the cover of Midwest Bicycle Review. He had traveled to a Junior worlds trial race and had forgotten his shoes and jersey. Didnt stop him from racing. The picture showed him racing in gym shoes and a tee shirt. Captured the competitive spirit of a 15 year old kid.

... there's always tomorrow.

No there isn't.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul8DMdaLD5s
Watch the whole thing.

Yes, I would have when I was single. Now that I'm married, I wouldn't have. Not worth the ear pain later.

I did have a case where my father drove under one of those awnings at a motel to rip the saddle off my track bike the night before a race. We found the bike shop with the earliest opening time and bought a take-off saddle (only $10) that looked just slightly more comfortable than riding the bare seatpost, but hey, it's a track bike.

Mine was not as bad...

I forgot my cycling socks for yesterdays race...

I was going to stop at a shop on the way but was already late...

Had to race in tube socks rolled down...

Probably looked goofy, but I do anyway...

Time is more valuable than money.

No there isn't.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul8DMdaLD5s
Watch the whole thing.

That was pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing

That was pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing

+1. Great video.

I've seen that video before. Thanks for posting it. It's sad and warming to the heart all at the same time.
I'm sorry about your friend, but I'm so glad that you were able to do what you both loved together.

True life video...

Life is short...

ENJOY IT...

While you have it...