Just finished reading Sheldon Brown's "Thons" article. He makes a good point, but I don't think people do bike-thons as a form of suffering; I think we've moved beyond that. But having said that, I personally don't like "thons" because I don't like hitting people up for money, regardless of what cause it is for. I guess some people are just natural salespeople. Me, I've never been good at sales. There's a certain amount of dishonesty associated with selling stuff to people, and Sheldon hits upon one aspect of this dishonesty ("I will be on the bike suffering in return for your dollars in order to beneft x") in his article. The way I see it: why should others pay so I can have a good time? It's like paying to watch professional sports - why would I want to spend my money just to watch a bunch of millionaires having fun playing?

Right now, I am being spammed by a girl I used to know who is trying to raise money for a cause so she can participate in its multi-day bike tour. I find I am resenting being hit upon in this way. I really don't see this as a "win-win" at all. I feel like I'm being scammed. Too many orgs with their hands outstretched for cash. Kinda depressing...

L.