5.00 is the charge that active.com charges for accepting payment and having the website to do this online transaction. It is their charge for their service. I find it expensive also and either try to find a discount code or send in a reg through the mail or plan on arriving early to the event to register. (Welcome to the world leaders in middleman service) however it isn't really fair to expect a club to maintain a website, card verifier and all the legalities to go along with it and not expect some kind of charge. It is expensive to accept credit cards and to maintain that infrastructure which is probably why active.com is the default for these groups and why it is so expensive.

Because it is a Brevet you have to be a member of RUSA which is your $20 fee. It is good for a year and is a one time cost if you aren't a member. If you were a member of RUSA already you shouldn't be charged that fee.

The remaining costs (whatever they are) usually go for organizing the ride, stops, any food, etc.