MTB Events Cost Too Much (?)
Fully Rigid, 1/23/23
It’s been whispered and shouted on the trail, and on the interweb forums, for a few years now: mountain biking events are getting too expensive. Races, festivals, fundraiser rides seem to be hitting us a little too hard in the bank account, is the thought process. Add in the cost of eggs these days and that pre-ride breakfast burrito might be what causes some of us to not participate in [enter event name].
I’m tired already, simply from writing that.
We all get it. In life, there are things we value and sometimes those things have costs associated with them. It then becomes a decision of value/costs aligning and us determining if that makes sense in our (ir)rational brains.
Interjection: a pint of beer at most tasting rooms around San Diego these days is coming in a $7-$8 bucks. Ouch.
Let’s get back to those mountain biking events and their price tags. It’s fairly simple, I think. What do you get for your money? Probably a t-shirt and a plate of food and possibly a beer, along with the satisfaction of supporting your local race scene and/or mountain biking club/association, which works to keep your trails open and accessible.
That sounds pretty good.
If it seems too high, though, then there’s an easy next step: ask the event coordinator how s/he arrived at the amount? If their explanation/analysis doesn’t suit your needs, then thank that person anyway for taking the time to explain it and then wish them luck and success on carrying out the event.
There is a possible issue that I think is quite “real.” What about mountain bikers who truly can’t afford the cost? We need less-financially-secure people and their voices to have the same access as someone who can afford to go to the event. Let’s remember, a bike on a trail that looks like a mountain bike probably means that the person riding it is a mountain biker, at least in that moment. (I know — BMX bikes, too? Etc.) In other words, the mountain biker on the lower rung of the socioeconomic ladder needs our support. Shouldn’t s/he have fun with our big group, too?! (This assumes that the group is actually fun.)
Are mountain biking events costly? Yes and no, is the answer. Of course, it depends. Being mindful and offering a listening ear, we might be able take some of those “yes” answers and turn them into “no” ones, with a little creativity and good-hearted intentions that turn into action.
P.S. — If you buy $8 pints at the brew pub, you can afford the event. Stop complaining. Skip the breakfast burrito, though, maybe!?!?!?!?!
Fully Rigid is a monthly column by James Murren about Mountain Biking Issues within the Mountain Biking Community.
For me, it kind of depends what it is.
If it's fund raising for something important, trail building, access, someone local that needs help with medical bills etc, that's great, I have no problems with it. But if it's just a race/event etc, I'd rather spend the$100 on something useful like bike parts, or beer lol. And go ride on the woods not with 200 other people.