Racing Cycling

How can I raise money for my cycling races this season?

I would like to raise about $250.00 that would cover all entry fees for the year. Is there a good way to do a fund raiser that will actually raise money? Or any other suggestions are welcome!

I have formerly managed a bike shop, bicycle club and coached their USCF racing team for almost 20 years. If you showed up on my doorstep and said that things were tight and you needed help with entry fees I would tell you that it is no problem. We would cover you as long as you were training hard and trying to produce results. I’m not sure I would even be concerned if you were not winning but just getting out there and doing your best. That is why you need to associate yourself with a club if you have not done so already. The emotional support and in some cases the financial help is a real benefit.

If you are out of your own (out of parent’s home), self supporting and riding for recreational reasons like the great majority of riders, then you can forget the idea of raising funds from others for entry fees. It would not be realistic to expect others to pay for your own recreational expenses.

As far as soliciting help for your entry fees, I would look at it this way. If you are a recreational rider and riding 200 miles per week (50 each day on weekend and other 100 miles during weekdays) or less you should be able to hold down a job. If you are a student you should still be able to pull down some money from some part time jobs. Remember that the National Time Trial Veterans Champion of a few years ago worked a full time job and did a lot of his training on a trainer. Many other riders who are very successful don’t ride full-time or ask for a dime from anyone.

If you are training 500-600+ miles per week it may be hard to work at the same time as riding has basically become your full time job. As you get up into those mileage ranges your life becomes mainly training, resting and eating.

If you are still living at home and funds are limited, there are some ways that you can raise funds. Again I would say that you need to do this only if you are at a very serious level. Here are a couple of ideas:

Do a Bike-a-Thon of your own. Explain to friends that you are going to do a 200 mile ride. You can plan to do this on your own or as part of an organized double century ride in your area. Explain that you are going to raise funds for your racing budget this year and what your hopes are for the future in your cycling career. Explain their sponsorship gift is not really tax deductible but that you need help. Can they pledge a set amount like $5 or a flexible amount like 5 or 10 cents per mile, etc?

Another idea is to go to local businesses and ask them to pay your entry fee for a particular race or series of races. Report back to them on how you did. Bring them signed pictures of you riding they can put up in their business. Offer to come speak to their employees on the benefits of cycling, bicycle commuting or safety tips for riding in traffic, etc. You may be able to pay them back with some of your expertise. Bring your racing bike and clothing along and show them your photo album. Yes – Start collecting a photo album. Have pics of you riding with the racing team you are affiliated with and racing shots, if possible. You will need this album to help sell yourself. Begin to have a log book of your riding with columns for daily mileage, notes about tempo and how you feel, morning resting heart rate (before you get out of bed), etc. All this will be important for you to not only track your training progress but to show others you are a professional and serious about things. Showing this to prospective sponsors along with your pics will convince them that you are the real deal.

If anyone gives you money you should put them on an e-mail list and keep them in the loop on your career. On local events they should be getting invitations to come watch you race. Once a year you invite everyone over for coffee and dessert at your place and give them your annual report. These should look at these folks as your core friends and supporters for the life of your time in the sport.

That is just a few ideas. Good luck.

Speed cycling at the Northbrook Velodrome

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