Cunobelin wrote:We helped organise a ride round Portsmouth Harbour as part of National Bike Week
First year 50 riders, year 2 and about 200, year 3 and good weather 600
It was free, fun and the diversity was part of the fun, that third year I spent several hours supporting a family who had intended to do a short route and ended up doing the whole thing. If you ever need to ask... Their faces and sense of achievement are what made these rides worthwhile
Then it was taken over by the BHF as a formal sponsored event
Totally ruined the original and successful promotional concept
The BHF are a pain in the backside for walkers too. They have practically colonised the Yorkshire 3 peaks. We were doing Whernside once and got filthy looks from the stewards because we were just doing it for fun, whilst the sponsored lot, many clearly not fit enough, blocked the paths four abreast and had radios on full blast. I won't give the BHF any money at all now; I regard them as arrogant and irresponsible.
As a result I will no longer sponsor anyone doing something which is something most people would consider was fun. If they want my money for sponsorship, they can spend a few hours doing something constructive, like helping disabled people by doing work in their homes, or help a local hospital do some necessary work.
