Bike race anyone?

[The Moose1]

So, Damon would like to stage a bike event to raise money for the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride...I'm thinking I'd like to do a Criterium, but Damon was thinking more a bike-a-thon type event.  Maybe a century, or a tour of the county...

Any thoughts?

http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/en/national-kids-cancer-ride/2010-national-riders/index.php

Mike

[Jordano]

Time Trials are the easiest and simplest way to make the dough. Limited marshalling/ safety issues + maximum triathlete participation. I would come out (and win )

[Sandy]

I agree, something that would encourage less confident, experienced or trained riders would be a good idea.

[Jon]

x2 on the Time Trial idea!!  That would be amazing!  You don't even have to have a long route to have some fun. Depending on what he wanted he could do something as short as 10km, but maybe through a tough hill in there? (although that may not be best if you're wanting it to be beginner friendly)  It doesn't really matter to me, but I think this would be fun and not that hard to put together.

Jon 

[Newt]

Being a member of the Cobourg Cycling Club for many years, we had put on a number of events. We used to do a 3 day stage race, we've run criteriums, road races, cross races, time trials and even put on a few club duathlons. After all the work is said and done, there is rarely much money left over even when hosting something like a provincial event. So trying to use something like this as a fund raiser may be a bit dissapointing after all the hard work and logistics are done.
If I was doing an event to raise money it would be an event that could "include" as many people as possible, so lots of times races are just not the way to do it. I would put together a bike ride type of event with varying distances, so children, or families could participate in the cause without feeling overwelmed say a 10km ride, then have longer distance for more motivated riders say 50km and then if so inclined have a long distance for the really didicated say 100km-160km. This way you are including as many people to get out on a Sat/Sun morning for a good cause.
Maybe promote your event through the school systems, young people clubs (girl guides, scouts), church groups, radio. Allow people to fund raise in teams against each other for bragging rights.

This is similar to a few events out there all ready and is fairly successful at generating large returns. You just have to really get out and promote your event.
My 2 cents anyways.
Peace
Peter