Crazy legs, this is what a club mate said about ride leaders get at the back of the event last year may be of interest;
"I was sceptical about the role too but in the end thought that it was definitely worthwhile.
I arrived at the end of the loading time just as the volunteer was trying to shut the pen as there wasn't any room for more people to fit in. He was happy l was there to help us look official and I blocked tge entrance with my bike as he asked people to go back to find the next vacant pen. Most took it well as they were late but some gave the volunteer some stick especially a bunch of real latecomers. He explained that he'd expected to have a partner to help do all this but had been on his own.
I then spent much of the ride making the usual manoeuvre signals, shouting for people to stay left to let faster riders through, and I asked 4 or 5 to keep at least one hand on their handlebars. I also asked those parked up if they were ok. Nearly all were fine.
I helped with a mechanical on Leith hill. A rider who's chain was stuck in the rear mechanism. She was upset and was grateful I could get it going again.
As we got going, an official car joined us on the climb which due to the number of riders ahead blocked the right hand side of the road. That resulted in frustrated faster riders shouting behind the car and one rider to fall (all ok) after we came to a virtual standstill as the car struggled to get past cyclists ahead.
Then at the top of Leith I helped a fella fix a puncture. He didn't have an inner tube, any glue for his repair patches or a pump!!! So I ended up doing the job and sold him an inner tube for £3.
Within 2 miles I helped with another puncture. Then another minor mechanical later on.
As usual I saw several ambulances - but I wasn't needed.
Several people asked me about the role as we went along - and appeared to think it was a good idea. They appreciated a bit of local knowledge and one lady at the start on her first sportive was reassured we'd be out there.
I think that there could be more warning of pinch points where the road narrows which cause sudden braking with the potential for accidents.
I also reflected on the role of the volunteers. The chap looking after my pen the start got uneccesary stick and I saw that many more did when I got back to Putney. Some pedestrians were offended at having to wait until it was safe to cross the High Street and they let the volunteers know it. It was a bit hair raising to see them stop the cyclists at the bottom of Putney hill. One volunteer reported a bad crash where a pedestrian that couldn't wait, dashed across causing a cyclist to come off. I also got a bit of verbals, about cyclists, from a frustrated driver stuck in the congestion as I returned home from the ride."
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12px; background-color: #eeeeee;"> It makes it totally exclusive because it prevents the poorest, who don’t have loads of friends etc who can afford to sponsor them, unable to take part. Perfect for fat IT middle managers though doing their annual sporting event who can pass the sponsor form around the office.</span>
Oxfam have places for £50 entry plus £50 minimum sponsorship so hardly a great leap from the £69 the ballot costs.
£50 minimum sponsorship, are you sure? It's normally something like £500.
https://oxfam.nutickets.com/32823
Yes, unless they've made a massive error on the website.
The declaration you've have to fill in as part of the application even says £50
