Answers may vary, but here’s mine. Your fee pays for many things, but the most important thing you get for your money is your own integrity. Technically, the roads are public roads so you can do what you want. And technically, the struggling family giving out “free” bottles of water are giving it away, and even though there is a “donations accepted” sign, you don’t technically HAVE to donate. There is great value in standing tall, doing the right thing and being able to look at yourself in the mirror and like what you see. At least to me there is.

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #268732

I posted negative on the other “Bandits” thread just this morning. I would never discourage a Father or Aunt or the like to have a youngster jump on for a very few miles, with proper instructions on riding right. The youngsters are the future.

I have to search hard for that perfect church dinner, stand in line, only to find they are out of food. But, the bandit was ate a wonderful meal! Bummer …

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #268770

I had to laugh when I saw a bagger wearing a T-Shirt that said, “Unofficial, no support needed” as he walked into a Kybo that was paid for by the sponsoring town. Yep! No support needed! LOL

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #268783

Half this country wants to ride IN the wagon and have the other half pull it..The fee goes toward charities, logistics, maybe overtime for emergency personnel , insurance…I think the bandit issue is a symptom of the current economy.

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #268885

The bandits thread comes and goes every year. I did one of the original rides when it was free, and it went along just fine. Now it is all about the money. Notice that the DMR never does a release of how much money was spent and how much they kept for “expenses”. It is akin to non-profits, whom pay themselves before donating to others.

So to avoid the moral high-horse, sure some ride for free, if an illegal mexican did it, would they be banditos or “undocumented riders?”. It is a fair question.

Relax on the subject. It always strikes me that this ride above all others, the subject of bandits or non-payers comes up where on other rides, not so much, even though of course it does happen on every ride, including genuine charity rides like MS or Cure the….something or other or starving somebodies…. I do think that people feel nickel and dimed after the first day or so after paying and then have to pay for everything including water when it isn’t so offered for free all the time.

Enjoy the ride in your own glow and neither let someone diminish your glow nor harsh out, it is just a bike ride after all.

Peace out.

Abbey

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #268979

Yes, I believe it is an economic thing (for most). I’ve been on RAGBRAI for 15 years – most full weeks; some half weeks depeneding on current circumstances. I registered and paid the first six years – haven’t paid since. Mostly because I’ve seen no real advantage (cost-wise) – so why not save $100 to help pay for a growing young family? Our family easily makes up this $100 loss (to the DM Register) to the local pass through towns and overnight communities. I can see both sides of this argument and struggled with this when I decided not to register back in 2003. Though, I still have a little guilt not paying I have found no real cost advantage to paying the registration fee (though, I’ve never had to use the sag wagon and haven’t needed the bike support services – I’ve had support with me the whole way.

I like what Abbey said “Enjoy the ride in your own glow and neither let someone diminish your glow nor harsh out, it is just a bike ride after all.” – I enjoyed this ride maybe more than any of the past 15 – the reason I found was because I wasn’t concerned about anybody/anything else but enjoying my time away from the normal daily routine!

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #269140

cberky states:
“I registered and paid the first six years – haven’t paid since. Mostly because I’ve seen no real advantage (cost-wise) – so why not save $100 to help pay for a growing young family?

Seriously???
Who do you think pays the costs associated with Ragbrai? Registered riders. So your participation is paid for by others….I guess with your mentality of seeing no real advantage, you didn’t use any Kybos, hang your bike from any of the racks that the towns set up, get the free water from the various “contraptions” that were put together, listen to any music, whether inside the beer garden or out, and the list goes on. I’m 99.9% sure you used various Ragbrai services that were paid for by others, yet you see no advantage.

And as an aside, if you truly need the $100 (actually $150) to help pay for a growing family, perhaps you should stay home, save the money, and actually pay for things required by a growing family! You are indeed a bandit.

Posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago ago #269173