Dolphins Cycling Challenge - Are You Kidding Me?!!

I am highly offended.  


I mean, I'm *really* pissed off!  


Someone at work gave the hubby a flyer for the Dolphins Cycling Challenge.  It sounded great!  


November 5 & 6th, 2011.
And I quote...  
"1 or 2 day Tri-County Rides that will include Miami Dolphins Alumni and Community Leaders.  100% of Proceeds go to UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, about $500k was raised the first year!  Finish Through the Tunnel onto the Field at Sun Life Stadium like the Dolphins do on Gameday!  Receive an Official Dolphins Bike Jersey and more!"


The hubby and I are getting really excited.  I mean, this event sounds awesome!  Of course, we love our Dolphins.  And, to make it even more special, my father has received treatment at the UM Sylvester Cancer Center.  We were already like, where do we sign up?!!  


We went to the website listed, www.RideDCC.com.  We found out registration is $150.  My hubby balked, but I still thought this would be really special and I was all jacked up.  You get a jersey and some other stuff, get to ride through the tunnel into the stadium, and it benefits a really good cause that has already helped my family.  To make it even more appealing, the event is on a Saturday and Sunday, with the century ride held on Saturday which is already my day off from work.  My head was spinning at how freaking exciting this event would be as my first full century ride!  


Then, we read a little bit further.  And that's when my excitement turned to disappointment and disgust.  In order to participate in the century ride you must raise a MINIMUM OF $1,000 IN FUNDRAISING.  Yes, you read that right.  Apparently, at some point they take your credit card information and if you don't raise the entire grand, they charge it to your plastic.  


ARE YOU SHITTING ME?!!  


Is this the kind of "elitist" cycling stuff that I keep hearing about?!!  I've got an idea!  If you keep the fundraising to a lower yet respectable amount, say $250 or even $300 like another event that I've done, then you'll get more people involved!  Instead of a few upper crust cyclists who can find ways to raise $1,000 or can just afford to shell it out themselves, you'll get MORE people which will add up to MORE fundraising!  But, since you're not doing that, oh snobby RideDCC.com folks... you can kiss my chamoised ass and I'll ride my first century elsewhere.  :-P