80-year-old who completed this year’s Étape Caledonia complains that he will be barred from next year's event because of his age

Haggisbasher wrote:

I know John and have met up with him at Pitlochry, for the last 5 years. This is a man who does the Etape as a training event for a tough Duathlon a few weeks later.

Yes, he could just turn up on the day, but its the event and the taking part that he likes. I have also emailed the company  to see if they will shift their position. I have emailed the "face of the event" Chris Boardman to see if he will use his influence, as we are constantly told, cycling is good for your health.

As John says, if the goverment can raise the retirement age, then so can a bike event. There was another 75+ guy on the event who got round in 4:30 ish I think. Puts me to shame.

The guy's a star if you ask me. They should be inviting him to take part and waiving the fee. The same goes for the 75+ rider.

The fact that someone of that age group can clock impressive times that are better than people 50 years younger surely stands for something.

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Public road, he can do it without a number and just bring his own food. Problem solved. Save himself some coin as well.

Nail on the head, I've done numerous sportives and charity rides without having to pay for them they're just a bunch of riders all following the same route on the same day...personally I wouldn't avail myself of the food stops on route but again if some people are opening up a food stop in the middle of nowhere and giving out food for free why not?

Paying £40 for a cheap medal, a top up of water and a bannana for riding nowt' more than 180km?

One Born Every Minute.

Grahamd wrote:

"Those over the age of 80 can't compete" It's a sportive not a competition!

 

Ordinarily I would agree with this and, as far as I'm concerned, it should be non-competitive given the narrow roads and enormous range of abilities. However, I was slightly perturbed on Sunday morning when the MC at the start pens was advertising the King and Queen of the Mountain awards for the quickest people up Schiehallion (not much risk involved because of the relatively low speeds) as well as Lord and Lady of the Loch which basically encouraged folk to hammer it round Loch Rannoch. The overall results of the event are also listed in time order rather than alphabetical as is the case for the official Ride London. So although the organisers may very well bill this as a 'sportive', they certainly encourage participants to compete. 

peted76 wrote:

I wonder if there's a legal insurance reason why 80 is the age limit which restricts the organisers.. or it's just an abitary age limit which someone just made up for the sake of it?

 

Normally insurance reasons as you have posted.

rct wrote:

peted76 wrote:

I wonder if there's a legal insurance reason why 80 is the age limit which restricts the organisers.. or it's just an abitary age limit which someone just made up for the sake of it?

 

 

Normally insurance reasons as you have posted.

We could offer to crowdfund his insurance if that's the case? 

rct wrote:

Normally insurance reasons as you have posted.

Perhaps more appropriate to consider age limits for those insurer-employees making "insurance-related-decisions" based on age?

I'm sure there may be brief moments of rational lucidity in their sad, grey, financial careers?