We charge for meals exactly what the caterer charges
us. We do not add on one cent for our own profit. Our Friday
meals are $11 and Sunday breakfast (after the 100 miler) is $12. Of
course, now that food prices have gone up recently, and I printed the entry
blanks way back in February, we will have to pay whatever the caterer needs to
cover her costs and absorb the difference. I will not hit the riders with
the increased costs.
> Eating is> going to cost me either way and it's extra bother if I
have to bring > and> prepare my own.
Here's an
exerpt from the Biltmore entry form:
>>Friday evening
dinner is included in rider fees. Extra tickets are $25 for
non-riders.
>>Super Saturday night hamburger and fixins dinner is
available for $12/person and includes dessert/drink.
Notice the $25 meal is "included in entry" for riders. The entry fee for
the ride is $200 for the 100 miler or $120 for the 50. (that's AERC entries,
the FEI folks pay more). If my daughter & I ride and bring husband and
other daughter to crew, it would be an extra $50 for the crew to eat...and
wouldn't it be rude if we didn't invite them? If the "meal is included in
entry" it cost our family of 4 $100 for a meal I didn't bother to go eat
because I was busy setting up my vet check. I can have my chicken breast &
noodles meal hot when we want it and feed all four for less than $5. Believe
me when I'm paying $120 for a 50 miler, I'd love to opt out of a $25 meal.
One option I am considering is offering to my school's athletic dept. the
option of selling meals at our ride. They have fund raisers where they sell
tickets for BBQ plates for $5 and set up a Coke wagon where everyone picks
them up on that day. If they want to do that I can let them take over the food
and if anyone wants to purchase it with their entry they can.
