Whether racing or cross country road trips are more your style, there
are plenty of ways to get sponsors to allow you to afford being a
cyclist. You’ll find that there are many cycle enthusiasts out
there. Cycling is a great way to get out of the city and get away from
it all. It’s wonderful exercises and just about anyone can get
started. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because anyone can
ride a bike that it will be cheap to be a cyclist. Sponsorships will
really help you down the line. Here are three ways to get sponsorships.
Your local bike shop
With
big chain stores in just about every town, the little bike stores
are having a tough time competing. This is good for you, however.
While the little bike store might not be able to compete on prices, they
will be able to offer you better service, free tips, and possibly little
freebies. Little shops make
excellent sports sponsors. They are more willing to spend time with
their customers and get to know their needs. In addition, they will be
able to offer you better advice since they are a speciality store. They
also might be willing to throw in a couple of freebies, such as water
bottles, as a way to thank you for your loyalty.
Manufacturers
While contacting the big guys isn’t for everyone, those who are
serious cyclists should give it a shot. When you watch the cycling
events, you’ll notice that they have many logos on their clothes. All
of these are sponsors that are either paying the cyclists to wear those
clothes or give them many freebies. All of this is in exchange of the
free publicity the manufacturers are getting
Organize a race
Organizing a race can seem like a daunting task, but it you break it
down it can be done. Being part of an organizational committee will
allow you to make contact with bigger companies that you might not have
been able to reach on your own. When many people are involved,
companies are often more willing to become sponsors that when there is
just one individual. They might donate
bikes, tires, money, clothes, or even free press. The options are
wide open. Just remember to thank all your sponsors, and maybe get a
photo with them that you can send to the local paper.
