How can i get a sponsor for my fathers cross-country bicycle trip to help him out a bit?
My father is departing today between 10 am - noon from cincinnati, ohio to his destination in San Diego, California. I was just wondering if there was anything that could be done to better help him on his way. He will be keeping a log of his journey on his website www.tbake.com and i would like to just get his journey known. It is quite a feat to do that kind of ride. Thank you for taking the time to read and any responses would be appreciated.
Good for him. That’s a tough ride because he’ll be bucking the wind the whole way. Having been involved in sponsorship fundraising for sporting events for over 10 years, I have some information that may or may not prove helpful.
First, its too late for any serious sponsorship or media attention if he’s leaving today. Most anyone who offers sponsorship should be approached well in advance, and with a very clear “product” to sell. The question is what do they get out of sponsoring you, and sadly what are the potential risks.
If he was riding to help raise awareness for an issue or illness then he would have plenty of help available, even at this late date. But I’ve read your dad’s page and while I admire his desire to get to know the world around him better, its really a personal triumph for him alone. That doesn’t do much to bring attention to a sponsors product or service. The other issue is risk. Lets say a company called Joe’s Bicycle Safety products agrees to sponsor him, and God forbid, anything should happen to him on the road. The potential negative attention could far outweigh any positive. For that reason alone, sponsorship is a delicate business.
To be even more blunt, nobody will give you cash. I’ve worked with world-class athletes and well-know companies. Everyone will give you product and signage, but cash is invisible and only available to the very best athletes with household names. Frankly, his best option is to scout out the local bike shops in the cities he plans stopping at, and schmooze. Long ago I worked at a bike shop in California and the owner and employees were good about hosting bicycle tourists. A warm shower and a washing machine are precious things on the road.
Wish him luck, and tell him to keep the rubber-side down.
Aloha
September 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Good for him. That’s a tough ride because he’ll be bucking the wind the whole way. Having been involved in sponsorship fundraising for sporting events for over 10 years, I have some information that may or may not prove helpful.
First, its too late for any serious sponsorship or media attention if he’s leaving today. Most anyone who offers sponsorship should be approached well in advance, and with a very clear “product” to sell. The question is what do they get out of sponsoring you, and sadly what are the potential risks.
If he was riding to help raise awareness for an issue or illness then he would have plenty of help available, even at this late date. But I’ve read your dad’s page and while I admire his desire to get to know the world around him better, its really a personal triumph for him alone. That doesn’t do much to bring attention to a sponsors product or service. The other issue is risk. Lets say a company called Joe’s Bicycle Safety products agrees to sponsor him, and God forbid, anything should happen to him on the road. The potential negative attention could far outweigh any positive. For that reason alone, sponsorship is a delicate business.
To be even more blunt, nobody will give you cash. I’ve worked with world-class athletes and well-know companies. Everyone will give you product and signage, but cash is invisible and only available to the very best athletes with household names. Frankly, his best option is to scout out the local bike shops in the cities he plans stopping at, and schmooze. Long ago I worked at a bike shop in California and the owner and employees were good about hosting bicycle tourists. A warm shower and a washing machine are precious things on the road.
Wish him luck, and tell him to keep the rubber-side down.
Aloha
References :
Church of the Wheel - Lifetime member