Could \”booster clubs\” possibly be a term for  Grand Tour bicycle races? Or for an event such as RAGBRAI?

Booster clubs, after all, are organizations that work to support a sports team. Some bicycle races began as a means to increase circulation of a news publication; hence, boosters.

The Tour de France, Giro d\’Italia, and the Vuelta a Espana were all established as circulation promotions: for L\’Auto, La Gazzetto dello Sport, and Informaciones, respectively.

RAGBRAI began in much the same way. The Register\’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa now attracts so many riders that would-be participants must enter a lottery. If you want to ride across Iowa with the bunch, put your name into the hat. If your name is drawn, you get to ride. If not? Sorry; try again next year.

Other boosters are fund-raising rides such as Tour de Cure.  Tours de Cure are much more localized than an event like RAGBRAI, so there isn\’t a drawing to see who gets to participate. Each rider must, however, raise a minimum amount of money, something I always found very difficult. Maybe I need my own booster club?