Do most shop rides cost $ ?

[ny biker]

Several shops around here sponsor weekly rides. None of them charge any money for them.

[indysteel]

I'm not aware of any shop around here charging for a shop ride. Many of our local shop rides are a joint club/shop effort, but neither the shop nor the club charge for them. Certainly, it's hoped that attendees spend money at the shop, but that's the only monetary aspect of them that I'm aware of. Our local club sponsors only a couple fee-based rides each year; the rest are free--although certainly everyone who does them is encouraged to join the club. Frankly, it's the best bargain in town when one considers all that they do.

I don't know how I'd feel about being charged to do a shop ride. I don't think I'd mind if a jar was passed around periodically to cover any costs (like maps or paint to mark the route), but I'd probably bristle at having to pay $75 to wear a jersey that provides the shop with advertising. But by the same token, if they provided a really great group ride that was a lot of fun, maybe I'd get over it. It would really depend on my overall feelings about the shop.

[Wasp]

Actually, it's $75.00 for the ride. An extra $95.00 for the privilege of advertising via shop shirt.

How many rides per week do they offer?

2-4 rides a week, but for a beginner only one ride. Most of the rides were for advanced or strong riders. I don't think I'm a beginner, but far from being what i would consider advanced.

[Owlie]

That's insane. My old old LBS didn't charge (I think there were clinics that they charged a small fee to help pay the instructor, but those were relatively rare) for group rides, my old LBS didn't charge, my current workplace doesn't charge (though they ask you to let them know that you're coming!).

Yes, the local club charges a membership fee, but it's like $25 a year or something, and extra for the jersey.

[Wasp]

I've never heard of anyone doing this.

What is a provincial license? And where are you? Is this the UK?

I'm in Vancouver, BC Canada. About 2 hrs north of Seattle.
Cyclingbc.net has the license info. It's generally used for organized rides, or clubs etc